Irony under the sink
Did you know? Many of the products we use to make our homes clean and healthy are actually bad for us and the environment. Look for nontoxic and eco-friendly alternatives in stores, or make your own! Download our print-and-cut Greener Cleaner recipe cards
(332 Kb).
Get thrifty
Put the reuse back in “reduce, reuse, recycle.” Buying used clothing, furniture, appliances and other items eliminates the energy needed to create, package and ship a new item. Check out your local resale or thrift stores, or find used items on Craigslist.
Green your dry clean
Conventional dry-cleaning uses chemicals that contribute to smog and are known to cause cancer. For nontoxic alternatives to dry cleaning, download Co-op America’s handy guide to dry-cleaning alternatives
(56 Kb), and search for eco-friendly cleaners near you.
Driving the cause
In the market for a new car? Consider an alternative-fuel or very fuel-efficient vehicle. For help choosing a cleaner car, try DriveClean or GreenCar. Better yet, reduce your trips. Commuting by carpool, transit or bike—even just one day a week—can greatly impact your carbon footprint.
Offset your impact
Some everyday emissions are simply unavoidable, but we can compensate somewhat by reducing our footprint elsewhere. Large companies purchase carbon offsets, and individuals can too. The Daily Green and Green America offer guides to understanding and purchasing carbon offsets.