Our oceans are vast, yet fragile. It is known, without a doubt, that the oceans are greatly effected by human activities. Whether right on the coast or thousands of miles inland, human actions have a direct impact on what happens to our seas. 

Many of the following suggestions involve only small changes in daily habits, but these will result in a great reduction in the human ecological footprint. To find areas of interest, the suggestions are separated into the following sections:  

We are always looking for more ideas.  Please send us an email if you have one which is not included below.  We will give credit for your suggestion if it is added.

Reduce because while recycling is important, it is not enough. 

Every year in the U.S. we dispose of: 1 billion foil-lined fruit juice boxes 2 billion used batteries 25 billion Styrofoam cups 700,000 old TVs 1.6 billion disposable pens 700,000 junked cars 2 billion disposable razors 15 million tons of food 16 billion disposable diapers (Source; www.EPA.gov)

• To avoid waste, buy only those products you need or use. 
• Make sure those products you do purchase are durable and long lasting rather than having only temporary utility.
• Reduce your use of disposable products.
• Buy products which have little or no packaging.  In 2000, almost 1/3 of trash was packaging and containers.
• Avoid food packaged in individual servings.  Buy in bulk. It saves money too.

• Reduce unwanted mail by instructing companies you do business with to not sell or give away your name and address. Write to Mail Preference Service, c/o Direct Mail Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, New York 11735 or call (212) 768-7277 to be removed from national mailing lists.

• Continue to read through this page for more suggestions.

By reducing the amount of total products consumed, precious resources can be saved. Almost all products require the use of non-renewable resources (resources which one day will no longer be available). It also takes a great deal of energy to produce, transport and then recycle materials. Each step adds waste as well as greenhouse gas emissions (see graph below [image and text source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]), and often many other pollutants.  "In the process of making the end products we actually use, some 93 percent of materials used in production do not end up in saleable products but in waste, while 80 percent of products are discarded after a single use." (WRI, World Resources 1998-99). "In 2003, U.S. residents, businesses, and institutions produced more than 236 million tons of municipal solid waste, which is approximately 4.5 pounds of waste per person per day." (www.EPA.gov). Of this, only 30% is currently recycled or composted.  In the United States, the amount of waste per person has increased by over 65% during the past 40 years.  In 1960, the per person amount of waste was 2.7 pounds per person per day (source: EPA.gov).  

The image above illustrates the four main stages of product life cycles, all of which provide opportunities for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and/or offsets. These stages are: raw material acquisition, manufacturing, recycling, and waste management.

Reuse because a product consumes little or no energy and resources to reuse.

• Buy high quality products that will have a long life.
• Repair broken items rather than just discarding and buying new ones.
• Donate items to charity or resell if still in good condition.
• Reuse bags, boxes, and containers.
• Use both sides of paper when printing or copying.
• Use backyard composting for disposing of table scraps.
• Use rechargeable batteries.

Recycle because it saves raw materials, reduces greenhouse gas and other industrial gas emissions, reduces energy consumption and reduces the flow of trash filling landfills. If an average American family of four were to recycle all of its mixed plastic waste, nearly 340 pounds of carbon equivalent emissions could be reduced each year. Currently, the U.S. recycles only about 30% of its waste, which results in a greenhouse gas reduction equal to removing nearly 25 million cars from the road. 

• Buy recycled products or products with a high-recycled material content.
• Use recycling facilities in your area for household recyclable materials such as glass, plastic, tin, aluminum and paper products.

Save the Environment and save your money

There are a number of changes that can reduce your impact on the environment and save you money at the same time.

• Reduce and Reuse.  This is the easiest and best way to do your part.

• Drive less since this uses less fuel.  Every trip you avoid or reduce will keep extra cash in your pocket.

• Walk, bike or carpool if possible.

• Make fewer trips and shop locally.

• Web shop to reduce car trips.

• Telecommute if it is an option.

• When you do drive

  • Keep your vehicle well tuned because it will use less fuel.

