Reuse extra wire hangers cluttering your closet space by returning them to your dry cleaner or recycle them with other steel items.

Beautiful fall weather makes for great boating and fishing in Maryland. Help protect our waterways by being a clean boater. When filling up your boat with fuel, tanks should only be filled to 90 percent capacity. "Topping off" nearly always results in a petroleum spill when fuel rushes out the vent and over the side, which can be fatal to aquatic life. If you’re interested in doing more, sign Maryland’s Clean Boater Pledge.

Did you know that it takes more than half a millennium for Styrofoam material to break down? You can reduce your impact on the Earth by avoiding disposable products when reusable or recyclable alternatives exist. It is easier than you think. Make the decision to buy eggs packaged in recyclable cardboard rather than foam containers. When picking out a soft drink or coffee at your local store, use paper cups instead foam ones or bring your own reusable cup. Just remember, every little bit helps.

Did you know that fishing line can be recycled? The next time you are out fishing, look for the clearly marked PVC piping tubes throughout various Maryland State Parks and don’t leave your line on the ground. Monofilament fishing line is not biodegradable and can harm seabirds, fish, and other wildlife. If your fishing spot does not already have a recycling site, return your used line to your local bait and tackle shops for recycling.

Even though it is a natural element, mercury can be harmful to humans and wildlife. When getting rid of old batteries, toys, thermostats, light bulbs and electronics examine the items to insure that they are disposed of properly. Click here for more information.

Autumn is here and if you must, now (rather than in the spring) is the better time to fertilize your lawn. Take heed to the amount of product you apply. Excessive fertilizer won’t help your lawn, it will weaken it and send runoff into the Bay where water quality and aquatic life are already at risk. Click here for more information.

By making homes more energy efficient and reducing families’ energy consumption by 15-25 percent, Maryland families can save $450 to $750 a year. As this week marks the beginning of the national “Change a Light, Change the World” campaign, make the effort to replace your regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights which last longer and use less energy. Click here for more information.

When packing lunch for you or your family each morning, don’t miss the opportunity to reduce packaging waste. The average American child annually throws away 67 pounds of lunchbox trash costing school districts valuable dollars to collect and dispose of the trash. Small changes such as using a reusable insulated bag instead of paper bags, and utilize washable containers instead of plastic sandwich bags to can greatly lower your waste contribution. Click here for more ideas.

The start of fall hunting season offers great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. While you’re having a good time, make sure that you leave the land as you found it. Don’t leave trash behind and pick up empty shell casings on the way out of the woods. Click here for more info on Leave No Trace.

Every year Americans throw away 24 million tons of leaves and grass. Leaves alone account for 75% of our solid waste in the fall. Why not use those leftovers for your lawn’s benefit? Make leaf mulch instead and when spring rolls around, you can save money by not having to purchase a commercially prepared variety. Click here for instructions on making leaf mulch.

Ever think that if you keep the temperature in your refrigerator colder, your food will last longer? Well, if the temperature in your refrigerator is much cooler than 37 degrees you may just be wasting energy. Likewise, for your freezer, the ideal temperature is between 0 and 5 degrees. Click here for recommendations for energy efficient usage of your refrigerator and freezer.

Recycling is good, but choosing to reduce the amount of paper we use is even better. Think twice before pressing print at home or in the office. Make your information available online or save the document and open it as needed. Additionally, if you are noticing that certain mail publications always end up in the recycle bin soon after arrival, remove yourself from the mailing list to reduce your contribution to municipal waste. Click here for more information.

Heating and cooling usage accounts for 50 to 70% of the energy used in the average American home. Begin to prepare for cooler weather by securing loose insulation and checking for any air gaps in your attic, garage, or crawl space. Click here for more information.

While many Marylanders may feel the strain of recent drought conditions, there are many ways to conserve water usage. Conduct a water audit in your own home to see how efficiently you are using your resources. Click here for more information.

While shopping, think twice before you grab your plastic bag at the register. If you are only purchasing a small item, leave the bag behind. You can also bring a reusable canvas sack along instead to put your purchases inside and reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging that ends up in your garbage. Click here for more information.

