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You can make a difference in your community. We can help!WildLifeStyle: Around the House
Less is more. There are a lot of small things you can do around your house to reduce your environmental impact and help wildlife.
- Recycle as much as you can. Reducing, reusing, and recycling helps conserve energy, minimize pollution, and reduce greenhouse gases. If your town or city doesn’t provide recycling services or you think they’re not good enough, start a community petition to improve them! If your town or city does recycle, make sure to follow the rules and sort your recycling accordingly.
Turn it off and unplug it! Turn off computers, lights and other devices that use energy when you’re not using them (turning off just one 60-watt incandescent bulb that would otherwise burn eight hours a day can save 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide over the lifetime of the bulb). Unplug computers, lamps and appliances (or switch off power strips) when you won’t be using them for a while – some appliances continue to suck electricity even when they’re turned off!- Recycle your electronics. Recycling electronics ensures that they will be disposed of in an eco-friendly way, and that any usable parts and materials will be re-used, turning into the next latest and greatest gadget. MyBoneYard Recycling offers a safe and effective way to recycle your electronics, and 100% of proceeds are donated right back to Defenders of Wildlife.
- Value water. Water is one of our most valuable natural resources – and needs to be protected. Don’t leave the tap running when you’re brushing your teeth or washing your hands. Take shorter showers instead of baths. Put a brick in your toilet tank and save about 3 liters of water every time you flush! Take care not to over-water your lawn or garden – and water your plants in the evening so the water doesn’t evaporate.
- Cut down on plastics. Most plastic is made from oil or natural gas, with all the associated environmental impacts of extracting fossil fuels. Each year, a million birds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles die from eating or getting entangled in plastic. Plastic doesn't biodegrade, so every plastic bag you've ever used still exists in some form. Carry reusable bags with you – and use them!
- Be aware of poisons. Don’t put hazardous substances down the drain, into a storm sewer or in the trash. Paint, pesticides, motor oil, antifreeze, dead batteries and even prescription drugs can pollute our water and land – which means they end up harming people and wildlife. For more information on proper disposal methods, see the Environmental Protection Agency’s guide.
- Go vintage. One person’s trash is another’s treasure. By shopping at thrift stores instead of buying new things, you’ll reduce trash in landfills, save money and help the environment – and look stylish doing it! If no one gave to – or shopped at – thrift stores, our landfills would be overflowing. So get out there and set a trend for wildlife!
More ways to adopt a WildLifeStyle:
- Backyard Basics: Invite the wild into your life.
- Get Wild Online: Go viral.
- In Your Community: Be a bridge.
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