A

Adopt Something.
An animal, a stream, a whale.  There's almost no limit to the number of environmental causes to which you, your friends, or your class can turn.

Avoid Fast Food.
Most fast food is over packaged and most fast-food companies are responsible for producing mountains of trash.  By avoiding fast food whenever possible, you'll help reduce this needless waste.

B

Bike Instead Of Ride.
Riding your bike instead of riding in a car saves energy and reduces pollution, of course.  But it is also fun!  That makes it a double benefit.

Boycott A Product.
Choose something that you feel is not good for the environment.  Once you decide not to buy it, write a letter to the company's president (the address is often right on the package) and tell him or her why you have decided not to buy the product anymore.  If lots of people did this, companies would start making more environmentally responsible products!

Buy Products Made Of Recycled Paper.
How can you tell if a package is recycled?  Look right on the package.  Many have specific claims, such as "made of 100 percent recycled material."  However, some recycled packages don't advertise this fact, although there are ways you can find out for yourself.  For example, when shopping for cereal, cookies, crackers, and other groceries packaged in cardboard boxes, make sure boxes are made from recycled paper.  If the underside is gray or dark brown, the cardboard is made of recycled material.  If it's white, it is made of unrecycled material.

C

Change A Light Bulb.
By replacing a standard bulb with a compact fluorescent one you will get more light for less money and save a lot of energy.

Clean Up A Stream Or Park.
Get a group of people together and find a stream or park that needs some tender loving care.  Arrange for everyone to meet at a specific time to pick up the trash, weed, perhaps even plant some flowers.  Ask local business to donate money, tools, or other supplies you'll need for the task.  You also should invite a newspaper reporter or TV news team to come along and report on the event.  Make sure to check with the proper local authority in charge of the stream or park to get permission so you are sure not to break any laws.

Close The Refrigerator Door.
By leaving it open for just a few extra seconds, you waste a lot of energy.  Decide what you want before you open the refrigerator door.  Then get it and close the door right away.

Collect Aluminum Cans.
You might raise a lot of money in the process.  The best thing is to combine this with your stream or park cleanup (see above).  Sell the cans you collect to a local aluminum recycler and use the money for something fun!  Or donate the money to a worthy environmental organization (see below).

Contribute To A Good Cause.
You don't have to contribute a lot of money.  In fact, you don't have to contribute money at all.  A local environmental group probably can use your and your friends' help in a variety of ways.  By volunteering for just a few hours a week, you'll be making a worthwhile contribution to the environment.  It will make you feel really good!

Create A Compost Pile.
It's easy to do.  Find a corner of the yard that's out of the way.  Carefully throw food wastes (leftovers, eggshells, coffee grounds, spoiled vegetables, etc.) into a pile and mix with dirt.  Every week or so, turn the pile over with a shovel to give it more air.  In a few weeks, it will turn into a rich, nutrition soil that will help plants grow.  Just think:  What used to be "garbage" is now a valuable substance!

Cut Down On Packaging.
We've already given you several ways to do this.  Keep in mind that about half of what we throw away is packaging.  By buying products that have as little packaging as possible, you can help to reduce those mountains of trash.