Signature Community has developed the Signature Community Green Program to inform and assist our residents in improving the environment. We have developed this easy list for new ways to help Green your community.
In the Kitchen:
Buy fresh fruits and vegetables from local producers/markets and maximize veggies: it takes over 5000 gallons of water to raise one pound of meat
Reuse your water bottles!
Avoid purchasing pre-prepared, frozen foods, and make them yourself. Buy Fresh!
Buy and cook in bulk: less packaging, fewer trips to the store, and financial savings!
Use reusable containers and dispose of waste food into a compost
Skip the dry cycle on your dishwasher
Carry canvas bags in your car; use for purchasing groceries and other items to eliminate the need for plastic bags
Use rags instead of paper towels for cleaning
Use eco-friendly cleaning products which can be found in your local grocery store.
Vinegar and Baking Soda can be used to clean almost anything.
Grilling is a more energy-efficient way to cook.
Bathroom:
A dripping faucet and running toilet can waste over 20 gallons in a day. Report all drips and leaks to management ASAP.
Living Room:
Unplug unused electronics; save on electricity
Unplug unused chargers and AC adapters. Buy a power strip and switch the electricity on or off with a flick of a switch.
Use rechargeable batteries. Lithium-ion and nickel metal hydride are cost-effective, green alternatives.
Looks for electronics with EPEAT (electronic product environmental assessment tool) certification.
Fill the room with plants and improve air quality; cut indoor air pollutants by half
Personal:
Instead of adjusting the thermostat, wear a sweater, you use less electricity.
Purchase recycled products; buy smart.
Go Paperless! Switch all your bills to paperless or e-statements.
Cancel unwanted catalog and newspaper subscriptions. Remember, you can opt-out of your free Sunday Newspaper by sending an email to newspapers@asignaturecommunity.com
Take shorter showers- Showers account for 2/3 of all water heater costs. Save 350 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $99.00 per year.
Fill your dishwasher and save 100 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $40.00 per year.
Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Save 300 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $60 per year.
Seek out dry cleaners that use green methods.
We`re all about community! Talk to your neighbors and come up with new ideas to help green your community.
Visit MyPlace for more Earth Day Programs, great links, and to share your creative Green.