Did you know that Maryland gives grants to individuals, local governments, and businesses to help cover the costs of acquiring and installing solar energy systems? Marylanders can apply for financial help towards their solar equipment and simultaneously reduce their carbon footprint. Click here for more information.

Reduce your environmental impact by going local when planning your holiday feast this Thanksgiving. Buying local significantly reduces pollution created by transporting food across the county and world to your table. Click here for listing of local farms.

As you begin decorating for the holidays, consider using long-lasting LED lights to bring spirit to your decor. A string of LED lights uses about one-tenth of the electrical current of older incandescent lights.

Consider purchasing a live (balled) or a locally grown live cut evergreen tree from a Maryland farm this year. Purchasing locally not only supports the local economy and helps keep Maryland’s working landscape from development, but also reduces the amount of pollution created by transporting trees from other states. Start a new family tradition by purchasing a balled/bur lapped live tree that you can plant outside after the holidays. By planting the tree you will create wildlife habitat, reduce soil erosion, help fight climate change, and reduce air
pollution.

As temperatures continue to drop, making it less comfortable to walk to destinations, carpooling is a great opportunity to save money and help the environment. It only takes two people to start a carpool and immediately reduces your financial expenditures for fuel by 50%. Click here for more information.

With holiday celebrations, comes presents, food containers and plenty of packaging materials. Before you throw everything in the garbage can, take into consideration what can be recycled. Review the list of recyclables that your town or city accepts and be sure to send all the applicable paper, plastic, glass bottles and aluminum cans to the recycling center. Click here for more information.

When wrapping your holiday purchases, get creative with your packaging and reduce your waste at the same time. Creating your own wrapping paper out of an outdated calendar, newspapers, or paper shopping bags can be a fun holiday craft for all ages. Not only will you be reusing, you will save money on wrapping expenses.

Currently, the late muzzleloader deer season is in full swing in Maryland. As hunters take to the woods, we should all be aware of the responsibility we possess to look after our natural resources. If you suspect that illegal poaching practices are taking place, you can call the 24/7 Natural Resources Police Catch-a-Poacher Hotline at 1-800-635-6124. The anonymity of the caller is guaranteed. Click here for more information.

Give a gift back to the environment and recycle your cut Christmas tree after the decorations and lights have been removed. Recycled trees can be used as mulch for gardens, potpourri, sand and soil erosion barriers at beaches, and wildlife habitat. Check with your local government or click here to see if pick-up or drop-off is available in your area.

As new electronics and toys received over the holidays often require fresh batteries, consider switching to rechargeable batteries. Also, do not forget to properly dispose of used batteries to prevent mercury and other toxics from leaking into ground water or being released into the air. Click here for more information.

As New Year’s resolutions encourage us to eat healthier, adopt an environmentally healthier way to pack your own lunch. Use a cloth bag or a lunch box and reusable containers. Fill a thermos with your beverage of choice and bring actual flatware instead of plastic ware. Click here for more information.

When your pet goes outside, it is tempting to just let the animal roam free. However, pet waste is a source of pollution that can add up to a greater problem. Help the health of your local waterway by flushing waste down the toilet if you are on a municipal sewer system or place the waste in the trash to prevent runoff pollution. Click here for more information.

Does your toilet continuously “run” after you have flushed it? Don’t ignore this warning sign; instead fix the seal to stop unused water from being wasted. Also consider replacing your old toilet with a high efficiency model. Click here for more information.

Use of wood stoves for winter heating is becoming increasingly popular. Maintenance and smart use of wood-burning stoves is imperative. Fires should be small and hot to reduce safety and air quality and problems. Additionally, the vents should be kept clear by removing excess ashes. If you are a first-time purchaser of a wood stove, consider a high-efficiency model. Click here for more information.

Looking for something positive to do indoors as temperatures plunge outside? Remember to reuse when cleaning your closet by donating the clothes you don’t wear and linens you don’t use to a charity organization, instead of trashing them. Click here for more information.

