Five Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Earth Day is approaching, and with that in mind we can all do a little something everyday to help keep our planet green. Here are five things you can do toward that end

1. Switch to energy-efficient lighting in your home.

Whenever your old light bulbs blow out, replace them with compact fluorescent ones. According to energystar.gov, CFL bulbs last up to 10 times longer than regular incandescent light bulbs and use 75 percent less energy.

2. Buy local produce and food.

According to Patch’s Holistic Health Coach Judy Griffin’s column, local farming practices are gentler on the environment and eliminate shipping costs and excessive packaging. Each year Nassau County hosts a farmer’s market at 101 County Seat Drive beginning in June, and another in Long Beach starting in May.

3. Plant bamboo in your yard.

According to a study in U.S. News and World Report, bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants and sucks up four times as much carbon dioxide as trees.

4. Know what to recycle.

Residents should put their recyclable plastics at the curb on the same day. Don’t recycle plastics used in toys, furniture, utensils and tableware.

Large items such as appliances, mattresses, furniture, and similar objects will only be picked up by appointment with the Sanitation Department and must be placed at the curb for pickup.

5. Leave your car home to reduce the amount of pollutants in the air.

Take mass transit for local trips, or ride a bike.