Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling can benefit your community, the economy, and the environment. Products should only be recycled if they cannot be reduced or reused. EPA promotes the waste management hierarchy, which ranks various waste management strategies from most to least environmentally preferred. The hierarchy prioritizes source reduction and the reuse of waste materials over recycling.

Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into a valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants. Anything that grows decomposes eventually; composting simply speeds up the process by providing an ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, and other decomposing organisms (such as worms, sowbugs, and nematodes) to do their work. The resulting decomposed matter, which often ends up looking like fertile garden soil, is called compost. Fondly referred to by farmers as “black gold,” compost is rich in nutrients and can be used for gardening, horticulture, and agriculture.

The amount of sunlight that strikes the earth's surface in an hour and a half is enough to handle the entire world's energy consumption for a full year. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. This energy can be used to generate electricity or be stored in batteries or thermal storage.

While there is an ongoing argument about paper vs. plastic, this is a no-brainer for us. We've witnessed the environmental impact of plastic bags firsthand.
Plastic bags are made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource that can take hundreds of years to decompose. They can end up in landfills or as litter, which can harm wildlife and pollute the environment.

All forms of electric vehicles (EVs) can help improve fuel economy, lower fuel costs, and reduce emissions. Using electricity as a power source for transportation improves public health and the environment, and provides safety benefits, and contributes to a resilient transportation system.

A single person who switches from a 20-mile solo commute by car to existing public transportation, can reduce their annual CO2 emissions by 20 pounds per day, or more than 48,000 pounds in a year. That is equal to a 10% reduction in all greenhouse gases produced by a typical two-adult, two-car household.

Researchers estimate that the production and consumption of beef amounts to roughly 3.8% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Further, consumers waste an estimated 20% of the beef they purchase. That waste ends up in landfills and creates more greenhouse gas.

When comparing different heating systems, the most environmentally friendly options are generally electric heat pumps powered by renewable energy sources, followed by geothermal heating, while traditional fossil fuel-based systems like oil and gas furnaces have the highest environmental impact due to their significant greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from combustion; the specific impact depends on the energy source used to generate electricity for electric systems and the efficiency of each heating system.

There are many simple changes that you can make to your home and/or lifestyle that can reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some of the most common that we've found. Check all that apply to you.