  • Keep your tires well inflated because they will last much longer and use less fuel.

  • Use fuel-efficient or alternate fuel vehicles. Ethanol-based fuels do less damage to the environment.

  • Don't top off at the gas station because all the little spills add up.

  • Avoid hard acceleration of your car.

  • Keep your speed down.

  • Share car trips with others.

  • Plan your trips to avoid unnecessary miles.

  • Travel outside the rush hour to avoid congestion. 

  • Remove unnecessary items from inside your car to reduce weight.

  • Remove unnecessary roof racks to reduce wind resistance.

• Use less electricity.   Turning lights, computers, TVs and other electronics off when not in use will lower your utility bill significantly. Electrical energy production is one of the biggest sources of carbon dioxide pollution.

• Each time you choose a compact fluorescent light bulb over an incandescent bulb, you'll lower your energy bill and, on average, keep half a ton of carbon dioxide out of the air (source: www.nrdc.org).

• Turn off lights and all other electrical equipment when not in use.

• Choose pots and pans that match the stove top heating area.  Putting lids on pots and pans while heating can save 50% of your energy consumption (Electrolux).

• Use programmable thermostats for heating and cooling.  Heat or cool only the rooms you are actually using.

• Set your thermostat a couple of degrees lower in the winter and a couple of degrees higher in the summer.

• Insulate your home and water heater.

• Only run your dishwasher and clothes washer when they are full.

• Buy energy conserving appliances that will save substantial money in the long run.

• Clean or replace your air-conditioner and heater filters as recommended.

• Defrost your freezer if it does not have a frost-free feature because it will then use less energy.

• If you live in a sunny, warm climate, plant trees next to your house to reduce the heat from the sun and reduce the need for air-conditioning. (See below for more information).

• Seek out power companies that produce electricity using less environmentally taxing methods (wind, solar, etc.).

• Use LED holiday lights and turn them off when you are not there to enjoy them. LED bulbs use as little as a tenth of the energy used by mini-bulbs and a hundredth of incandescent bulbs.

• Don't waste food.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as much as 27% or 97 billion pounds of food went to waste in 1995.

• Buy only what you will use while food is fresh.
• Prepare and serve only as much as you will eat and store leftovers in reusable containers for later use.
• Compost your green waste.

• Conserve water to reduce your water bill. 

• Landscape with native plants that need less or no water.

• Install water-efficient showerheads, faucets, and toilets.

• Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when it is full.

• Use less paper  

• Print on both sides of the paper and reduce the width of margins and font sizes.

• Use cloth napkins instead of paper products.

• Use towels and sponges as an alternative to paper towels.

• Use reusable gift bags and boxes, not single use wrapping paper. Solid waste increases by over 25% from Thanksgiving until New Year's, partly as a result of wrapping and packaging. This adds up to over 4 million pounds of waste during these months (source: www.EPA.gov).

• Request that your bank or credit card company provide electronic statements instead of paper statements through the mail.  

• Read your news from a credible online source instead of from a newspaper.

• Use re-usable bags to carry the groceries rather than using new paper bags each time.

• Proper landscaping can save you money. 

• Eliminate or reduce your use of pesticides and fertilizers. Natural products are often less expensive. For non-toxic alternatives see our Shop iGive page

  • Less fertilizer is needed if you mow your lawn to maintain the grass at a length at 3- 3½ inches.  This, along with proper watering, will allow the roots to grow deeper which will need less water. The longer grass will also make weeds less likely to grow.

  • Don't rake clippings.  Leave them on the lawn to provide an excellent natural fertilizer. 

  • Water only when it hasn't rained for seven days.
  • Less pesticide is needed if you remove flowering and seed-producing weeds by digging them up or removing the flowers before they turn to seed.
  • Use compost rich soil instead of store bought fertilizers.

• Landscape to save on your energy bills year-round.

