Follow these tips to be more sustainable at home, at work and wherever you are.

Be a conscientious consumer

• Opt for cleaning products with sustainable ingredients.
• Only use reef-safe sunscreen.
• Buy repurposed/used items rather than buying new.
• Replace old appliances with those approved by the EPA’s Energy Star program.
• Choose standard shipping rather than express and combine orders into a single shipment, if possible.
• Try to buy package-free goods, or choose those with recyclable packaging when that’s not possible.
• Avoid body scrubs, face wash or toothpastes with microbeads.
• Choose bar soap instead of bottled.
• Ask to borrow items rather than buying things you’ll only use once.

Green your meals

• Choose local, seasonal foods to reduce the environmental impact of food transport.
• Increase your consumption of plant-based foods — they require less energy to produce.
• Swear off commercial bottled water. Refill your water bottle at work.
• Plan your meals and buy only as much food as you will eat.
• Make food at home rather than eating out.
• Grow your own food in your yard or on a windowsill.
• Compost food waste.
• Choose loose-leaf tea.
• When you eat out, ask for beverages without a straw.

Reduce your energy consumption

• Walk, bike or take public transportation instead of driving; drive or take the train instead of flying.
• Minimize the use of excessive heat and AC by dressing in layers.
• Turn off the lights when you leave the room or house.
• Unplug electronics that are not in use.
• Turn off your monitor when you leave work for the evening.
• Replace old fluorescent and incandescent lighting with LEDs.
• Activate sleep settings on your electronic devices.
• Take the stairs instead of using the elevator.
• Get a solar charger for your phone.
• Schedule screen-free evenings.
• Wash clothes in cold water.

Save water

• Fix and/or report leaks promptly to reduce water waste.
• Turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth.
• Only run your dishwasher when it’s full.
• Take shorter showers.
• Use cooking water to water plants.

Waste less

• Find out where to recycle broken electronics. Earth911 and Call2Recycle can help locate recycling locations. Stores that sell electronics must take them back for recycling. Many major retailers (like Best Buy) accept e-waste from other stores.
• Send meeting handouts and agendas digitally.
• Bring your own bags to the grocery store to reduce your plastic and paper consumption.
• Buy reusable batteries instead of single-use alkaline batteries.
• Upgrade disposable paper towels with washable cloths; choose handkerchiefs over tissues.

Have a tip to add to this list? Email link@ucop.edu.