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It’s Earth Day, and xtra xtra is committed to saving the planet. Here are a few ways you can make a difference today!

1. Choose to walk instead of taking your car
2. Carpool with a friend or take public transportation
3. Plant something—whether it’s a tree or a flower, it will help clean the air while also adding some beauty to the community
4. Turn off the water as you wash your hands and brush your teeth
5. Switch your printer settings to print double-sided pages
6. Create a paperless milestone at xtraxtra.com (of course!)
7. If you use a laptop, unplug it; your computer is always drawing energy when it’s plugged in, even if the battery is fully charged.
8. Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
9. Challenge yourself to shorten your shower—shaving a few minutes off your shower time can conserve gallons of water.
10. Make a break from plastic bags—when you go to the supermarket, take reusable canvas bags, or ask for paper bags that can be recycled after use.
11. Plant a garden—Growing your own vegetables is a great way to be self-sufficient while also cleaning the air and preventing waste.


Life is always green at xtra xtra! Click the image to visit xtraxtra.com and create a free paperless announcement!

12. Share a conservation tip with someone you know—spreading the word can prevent waste!
13. When you make your coffee run, buy a reusable coffee mug. Many coffee shops offer discounts to people who bring their own container, and it’s a great way to avoid using Styrofoam cups. Also? Save and reuse drink trays from fast-food restaurants!
14. Turn off (or turn down) the heat and air conditioner. Lots of energy is wasted when people leave home without turning off the heat or A/C!
15. Think about what you want from the refrigerator before opening it—LOTS of energy is wasted when the door is open!
16. Don’t buy anything. Instead of buying more “stuff,” keep your wallet in your pocket and make do with what you have. This prevents over-consumption of materials and waste.
17. Put air in your tires. Your car is more gas-efficient with manufacturer-recommended tire pressure.
18. If you replace a piece of furniture, find a use for the old one instead of just throwing it away. Sell it on CraigsList or post it on FreeCycle, a site devoted to keeping things out of landfills.
19. Compost your vegetables and other compostable materials; you can dispose of these items by burying them in a garden or creating a compost pile. The materials will decompose to provide a rich diet for plants while also extending the lives of landfills.
20. Rinse and reuse plastic cups (i.e. Solo cups)
21. Take your kids outside. Turn off the Wii and X-Box and go outside for some family fun. You’ll prevent those devices from drawing energy, and you’ll be able to enjoy these nice long spring days with the whole family!
22. Unplug your cell phone charger when you’re not using it. These continue to draw electricity from the outlet, even when your phone is not attached to the charger!
23. Read a book for an hour instead of watching television.
24. Skip the meat—Meat production contributes to more than 18% of CO2 emissions. Go vegetarian today, and try to choose meat-free options every once in a while in the future, too.
25. Go green at work–Make sure your office has recycling bins for paper and plastic. Think of all the paper that comes off the printer and copier!
26. Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient alternatives.
27. Turn off your computer at night. Even “sleep” or “hibernate” modes draw energy from your electrical outlets.
28. Install low-flow shower heads and toilets to conserve water.
29. Request online bill paying as often as possible. Paperless bills save paper!
30. Recycle old batteries, cell phones, and ink cartridges. People often just toss these in the trash, but the toxic chemicals in these materials can cause serious harm to the environment when burned or buried in a landfill.
31. Avoid plastic when purchasing produce. If you’re buying a few apples or an onion, don’t put it in a flimsy plastic bag. Skip the plastic and just put it in your cart. Also, avoid produce that has been packaged ahead of time. Some supermarkets put four tomatoes on a tray and wrap it in plastic, for example. This is wasteful extra packaging, so just go for loose veggies.
32. Invest in some cloth napkins and dishtowels. These are a good green alternative to paper napkins and paper towels.
33. Skip the dryer and hang out your laundry to dry.
34. Host a garage sale; it’s a great way to get rid of clutter without putting it in the trash. One person’s garbage is another person’s treasure!
35. Wash your clothes in cold water. Your washer devotes most of its energy to heating the water.
36. Get a recycling bin. Many town halls provide these for free to local residents, and they aren’t very expensive at your local home goods store. Make the investment and start recycling your paper, plastic, and paper!
37. Wash your dishes by hand today instead of using the dishwasher. Fill the sink with soapy water, turn off the tap, and wash the dishes with a sponge or a rag. This will save the energy your dishwasher would have used to do the same task, and it takes less time!
38. Save paper by getting a library card next time you want to read the latest bestseller.
39. Clean up the water—Pull on some rain boots and rubber gloves and wade into a local lake or creek. Help clean up pollution and save local wildlife that rely on these habitats. Planet Green has compiled a great list of organizations helping in this initiative.
40. Follow the speed limit. Your car burns gas most efficiently when you maintain a steady speed, and accelerating and decelerating can make an impact on your gas tank. Following the speed limit will help you use less gas (and it’s also safer!).
41. Buy a reusable water bottle. This is an ecofriendly way to avoid using and disposing plastic water bottles.
42. If you host a birthday party or shower, ask your guests not to wrap the gifts. Gift wrap is a big waste of paper, and this will challenge guests to come up with clever ways to wrap the gift. (A friend at a recent bridal shower wrapped a box in newspaper and then painted flowers on it!)
43. When possible, look through the window of your oven instead of opening it to check on a dish. This will keep the heat contained in the oven and conserve energy.
44. Fix your leaky faucets to conserve water.
45. Buy rechargeable batteries.
46. Consider a “staycation.” Instead of buying plane tickets or filling up your car for a cross-country trip, find activities and excursions in your own town. This saves money while also conserving fuel when you’re looking for a way to entertain the whole family.
47. Reuse your towels.
48. If you’re using a dishwasher or a washing machine, make sure you have a full load to make the most of the water and energy being used in the process.
49. Water your lawn in the morning to get the most out of the water you’re using.
50. Research other ways you can reduce, reuse, and recycle!