  • Plant deciduous trees (which will lose their leaves during the winter) on the sunny side of your house.  This will provide shade and reduce the inside temperature during the summer.  In the winter, when the leaves are gone, the sun will shine through to provide heat. Rows of evergreen trees planted along the windy side of your house will provide windbreaks and reduce the wind's cooling effect during the winter.

• Use non-toxic cleaning products.  The alternatives are often much less expensive as well as less toxic. For a list of products you may already have to replace the toxic products, see our Natural and Non-toxic page. 

• Use propane or natural gas grills if possible.  They pollute less than charcoal with lighter fluid and cost less to use.

• If you still use a charcoal grill, try using an electric starter or other fire starter to reduce the use of lighter fluid and save money.

• Purchase a living, potted Christmas tree.  It can decorate your garden or balcony the rest of the year. When the tree outgrows your house, you can plant it in your yard or donate it to a school or park.

Save the Environment and Reduce your Health Risk

There are countless ways that a threatened and suffering environment can pose a human health threat.  General environmental pollution as a result of industrial activity can cause a range of health issues.  You can learn more about such risks in our Environmental Section. 

In this section, however, the focus is primarily those actions you can take to avoid direct and immediate health risks as a result of your own actions.  These include products you choose to use and how you use them. The intent of this section is not to scare you.  Hopefully, it will empower you to make good choices that will create a clean and healthy environment. On this page,  as with the entire site, the information comes from credible organizations known to provide accurate information. 

Many of the commonly used household products that are dangerous to us also pose a threat to the environment once they are used and disposed.  They contribute to air pollution, contaminate groundwater and deteriorate rivers and streams.  All of these can have a negative impact on the health of the ocean.  

The number of chemicals we come in contact with daily is increasing quickly with each new generation.  Almost all of the chemicals common to most households today were not present in homes just 50-80 years ago. More research is needed before we know the impact of this continual contact and their cumulative effects of all these chemicals.  There are disturbing statistics which are, in part, a result of our relatively new toxic surroundings, such as those relating to cancer. In the U.S., over 1.3 million new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed in 2005 (American Cancer Society). 

• Reduce the toxins in your home. The "danger", "hazardous" and other warning labels that are on cleaning products are there because they are just that; a potential danger to you and your family. Click on the house to the right to open the Virtual House Image-map at the Environmental Protection Agency's web site to learn about some of the common household hazards. 

  • READ LABELS.  Learn about which chemicals that are dangerous and about those which do not pose any significant risk. There are no significant laws requiring all ingredients to be labeled in cleaning products, for example. Products specifically labeled as natural or non-toxic are the best alternative. For non-toxic alternatives see our Shop iGive page and our Natural and Non-toxic Alternatives page.

  • Products are not safe just because they are offered for sale in stores.  There is little to no requirement for health safety testing of household products. 

  • Many household cleaners contain petrochemical solvents to dissolve oils and grease, as well as chlorine and phosphate. Instead, choose a product labeled as non-petroleum-based, free from chlorine and phosphate as well as being biodegradable. All cleaners that contain phosphates present a water pollution hazard.

  • Use bleach and other products containing chlorine with caution.  When using chlorine, especially with hot water, dangerous chemicals such as chloroform are released.   The production of chlorine is a huge environmental problem because one of the by-products is dioxin, an extremely toxic chemical. Research shows that even small amounts of dioxins can cause cancer, birth defects and other illnesses in people and animals. Chlorine-free bleaches are a much safer alternative. To reduce these environmental dioxins, buy paper and cotton products that are non-bleached. If you do use chlorine, never mix it with products containing ammonia as this can produce deadly chloramine gas.

  • You can use the following links to look up the ingredients in those products you have and use:

    • Virtual House Imagemap (EPA)

    • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC)

    • Glossary of products with hazards (EPA)

    • IRIS Database for Risk Assessment (EPA)

    • FDA Information for Consumers

  • Find non-toxic alternatives.  See our Natural and Non-Toxic Page for suggestions.  You may already have many natural cleaners in your home.

