This is a draft of a survey that may help you go green and help our Green Star Committee learn more about how we can help you do so!

Transcription

1 1. Welcome! This is a draft of a survey that may help you go green and help our Green Star Committee learn more about how we can help you do so! 1. Optional Name: Address: City/Town: Address: 2. Pollution Prevention 2. In what ways does your household reduce use of hazardous materials? Assess ways to reduce use of hazardous materials (such as cleaners, high volatile organic compound VOC inks, etc). Purchase small quantities of harmful products, such as cleaners and pesticides, which can be used in a reasonable time frame. Replace harmful products like cleaners, disinfectants, sanitizers, and pesticides with safer alternatives. Buy recycled paint and low VOC products when available. Use recycled or remanufactured laser and ink cartridges. Replace aerosols with non aerosol alternatives like pump sprays. Use rechargeable batteries rather than single use batteries. Purchase only unbleached (non chlorine, or PFC free) paper products like towels, napkins, and copy paper. 3. In what ways does your household prevent stormwater runoff? Do not wash cars outside where run off flows straight to the storm drain. Routinely check for vehicle leaks. Regularly check and maintain storm drain openings and basins that are located near your home. Keep litter, debris, and soils away from storm drains.

2 4. In what ways does your household recycle/reuse the following hazardous and liquid wastes? Use up and/or safely dispose of excess paint Utilize the County Household Hazardous Waste Collections Use rechargable batteries Recycle or donate old electronic equipment such as computers and printers 3. Solid Waste Reduction 5. In what ways does your household reduce paper waste? Eliminate all unwanted mailings or subscribe to the version instead. Use computer software programs that allow e mailing or faxing directly from computers without printing. Keep a stack of previously used paper near printers. Reuse the backside for scrap paper, drafts, or notes. Reuse envelopes by covering old addresses with new labels and affixing new postage. Work from electronic files rather than paper documents. Download software from the internet when possible. Opt out if you don't need or want catalogues and phone books. Buy paper that is produced by a company with a stated commitment to environmental stewardship and to minimize ecological impacts and ensuring long term sustainable production. Paper should contain at least 30% post consumer recycled product. 6. In what ways does your household reuse or recycle materials? Recycle or reuse the following fibers: cardboard (corrugated cardboard boxes), mixed paper (junk mail, scrap, and colored paper); newspaper, and office paper (white ledger, computer, and copier paper). Recycle food and beverage containers (all glass, plastic, and aluminum containers). Donate or exchange unwanted but useable items (furniture, supplies, electronics, etc.) to schools, churches, Habitat ReStore, Goodwill, St. Vincent DePaul, or hospitals.

3 7. In what ways does your household reduce solid waste? Conduct a waste assessment to identify ways to reduce waste and increase recycling and use of recycled products. Buy products that are durable, repairable, and/or recyclable. Select products with the least and/or easily recyclable packaging, or work with vendors to minimize product packaging. Shop at stores that use eco friendly practices. Refurbish and purchase refurbished appliances/furniture/equipment. Use refillable containers for meals. Buy products in bulk, making sure that you can use all that you order. Use your own shopping bags, coffee mugs, and shopping bags. Eliminate use of bottled water. 8. In what ways does your household buy recycled/reused products? Paper(30 100% post consumer waste) Folders or other paper products (30 100% post consumer waste) Pencils, pens, and other desk accessories Toilet paper, tissues, and other paper products Mulch, soil amendments, and compost made of plant trimming or green waste Construction materials when building/remodeling: building fixtures, tiling, drywall, insulation, concrete, flooring, etc. Garbage pails or garbage bags such as recycled HDPE trash liner bags instead of LDPR or LLDPE 4. ENERGY CONSERVATION

4 9. Heating and Cooling In what ways does your household reduce energy usage? Have an energy service company conduct an energy assessment of your home or apartment building. Use solar energy sources/equipment where feasible. Close blinds and curtains during hot summer months. Clean the coils on your refrigerator. Install a programmable thermostat to control heating and air conditioning. Set thermostat at 78 F for cooling, 68 F for heating and nighttime setback. Install ceiling fans to increase air circulation and reduce need for air conditioning. Use a small fan or space heater to air condition/heat a small area during off hours, instead of heating the entire home. Insulate the first 3 to 6 ft. of hot water pipes, from tank. Use weather stripping to close air gaps around doors and windows. Replace inefficient or broken windows with double or triple pane energy efficient windows. Learn how to read your electric and natural gas bills. Insulate walls and attics. 10. In what ways does your household save electricity? Select electrical equipment and appliances with an Energy Star rating. EnviroTip: Visit the Energy Star website at energystar.gov. Set refrigerator temperature between 38 F and 42 F and freezer temperature between 10 F and 20 F. Turn off equipment when not in use. A power strip can help. Install and use computer hardware programs that save energy by automatically turning off, or utilize the Energy Saver feature when monitors and printers are not being used. 11. Lighting In what ways does your household reduce energy for lighting? Take advantage of areas with natural sunlight. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights, which can last 10 times longer. Install occupancy/daylight sensors to control lighting in low use areas or when sunlight is available. Turn off lights where possible. 5. WATER EFFICIENCY

5 12. In what ways does your household conserve water? Learn how to read your water meter/bill as a way to detect leaks and problems. Regularly check for and repair all water leaks. Install low flow aerators. Install ultra low flow toilets. 13. If you have a lawn irrigation system, do you...? Adjust for proper coverage. Adjust sprinklers to achieve even water distribution over grass. Repair all defective lines and sprinkler heads. Adjust irrigation times and durations with the seasons. Water during early morning hours to decrease evaporative water loss. 14. Has your household done any of the following landscaping measures: Mulch all non grass areas or plant ground cover around landscape plants to prevent evaporation. Landscape with native drought resistant plants. Only mow grass when necessary. Apply water, fertilizer, or pesticides to your landscape only when needed, rather than on an automatic schedule. Install a low volume irrigation, like a drip or soaker hose system. Use repeat cycles when watering lawn or shrubs in clay soil. Instead of watering for 8 minutes, water twice for 4 minutes. Avoid runoff by making sure that sprinklers are directing water to landscaped areas, and not paved areas. 6. Survey Improvement Suggestions (Last Page!) 15. How can we improve this survey? 5 6