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We want to make the world greener and cleaner! United Helpers has made a commitment to our community and to our environment to become more sustainable. In fact, it is one of our on-going corporate goals. A Sustainability committee works to brainstorm and develop new ways for United Helpers to reduce our carbon footprint. As one of the largest employers in St. Lawrence County, we know that we can make a big impact. Our Sustainability Committee works with the employees, residents, family members, and vendors to ensure that our impact is a positive one.

 
Here are some everyday ways that anyone can help create a greener world:

  • Buy Local - Buying local is not only good for the economy; it is good for our environment. We can save millions in emissions!
  • Buy Organic - No pesticides that may contaminate our food/water sources.
  • Use CFL- Replace traditional lightbulbs with more energy efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL). Recycle your bulbs at the Customer Service Counter at Walmart or at Home Depot.
  • Go Paperless!- Whenever possible switch to online services vs. paper billing. Cut down on your catalog mailings by visiting www.catalogchoice.org to remove your name from unwanted mailing lists.
  • Recycle your Shoes- Visit www.giveshoes.org.
  • Turn off the Water- When brushing your teeth, make sure you turn the tap off while you brush. Save water.
  • Sunny Day? Walk Outside!- Don't run the treadmill if you don't have to. Enjoy the sunshine and fresh air!
  • Donate your Old Computers, Phones & PDAs- Visit www.myboneyard.com.
  • Reduce your Margins - Reduce your margins in your WORD docs to 1/2 " or lower. You'll save paper and trees!
  • Get Rid of Excess Trash Cans - Reduce the number of plastic bags you use.
  • Use Recyclable Shopping bags - It takes up to 100 years to recycle a plastic shopping bag. Recycle your plastic bags at Walmart, Kinney's & Rite Aid.
  • Recycle Empty Printer Cartridges- Cartridges can be refilled at Walgreens.
  • Unplug Unused Electronics- Look for the little green lights and unplug! Your computer's screensaver can use 65 watts, while sleep mode uses less than 4! Unplug your chargers too!
  • Use products made from recycled paper- Saves millions of trees each year!
  • Wash your Clothes in Cold Water- Save the energy of heating the water.
  • Use a Car Wash- Most car washes use recycled water. It takes about 100 gallons to wash your car in the driveway.
  • Clean your Lint Trap- Clean out the lint trap in your dryer after every use.
  • Look for the Energy Star- When purchasing new appliances, look for the Energy Star label. You'll save energy and money!
  • Hand wash Dishes- Be sure not to let the water run.
  • Support your Local Library - Borrow books, don't buy. Saves trees.
  • Buy Rechargeable Batteries - Recycle them at www.call2recycle.org.
  • Go Meatless- Skip the meat at one meal per week. To produce 1lb of steak, it takes as much as 16lbs of feed and as much water as an average household uses in one month, not to mention the large amount of fossil fuels...
  • Use the Stairs- Get fit and save energy.
  • Filter your Own Water/Use Reusable Mugs- More than 80% of plastic water bottles wind up in landfills.
  • Recycle your Clothes - Visit www.patagonia.com.
  • Holiday Lighting - Use only LED, fiber optic, candelabra CFLs or rope lighting. All use less energy.
  • Shorten your Showers - A five minute shower uses 32 gallons of water.
  • Buy in Bulk - Reduces packaging.
  • Get Cash for Reusable Electronics - Visit www.gazelle.com. They pay cash for working cell phones, computers, video games, mp3 players, etc.

 

Don't let the winter chill cool off your energy saving efforts!
Here are a few tips you can try this winter:

  • Electrical Outlets - remove the plate of your electrical outlets and install foam padding to keep out the drafts. Foam pads run about $2 each and can be found at any hardware store. Don't use a few of your outlets? Block the outlet with child safety plugs. They'll also keep the winter drafts at bay.
  • Closets - keep the doors closed. You don't need to heat your closet.
  • Lock your windows - the tight seals keep the drafts out!