  • Dispose of all hazardous substances, including cleaning solutions, paints, etc. properly. You can locate the nearest Hazardous Waste disposal Site within the U.S. here.

  • The toxins commonly found within many homes goes beyond the products labeled as hazardous.

    • Many synthetic carpets are made from petrochemicals and often contain a long list of chemicals including toluene, benzene and formaldehyde. Some of these, like formaldehyde, will emit fumes for many years, especially in hot climates.  Other chemicals will become part of your household dust as long as the products are in your home. There are cotton and wool alternatives, as well as other options like tile, hardwood or cork.

    • Furniture made of particleboard and plywood often contains formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, which can be continually emitted into your home environment for several years. Choose furniture with whole wood frames or seek out furniture manufactured without formaldehyde such as furniture from IKEA.

    • Choose natural fabrics and bedding, especially for children. Mattresses, bedding and even clothing often contain plastics like polyester, acrylic and many contain other chemicals like fire retardants. Choose cotton and wool bedding and clothing.

    • Many paints, stains, solvents and glues contain high levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), an airborne pollutant.  Choose products with low or no VOC's.

    • Use caution when dry-cleaning.  Perchloroethylene, a solvent commonly used in dry-cleaning chemicals, is a known health risk. 

• Know what you eat.

  • Fish are a lean, low-calorie source of protein and are a great addition to a healthy diet.  However, some fish may contain chemicals that could pose health risks.  Take the time to educate yourself by checking your local Environmental Health Department to see if the fish you eat is local. There are several guides available online to help you. A wallet sized, easy-to-use list of fish that are safe for eating can be downloaded from the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch. The list shows fish that are caught in a sustainable fashion and also those seafood species that are toxic and hazardous to your health. Another good source of information is the Seafood Choices Alliance.

    • Both fresh and saltwater fish can contain levels of mercury high enough to cause brain development problems in unborn children as well as young children. Mercury can also harm older children and adults where it can cause numbness in hands and feet or changes in vision. For more information about mercury, see our mercury pollution section.

    • Mercury is the one substance most publicized with regards to fish safety, however polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Dioxins,  dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are also often present in fish from some areas, often as a result of coastal pollution.

  • Fruits and Vegetables are essential to a balanced diet.  Buy pesticide-free and organic produce if possible because it's better for you as well as the environment. Some pesticide residues have been linked to increased risk of cancer, hormonal problems, and allergic reactions. 

  • Meat, poultry, and some dairy products can also contain dioxins and PCBs, hormones, and antibiotics. Choose products that come from organically raised, free range or other chemical free environments. Trim fat and skin from meat and poultry and buy low-fat or fat-free dairy products because both dioxins and PCBs accumulate in animal fat.

• Know your local environment.  Investigate if there are any hazardous industries near you by visiting the EPA  Toxics Release Inventory site or calling (800) 424-9346. Learn about chemicals being released at the CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry site. You can locate the nearest Hazardous Waste disposal Site within the U.S. here.

• Use low or no VOC (volatile organic compound) products. Use water based paints, glues, etc. instead.  VOC's include gasoline, industrial chemicals such as benzene, solvents such as toluene and xylene, and perchloroethylene (a principal dry cleaning solvent).  VOC's are also released from burning fuel (such as gasoline, wood, coal, and natural gas) and from solvents, paints, glues, and other products used at home or work. If you have any solvents that contain VOC's, store them in properly sealed containers.

• Plastics have become an important part of our daily lives and are even used to make many lifesaving products. However, there are some health cautions especially with regards to plastics in children's toys. (see below)   Plastics pose environmental problems on many levels. Plastics are made from petroleum and natural gas, both of which are non-renewable resources. Benzene, cadmium compounds, carbon tetrachloride, chromium oxide, diazomethane, lead compounds, styrene, and vinyl chloride are some of the chemicals used to make plastic. Plastics do break down over time to very small pieces, but does not readily biodegrade because the chemicals used are not digestible by microorganisms. The larger plastic items such as six-pack loops, fishing-line and plastic bags also pose a direct risk to marine life. See our Pollution pages for more information. Bring your own bags to the store or reuse bags to reduce the production needed.  Some plastics are now produced that are biodegradable or that have been manufactured to photodegrade (break down in sunlight).

