Socket Sustainability Tips

The following sustainability tips will help you go green wherever you are. If you’re looking for tips specific to Metro Nashville employees and facilities, download Sustainability Tips for Metro Nashville General Government Employees.

Energy

Turn off the lights when you leave a room
Use natural light and natural ventilation when possible
Unplug unused electronics from the wall, or turn them off via power strip
Only use LED lights – for brightness and energy efficiency
Sleep (or shut down) your computer when not in use
When cooking on the stove, right size your pots to the burner and use lids
Wash clothes with cold water
Hang your laundry out to dry instead of using the dryer on warm days
Set the thermostat to 68 in winter and 78 in summer while you are present; while away for more than a few hours dial the temperature down (in cold weather) and up (in warm weather) by several more degrees
Install a programmable thermostat
Dial down your water heater to 120 degrees
Do a home energy audit; TVA’s Energy Right DIY or professional audit

Reduce, reuse, and recycle
Avoid disposable items whenever possible
Use reusable bags for grocery and other shopping
Use reusable dishware, utensils, glasses, and water bottles
Repurpose or recycle any plastic bags you acquire
Print only what you need, and print in black and white/ double-sided when possible
Print on reused paper for drafts; use paper with at least 30% post-consumer recycled content
Recycle your used ink cartridges and toner
Dispose of hazardous materials and dispose of electronics responsibly
Purchase secondhand clothes, furniture, and other items instead of new
Donate surplus items to a local thrift store (e.g., Goodwill, Habitat For Humanity Restore, or Salvation Army) or Turnip Green Creative Reuse
Select food grown locally or regionally to reduce miles travelled; visit your local farmers’ market
Opt for organically grown items when possible
Purchase food with minimal packaging
Select plant-based food options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Stop food waste; find tips at SaveTheFood.com
Compost food and yard waste; learn what can be composted, where to drop it off for free, and how to purchase a backyard composter
Participate in planned neighborhood clean-ups or organize your own
Adopt a street, adopt a stream or adopt a storm drain

Choose WeGo transit or active transportation, such as walking or biking
Nashville BCycle offers rental electric bicycles and Walk Bike Nashville offers bike classes and safety resources
Find maps of off-road greenways
Carpool when feasible
Combine trips and select the most efficient route possible
Select a vehicle with high miles per gallon, or choose a hybrid or electric vehicle to reduce fuel consumption and emissions
Do not idle in your vehicle
Find an electric vehicle charging station in Nashville
Take the stairs instead of the elevator
Opt for virtual meetings and work from home instead of travelling

Turn off faucets whenever you are not actively using them
Fix leaks promptly
Only flush toilet paper
Run dishwasher and laundry machine only when full
Only water plants and your yard as necessary; avoid watering during the hottest, brightest time of day to reduce evaporation
Limit or avoid use of synthetic pesticides and herbicides
Mulch or compost fall leaves; allow grass clippings to remain on your lawn
Shorten your shower to 5 minutes
Learn more about water quality and conservation
Sweep your driveway rather than hosing it off
Conserve water when washing your car
Keep your storm water drain clear of leaves and grass clippings
Capture rain in a rain barrel
Dispose of medication safely; do not flush it

Choose an already developed site close to transit, sidewalks, and bikeways
Orient the building with consideration for passive solar design
Choose paints, furniture, and carpets with no or low VOCs to reduce toxins
Consider building to LEED, Energy Star, EarthCraft, or another green rating system
Choose materials with reused or recycled content and that are local
Select Energy Star appliances to save energy
Choose all-electric appliances and home systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Select toilets, urinals, faucets, and appliances with minimal water consumption
Insulate well and seal gaps to reduce heat transfer
Consider rooftop solar, Green Switch, Music City Solar, or other NES solar programs
Check for radon gas and install a mitigation system if necessary
Install motion or daylight sensor lights
Select groundcover, plants, and trees that are native and drought-tolerant to reduce irrigation; mulch plants to reduce water loss
Incorporate a rain garden, bioswale, or vegetable garden into your landscape design; borrow garden tools for free
Maintain as much pervious surface as possible; minimize space for parking vehicles
Reduce light pollution by using dark sky compliant lighting outdoors
Reuse and recycle construction and demolition waste to the greatest extent possible
Design for flexibility so that the space can perform a variety of functions without costly renovations