Use this page to find actions that your household has completed or plans to complete. Browse the categories on the left to find actions for the Power Saver, Green Leader, or Renewable Star Challenge.
Once you have signed in, you can click Add to My Challenge to add an action to your To Do List, Already Completed to mark an action as complete, or Not Applicable if the action does not apply to you.
Once signed in, you can rate each of the actions you have completed.
The highest rated action appear under the Most Popular Actions category.
ACTIONS
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Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
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Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action. Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action. Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Grow at least 15% of your own produce and/or raise your own animals for foodGrowing your own food is just about as local as food production can get. Not only does it cut down on the fossil fuel consumption and synthetic fertilizer and pesticide use associated with industrial agriculture and food transportation, it also provides you with fresher food, exercise, and a closer connection to the land. Learn more about food gardening from the National Gardening Association.
Cultivating a perennial polyculture garden is especially beneficial for the environment. Perennial polyculture gardens include a variety of plants that last from year to year and do not need to be replanted. While perennial polyculture requires a larger initial investment of time and money, it pays off with less required labor and expense in subsequent years. It can also increase plant diversity, increase disease and pest resistance in plants, sequester more CO2, filter more rain water, fix more nitrogen, prevent erosion, and build soil. Try growing some edible Maryland natives, such as pawpaw and blueberries, in your garden. For more information, watch this perennial polyculture guidelines video or model perennial polyculture garden video.
Depending on where you live in Frederick County, you may be able to raise your own chickens, guinea fowl, ducks, goats, pigs, sheep, rabbits, or cows. You can reap the nutritional benefits of naturally-produced animal products and reduce environmental impacts by raising them yourself. In addition to food, animals can provide pest management, grass trimming, wool, hides, furs, and natural fertilizer. To learn more, check out these resources on: raising backyard lifestock, comparing backyard livestock types, backyard chickens, and raising goats.
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Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
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Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
A key denotes a renter-friendly action.Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Clean with reusable cloth instead of paper towelsThe pulp and paper industry is the third largest producer of global warming pollution in the world, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. In comparison to paper towels, cloth is reusable, washable, and often biodegradable when it comes time to replace it. You can even use your old clothes that are too worn to donate as cloth for cleaning purposes. Mirrors and windows will be streak and lint-free when using lint-free cloth and a non-toxic, biodegradable cleaner. A cheap non-toxic formula for streak-free glass surfaces: 1 part water, 1 part distilled white vinegar, 2-5 drops dish soap. Put contents in a spray bottle and wipe.
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Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
1
Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
A key denotes a renter-friendly action.Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Use a "green" dry cleanerMost dry cleaning services use dangerous chemicals such as percholorethylene, tetrachloroethylene, and tetrachloroethene, which degrade air quality and pose health risks to dry cleaning workers and consumers. To learn more, check out this article about dry cleaning hazards.
Choose dry cleaners that use phosphorous-free, biodegradable detergents and products. To find out what products your dry cleaner uses, ask them.
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Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
1
Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
A key denotes a renter-friendly action.Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Use low-VOC paintsIndoor air is often three times more polluted than outdoor air. A major contributor to poor indoor air quality is the use of paints, stains, and finishes in homes. Oil-based paints are particularly dangerous, as they contain VOCs. Many VOCs have been shown to cause cancer, nervous system damage, and allergic reactions. While water-based paints are generally taken to be safer, they may also pose health risks, particularly to children. Many water-based paints contain propylene glycol and glycol ethers, which have been shown to increase asthma and other respiratory problems in children. To learn more, check out these articles on the health impacts of oil-based paints and water-based paints.
To reduce negative health effects, choose low-VOC paint and use caution while painting; ventilate by opening windows, use protective gear specified by the label, keep pregnant women and young children away from freshly painted rooms, close paint cans tightly when not in use, and eliminate all sources of flame when using solvent-based paints. Learn more about safer paint choices and reducing health effects while painting.
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Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
1
Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
A key denotes a renter-friendly action.Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Test your home for radon, lead, and/or asbestosRadon is a natural radioactive gas that is known to cause cancer in humans. It arises from radioactive breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water, and can become airborne in your home. To test for radon, look for a radon test kit at your local hardware store. For more information, visit the EPA page on radon or watch this video on radon home inspection.
Lead poisoning is a disease contracted from exposure to lead-based products. Children are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of lead, even at low levels of exposure. Effects include aggression, behavioral problems, and deficits in attention span, adaptability, learning, and memory. Lead exposure in adults may contribute to high blood pressure, impaired kidney function, fertility problems, and cataracts. If your home was built before 1978, there is a high likelihood that it contains lead paint. Learn more about lead and steps for lead removal from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative.
Asbestos is a mineral that was used extensively in the mid-1900s for floor tiles, insulation, shingles, and more. Asbestos exposure can cause chronic and often lethal lung diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Removal of asbestos should be carried out by a professional. Disrupting asbestos products can cause the fibers to become airborne, where they pose a serious health threat. Sealed-in asbestos should often be left alone, while fraying, cracking, or loose asbestos products may need to be removed or sealed. To learn more, visit the EPA page on asbestos or watch this video about asbestos removal.
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