Just enough

It’s easy to continue doing daily activities the same way we always have, but sometimes a small change can make a difference in our environmental footprint.  Even small changes add up over time.  Stop a moment once in a while throughout the day and evaluate whether you can make a change that would use fewer resources or energy.  Here are some ideas to get you started. 

• Change the settings on your clothes washing machine based on the type of load. If the clothing is lightly soiled, choosing the light setting will save energy and also reduce wear on clothes so they last longer.  Nearly every load can be washed in cold water, also saving energy. 
• Similarly, change the settings on your dishwasher as needed.  You may be able to skip the pre-rinse if you chose a more robust cleaning cycle, or select a light cleaning cycle if that’s appropriate.  We never use the heated drying feature.  If we open the dishwasher door when the wash cycle is complete, the dishes quickly air dry. 
• Check instructions and measure items such as coffee grounds or laundry soap, so that you are using just enough but not more.  It’s easy to accidentally use a little extra each time if you are not paying attention. 
• Learn how many minutes you need to heat commonly cooked food items and select a specific number of minutes when using the microwave instead of potentially overheating an item by using an easy preset speed button.
• Sometimes you need several bright lights turned on in a room and sometimes you only need one or two lights, based on your activities.  Adjust the lighting to fit the task and time of day.