• Reduce or eliminate the use of products made with or which contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's).

  • CFC's are chemicals used in great quantities in industry for refrigeration and air conditioning.

  • Maintain and dispose of your air conditioners and refrigerators properly.

  • Try to use products that use alternatives, see the EPA list of alternatives for more information.

• Landscape with native plants that need less pesticides and fertilizers.

• Avoid arsenic treated lumber. Although it is being phased out, it is still available. Use natural exterior type lumber as an alternative, such as cedar or redwood.

• Compost your household, kitchen and yard wastes. Compost when decomposed makes an excellent fertilizer and reduces the need for commercially manufactured fertilizers.

• Do not burn household garbage, including paper. Household trash burn barrels, fire pits, and wood stoves are low-temperature fires thhat produce a lot of smoke. This emits a number of toxic substances. These pollutants are released into the air close to ground level where they are easily inhaled. Carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) represent the largest portion of pollutants emitted from burning household waste in a burn barrel. Other chemicals commonly found in household burn barrels include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hexachlorobenzene, benzene, styrene, formaldehyde, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (dioxins), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (furans), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),  heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic as well as small particle pollution. Burn barrels are the greatest source of dioxin in the U.S.  (U.S. EPA). The dioxin released by the backyard burning of just one family's trash for a year is equivalent to that released by a state-of-the-art municipal combustion unit serving 37,500 families (figures found at www.dioxinfacts.org).

• If you fish, use non-lead  fishing jigs and sinkers. Lead poses a health danger, especially to the nervous system in children. There are many alternatives available such as tin, bismuth, steel, and tungsten-nickel alloy.

• Manage septic systems properly. Overflowing and malfunctioning septic and sewer systems release bacteria and nutrients for microorganisms into your immediate surroundings as well as into the water cycle.

• Quit Smoking.  The list of known carcinogens and other hazardous chemicals used in the production and use of tobacco smoke includes over 60 identified compounds like hexamine, hydrogen cyanide, naphthalene, toluene and arsenic. Tobacco smoking is associated with at least 15 types of cancer (American Cancer Society) as well as many other illnesses. Second hand smoke remains a great problem as about 3,000 nonsmokers die each year in the US of lung cancer as a result (American Cancer Society). "Cigarettes kill more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined" (American Cancer Society). In the year 2000, about 4.8  million smoking related premature deaths occurred worldwide (American Cancer Society).

  • Environmentally, tobacco production causes:

    • large scale deforestation during the curing process that requires burning of wood (primarily in developing countries).

    • clear-cutting forested land for farming as well as the high usage of paper products.

    • extensive use of herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals.  Nicotine is a powerful pesticide by itself.

    • a threat to marine life because used cigarette butts are toxic. Cigarette butts are made with cellulose acetate and are the most common form of plastic litter on the beaches of the U.S. and around the world. Cigarette butts have been found in the stomachs of sea turtles, fish, birds, whales and other marine creatures who mistake them for food. In California alone, as much as 4125 tons of cigarettes are discarded annually (www.environmentalcaucus.org).

Travel/transportation

• Drive less and thereby use less fuel.  Every trip you avoid or reduce will keep extra cash in your pocket.

• Walk, bike or carpool if possible.

• Make fewer trips and shop locally.

• Web or Catalog/Mail order shop to reduce car trips.

• Telecommute if it is an option.

• When you do drive

  • Keep your vehicle well tuned because it will use less fuel.

  • Keep your tires well inflated because they will last much longer and use less fuel.

  • Use fuel-efficient vehicles.

  • Don't top off at the gas station because all the little spills add up.

  • Avoid hard acceleration.

  • Keep your speed down.

  • Share car journeys with others.

  • Plan your trips well ahead of time to avoid driving unnecessary miles.

