Earth Steward Checklist
GREEN CONGREGATIONS, |
GREEN HOMES
|
EARTH KID CHECKLIST |
GREEN CONGREGATIONS,
CAMPGROUNDS, and OTHER BUILDINGS
Energy
____Conduct energy audits of buildings
____Plug air leaks around windows and doors by weather stripping and caulking
____Increase amount of insulation in walls and ceilings
____Purchase a programmable heating/cooling thermostat. Use a timer on A/C to control temperatures. Set thermostat 68 degrees F winter and 78 degrees summer
____Keep building temperature cooler in winter and warmer in summer
____Turn down the thermostat at night or when you leave the house
____Arrange for regular furnace/air conditioner tune-ups
____Add storm windows and doors
____Consider replacement of furnace with renewable forms of heating and cooling such as geothermal heating and cooling, and water heating or preheating
____Install passive solar heating
____Turn down the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees
____Insulate water heater and hot water pipes
____Install a demand water heater
____Replace an electric water heater with a gas or oil water heater
____Install a solar water heater or pre-heater
____Tune up the refrigerator: clean condenser every 3 months, check door seal and replace as needed, adjust temperature (refrigerator between 36-38 degrees F, and freezer between 0-5 degrees F)
____Install energy-efficient lighting. Use a timer, motion sensor, or solar powered instead of dusk to dawn lightening
____Use lower wattage lights that give off the same lumens.
____Plant trees to shade your building and for wind breaks
____Plant deciduous trees on south side of building to shade in summer and allow the sun to warm in winter
____Use energy serving settings on refrigerators, dishwasher, washing machines
____Change heater and air conditioner filters every month
____Pull drapes, shades over windows in summer
____Keep windows/doors closed when the A/C is on
____Turn off all appliances and lights when not in use
____Unplug all electronic equipment between camps
____New building—Consider earth sheltered homes, underground homes, super insulated homes and use of pre-made foam filled panels
Water Conservation
____Fix leaky faucets, showers, spigots, waterlines, etc
____Use the most water efficient fixtures and appliances
- ____Water-saving showerheads
- ____Use same bath towel for 3-4 days before washing
- ____Water-saving faucet aerators with on/off switch to make it easy to temporarily shut the water off without having to adjust the temperature
- ____Water efficient toilets (ultra-low-flow designs) or put plastic bottles filled with water, or some similar water displacer in the toilet tank (No bricks please, they leave grit)
- ____When needed, get a front loading washing machine
- ____When needed, get a water efficient dishwasher
- ____Install efficient tank-less hot water heaters
- ____When planning landscape, choose to Xeriscape: use native plants
Garbage and Waste
____Bring less garbage into the building. Reduce disposable items (paper, plastic and Styrofoam plates, plastic ware, paper, plastic and Styrofoam cups)
____Choose packaging made out of paper, glass and metal, and recyclable plastics. Reduce other kinds of packaging materials
____Get a recycle bin and Recycle! Recycle! Recycle
____Separate recyclables by creating a designated collection point for different kinds of items like newspaper, glass, metal, recyclable plastics, etc
____Compost organic waste from the kitchen and yard
____Dispose of hazardous materials (paints, batteries, oil) at your local recycle place
____Use recycled paper goods/recyclable plastics
____Use biodegradable cleaners and other products (Recipes at ecologycenter.org)
Purchase Wisely
____Buy what is needed, not what is wanted
____Choose products with longest life possible
____Buy products with the least adverse impact from making and shipping them (buy in bulk, locally produced, no impact on endangered species)
____Carefully maintain what is purchased
____Eat lower on the food chain (less meat, eggs, dairy products)
____Eat organically
Green Landscape
____Plant native drought trees/flowers around church especially on the west/south side. Drought resistance plants include: Cacti, Cedars, Lantana, Viburnum, Hollies, Buffalo grass, Bermuda grass
____When planning landscape, choose to Xeriscape: use native plants
____Group plants according to water needs
____Water lawns wisely before 10:00 am
____Water lawn not sidewalks/pavements
____Use hose nozzle to conserve water
____Use natural pest repellents, fungicides, herbicides, and fertilizers (recipes www.adeq.state.ar.us; www.ci.seattle.wa.us; www.epa.gov)
____If artificial pesticides and fertilizers are used, use minimal amount; follow directions; avoid rain; do not overuse products. Triple rinse pesticide containers before disposing of them and use the rinse as an application
____Compost grass clippings, leaves, yard waste or use a mulch
____Divert excess runoff water to an area that can absorb it or to holding tanks to be used later to water lawns and gardens
____Participate in community clean-up right of ways, parks
____Keep lawn mower in top condition. Keep blades sharp
____Avoid excessive mowing
Office Supplies
____Use the minimum amount of supplies
____Recycle or give away used materials
____Buy reusable, recycled, and non-toxic office supplies
____Save to floppy disc instead of printing to paper when possible
____Buy high-recycled content (paper, etc)
____Avoid paper products bleached with chlorine
____Buy and use clipboards made of post-consumer plastics
____Use water-based, non-toxic markers, highlighters, and correction fluid
____Use fine point pens
____Use alcohol-based dry-erase markers
____Use binders with recycled content, especially solid plastic and cardboard binders that contain 100 % post-consumer recycled content, or PVC-covered paperboard binders
____Use self-stick notes that are made from 100% recycled paper and contain at least 30% post-consumer material. Don’t use colored ones
____Buy post-consumer recycled content envelopes. Tyvek® R envelopes are recyclable and very tough. * Kraft natural unbleached or semi-bleached envelopes are ok
____Reuse and recycle floppy disks and CDs, do not throw away. CDs can be recycled at Green Disk Services. 2200 Burlington, Colombia MO 65202 (800-3305-3475)
