Different ways to take part in Environment Week

Getting involved is the first step towards preserving Canada’s environment. Celebrate Environment Canada’s by helping to sustain it. Here are ideas and activities that you can do that will make a difference. You can participate anywhere and at any time.

At home:

1. Save on air conditioning costs in the summer by opening your windows at night, and then keeping them closed during the day with the curtains drawn.

2. Have a trash-free barbecue and invite guests to bring dinnerware (utensils) or use a Frisbee as a plate. It’s good for the environment and good for your health (running after it) afterwards.

3. While it is tempting, try not to open the door of your oven when using it. It reduces the oven temperature, therefore wasting precious energy.

4. Instead of washing your car yourself, take it to a car wash. This saves more water than you think.

5. Turn your yard into a sanctuary for local wildlife by planting wild flowers, supplying water and setting up a bird feeder. 6. Use cedar chips instead of mothballs. Not only do they smell better, but they are better for the environment too. There are chemicals in mothballs that can harm animals, our environment and us if used incorrectly. 7. Turn your thermostat down by a couple of degrees. You may find that you do not even notice the difference.

8. Plant trees to shade your house. This will minimize your air conditioning costs in the summer.

9. Install ENERGY STAR® Qualified Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) wherever possible, for maximum energy and money savings. 10. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. This will help save hundreds of litres of water annually.

11. Organize a clothing swap. Clear out unwanted clothing items from your closet and exchange them with friends and family in a special event or just for fun. This is a great way to renew your wardrobe, while at the same time saving money. Remember, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

12. Wash your clothes using cold water. Many detergents clean just as well in cold water.

13. Reduce the amount of municipal solid waste going to landfills by participating in recycling programs that include curbside pick-up, returnto-retailer or enviro-depot drop-off locations. Visit your municipality’s website to learn how you can do your part to conserve resources. 14. Feed the land and not the landfill. Collect organic waste for composting. By composting kitchen scraps and yard waste, you can cut your garbage by one third. If your municipality does not have a composting bin program, you can build or purchase your own backyard composter. For more information, visit the Composting Council of Canada’s website www.compost.org.

15. Dispose of your household chemicals safely. If not disposed of properly, household hazardous waste such as paint, solvents, cleaning products, motor oil, automotive batteries, fuel and fluorescent light bulbs can cause harm to human health and the environment. Consult your municipal government’s website to learn how. 16. Hold a garage sale to reuse your unwanted items instead of tossing them. Not only will you help the environment, but you will earn a few dollars doing it.

At work:

1. Ask your employer if you can do flexible work hours or telecommute. The more cars we keep off the road, the better.

2. Instead of wrapping your lunch in aluminum foil or saran wrap, use reusable containers. 3. Instead of throwing out your old computers, TVS, VCRS, stereos and fax machines, reuse, refurbish or recycle them. Ask retailers if they have take-back programs for used electronics or contact your municipality for drop-off locations. For cellular devices, please visit the www.

recyclemycell.ca website to find out where you can drop them off.

4. Take public transit or carpool. Not only will you help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it will save you money on fuel. Join the Commuter Challenge at www.commuterchallenge.ca.

5. Turn off your hard drive when you are not using your computer. This will double its life and save energy.

6. Reduce the amount of bottled water you drink. Bring your own mug for coffee or tea. Every time you use a reusable mug, you are saving one disposable cup. For more information on what you can do to help the environment, please visit www. ec.gc.ca/environmentweek.