10 Eco-Resolutions for the New Year
 Rid Your Home of Toxins: Eco-Cleaning Guide
It is estimated that nearly 10 percent of all poison exposures reported to poison control centers involved cleaning products, with half of those exposed being children. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term negative health effects. The U.S. EPA has noted that the concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to one hundred times higher) than outdoors. SWANCC's Eco-Cleaning Guide is one way to make a difference by using safer alternatives to commercial cleaning products. The way you clean your home is a choice. The amount of cleaning products on store shelves can create a daunting task to find the best solution to meet your needs. Whether you choose to buy less toxic cleaning products or choose to make your own, there are many reasons to use environmentally-friendly products to clean and maintain your home.
 Say Goodbye to Piles of Plastic: Bring Your Own Bag
Which is better, paper or plastic? The answer is neither! Need a reminder to bring your reusable bags into the store? Visit conservingnow.com and get a free static window cling for your car which aims to help you remember to bring in your reusable bags when you shop. Not only do reusable bags save resources, they are sturdier for carrying groceries. Be sure to take a reusable bag into other stores too. Refer to the Eco-Friendly Marketplace at #8 for different styles of reusable bags.
 It's All in the Name: Forego Disposables
As a society, we are using an increasing number of one-time products such as plastic razors, cups, paper towels, wipes, plastic bags, paper napkins and utensils. These types of items usually cost more in the long-run and involve the consumption of more resources and energy than their reusable alternatives, not to mention that they do not biodegrade easily.
Buy quality, reusable, long-lasting products and rechargeable batteries.
 From Scraps to Soil: Start Composting
Composting is nature's way of recycling. It is a way to turn organics to include food waste, like fruits and vegetables, and yard waste trimmings like leaves, grass and small tree branches into a dark, earthy-smelling soil conditioner. Additionally, it can save money by lowering disposal costs and replacing store-bought fertilizers. It also saves water by helping the soil hold moisture, reducing water runoff. Composting can make a significant contribution to achieving waste reduction goals, especially if organic waste comprises a large proportion of its solid waste stream. There are environmental benefits too - by composting indoors with worms or outside in a container, valuable nutrient-rich organic resources are recycled, extending the life of our landfills.
Visit swancc.org for more information on composting.
 More for Your Money: Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk greatly reduces the amount of packaging compared to individually packaged products and can also be less expensive. Purchase items with little or no packaging, bring your own bags for bulk items and bring a measuring cup with you if you wish to only buy a certain amount.
 Think Global, Buy Local: Farmer's Markets and CSAs
Buying local means purchasing food or other goods that are produced in your area. Buying local supports local farmers and businesses and gives you peace of mind knowing where your goods come from.
Visit localharvest.com for a listing of one-day farmer's markets and continued Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) options.
 Lighten Your Energy Load: Switch to CFLs
Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Each CFL contains a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing - an average of 5 milligrams (roughly equivalent to the tip of a ball-point pen). Because mercury poses potential health risks, the CFLs should not be disposed of in the garbage if there is a recycling option. For a list of SWANCC communities that host a drop-off for CFLs and fluorescent lights, visit swancc.org. There are also other retail outlets for recycling of CFL bulbs.
 Closing the Loop: Buy Recycled-content and Sustainable Products
As the world's population grows and resources are used to meet every day needs, it is only prudent for consumers to examine their buying and throwing away habits, to minimize waste and support items that are made from recycled materials or sustainable/renewable resources.SWANCC's Eco-Friendly Marketplace provides references for a variety of goods that have less of an impact on our environment to produce, but is not an endorsement of any company, product or service.
 Less Waste in the First Place: Stop Junk Mail
Does your mailbox suffer from direct marketing overload? The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse and Catalog Choice are two places to start combating this problem. The result will be a cleaner mail box and diverted energy and resources that created the junk mail.
 Recycle! Recycle! Recycle!
Care to learn more about how you can accomplish meaningful preservation and conservation measures in your everyday life? SWANCC has many programs and resources available to residents including compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb recycling, computer and electronic recycling, document destruction and recycling, mercury thermometer recycling, pharmaceutical/sharps disposal program, shoe reuse/recycling, as well as many resources for waste reduction and recycling initiatives.
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