Green Audit Checklist

A green audit is a way to show businesses and individuals what type of footprint they are leaving on the planet, while also giving them ways to reduce it. You can hire a company to audit you or your business or you can do it yourself. While it can be less expensive to do one yourself, if you are audited by a reputable company, you can receive a seal that shows your commitment, which can be an incentive for businesses. Going green, although it may cost a bit extra to get started, can save you money in utility bills over the long term.

Energy

• Energy is wasted when you keep your home or office frigid in the summer or simmering in the winter, as well as when a heater or air conditioning system is running when no one is there. Re-insulating a building, keeping blinds down when it's hot and up when it's cold can also make the energy you do use more efficient. A programmable thermostat can automatically turn on and off to the appropriate temperature. The same goes for electronics, computers should be shut down when not in use, and switching out a desktop for a laptop can reduce computer energy use by half. Choose appliances with Energy Star ratings and switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Water

• When talking about water conservation, you should keep in mind not just overuse but also water contamination. To save water, wash only full loads in the dishwasher or laundry machine, take short showers and leave sink water running only long enough to wet your toothbrush or rinse your razor. To keep water cleaner from waste dumped into it, avoid chemical-laden cleaners and instead opt for natural, eco or otherwise nontoxic versions. Choose organic clothing and food

Waste

• Every year in the United States we fill enough garbage trucks that, if they were lined up, could reach halfway from the Earth to the moon. If you're not recycling, it's about time that you set up recycling buckets for papers, plastics and glass, at the minimum. To reduce the amount of packaging, buy as much as possible in bulk. Let your family or staff know that they should be printing emails only if absolutely necessary. And if you must have disposable paper goods, buy recycled plates and napkins.