  • Travel outside the rush hour to avoid congestion.

  • Remove unnecessary items from inside your car to reduce the weight.

  • Remove unnecessary roof racks to reduce wind resistance.

• Reduce business travel.  A flight for one passenger to New York from London will produce 1.2 tons of carbon dioxide, and will require the planting of six new trees to offset the damage to the environment (CNN.com, "Traveling with a cleaner planet in mind" August 18, 2005).

• When you stay in hotels, remember that many hotels have incorporated waste reduction practices into their operations. 

  • Let the hotel know that it's not necessary to change your sheets and towels every day.

  • Reduce water use by taking shorter baths or showers.

  • When you leave your hotel room or are not using the electricity, just like at home, turn off the air conditioner, heat, lights, television etc.

  • Participate in hotel recycling programs by placing recyclables in appropriate bins.

  • Leave the little bottles of bathroom amenities in the room if unopened. Share any complimentary newspapers with others. Leave it in the lobby for reuse or see that it's recycled.

  • Save paper by using the electronic checkout program on the TV where you can view, approve and pay your bill.

• Choose cruise lines with known good environmental practices. If you vacation on cruise lines, ask what anchoring practices are used. If possible, select destinations where anchoring is not necessary or where a specific anchoring area has been provided outside of the most sensitive areas. Let the cruise line know that you value the ocean environment.

• If you spend time boating

  • Do not discharge sewage from boats into coastal waters.  Use pump-out stations.  Report any dumping that you witness.  Within US waters, notify the U.S. Coast Guard by calling (800) 424-8802. Be sure to note the date, time, and location of the incident.

  • Keep your boat clean and in proper working order. If you are a boat owner, be sure to regularly clean your propeller because this has a great effect on the amount of underwater sound emitted.  Boat owners should also keep their engines well tuned and insulated from the hull to reduce noise pollution.

Children

• Use cloth diapers Try the stores at our Shop iGive page to locate cloth diapers.

  • Disposable diapers were introduced in 1961 by Proctor & Gamble. By 1970 diapers made up 350,000 tons of the total municipal waste in 1970. In 1997, disposable diaper waste made up a staggering 16 billion diapers, adding up to over 3.1 million tons of municipal waste (source: www.EPA.gov).

  • Diapers are now the third most common non-durable item in our landfills after paper and packaging (www.EPA.gov).

  • An independent environmental agency concluded that disposable diapers use 20 times more raw materials, three times more energy, two times more water, and generate 60 times more waste compared to cloth diapers (Women's Environmental Network Report).

  • There is much debate surrounding the safety of trace chemicals like dioxins that are found in diapers and that result from the bleaching process,  as well as chemicals added for absorbency, such as sodium polyacrylate. There are a number of conflicting reports with conclusions ranging from claims of  total safety to cancer risks, allergies, asthma and skin irritations. Why take the unnecessary risk? None of these chemicals are found in unbleached, natural fiber, cloth diapers.

  • Human waste from used disposable diapers is an environmental hazard when introduced into the environment and contributes to groundwater contamination.

  • Disposable diapers are much more expensive.

    • To reduce the environmental impact of cloth diapers

      • Use an energy- and water-efficient washing machine.

      • Wash diapers with other clothes to make a full load.

      • Use warm water to wash.  Hot water is not necessary.

      • Use an environmentally sound, phosphate-free detergent.

  • For further reading try the following links;

    • The Diaper Drama - Environment

    • National Association of Diaper Services

    • Women's Environmental Network

    • Ruth Puncheon Environment Agency Wales

• Choose children's toys with care. 

  • Many toys are made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride). This chlorinated plastic produces a great number of hazardous chemicals during production. Recent studies have shown that substances called phthalates are transferred into the bodies of children through inhalation or mouth contact. Exposure to phthalates has now been linked to reproductive and developmental disorders as well as cancer. Some toy manufacturers have voluntarily discontinued use of phthalate plasticizers. However, there are still a great number of products available which still contain this chemical. If you buy plastic toys, especially ones containing polyvinylchloride (PVC), like beach balls, baby pools and some dolls, look for those labeled phthalate free or choose non-chlorinated plastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

  • Avoid all toys containing mercury even if it is sealed in plastic or within a switch.

