Small Steps in Glendale Toward A Smaller Footprint: Earth Day 2010


Sunroom Desk sustainability practices, listed in honor of Earth Day:

Electronic devices regularly switched off or unplugged when not in use: laser printer, wireless modem, microwave, radio.

Polypropylene, vinyl, and cotton canvas bags used for groceries and errands. A large soft cotton tote bag is kept folded up and in the car for quick shopping trips. Conservative estimate: saved local grocery stores 800 plastic bags in the past year.

Cereal, pasta, and bread packages reused to store foods and pack lunches (in reusable totes). Savings: at least 500 sandwich baggies in the past year.

Junk mail, school flyers, and other handouts on 8 1/2 x 11 paper with one blank side saved for donation to local schools. Teachers have asked in the past for extra paper, even if one side is printed on, for photocopying assignments and status reports home. Saved so far: 1 1/2 reams of paper.