Make a Difference

Green Living - Tips and resources for making environmentally responsible choices in your daily life

Take great winter wildlife
photos with some tips from
the pros. (Photo: Eric Dresser)

Bookmark this page and check the "10 Things" list below for seasonally updated actions you can take to live greener right now! Or Subscribe to get an email letting you know when new seasonal tips are posted!

Watch the Green Tips videos on DEC TV

Ten Things You Can Do to Help The Environment Right Now

The three Rs for the holiday season
Here are dozens of tips to help you reduce the huge amount of waste the average household creates between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Start with DEC's ideas then check out EPA's "Green Your Holiday Scene" at right.
Winter's great for nature photo-buffs.
Leaf-less trees and a stark white background make for amazing wildlife shots-if you're prepared. Rule number one: keep your battery and yourself warm! See the link on the right for the National Wildlife Federation's 10 Tips for Winter Photography.
Don't be a drip.
Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners more than 10 percent on their water bills. You can detect and fix the common most types of leaks yourself-see link to the Saving Water Partnership in the right-hand column.
Low tire pressure = lower gas mileage

Photo: NASA Visible Earth
Cold weather reduces the air pressure inside your tires. Keeping your tires properly inflated can save you more than 3% on gas. Check your pressure when the tires are cold, before driving. Contrary to popular belief, keeping your tires slightly underinflated does not improve winter handling.
What's your green IQ?Test your smarts about all things green and sustainable with this set of quick quizzes on all aspects of your life. (see Green Guide Quizzes at right) We learned a few things. So will you.
Beware the "portion pack."
Popular single serving coffee pacs, for example, aren't recyclable (because they contain layers of different materials), nor are they biodegradable. On the other hand, good old fashioned coffee grounds and unbleached paper filters are fully compostable. Take home lesson: most single serving packages are unnecessary and wasteful-and they cost more too!
Need some motivation to get outdoors?
Check out DEC's events calendars (see links at right) for everything from tracking winter wildlife and learning to snowshoe to helping salamanders across the road during their early spring migrations. Don't forget your camera-see second tip.
Breathe easyAvoid using products which give off toxic or harmful fumes in the winter when there's less ventilation inside. Cleaning solvents, paints, stains and even personal care products give off fumes. Choose low VOC (volatile organic compound) alternatives.
Pain in the...plastic Almost everything you buy new is packaged in plastic, often the clear, molded kind that is nearly impossible-and sometimes painful-to remove (that seems to be the point). Of course, minimal packaging is preferred, but much plastic packaging is recyclable. Look for a recycling symbol with a number 1 through 7 and then check with your waste hauler or local government to see if they collect this type. See the Green Tips video for more on recycling plastic.
Help wildlife in needIf you find an animal that appears injured or sick, or want to report dead wildlife or unusual behavior (such as a bat flying outdoors in winter), refer to DEC's Wildlife Health web page. You'll find advice on what to do and who to call.