5 Simple Things

OK, so you want to change the world, but may not want to completely change the way you live in it. Simple. Here are five things you can do today and everyday to make a big difference in helping the Bay.

1. Paper or Plastic?

It's the age old grocery store question. Should you choose paper or plastic bags? The best answer is neither. Paper and plastic bags both use tremendous amounts of natural resources and cause significant pollution. In 1999, 14 million trees were cut to make the 10 billion paper grocery bags used by Americans that year alone! And plastic bags are thought to take about 4,000 years to degrade in a landfill. The best solution is to carry re-useable bags for your groceries and other shopping trips. Find out more ways to reduce waste.

2. Pack Greener Lunches

And we're not just talking veggies. Use re-useable containers instead of plastic bags and throw-away bottles. Students using disposable lunch items generate more than 67 pounds of waste per school year. Multiply that number by all the students in your school and you can see how much waste your school could save. Check out our lunch-kits that are an easy way to start packing greener lunches. Veggies not included, but feel free to add!

3. Have a Bright Idea

Switch over to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs instead of regular incandescent bulbs. The CFLs save you money, reduce carbon emissions by saving energy, and reduce waste since they can last up to 10 years. CFLs are up to 75% more efficient than other bulbs, so even if they cost a little bit more, you will more than make up for that difference in electric bills and replacement bulbs. These aren't the same fluorescent bulbs you might be used to either, newer CFLs provide bright, white light very similar to regular bulbs. Learn about other bay-friendly practices.

4. Slow Water Runoff

The more you can slow water from running off your property, the less sediment and other pollutants it will carry into the Bay. Installing rain barrels and rain gardens are great ways to do this. Rain barrels not only help the Bay, but they're an attractive addition to your landscaping and provide water for your outdoor needs. The barrels, connected to your downspouts, hold up to 60 gallons of rainwater. A rainstorm producing about one-quarter inch of rain can produce more than 700 gallons of water off an average size rooftop. Take a look at our rain barrels made out of recycled wine barrels. We can even customize the fittings to match your home.

5. Get Involved!

One of the best ways to get involved and learn more about how you can help the Bay is by joining a local watershed group. You can also just spend time on the Bay, its creeks and rivers, and even the non-wet areas within the Bay watershed. Get to know the Chesapeake right outside your own door, even if there's no water there. And pass it on! Let your friends, family, and elected officials know how easy it can be to help the Bay. Send them to our resources section for more information.

And Remember,

By purchasing products from us, you are supporting Bay restoration. Ten percent of our profits support Chesapeake Bay restoration.