I Luv Trees http://www.iluvtrees.org Premier resource for green business initiatives and living green tips Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:58:33 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Recycle Your Old Cell Phone Offer your old cell phone to a service provider so it can be refurbished. Some programs donate phones to active military or families in need. http://www.iluvtrees.org/green-tips/recycle-your-old-cell-phone/ Hire an Energy Manager Hire an energy manager. The money spent on somebody keeping track of office recycling and energy use will be worth it when you get the utility bill. http://www.iluvtrees.org/green-tips/hire-an-energy-manager/ Recycle Your Old Electronics Recycle your old electronics via www.costcotrades.greensight.com to recieve a gift card for your trade in value and a pre-paid shiping label. Your Costco Cash card will arrive a month later. http://www.iluvtrees.org/green-tips/recycle-your-old-electronics/ Use a Green Dry Cleaner Find a "green" dry cleaner instead of the ones that use toxic chemicals. It doesn't cost extra, and its better for both you and the environment. http://www.iluvtrees.org/green-tips/use-a-green-dry-cleaner/ Upgrade Your Computer Need a new computer? Upgrade instead of purchase: Use the same case for your computer, with a new motherboard and more RAM. http://www.iluvtrees.org/green-tips/upgrade-your-computer/ Activate Sleep Mode Activate sleep mode for printers, copiers and fax machines so they'll sense inactive periods and power down. http://www.iluvtrees.org/green-tips/activate-sleep-mode/ LEED Certified Upgrade your office building or home to be LEED Certified. If you're building new, make your building a local role model. http://www.iluvtrees.org/green-tips/leed-certified/ Stop Junk Mail Reduce the junk mail you recieve by taking your name off national mailing lists. Go to dmachoice.org http://www.iluvtrees.org/green-tips/stop-junk-mail/ Reduce Your AC Costs Reduce air conditioning costs by using fans, keeping windows and doors shut and closing shades during the day. http://www.iluvtrees.org/green-tips/reduce-your-ac-costs/ Standard vs. Fluorescent Bulbs Over its life span, a fluorescent tube will save 640 kWh of electricity compared to the 100 watt standard bulb. This reduces the production of carbon dioxide, a green house gas, by half a ton. http://www.iluvtrees.org/green-tips/standard-vs-fluorescent-bulbs/