• Watch your Speed: Reducing speed from 65 to 55 in a 55 speed zone can save as much as 6 MPG.
• Avoid “Jack Rabbit” starts: They’ll cost you 2-3 MPG. Consider having an egg under your gas and brake pedals.
• Pass on premium gas unless ”required”: Tests show no significant improvement in performance or fuel economy.
• Don’t carry unneeded things on your roof: You could lose 7-13 MPG. Empty bike racks on the back of your vehicle will reduce aerodynamics and fuel economy.
• Using your AC costs you 1-4 MPG: Cool your hot car down, then lower the windows with no measurable impact on MPG even at 65 MPH.
• Plan your trips, even local ones: Going to church and need a few groceries and maybe need some cash from your bank’s ATM? Combine three trips into one.
• Consider purchasing “Top Tier” gasoline: The additive detergents cleans engine deposits. Chevron, Costco, Exxon, Mobil, and Shell…even Rutters offers “Top Tier” gasoline.
• Monitor Tire Pressure: Tires lose 1 PSI per month. Decreased tire pressure will affect performance, tire longevity and fuel economy.

​(Excerpts from “Consumer Reports”)

Reducing single-use plastic involves switching to reusables, refusing unnecessary plastic, and choosing sustainable packaging. Key actions include carrying a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, and shopping bags, skipping plastic straws and cutlery, and buying in bulk to avoid excessive packaging. 

Essential Reusable Replacements

• Bottles & Cups: Carry a durable, reusable water bottle and coffee thermos to avoid plastic bottles and disposable cups.
• Shopping Bags: Use cloth or durable reusable bags for all shopping trips.
• Food Storage: Replace plastic cling wrap with beeswax wraps and plastic bags with silicone pouches or glass containers.
• Produce Bags: Opt for reusable mesh bags for produce or go bag-less. 

​
Daily Habits and Refusal

• Refuse Straws/Cutlery: Ask for no plastic straws or utensils when ordering take-out.
• Choose Alternatives: Opt for bar soap, shampoo bars, and laundry tablets instead of liquid products in plastic bottles.
• Avoid Individually Wrapped Items: Purchase items in bulk to reduce excess packaging

...And remember that plastic that cannot be recycled in your trash can be taken to CRDC for a small fee of $2.00 per large bag.  CRDC is located at 390 Eberts Lane in York.

Here are some Green Tips to use in your everyday life:

• Use timers on your outdoor decorations
  
• Unplug energy "robbers" such as cell phone chargers and any appliance with lighted features
  
• Set the thermostat, if programmable, to reduce the room temperature to 65 at bedtime and back to 70 about an hour before you awaken.
  
• Substitute legumes, beans, nuts, tofu, and plant-based meats for meat one day a week...or more.
  
• Buy local produce or produce in season.  Fresh blueberries travel hundreds or thousands of mile to arrive at the grocery store.  Frozen berries have nearly the same benefits as "fresh".
  
• Reduce your food waste by "raiding your refrigerator" to make homemade soups or a stir-fry meal.  Composting non-meat scraps is a great way to amend your vegetable or flower garden plants.  Freeze leftovers your tired of eating and try them for a later lunch or dinner meal.
  
• Learn the R-Value of your home: R-Value is shorthand for any insulation’s thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation. Depending on where you live, your type of home heating and cooling systems, and the specific area of your home you’re insulating, you can determine the R-value you’ll need.  The U.S. Department of Energy offers great online resources for learning what level R-value your home needs, including an R-value map for U.S. climate zones and overview of insulation material options.
  
• Check your doors and windows to determine whether or not they permit cold air to penetrate.  Add seals or caulk as needed.
  

Stay tuned for more Green Tips!