____Purchase and use refillable pens and pencils. Buy those made of recycled products
____Use recycled printer and copier toner cartridges available on internet and in some cities
____Use 3M® transparencies and recycle old transparencies. Use 3M’s recycling program (1-800-328-1371)
EARTH STEWARD CHECKLIST
GREEN HOMES
Garbage and Waste
____Bring less garbage into homes. Reduce disposable items (disposable diapers, razors, plates)
____Choose packaging made out of paper, glass, metal and recyclable plastics. Reduce other kinds of packaging materials
____Use things like paper bags, plastic bags, glass jars, envelopes, etc more than once
____Eliminate use of disposable dishes/utensils
____Eliminate the use of Styrofoam
____Get a recycle bin and Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!
____Separate recyclables by creating a designated collection point for different kinds of items like newspaper, glass, metal, recyclable plastics, etc.
____Compost organic waste from kitchen and yard
____Dispose of hazardous materials (paint, batteries, oil) at your local recycle place
____Use biodegradable cleaners and personal care products (Recipes: www.adeq.state.ar.us)
Energy
____Plug air leaks around windows and doors by weatherstripping and caulking
____Increase amount of insulation in walls and ceilings
____Purchase a programmable heating/cooling thermostat
____Keep house temperature cooler in winter and warmer in summer
____Turn down the thermostat on water heater to 120 degrees
____Insulate water heater and hot water pipes
____Install a demand water heater when replacing
____Replace an electric water heater with a gas or oil water heater
____Install a solar water heater or pre-heater
____Arrange for regular furnace/air conditioner tune-ups
____Add storm windows and doors
____When needed, replace windows with double or triple panes, low e argon gas filled windows
____Hang sun/shade screens on windows that get direct sun
____Install passive solar heating
____Tune up refrigerators; clean refrigerator/freezer condenser every 3 months, check door seal and replace as needed, adjust temperature (refrigerator between 36 and 38 degrees F, and freezer between 0 and 5 degrees F)
____Install energy-efficient lighting. Use lower wattage lights that give off the same lumens
____Plant trees to shade house and for wind breaks
____Use energy serving settings on refrigerators, dishwasher, and washing machine
____Change furnace and air conditioner filters every month
____New buildings-Earth sheltered, underground homes, super insulated homes such as pre-made foam-filled panels
Water Conservation
____Fix leaky faucets, showers, spigots, water lines, etc.
____Use the most water efficient fixtures and appliances
- ____Water-saving showerheads
- ____Water-saving faucet aerators with on/off switch to make it easy to temporarily shut the water off without having to adjust the temperature
- ____Water efficient toilets (ultra-low-flow designs) or put plastic bottles bottles filled with water, or some similar water displacer in your toilet tank (No bricks please, they leave grit)
- ____ When needed, purchase a front-loading washing machine
- ____When needed, purchase a water efficient dishwasher
- ____When needed, purchase a gas clothes dryer
____Wash clothes in cool cycles, whole loads of laundry, and line dry if possible
____Take showers instead of tub baths
____Take short showers (5 minutes or less)
____Shower this way: wet-down, turn off water, soap up, turn on water, rinse-off
____Use the same towel for 3-4 days before washing
____Flush toilet less (small amounts of urine hardly need to be flushed every time). Get household agreement on guidelines for when to flush
____Water yard or garden during the coolest part of the day
____If you use a hose to wash cars, use a nozzle to turn off the water while you soap.
____When planning landscape, choose to Xeriscape; use native plants
Transportation Efficiency
____Go to as many places as possible in one trip, rather than making separate trips
____Walk or bike when possible
____Use public transportation to and from work or for recreation
____Move to a location where you can get to work and stores without using a car
____Keep tires inflated at the proper level
____Keep car engine tuned up
____Buy a fuel-efficient car or truck
____Recycle used oil and lubricants
____Carpooling saves money and protects the environment
Purchase Wisely
____Buy what you need, not what you want
____Choose products with longest life possible
____Buy products with the least adverse impact from making and shipping them (buy in bulk, locally produced, no impact on endangered species)
____Carefully maintain what you have
____Eat lower on the food chain (less meat, eggs, dairy products)
____Eat organically
____Grow your own food
____Use natural pest repellents, fungicides, and herbicides (Recipes: www.adeq.state.ar.us)
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EARTH KID CHECKLIST
Personal Care
____When brushing teeth, turn water on only when you need it
____Use the least amount of toothpaste needed to clean teeth
____Use the least amount of shampoo and conditioner needed to wash hair
____Take short showers (5 minutes or less)
____Shower this way: wet-down, turn off water, soap up, turn on water, rinse off
____Re-hang outer clothes to be worn again, washing only when dirty
Eating
____Use real dishes, not paper or plastic ones
____Avoid fast-foods, eat fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy products instead
____Order or take out only the amount you will eat or drink
Buying Stuff
____Buy only what you need
____Buy stuff that uses only a little wrapping
____Buy things made from recycles materials
____Recycle everything your community recycles
____Barter with friends if you have electronic games you are tired of
____Use the public library to check out videos, books, games instead of buying
Save Energy
____Turn off lights when you are not in the room
____Keep house temperature at 68 degrees in winter and 78 degrees in summer
____Turn off computers, stereo, radio, TV when not in use
____Recycle anything your community does, and reuse containers at home