Carbon Footprint Checklist
Post this checklist in a prominent location at home. Tackle one or two at a time, check them off as you complete projects, and change habits. In addition to protecting the climate, you'll save money and incorporate a little more activity into your lifestyle.
List thanks in part to Community Action for Sustainability.
TRANSPORTATION - Every gallon of gas burned creates 19.4 lbs of CO2
□ Drive less
□ Bike or walk for short trips
□ Take public transit (relax - no fighting traffic)
□ Carpool for work, kid activities, meetings, events, clubs, etc.
□ Work from home if possible (even 1 or 2 days/week helps)
□ Buy an electric vehicle
□ Carpool adhoc via Uber POOL or Lyft Line apps
Drive more efficiently:
□ Clear out items from trunk/rear of vehicle (do seasonally)
□ Check tire pressure monthly
□ Keep a regular vehicle maintenance schedule
□ Do not exceed speed limit; accelerate/brake smoothly
□ Consolidate trips
□ Organize route in clockwise pattern to minimize left-hand turns
CONSERVE ENERGY AT HOME
Heating/Cooling:
□ Insulate attic
□ Seal airgaps to exterior throughout house
□ Replace/clean furnace/AC filters at least every other month when in use (keep supply)
□ Caulk/weather strip windows & exterior doors
□ Lower (raise) thermostat setting 2 or 3 degree F
□ Use automated thermostat
□ Use a fan to cool instead of A/C (turn off when leaving the room)
□ Install insulated curtains/blinds & plastic film on windows
Lighting:
□ Replace incandescent with florescent or LED bulbs
□ Install room occupancy sensors and timers to keeping lighting ON during occupancy only
Water heater:
□ Properly install tank & hot water pipe insulation
□ Set to 120 degrees F
Appliances:
□ Use appliance energy-saving options like air dry
□ Purchase only Energy Star appliances
□ Consider replacing old fridge/doing w/o 2nd fridge
□ Clean refrigerator coils every 6 months
Laundry:
□ Wash full loads only
□ Use cooler water for wash cycle; cold for rinse cycle
□ Clean dryer filter before each load
□ Don't overheat clothes in dryer (use moisture sensor option)
□ Even better, install and use a clothes line or rack
Dish Washing:
□ Skip garbage disposal; scrape food bits in the green bin
□ Only run the dishwasher when completely full
□ Fill sink/basin rather than let the water run over dishes down the drain
□ Use a washing bowl install in the sink to minimize water usage
Miscellaneous:
□ Turn off items when not in use (lights/TV/computers…)
□ Take shorter showers
□ Consider installing solar panels
□ Microwave when possible (more efficient than stove/oven)
□ Use smart power strips & unplug electronics when not in use
□ Swap gas appliances for electric
□ Install reduced flow shower/faucet heads
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE AND ROT (Compost)
□ Put paper, plastic, glass & metal in recycle bin
□ Put yard trimmings, food & food-soiled paper in the compost bin
□ Reusable mug for coffee/tea instead of paper cups
□ Reusable cloth bags instead of paper/plastic for all shopping
□ Buy reusable bottles and use tap water (filtered if you like) instead of bottled water
□ Sign-up for Freecycle to give/get local free items
□ Decline plastic straws/utensils & any extras you don't need
□ Repair items instead of replacing if salvageable
□ Buy used/made from recycled materials products instead of new
□ Use dishcloths/rags instead of paper towels/other disposables
□ Donate/sell gently worn, no longer wanted items
□ Pack no-waste lunches
□ Switch to paperless billing
□ Return hangers to cleaners, berry baskets to farmers' markets, etc.
□ Reduce food waste
Other ways to help:
□ Plant trees (lots of trees); grow a fruit and vegetable garden
□ Shop locally; buy locally made/grown goods
□ Eat less beef and avoid processed foods with palm oil
□ Eat a plant-based diet and reduce food waste
□ Use rake, broom & push mowers for yard work
□ Vote and campaign for environmentally-minded officials
□ Give 10 friends this list and help them get started on it
□ Volunteer with/donate to organizations that protect the climate
□ Request home energy audit
