Five Ways to Live a Little Greener in RVC

Living a healthy lifestyle doesn't only include eating right and exercising. It also entails taking care of our environment, so here's a few simple ways that you can take advantage of local resources to get a little more green in your life!

1. Know what to recycle. Residents should put their recyclable plastics at the curb on the same day and in the same blue bin now used to recycle glass and cans. Don't recycle plastics used in toys, furniture, utensils and tableware. If you have more recyclables that can't fit into the blue bin, put your extra recyclables in a clear, plastic bag and leave it curbside.

2. Dispose of hazardous waste responsibly. The Town of Hempstead holds hazardous waste collections (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) once a month in various villages. At no charge, residents can drop off paints, solvents, varnish, waste oil, antifreeze, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, car tires, and photography and pool chemicals. Click here for drop-off locations and times. 

3. Pick up your pet's waste and properly dispose of it. When pet waste is tossed into a storm drain or left on the sidewalk, street or yard, it's carried by rainwater through the storm sewer system directly into our local waterways. It contains several pollutants that adversely impact our water system, not to mention marine wildlife. Either flush your pet's waste down the toilet, or throw it in the trash. For more information, click here.

4. Leave your car home to reduce the amount of pollutants in the air. Take mass transit for local trips, or ride a bike. Take the N-16 bus to conduct your local errands.

 5. Calculate the energy you can save by doing things like unplugging your microwave when not in use, using energy efficient light bulbs, or installing a top-loading washing machine. Online tools such as Stony Brook University's energy savings calculator or LIPA's home analyzer can help.

Local Editors Adina Genn and Christine Sampson contributed to this story.