Avoid plastics.
The good thing about plastic is its durability but the bad thing about plastic is its durability. Those one-time drinking bottles can out live three generations and never really decomposes. Look for non-plastic alternatives such as frozen juice and milk in glass bottles. Analyze the amount of plastic used for packaging and download your movies and music. Buy in bulk and avoid single-serving items.
Buy low VOC products.
Many products such as paint strippers and wood preservatives emit VOC's which contribute to Sick Building Syndrome. VOC's are often used in paint, carpet backing, plastics, and cosmetics. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found concentrations of VOC's in indoor air to be 2 to 5 times greater than in outdoor air. Ask for low or zero VOC's when doing any home improvement project.
Composting.
Eighty percent of landfills are organic waste. Landfills deprive organic matter of oxygen slowing the decay and creating the most harmful of greenhouse gases, methane. Composting will recycle an impressive amount of organic waste into “black gold”. Items such as paper and food can be easily converted into a natural fertilizer for lawns and gardens.
Install rain barrel.
Connecting a barrel to your downspout is an inexpensive way to harvest rain water. This water can be used to for your plants or lawn and refill the bird bath which in turn will reduce wasted water, expenses and pollution.
Install solar attic fan.
According to Tom Silva of This Old House, "the most difficult part to installing a solar attic fan is climbing on the roof". But why do it at all? Attics can reach 160 degrees in the summer pushing the heat back into the house. This heat in turn needs to be cooled by your AC creating a continuous cycle. In the winter, warm attics can cause snow to melt then refreeze causing additional stress to your shingles.
Insulate pipes.
Insulating your hot water pipes reduces heat loss thereby raising water temperature 2ºF–4ºF hotter. This allows for a lower water temperature setting which lower your energy costs and reduces pollution.
Order a home energy audit.
Energy audits evaluate whether or not your home is energy efficient. Then you will be educated on how to make the changes. EnergyStar.gov is a great place to start and complete your home audit. This site helps you find energy audit professionals or you can use their free option, the EnergyStar Home Energy Yard Stick. Additional information such as how to find draft locations help you make quick corrections.
Programmable thermostats.
According to the DEP "Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense". Reduce the amount of heat or air you pump into your home during the eight hours you're typically at work to save you up to 15% on your heating and cooling bills. Recommended settings are 68 in the winter and 78 in the summer.
Replace with motion detectors.
Installing motion detectors for outside lights are pretty common but what about for your inside lights? Motion detecting switches are available eliminating the worry of "Did I turn the lights off?". They are great for laundry rooms, kitchens, garages where typical motion keeps the lights on.
Shop second hand.
This should be a Stage 1 option, but it takes a solid commitment to step out of the box and shop in a whole new way. Shopping tends to be for specific items, but second-hand shoppers need to be open minded and not swayed by what is the hottest and greatest according to Hollywood celebrities. Local consignment shops and websites such as EBay.com or ShopGoodwill.com give unwanted items new life.