What can I do?​

  • Use your purchasing power to support conscientious green businesses!

Use Your Purchasing Power

Use your purchasing power to support conscientious green businesses

EASY GREEN OPPORTUNITIES

  • Try to consolidate shipments by ordering from just a few online businesses. If purchasing on Amazon choose the option to ship items together, even if it takes an extra day or two.
  • One of the biggest water users at homes and businesses is your landscaping. Install drip irrigation and check it regularly to make sure there aren’t any leaks or plugged water emitters. Always water at night or early morning, to prevent water loss to evaporation. For new landscaping plant native, drought tolerant plants, and take out or avoid grass.
  • Recycle, recycle, recycle. Did you know that glass and aluminum are infinitely recyclable? But only ~30% of glass and 35% of aluminum end up in the recycling bin. Everything you put in recycling has to be clean – if things get contaminated the recycling company has to send it to the landfill.
  • Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Most plastic bags can’t or don’t get recycled and end up in landfills, or worse, in the ocean.

Set your thermostat

Set your thermostat for max efficiency – 68 in the winter, 76-78 in the summer

order fewer packages

Consolidate shipments by ordering from just a few online businesses. Choose the option to ship items together.

use amazon smile

Use Smile.Amazon.com and support your favorite nonprofit organizations with every purchase.

choose native plants

For new landscaping plant native, drought tolerant plants, and take out or avoid grass

install drip irrigation

Install drip irrigation and check it regularly to make sure there aren’t any leaks or plugged water emitters.

water at night

Always water at night or early morning, to prevent water loss to evaporation.

no plastic water bottles

Get a swanky water bottle and never purchase bottled water again.

recycle all glass and aluminum

Did you know that glass and aluminum are infinitely recyclable? But only ~30% of glass and 35% of aluminum end up in the recycling bin.

Make a plastic resolution

Make a resolution – no more single-use plastic.

create compost

Find out if you can use your green waste bin for landscaping AND food waste.

bring your own bags

Most plastic bags can’t or don’t get recycled and end up in landfills, or worse, in the ocean

SMALL GREEN INVESTMENTS

  • If your community has a CCA like Marin Clean Energy or Sonoma Clean Power opt up to their “Deep Green” option and for a small $ premium get 100% of electricity from regional renewable wind and solar energy.
  • Worried about finding EV charging stations? Check out the PlugShare app.

opt into communty choice

If your community has a CCA like Marin Clean Energy or Sonoma Clean Power opt up to their “Deep Green” option

fewer flights & offset

IF you fly spend a little more (~$20-40) to get carbon offsets.

Plant trees for birthdays

Plant trees for birthdays or holidays using services like One Tree Planted.

Green You Can See

  • Solar and Electric Vehicles (EVs) are visible and sexy. Install residential solar and buy your own EV that runs on the sun’s energy. These are big ticket investments but they also pay you back by slashing your electricity and gas bills. And there are tax incentives!
  • Worried about finding EV charging stations? Check out the PlugShare app.

install solar panels

Solar is visible and sexy. Install residential solar to reduce your electric bill. And there are tax incentives!

buy an electric vehicle

Buy your own EV and slash your gas bills. Check for tax incentives.

Green Actions

donate to impactful orgs

Set up monthly giving to impactful regional, national and international organizations.

join an impactful org

Encourage your company to become a member of beneficial orgs or achieve certifications.

join an impactful org

Find regional organizations to volunteer with.

support impactful legislation

Ask representatives to support legislation like Build Back Better.

start a green team at work

Get your workplace involved in going greener – start a Green (or Blue) Team.