Warm up with shade-grown coffee. Look for the U.S.D.A. certified organic, fair trade, and bird friendly symbols on the packaging to ensure that you are supporting sustainable farming practices that help protect bird habitat. Click here for more information.

Fulfill your healthy living resolutions by taking the stairs and avoiding the elevator. The average office elevator consumes 350 watts of electricity traveling to each floor. By taking the stairs, you could save enough energy to power a 100-watt light bulb for 3.5 hours.

When the time comes to purchase a new PDA or laptop, donate your older model for reuse. If the electronic no longer functions, do not send it to the dump, but e-cycle it instead. Click here for more information.

Save energy by allowing your dishes to air dry, rather than using your dishwasher’s drying function. Click here for more energy-saving tips.

Try using natural cleaning products such as vinegar and baking soda, as an alternative to chemical cleansers. During the winter months buildings are closed tightly prohibiting fumes from chemical products to easily dissipate. Click here for more information.

While other countries around the world support the refilling of drink containers on a large scale, the practice has fallen out of vogue in the United States. Make a conscious decision to look for product packaging that can be returned to the distributor for refill, or find a way to reuse the container on your own. Click here for more information.

Buying local produce reduces your carbon-footprint, encourages sustainable farming, and protects the environment by keeping land in farming rather than development. Time is running out to get locally-grown produce by joining a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm. CSA members pay an upfront subscription fee to local farmers in return for a share of the season’s harvest, which is usually provided weekly. Click here for a list of farms near you.

Consider green procurement to help create healthier work places. Click here for more information.

Help reduce nutrient pollution to local streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay by using low or no-phosphorus detergents. Click here for more information.

During the past 35 years, the amount of waste each person creates has almost doubled from 2.7 to 4.4 pounds per day. One easy way to reduce source waste is to buy food items in large single package quantities, which can be separated into reusable containers, instead of purchasing multiple individually wrapped items. Read more…

Coloring eggs is a fun, family pastime during the spring holiday season. When the decorated eggs have been eaten or reached their expiration as ornamental items, compost the shells or add them to the soil of your vegetable garden (tomatoes love the calcium in eggshells) instead of throwing them in the garbage. Click here for more composting tips.

Go green this Easter by using real grass, shredded paper or other organic or recyclable materials instead of plastic grass when lining gift baskets. When the holiday is over, save the basket to reuse again next year.

Go green with your spring cleaning by using alternatives such as white vinegar mixed with water or castile soaps for sanitizing your home. Click here for more information.

Celebrate Arbor Day during April by planting a native tree species. Click here for more information.

When planting trees in honor of Arbor Day, use local or recycled mulch made from landscape trimmings and agricultural prunings. Click here for more information.

Save a tree, go paperless! Stop receiving paper bills in the mail and pay your accounts online. Most companies and governments now offer online bill pay.

Strategically planting trees around your home or office not only helps the environment, but can significantly reduce your energy bill. Plant native evergreens on the building’s windy side and native broadleaf trees on the building’s sunny side to catch the sun in the winter and shade in the summer. Click here for more tree planting tips.

When preparing your garden this spring, considering adding a rain barrel to catch rainwater that can be used for watering your lawn, garden, or other activities that don’t require potable water. Click here for more information.

Keep your garden green by utilizing alternatives to pesticides. Remove insects by hand and apply horticultural oils as part of an Integrated Pest Management plan. Click here for more information.

Did you know that the Maryland Transportation Authority operates nearly 50 local bus lines throughout central Maryland? Take advantage of public transit as an energy-saving, environmentally friendly alternative to driving to work, or if a route is not easily accessible, carpool with a friend.

Enjoy spring weather and conserve energy by opening your windows to cool and circulate fresh air through your home or office rather than running your heat or air conditioner.

Think like a farmer and help prevent soil erosion by looking out for bare soil spots, newly exposed tree roots, and clouding water following rain. Soil erosion reduces the fertility of your land and harms nearby streams and rivers that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Prevent erosion by redirecting water flow, planting native vegetation, or cover the area with mulch. Click here for more information.

