Here are 6 easy tips to lower your environmental footprint while taking your next vacation.

1. Check your car’s tire pressure: Poorly inflated tires waste gas and cause more pollution.
2. Change the filter in your furnace: Keep heating and cooling systems running efficiently – whether you are home or away.
3. Install a programmable thermostat: It takes about 10 minutes to install and allows you to save lots of energy costs when you are not home.  It’s easy to turn the thermostat down (or up) to levels that would be otherwise uncomfortable if you were in the house.  And, now you can even get a thermostat that you can control from your smartphone to reset the temperature prior to your return.
4. Turn down your water heater when you are going on a long trip.
5. Use fans to move the air inside your home. This gives the sensation that it is 5 degrees cooler than the actual temperature.
6. Turn off or even unplug your appliances – including televisions when not in use. For example, televisions draw power constantly for the instant-on functionality.

Have a great vacation while you reduce your carbon footprint.

I’m not sure when my mindset changed from considering Poland Springs as a savior vs. the devil. Okay, maybe the devil is a bit strong, we all know there are times when buying bottled water seems like a necessity – but working in an office where drinkable water is accessible doesn’t seem to fit the bill.

Need motivation to bring your own bottle to the office this fall? Here are some things to consider:

Many doctors, dieticians and parents recommend drinking at least 64 oz of water a day. And I’ve also heard that drinking a glass of water before eating lunch reduces the average caloric intake. A Nalgene bottle which holds 32 oz is easy to pour into a glass on your desk. Look good, feel good and know that you are helping the planet.

Ever consider how much you spend on bottled drinks each year? Assuming you pick up a bottle of water or other drink with your lunch each work day at $1.50 that turns into $375 a year (assuming two weeks vacation).

Flavor packets can make water more appealing. Your local grocery store sells a host of powders to pour into your water bottle to make it more exciting.

Like the idea of flavored water but trying to avoid the additives? Cucumbers, mint, and fruit are all added to water for events – why not try a natural flavor that you can grow in your own backyard.

Enjoy the end of August. But don’t forget your water bottle!

There has been plenty of talk lately about rising energy prices.  A great way to save money and help reduce your organization’s environmental impact is by turning off non-essential equipment.  A shredder can easily be unplugged when not in use, but even printers, coffee machines and scanners can be turned off overnight and potentially unplugged.

It may not seem like a lot, but small changes add up.