Things in Your Bathroom

• According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average family of four uses about 400 gallons of water every day. Depletion of our natural water resources is a major harm to the environment and poses concerns about the availability of adequate water supplies for future generations. Review your water usage, especially in the bathroom. Shorter showers and less than a full tub of bathwater will really help. A leaky toilet can use up to 200 gallons of water each day.
  
  

Things In Your Kitchen

• The kitchen is loaded with products and usage habits that harm the environment. Older appliances and those that are not Energy Star-rated can use more electricity and gas. Dishwashing detergents can contain phosphates and chemicals that flow into our water supplies. Rinsing dishes instead of scraping them and washing less than a full load in the dishwasher uses more water. Pouring cooking oils into regular garbage bins instead of separating it contaminates the environment and contributes to polluting water supplies. Cooking oils should be put in tightly sealed, unbreakable containers in the trash. Contact your municipal water and waste treatment facility for information specific to your area and to find out if it provides drop off or collection services.
  
  

Things In Your Cupboards and Cabinets

• Household cleaning products, plastics and product packaging fill our cupboards and cabinets with items that harm the environment. When asked by your grocer if you'd like paper or plastic, opt for paper. Better yet, switch to reusable cotton and natural fiber shopping bags to reduce the use of paper products to help save trees and reduce the buildup of toxins in landfills.
  
  

Things In Your Garage

• Leftover antifreeze, oil, gasoline, paints, pesticides and batteries are hazardous to the environment. The EPA refers to harmful substances in the home as "household hazardous waste" (HHW). These substances can be toxic, corrosive, combustible and reactive. Check with your local municipality for instructions on how and where to get rid of unused materials. Otherwise, by simply putting them in the garbage with other trash, or pouring substances down the drain, they pollute the environment and contaminate community water treatment systems.
  
  

Things Everywhere

• According to Time Magazine, residential energy use contributes to 16 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. But you and your family can do some things to help. Opt for paperless billing from your creditors. Paper kills trees; it requires big, fuel-hungry trucks to transport the trees to paper mills; and it uses even more fuel to move paper between businesses and mail carriers.
  
  Switch to energy-efficient, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) instead of incandescent light bulbs. A CFL only uses 27 watts to generate as much light as a 100-watt incandescent light bulb.
  
  Request an energy audit from your utility company. The gas company can make sure you aren't leaking gases that could pose harm to your family as well as the environment. Your electric company can provide advice on how you can make your home greener and reduce your energy consumption. This will help protect the environment and save money on your utility bills at the same time.