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

  • 1
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    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
    A key denotes a renter-friendly action.
    Soak dishes instead of washing them under running water
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    Instead of leaving your water running while scrubbing each dish, allow your dishes to soak in your sink or a washing basin filled with hot soapy water. You can do any scrubbing required using the water in the sink, and your dishes will only need a quick rinse at the end. Also, make sure to use biodegradable, phosphate-free soap.

    You must be registered and logged in to leave comments

  • 1
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    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
    A key denotes a renter-friendly action.
    Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator instead of using running water
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    Defrosting frozen foods with running water can waste 50 to 150 gallons of water a month. Instead, place them in the refrigerator overnight or thaw in the microwave.

    Check out these other tips for saving water in the kitchen.

    You must be registered and logged in to leave comments

  • 2
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    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
    A key denotes a renter-friendly action.
    Reduce your shower time by 5 minutes
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    When showering with a 4.5 gallon per minute showerhead, you use 45 gallons of water every ten minutes. To save water, shorten your showers or turn off the water when you’re lathering up, shaving, or washing your hair. Be conscious of the time you take in the shower by using a shower clock, and try to reduce your shower by 10-20%. Click to calculate how much water and energy you use in the shower.

    You must be registered and logged in to leave comments

  • 1
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    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
    Avoid mid-day watering of your lawn and gardens
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    If the garden or lawn receives water at mid-day, when the temperature is highest, some of the water will evaporate from the wet soil and plants before it has the chance to soak into the ground. Watering in the early morning provides plants with water at their most active period of transpiration, when they are taking up the most water through their roots. It also allows them to dry off before the cool night temperatures set in, reducing the chance of disease. Learn more about when to water.

    You must be registered and logged in to leave comments

  • 1
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    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
    A key denotes a renter-friendly action.
    Use a broom, rather than a hose or leaf blower, to clean sidewalks, driveways, patios, and other impermeable surfaces
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    Running a standard hose for just 10 minutes uses 100 gallons of water. Make sure to pick up any swept-up waste and put it in a trash can or compost pile, not the gutter or storm drain. Sweeping the waste into the gutter only adds to the pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. Remember, “Only rain down the drain!”

    You must be registered and logged in to leave comments