Nifty 50 + Things You Can Do

Nifty 50 +
Things You Can Do To Be An Emerald Keeper

Say no to plastic bottles. Take your reusable bottle with you every day. If you have to buy water, get it in aluminum bottles.
Ride/walk more; drive less.
Carry a reusable utensil set.
Carpool or take the ferry to work. The morning commuter ferry is free!
Take the Island Express. Download the RideCircuit app or call
(619) 675-7438
Eat less meat by joining others for Meatless Monday. Meat production is one of the most environmentally destructive industries on the planet due to excessive water use, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and habitat destruction.
Switch your bills to paperless and pay household bills online.
Look for products that have less plastic packaging. Choose cans and glass over plastic containers.
Recycle or repurpose your newspapers or read them online.
Pack lunch items in reusable containers.
Buy items in bulk and avoid single-serving packages.
Use e-tickets rather than printing.
Say no to plastic straws. Carry a reusable one with you.

Join a beach clean-up or do your own. What if even 20 people cleaned the beach each day?
Shop at a second-hand store or garage sale. Help your community and save money.
Buy organic. Conventional farming methods often rely on pesticides that pollute and damage ecosystems and human health.
Don’t flush medicines down the toilet. Take them to the Police Department.

Avoid aggressive acceleration and deceleration when driving. Gentle driving can lower gas mileage by roughly 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic, according to the EPA.
Use cruise control whenever possible to save gas.
Pick up trash in your neighborhood. Do not walk past trash. If not you, then who? Feel good all day about your good deed.
Visit a local farmers market.
Scoop your dog’s poop so it stays out of the storm drains.
Visit the Coronado Public Library rather than buying a book or video. Online books are also available from the library.
Patronize Emerald Green, Ocean Blue Businesses. Be sure to thank businesses that are reducing plastics.
Don’t idle your car engine. Our ocean and air quality will thank you.
Write your local, county, state and federal elected officials to let them know you care about the environment on topics such as clean water, air, and beaches; single-use plastic reductions; clean energy; and infrastructure to make the shift to clean power and adapt to climate change.

Use low-flow faucets and toilets.
Turn off power switches. Unplug appliances when not in use. You will save energy and money.

Contact SDG&E to ask about their EcoChoice and EcoShare renewable energy programs so you may request your energy be from renewable sources.
Clean greener. Choose non-toxic cleaners, which are better for your health.
Buy rechargeable batteries and dispose of old batteries properly with the City Public Works (101 B Avenue) the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 9am to 2pm.
Wash your clothes in cold water to save energy. According to the Sierra Club, every household that switches to cold water washing could eliminate about 1,600 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
Only run full laundry loads and dishwasher cycles.
Stop using toxin-loaded dryer sheets. They are essentially single-use plastics. Use a dryer ball. Even better, hang items such as towels and sheets out to dry in the sun.
Create art from recycled materials.
Don’t heat or cool an empty home. Turn on your thermostat only when people are in the house.
Use air conditioning and heat sparingly. Put on a sweater or use a fan.

Don’t waste food. In the U.S., 30%-40% of all food produced goes to waste. Food waste ranks as the third top emitter of carbon emissions. Get creative with leftover food.
Say no to plastic wrap and baggies. Use reusable containers, beeswax wraps, or silicone bags.
Repurpose and reuse household items. Use glass jars and bottles for storing food.
Clean your refrigerator coils; vacuum the dust and wipe with a damp cloth to improve function.
Use cloth napkins instead of paper. Bandannas are inexpensive and come in a variety of colors.
Avoid plastic products when entertaining. Use reusable dishes, glasses/mugs, and utensils.
Don’t dispose of grease in your sink. Collect it in a grease bag and place it in your organic bin.
Compost your organic waste in your own compost or add it to your EDCO green bin.

Start a compost.
Grow some vegetables.
Rake your yard and clean your gutters. Keep yard waste and chemicals out of our storm drains. It all ends up in the ocean.
Use an electric yard blower and an electric lawn mower.
Reduce lawn fertilizers and avoid pesticides. Only use non-toxic insecticides.
Plant a tree in your yard.
Plant native plants and pollinators in your yard. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone had one or two?

Banner Photo by Derik Emge