Identify realistically-achievable methods of reducing your individual footprint

Method

Description

Metric

Ethic

1

Vampire loads

One way to help the environment is to unplug your devices once they are charged. Fully-charged devices that remain plugged in continue to use energy. Surprisingly, "vampire power" is responsible for draining up to $19 billion in energy every year in the U.S., according to the National Resources Defense Council.

Use additional page if needed to describe how you would calculate success in achieving this metric.

Use additional page if needed to describe the challenges +/or benefits of ethical implementation in your residence.

2

Lights off

Turning off lights and appliances as much as possible is a sure-fire way to reduce your energy consumption, but swapping your standard light bulb for an LED or CFL bulb reduces energy consumption by up to 80 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The more efficient bulbs also last longer, reducing waste and cost.

3

Drink-cycle

Rather than grabbing a single-use container when you're out, carry a reusable water bottle with you. You can take this tip further by carrying a coffee thermos too; most coffee shops will fill your brought-from-home mug. Still need to buy plastic bottles? Consider giving them a second life at home before you recycle.

4

Straws

Americans use a whopping 500 million straws per day, a number that, end-to-end, could circle the planet 2.5 times, according to environmental action group Sailors for the Sea. Instead, skip the straw and lid all together and sip from the cup to avoid contributing to plastic pollution. If you need to use a straw, or have little ones in tow, purchase paper or metal straws made from recycled material. The paper will biodegrade more easily than plastic, and metal straws can be reused until they're ready to recycle.

5

Line Drying

Going old-school to dry clean clothes is a great way to minimize your personal carbon footprint. Consider hanging your clothes out to dry instead of throwing them in the dryer. According to the World Wildlife Organization, one dryer load uses five times more electricity than washing – the equivalent of turning on 225 light bulbs for an hour.

6

Commuting

Choosing to walk, bike or take public transportation is a small but impactful way to help in the fight against climate change. Some 65 million Americans have taken up biking in recent years and many are opting to take their bikes to work.

7

Gardens

There are so many reasons why planting and tending a garden is a good idea. In terms of climate change, gardens absorb carbon dioxide, the driving factor behind global warming. In addition, gardens planted in cities help to minimize "urban heat island" effects.

8

Thermostat

When you leave your home, think about turning up the temperature in your home during the summer months and lowering it in the winter. This will have a great impact on your energy savings, both personally and for the planet. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save up to 10 percent a year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back seven to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day from its normal setting.

9

Waste

Keep garbage from entering landfills, where it emits the potent greenhouse gas methane, by composting and continuing to recycle paper, plastic, metal and glass. When purchasing products from stores, be conscious of the packaging. For example, instead of getting your coffee and other beverages in convenient K-Cups, which are difficult to recycle, purchase a coffee machine that will allow you to use coffee that comes in recyclable packaging.

10

Power

If you have the option, ask your utility provider to switch your account to renewable power, such as solar or wind farms. If your provider doesn't offer that option, suggest they add it. If demand becomes great enough, utilities will soon comply.

11

Hot water

Using cold water to wash your hands and clothes helps reduce energy consumption. Another tip is to take faster showers rather than baths.  Turning your hot water heater down a few degrees will also save considerable energy.

12

Livestock

Eliminating or at least reducing your meat consumption may actually be the best thing you can do to fight climate change. According to a report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the global livestock industry produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all cars, planes, trains and ships combined. Emissions from livestock, largely from burping cows and sheep, as well as the manure they produce, currently makes up almost 15 percent of global emissions, notes the study, while beef and dairy alone make up 65 percent of all livestock emissions. In addition, for every pound of beef, 5,000 gallons of water is needed.

13

Paperless

Instead of printing a receipt each time you hit the ATM, opt in to email or text message receipts to keep tabs on your balance. Most banks now offer paperless billing, so you can handle all of your transactions online without wasting a single sheet of paper. While you're at it, download an app like Venmo or Paypal, where you can transfer money between individuals free of charge and save on the paper checks too. Venmo anyone? 

14

Junk mail

The average American adult receives 41 pounds of junk mail per year. Stem the flow of paper waste by signing up for a service like DMA Choice to remove your name and address from direct mailing lists. If you're getting catalogs from favorite retailers, email them to request being removed from their direct mailing list and opt into email updates instead. Many stores like CVS and Stop and Shop now offer apps that allow users to load coupons directly onto their loyalty cards to avoid printing them. Another bonus: One card means fewer coupons to forget at home!

15

Bags

Stash a few reusable shopping bags on your car to use in the grocery store to avoid plastic bags, which are difficult to recycle. Many grocery stores and online retailers sell reusable produce bags as well, to further reduce plastic consumption.

16

Lunch

Save money and calories by bringing your lunch in from home. Takeout restaurants are disposable-packaging powerhouses, and by packing your lunch, you control the wrappings and trappings for your midday meal. Brown bags are recyclable, but consider investing in a reusable lunch bag and food containers and swap plastic snack bags for reusable ones made of silicone, like Stasher Bags.

17

Napkins

Cloth napkins are more durable and less wasteful than their paper counterparts. Retailers like Ikea sell packs of reusable towels and napkins at affordable prices. The cloth napkins can be washed by hand or in the washing machine, and reused. Plus, they come in cute patterns and fabrics that beat plain paper napkins any day.

18

Composte

According to data from the United Nations, over one third of the food produced annually across the globe is wasted. To avoid contributing to this problem, grocery shop with a plan and use items in your pantry and fridge according to their expiration dates. For the bits of food you can't eat, consider starting a backyard compost pile to turn leftovers into fuel for plants.

19

Rainwater

The average household hose uses six gallons of water per minute and isn't particularly efficient. Reduce waste by using a watering can to better target your plants and give them a more natural watering akin to rain. Plus, you'll save on your water bill.

20

Brands

Reevaluate the products you have in your home and make the necessary swaps to more environmentally sustainable products and businesses. Websites like rankabrand.org give grades to businesses based on their degree of social responsibility and sustainable practices to help you make the best brand choices for the environment.