Sustainable Tacoma Main / What you can do - Businesses / What Tacoma is doing / Calendar / Sustainable Tacoma Grants / Climate Action Plan Updates / Sustainable Tacoma Commission
Water Wise 
Breathe Easy
Here are some resources and guidelines to help you live sustainably and protect the environment in Tacoma.
Connect and Learn
??? Learn about sustainability in Pierce County
??? Calculate your carbon footprint using the Oregon Carbon Calculator or Global Footprint Network resource and discover how making simple changes can reduce your emissions
??? Check out the latest issue of EnviroTalk and U*: Utilities & You newsletter for ideas on living sustainably
??? Follow
sustainability trends and issues in the greater Northwest
??? Share ideas and inspirations on the
Environmental Working Group facebook page
??? Check out
Grist for news on climate change
??? Book a lesson with the
EnviroChallenger educators and encourage land stewardship in youth through hands-on environmental education
??? Subscribe to the Tacoma
EnviroNews listserv and engage in discussion about the environment with city government, citizens and activists
Re-energize
??? Take advantage of discounts and rebates offered by Tacoma Power on energy efficient products
??? Switch from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and save up to 75 percent in energy use. Tacoma Power offers instant rebates at local stores on a variety of energy-saving bulbs.
??? Recycle your old, working refrigerator or freezer. Check out Tacoma Power???s program that provides a rebate and free haul-away.
??? Increase gas efficiency and explore incentives offered by Puget Sound Energy
??? Add solar power to your energy plan
??? Avoid accumulating expensive vampire charges on electronic appliances left in standby mode
??? Consider enrolling in Tacoma Power???s Evergreen Options program to receive electricity produced in the Northwest from non-polluting wind or solar generators
??? Purchase wisely and rate the efficiency of electronic appliances with Energy Star or Energy Forward purchasing guides
??? Tacoma Power offers weatherization programs that will pay up to 100% of the costs for new windows and insulation for qualifying low-income customers. The utility offers up to $4,450 in weatherization rebates and seven-year, zero-interest loans.
Prevent Stormwater Pollution
|
Call Surface Water Management to learn if you can qualify for a lower surface water bill
(253) 502-2100
|
??? Take action with your community and fight against stormwater pollution
??? Create an attractive rain garden and reduce polluted surface water runoff
Stay Water Wise
??? Learn more about the quality of your drinking water in Tacoma
??? Install a rain barrel to conserve water and cut back costs
??? Get instant discounts on water-efficient showerheads from Tacoma Power
??? Discover resources available to help reduce personal water use
??? Learn how to save water and money with Tacoma Water???s guide to help you Know Your H20
??? Read the Environmental Protection Agency???s Consumer's Guide to the Nation's Drinking Water
Reduce Your Waste
??? Review acceptable items for recycling in Tacoma and locate private recycling providers for your additional recycling needs
|
Take your construction waste to Recovery 1 for resource recovery and recycling
|
??? Nourish your community and give back by fighting hunger with
Pierce County Gleaning Project
??? Exchange reusable materials
online, or at
The Habitat Store for home improvement
??? Use a
smaller garbage can and save money while protecting the environment
??? Minimize your
everyday waste
??? Attend a
composting workshop at the EnviroHouse
??? Don???t compost them -
donate excess garden fruits and vegetables to Tacoma food banks
Breathe Easy
??? Educate yourself on air quality in Tacoma and discover actions you can take to reduce air pollution
??? Calculate the ecological and economic value of trees near you and help Tacoma???s Urban Forestry Program increase canopy coverage
??? Get behind efforts to reach attainment level and voice your opinion about solutions to Clean Air Pierce County
??? Work with Point Defiance to reduce your ???paw print??? and turn off your engine while you wait
Travel Efficiently
??? If you need to use a car or light truck for transportation, find a fuel efficient vehicle at FuelEconomony.gov
|
Find real-time arrival information for buses and trains at One Bus Away
|
??? Learn how
simple driving practices can help you lower your gas mileage up to 33%
??? Explore convenient and cost-effective
public transportation options
??? Use the
Pierce County bike map to plan a safe and pleasant bike commute
??? Discover alternatives to the drive alone commute through
Pierce Trips
??? Rent a
Zipcar and make life without a personal vehicle easy
??? Join the
Coalition for Active Transportation facebook group to support the development of bikeways and walkways in Pierce County
Build Green
??? Visit City of Tacoma???s Envirohouse to learn more about building sustainably
??? Create a beautiful and environmentally friendly living space with the help of Master Builders Association of Pierce County
Consume Thoughtfully
??? Go local and support Tacoma???s economy through your purchasing
??? Support
environmentally friendly businesses
??? Learn more about specific claims behind
eco-friendly labeling
??? Evaluate the environmental costs and benefits of your next electronic purchase with the
Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics
??? Use the
Good Guide to find environmentally ethical products such as pet food and apparel
??? Reduce the environmental and social impacts of your next
computer purchase and verify registration with a credible third party
??? Purchase a share in
Community Supported Agriculture and receive amazing produce in exchange for an investment in your favorite local farm
??? Make sustainable
seafood choices
??? Support
salmon friendly farms
Grow
??? Close the loop and use nutrient-rich
TAGRO soil products for all your planting needs
??? Make new friends and
grow your own food at a community garden near you
??? Practice environmental stewardship in your own backyard with the help of the
Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program
??? Become a certified
Master Gardener and spread knowledge about sustainable gardening
Give Back
??? Get involved with the
Green Tacoma Partnership to sustain natural spaces throughout the Tacoma area
??? Volunteer with
Citizens for a Healthy Bay and work to improve local waterways
??? Help
Metro Parks keep Tacoma looking beautiful and green
??? Take action with
The Surfrider Foundation to protect and preserve beaches and waterways in the South Sound region
??? Lend a hand and restore a stunning natural habitat with
Friends of Julia's Gulch
??? Find out more about getting involved in environmental projects and activities with the
Sierra Club Tatoosh Group
??? Volunteer with
Stream Team to improve water quality and protect natural habitats in streams
??? Learn about opportunities for involvement with
Transportation Choices Coalition
??? Take advantage of free
workshops and volunteering opportunities with Pierce Conservation District
??? Celebrate nature and get outside with the
Mountaineers Tacoma Branch
??? Get your hands dirty and restore the Puget Creek Watershed with
Puget Creek Restoration Society
??? Protect birds and other wildlife with the
Tahoma Audubon Society