Did you know that motor oil can be recycled into refined base stock for lubricating oil? Most service stations and repair facilities will accept the used substance free of charge. If you choose to change the oil yourself, never allow the oil to seep into the ground. Recycling just two gallons of used oil can generate enough electricity to run the average household for almost 24 hours.

Think twice before resorting to chemical herbicides to eliminate spring weeds in your garden, lawn or driveway. If simply pulling weeds by hand won’t work, use a green gardening technique to eliminate the weeds by squirting them with lemon juice, vinegar or boiling water. Remember, everything you spray ends up in the Bay!

As you begin planning for summer vacations, consider staying local to reduce fuel costs and gain a greater understanding of the natural resources Maryland has to offer. Even if you have never set up a tent, you can still enjoy the outdoors by staying in one of the state’s many camper cabins. Click here for more information.

Before heading out on your Memorial Day weekend adventures check your tires for correct air pressure and allow yourself ample time to reach your destination. By dropping your speed from 75 to 55 mph, you can improve fuel efficiency by 30.6 percent. Click here for more information.

Boaters and anglers can help save money and reduce water and air pollution by upgrading their 2-cycle outboard motors to 4-cycle engines. Also consider conserving by “powering down” and go to smaller engines and more efficient hull designs to save on fuel costs.

Think green when cleaning up your porch or deck in preparation for summer get-togethers. Use a sander instead of paint remover on planks and use water-based acrylic sealer instead of oil-based varieties. Also, consider replacing damaged boards with reclaimed wood or recycled plastic decking. Click here for more information.

Green gardeners save energy and water by using soaker hoses to irrigate their plants. Unlike sprinklers, which are less efficient due to water lost via evaporation and less direct spraying, soaker hoses apply water directly to the plants roots. Click here for more information.

Keep bugs at bay and reduce the risk of adverse skin reactions by choosing DEET-free mosquito, tick and insect repellants. Look for natural plant-based ingredients such as geranium, citronella, tea tree, catnip, marigold, lemon balm, lavender, peppermint and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Click here for more information.

Hot weather got you thinking about building a backyard swimming pool? Why not go cool off at a Maryland State Park instead? Swimming Pools utilize precious freshwater resources and harmful chemicals, namely chlorine, in their operation and maintenance.

Food residuals represent 24 percent of the United States waste steam. This summer reduce your waste by depositing food scraps and cardboard material into your garden. Your yard will produce nutrient-rich fertilizer for vegetation and flowers.

There are many things you can do to conserve water at home. Try loading dishes directly into the dishwater instead of pre-rinsing. Pre-rinsing is an unnecessary and wasteful use of water.

Consider staying in a hotel that leaves a minimal carbon footprint. Plan wisely and more environmentally friendly this summer. Choose hotels that provide a recycling program for guests, use non-toxic cleaning products, and use fluorescent lights in guestrooms, lobbies and hallways. Click here for more information.

Before putting your old pair socks in the trash can, think again. Believe it or not, socks can be recycled and can function in several ways besides keeping your feet warm – you can pull over hands to dust crevices of lampshades, furniture and any hard to reach place, or store off-season shoes inside them to prevent scuffing during storage. You can also tie them together for a neat dog pull toy! For more alternative uses for common household items, click here.

While at the beach, start practicing environmental friendly waste disposal! Disposal pet waste properly, change diapers away from the waters’ edge to keep the water clean for swimmers and marine life, and use an approved marina pump-out station for boat waste disposal. By following these simple rules, you can keep Maryland’s beaches healthy! Click here for more information.

Grasscycling, the practice of leaving grass on a lawn after mowing, is an effective way to deal with grass clippings. This practice allows grass to compost without any additional effort. In addition, leaving grass clippings on the lawn to decompose back into the soil is a good way to recycle essential nutrients and water back to the turf. For more information on eco-friendly lawn care, click here.

Practice doing your laundry more ecological while enjoying the warm summer weather. Line drying a single load of clothes saves 2.6 kWh of electricity and prevents carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. This will not only save you money, but is healthier to the environment. Click here for more information.