Our Bay...Our Choice

Help Improve the Health of the Bay with these Ten Simple Steps

• RECYCLE
  

  The average American discards 1.5 TONS of garbage a year. Recycle just one aluminum can and save enough energy to power a TV for 3 hours. Recycle half of everything you throw out and... well, you do the math. www.mdrecycles.org/local.asp

• PICK UP AFTER YOUR PET
  

  You wouldn’t bathe with it. Why swim with it (or eat fish that do)? www.marc.org/environment/Water/pet_waste.htm

• DRIVE LESS
  

  Carpool. Combine Trips. Use public transit. Stay at home and read a good book. www.mtamaryland.com

• USE LESS WATER
  

  Turn it off while brushing. Run only full loads of dishes and clothes. Cut your shower time by five minutes, save 10 to 12 gallons of water and get that “5 more minutes” of sleep you’ve always wanted! www.wateruseitwisely.com

• CONSERVE ENERGY
  

  Use low energy light bulbs. Turn off or unplug appliances not in use. Install an adjustable thermostat. Then, kick back and watch your savings pile up. (An average family spends $1,900 a year on energy bills!) www.energy.state.md.us

• DISPOSE OF CHEMICALS PROPERLY
  

  Motor oil. Paint. Cleaning Fluids. Ugh! Find out how at your local government website. www.mdrecycles.org/local.asp

• EAT FOODS GROWN LOCALLY
  

  Feed your family healthier, better tasting food, support local farmers, and reduce pollution from transport -- most foods travel 1,300 miles before arriving on our plates. http://www.mda.state.md.us/md_products/farmers_market_dir.php

• FREQUENT A CARWASH
  

  Your driveway is a first class, non-stop ticket to the Bay for dirt, soap and chemicals.

• BE PICKY ABOUT PAPER
  

  Use recycled or unbleached paper products. Better for the Bay, better for your family, not to mention all those trees! Speaking of which…

• PLANT A TREE
  

  Clean the air. Cool the earth (and your home). Provide habitat for wildlife. Get a $25 coupon and register the trees you plant at www.trees.maryland.gov.

Going Above and Beyond

• Practice Bay Friendly Lawn Care
  

  Make your lawn “greener.” Stay away from fertilizer, mulch your clippings and leave your grass taller when you mow. www.dnr.maryland.gov/ed/landscape.html

• Create a Rain Garden
  

  With a little planning you can turn your garden into a natural sponge, using plants to soak up nutrients which are good for them, but bad for streams, rivers and the Bay. www.rainscaping.org

• Use a Rain Barrel
  

  Use it before you lose it! Use a rain barrel to collect water for watering plants, washing your car or topping off a swimming pool. It’s free and keeps pollutants out of our waterways. www.dnr.state.md.us/ed/rainbarrel.html

• Practice Greenscaping
  

  Add a little green to your flower garden. Use native plants, cut out the pesticides and choose pavers or gravel that allow water to soak through instead of solid materials that cannot be penetrated for your walkways. www.chesapeakelandscape.org