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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers Marylanders tips for sustainable living. By taking the following actions this spring, you can prevent pollution, reduce your greenhouse gas footprint, and help the Chesapeake Bay.
Beautiful spring weather makes for great boating and fishing in Maryland. Help protect our waterways by being 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 styrofoammaterial 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.
Reuse extra wire hangers cluttering your closet space by returning them to your dry cleaner or recycle them with other steel items.
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.
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 washable containers instead of plastic sandwich bags to can greatly lower your waste contribution.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 more details and additional tips.
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