• If your child goes fishing, use non-lead  fishing jigs and sinkers. Lead poses a health danger, especially to the nervous system in children. There are many alternatives available such as tin, bismuth, steel, and tungsten-nickel alloy.

• Recycle or Reuse baby food jars, if you buy commercial baby food.

• Shop secondhand stores and garage sales for children's clothes, shoes and toys.

Other Ways to Help

• Use less paper

• Reduce unwanted mail by instructing companies you do business with not to sell or give away your name and address. Write to Mail Preference Service, c/o Direct Mail Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, New York 11735 or call  (212) 768-7277 to be removed from national mailing lists.

• Order from Internet-based businesses instead of mail order catalogs.  

• Request that your bank or credit card company provide electronic statements instead of paper statements through the mail.  

• Read your news from a credible online source instead of from a newspaper. Newspapers make up by far the largest single component on our municipal waste. In 1997, 13,5 million tons of newspaper were discarded in the U.S. (www.EPA.gov).

• Reduce runoff and conserve water.  

  • Purchase water-efficient showerheads, faucets, and toilets. This will limit the total amount of wastewater and lessen the total runoff. 

  • Landscape with native plants which need less water. Less irrigation results in less runoff. 

  • Limit paved surfaces as they prevent water from percolating down into the ground, causing runoff to accumulate. Paved surfaces also transfer heat to runoff thereby increasing the temperature of receiving waters. Native species of fish and other aquatic life often can not survive in these warmer waters.

• Never pour any oil or other chemical onto the ground or into drains because many of these chemicals make their way to the ocean. Even if you live far from the ocean, the chemicals from your area can be transported to the ocean in streams and rivers. Maintain your vehicles to prevent oil from leaking onto the road that will go down the drain and into the water.

• Buy your seafood from fisheries using non-destructive fishing techniques. There are several guides available online to help you. A wallet sized, easy-to-use list of fish that are safe for eating can be downloaded from the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch. The list shows fish that are caught in a sustainable fashion and also those seafood species that are toxic and hazardous to your health. Another good source of information is the Seafood Choices Alliance.

• Buy local.   Try to consume those products grown or manufactured close to where you live to reduce the amount of goods that need to be shipped. International commerce and goods shipping is very important and is a vital part of the global economy.  However, until the full effect of commercial shipping traffic is known or alternate methods of transportation which produce less pollution and noise pollution are used, this hazard should be reduced.

• Pick your recreation areas with care. If you have a jet ski or other motor craft, avoid sensitive marine areas.

• Contact manufacturers to let them know that you would like to see less packaging.

• Dispose of trash correctly.  Even if you live far from the ocean, trash can go to the ocean via rivers, causing damage and unsightliness along the way.

  •     Recycle whenever possible. 

  •     Discard trash in closed containers.

  •     Cut up plastic rings around six pack containers.  Even if you don't live near the ocean, this lowers the risk of entanglement to marine animals if the holders make it out to sea.

  •     Take the time to retrieve broken fishing line because it is hazardous for wildlife.

  •     Do not throw cigarette butts in the water, on the beach or in other areas because these may end up in the ocean water. Marine birds or fish may eat them.

  •     Pick up any litter that you may find in the water or along the shoreline and dispose of it properly.

  •     Participate in coastal and beach clean-up programs.

• If you fish, dump your bait buckets in the trash, not local waterways, to reduce the risk of  invasive species.

• Do not release aquarium contents into local waterways to reduce the risk of invasive species.

• Speak out. Tell your legislative representatives and businesses in which you shop what you as a voter and consumer want. Businesses are especially responsive to customers who have concerns. If you have compliments or comments regarding their company's environmental performance, let them know.