Keep drinking water in the refrigerator rather than running the tap for cold water. the U.S. EPA’s water conservation web page offers more useful conservation tips for around the home.

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Let your grass clippings lie and mulch fall leaves. This eliminates waste and conserves soil nutrients. Grass clippings and mulched leaves are great fertilizers. Minimize the need for pesticides by choosing plant species that are resistant to insects and disease. Introduce praying mantises, lace-wings, ladybugs and other pest eaters to your garden.

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Take your used motor oil to a service station that participates in a motor oil recycling program. Dumping or spilling used motor oil on the ground, down storm drains, or in the garbage contaminates ground or surface waters and soil. Take used car batteries to a retailer for recycling. Find out which service stations in your community accept used antifreeze. It can be recycled.

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Buy products that are reusable, refillable, or concentrated to help reduce packaging. Avoid single-use products such as disposable razors, diapers and lighters. Bar soap generates less packaging waste and is less expensive than liquid soap in plastic bottles with pump dispensers.

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Drop some food coloring into the reservoir tank of your toilet before you go to bed. Check the bowl in the morning; if the color is present, you may have a leak. Also, put a full bottle of water in the toilet tank to reduce water consumption.

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If you’re doing work on an older home or school building, be sure to follow lead-safe work practices. Contain the work area and keep kids and pets away. Minimize dust. And clean up thoroughly. Lead is harmful to adults and children, and common renovation jobs like sanding, cutting, or demolition can create lead dust and chips. See more on renovating from the EPA.

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A full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water, but taking a five-minute shower saves water by using 10 to 25 gallons. Put a little timer or clock near your shower so you can see how fast you are. Save even more water, and money on your water bill, by installing a water-efficient showerhead, or ask your landlord to install one if you rent. The EPA has more about using water wisely.

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You might not realize it, but on a pesticide container, the label is the law. Pesticide product labels provide critical safety information for handling and use. Pesticides are powerful substances, but when used according to the label they are safe and effective. So … always use pesticides safely, at home or in the field. Always read the label. Read the label first!

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If maintained and repaired properly, products such as long-wearing clothing, tires, and appliances are less likely to wear out or break and will not have to be thrown out and replaced as frequently. Although durable products sometimes cost more initially, their extended life span may offset the higher cost and even save money over the long term.

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Before buying a new or used vehicle (or even before renting a vehicle), check out EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide and the jointly-run EPA/DOE Fuel Economy Guide. These resources provide information about the emissions and fuel economy performance of different vehicles.

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During hot weather, don’t top off your gas tank. Refuel your car or truck in the early morning or the evening when it’s cooler. A small fuel spill may not seem like much, but every spill evaporates and adds to air pollution, and fuel pumps with vapor recovery systems can feed a spill back into their tanks - after you paid for it.

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High school students can study links between everyday actions at their high school, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change. Become a “climate ambassador” in your school or neighborhood and motivate friends and community leaders. The EPA offers lots of suggestions for how to get involved at school.

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