What is
Sustainability?

Program
Deliverables

How Can I
Help?

The Arboretum at
Penn State Behrend

HOW CAN I HELP?

Water Savings

• Bottled water is not necessarily cleaner than tap water, buy a Brita and refillable bottles instead
• Keep water in refrigerator instead of running water until it becomes cool enough
• Insulate hot water pipes
• Turn the water off when:
  • Brushing your teeth
  • Washing dishes
  • Cleaning vegetables
  • Shaving
  • If possible, when soaping up in shower
• Use electric/non-disposable razors
• Put a bottle or “toilet dam” in your toilet tank to use less water per flush
• Check your toilet/faucets for leaks
• Try flushing less often
• Don’t use toilet as garbage can
• Take shorter showers
• Install water saving shower head
• Take showers instead of baths-if using tub:
  • Put in plug before turning on water
  • Do not fill to capacity
  • Try washing small children together
  • Consider re-using bath water for cleaning/irrigation purposes
• Install flow-control aeratators in faucets
• When washing hands/dishes, don’t turn water on all the way
• Scrape and rinse dishes all at once
• Soak very dirty pans overnight
• Fix/report all leaks immediately
• When using washing machine:
  • Use load selector for size
  • Use full capacity
  • If buying a new one, buy front loading variety
  • Use cold water
  • Use phosphate free detergent/try using less detergent
  • Use chlorine bleach sparingly or use a non-chlorine bleach
• Do not dump toxic chemicals where they can reach the sewer

Landscaping/gardening water tipsLet grass grow higher in dry weather

• Use drip irrigation systems
• Plant low-water plants (i.e. succulents)
• Use mulch
• Water slowly and as infrequently as possible
• Water in early morning or late evening
• Do not use sprinklers-replace with rubber soaker hoses
• Check for leaks
• Use gray-water when ever possible
• Learn about your soils and plants watering requirements
• Don’t use water to clean sidewalks/driveways-sweep instead