City of Lawton Oklahoma IPP 59 Ways to Make a Difference

City of Lawton
Industrial Pretreatment Program

59 Ways to Make a Difference

Look for containers that can be reused or recycled, like aluminum and glass, or those that can be composted, like paper.
Buy in bulk or concentrated products when you can.
Avoid items that are made to be thrown away after only a few uses like disposable razors or flashlights.
Look for products you can use again and again, like thermos jars, rechargeable batteries, cloth towels, glass plates, etc.
Avoid buying products that contain hazardous materials, as these may be difficult to dispose of safely.
Look for creative ways to practice source reduction.
Write letters to companies asking them to use less packaging.
Use cloth bags when you shop.
Write to companies that send you unwanted junk mail asking them to take you off the list.
Print or copy on both sides of the paper.

Save plastic and paper bags for reuse instead of throwing them away.
Store leftovers in glass or plastic containers.
Take hangers back to the cleaners.
Use the back side of paper for scratch pads.
Save manila envelopes and folders to use again.
Start a backyard compost bin for kitchen and yard scraps. Contact your local County Extension Service for more information.
Encourage your school to start a program composting cafeteria food waste.
Donate or sell unwanted clothing, appliances, tools, and miscellaneous items.
Share newspapers and magazines.
Use old newspapers as packing material.
Return styrofoam peanuts to packing or mailing stores for reuse.
Shop at re-sale and thrift stores.

Buy recycled content products--If you are not buying recycled products, then you are not really recycling.
Start an office paper recycling program at work or school.
Separate aluminum, glass and newspaper waste at home and work for recycling.
Take time to learn about how to prepare recyclable items.
Recycle used motor oil and batteries at a recycler, automotive store or service station.
Watch for collection dates to recycle your phone book--if there isn't one in your community, organize one.
Urge your newspaper to print on recycled paper.
Have your laser printer cartridge cleaned and refilled instead of throwing it away.
Start a program at school or church to collect and recycle plastic six-pack rings. For information, contact ITW Hi-Cone, Ring Leader Recycling Program, 1140 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Itasca, Illinois 60143-9989.

Set a good example for your family and friends by practicing the three Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).
Contact managers where you shop to request that the store carry recycled products.
Write your legislators when you have an opinion about legislation.
Consider organizing a recycling program for your community, school or business.
Bring and use your own coffee mug to meetings instead of using disposable cups.
Join the Adopt-a-Highway program or create your own adoption program such as Adopt-a-Park, Neighborhood, County Road, etc.
Plant a tree - If every American family planted one tree, more than one billion pounds of greenhouse gases could be removed from the atmosphere every year.
Participate in Use Less Stuff Day, Earth Day, and America Recycles Day.

Keep your car well tuned and filters clean. A poorly tuned vehicle can use as much as three to nine percent more gasoline than a well tuned one.
Keep your tires properly inflated to save gas.
Turn off the light when you leave a room.
Adjust your thermostat to a moderate temperature when you leave each day.
Replace incandescent light bulbs at home, work or school with compact fluorescent bulbs.
Have an energy audit done at home, work or school and follow suggestions to save energy.
Caulk and weather strip cracks around doors and windows at home.
Insulate your water heater.
Close the fireplace damper when not in use.
Carpool and share rides whenever possible.

Wash your car at home. The average automatic car wash can use ten times as much water and a big charge of electricity to do the same job you can do at home.
Avoid over-watering your lawn.
Water during morning and evening hours to reduce evaporation.
Use mulch in gardens and flower beds.
Install a water saving showerhead.
Turn off water when brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer and dishwasher only when full.
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean walkways and driveways.