Tips to make community sustainability work for you

• Take advantage of the great spring weather and give your dryer a break by using a clothesline to dry your laundry. Not only will you extend the life of your clothes and give them that fresh line-dried scent, but you’ll save energy which translates to lower utility bills.
• If you are getting ready for grilling season by looking for a new grill, keep in mind that gas has the lowest environmental impact. If you do choose charcoal, look for lump charcoal and chimney starters instead of briquettes and starter fluid, as starter fluid contributes to smog and briquettes contain ingredients which are harmful to both your health and the environment.
• It’s the time of year to really take advantage of all the fresh food produced by local farmers. Take a break from the store and venture out to your local farmers market. You’ll benefit from buying the freshest produce while supporting your local farms. To find a farmers market in your area go to localharvest.org.
• Spring is here; the sun is shining and the grass is growing, which means that your lawn probably needs to be mowed. If you are in the market for a new mower, go green and go electric or become the neighborhood hero and get your exercise by using a reel mower which is silent and creates no pollution.
• To reduce the ecological footprint of your business, consider conducting meetings in cyberspace or over the phone. Video conferencing requires a small investment, but will pay for itself with the money you save on airfares, hotels, and gas.
• Electrical devices, like computers, microwaves, and coffeemakers, can use energy even when they aren’t being used. An easy way to save energy is to unplug them or use power strips which can be switched off; that way your home or business won’t be wasting power (and money) while you are away.

Sustainability Tips Provided by the Foundation for a Sustainable Community. Look for new tips weekly on WRAL.com's Green Guide.