Green Sanctuary Task Force, UUI

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UUI's Earth Points Program: Internet URLs

Websites that will help in your Personal Journey to Environmental Stewardship

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list.
Know a good website? Let the UUI Green Sanctuary Task Force know and we will add it to this list.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Indiana Department of Environmental Management—Steps You Can Take for a Cleaner Environment:  www.in.gov/idem/your_environment/
United States Environmental Protection Agency:  www.epa.gov
Sierra Club: www.sierraclub.org
Environmental Defense Fund:  www.environmentaldefense.org
Green Home Guide (a website with information about environmentally friendly home products and services):    www.greenhomeguide.com
Co-op America, Economic Action for a Just Planet (Great overall site for environmental products and ideas):                       www.coopamerica.org/
Practices and Products for an Environmentally Sustainable Home, Workplace and Life:
   www.fwhorch,com
Pew Center on Global Climate Change:  www.pewclimate.org
Ecology House of Indianapolis:  www.ecologyhouse.org
The Earth Charter: www.earthcharter.org
An Inconvenient Truth:  www.climatecrisis.org
United Nations Environment Programme on Climate Change:  www.climatechange.unep.net
Friends of the Earth: www.foe.co.uk
Earthlings’ Handbook (a guide to gentle living):  www.earthlingshandbook.org/contents#environment
Sustainable Indiana (website of Earth Charter Indiana that lists projects and resources for sustainable living):
   http://sustindy2016.wetpaint.com/

WASTE REDUCTION
Junk Mail
There are a number of sites that can help you get off third class (junk) mail lists: www.junkbusters.com/ht/en/self.html (Scroll down to The Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service. They give you a link to take action online, and an address to write to:
Must send $1)
    www.newdream.org/junkmail/form.php
    www.greendimes.com/

Composting
    www.compostguide.com/

RECYCLING
Everything - This will tell you everything there is to know for the Indianapolis area.
      http://www.kibi.org/recycle/recycling_reuse_options.htm
Tox drop locations - Note that button batteries and compact fluorescent bulbs can be taken to
      www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DPW/Residential/Recycling/tox-drops.htm
Batteries Plus, 4435 Lafayette Road, will recycle ALL types of batteries. 
Indianapolis Recycled Fiber - 1775 S. West Street, Phone:  317-634-7571 (M-F 7:30-4:00);
    This company will recycle #3 thru #7 plastics They also recycle cardboard.
    They do not have a web page.
Cardboard can also be recycled at 96th Transfer Station, a division of Republic Services,4935 Robison  Road, 872-5492, M-F 5am-5pm and Sat 5am-11am.
Styrofoam packaging peanuts will be recycled at any participating UPS store.
Start Paper Recycling to Benefit a Nonprofit
      Abitibi: www.paperretriever.com/
Buy Recycled Products (office supplies and paper products)
    www.treecycle.com/
    www.recycledproducts.org/ (a coop)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
General Information:
For information about all energy use:
    www.energystar.gov
    www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/
Green Power; For information about Indianapolis’ Power and Light’s green power option:
    http://www.aes.com/ipl/index?page=IPLGeneral&Menu=01050300&DocID=0205016c986701096a4e980307c1f Or you may call (317) 261-8222, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Home Insulation:
    www.indianapolishomeimprovement.com/news.cfm/Article/43311/The-Importance-Of-House-Insulation.html
Water Heaters:
Innovative Insulation, Inc. www.radiantbarrier.com/water_heater.htm or 800-825-01231800.825.01231.800.825.01231.800.825.0123
Programmable Thermostats:
    www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=thermostats.pr_thermostats
Compact Fluorescent light bulbs: www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls
Remember, saving energy prevents pollution. When you use less energy at home, you lessen greenhouse gas emissions in our atmosphere. Every CFL can prevent more than 450 pounds of emissions from a power plant over its lifetime.
Air Drying Laundry:
    www.earthlingshandbook.org/laundry
Solar Panels:
    www.solarpanelinfo.com/
Furnace care:
    www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/homes/heatingenergyuse.html
Storm Windows:
    www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/ (bottom of page)
Buy Locally:
    http://sustindy2016.wetpaint.com/page/Organic+Farming
    www.sustainabletable.org/issues/buylocal/
    www.localharvest.org/organic-farms/
    Indiana Farmers’ Markets: gourmetfood.about.com/od/indiana/Indiana.htm

TRANSPORTATION
Green cars
    www.hybridcars.com/
    http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/
Hybrid Mileage Database
    www.greenhybrid.com/
Energy Conservation on cars
    www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml
Driving Efficiently
    www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml
Local public transportation and carpooling
    IndyGo: www.indygo.net/
    Central Indiana Commuter Services (carpool matching service): www.centralincommuter.net/
Roadside assistance and other travel assistance
     Better World Club (alternative to AAA): www.betterworldclub.com/

EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS
There are many ways you can learn more. Here are just a few suggestions:
See Al Gore’s movie An Inconvenient Truth
Read David Korten" book The Great Turning
Read David Gershon’s book Low Carbon Diet
Persuade a friend to recycle/reduce waste
Write a letter on an environmental issue to a federal, state or local official

TAKING CARE OF THE OUTDOORS
Composting
    www.compostguide.com/
Plant a garden
    www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/lib2/howgardn.htm
    Purdue Master Gardener Program: www.hort.purdue.edu/mg/
    Indiana Organic Gardeners: http://www.gardeningnaturally.org/
    Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society: www.inpaws.org/
Plant a tree
    Keep Indianapolis Beautiful:  www.kibi.org/

REDUCE WATER USE
Reduce water use
    www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs21.htm
    www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterres/286587/?lang=_e&version=1
    www.amwater.com/awpr1/newsroom/press_releases/page7627.html (water use in the winter)
    www.nahbrc.org/greenguidelines/userguide_water_indoor.html (Green home building guidelines for water use)