Built Environment

• Do you own or operate a building in Indianapolis? Enroll in the utility benchmarking and transparency program,
  Thriving Buildings.

• Stay updated about improving your building’s energy and water efficiencies. Join our Thriving Buildings newsletter.

• Take advantage of rebates offered by AES Indiana and weatherize your home to protect the interior from the elements (as well as reducing your energy bills!).

• Replace your shingles with a “cool roof” that is lighter in color, reflecting away light in the summer time and reducing your cooling loads.
  Energy.gov - Cool Roofs

• Open blinds and curtains for natural light.

• Open windows and use fans in warmer months.

Economy

• Shop at small, locally owned businesses.

• Support businesses that have transparent and sustainable practices.
  Hoosier Environmental Council Green Businesses

• Mentor a young person to support them in their studies and career.

• Talk to your children about sustainability and how we can all be more sustainable in our daily lives.

Energy

• Turn off lights and electronics when not in use - or even better, unplug them. Some electronics continue to use power, even when turned off. When to Turn Off Your Lights | Department of Energy

• Switch your lightbulbs to more energy efficient LED lights.
  Instant rebates on energy saving products | AES Indiana

• Use Energy Star certified products.

• Turn your heat down and A/C up by two degrees, especially if you are not home or away on a trip.

• Reduce your water heater temperature to 130° F to save energy and money on heating water.

• Schedule a free Home Energy Assessment through AES Indiana to learn of opportunities for energy efficiency and weatherization. Virtual home energy assessments | AES Indiana

• Enroll in AES Indiana’s Green Power Option to support renewable energy for an additional $2.50 in your electric bill on average. Green power FAQs | AES Indiana

• Seal air leaks and properly insulate windows to save up to 20% on heating and cooling bills, while also increasing the comfort of your home. Where to Insulate in a Home | Department of Energy

• Have gas appliances inspected and well maintained.

• Evaluate your home or building for installing solar panels to offset the electricity you purchase from a utility provider. Project Sunroof

• Discover potential tax credits available when installing solar panels. Homeowner’s Guide to the Federal Tax Credit for Solar Photovoltaics (PV) | Department of Energy

Food & Urban Agriculture

• Eat more plants, which have been proven to be less carbon and resource intensive than eating animal products. A great place to start is with “Meatless Mondays” or one meat-free meal a day.

• Buy food that is in season, minimizing the distance food must travel.

• Buy ethically grown and harvested food, like coffee and chocolate.

• Bring lunch in reusable or biodegradable containers.

• Only purchase food you will actually consume. You’ll help prevent the unnecessary use of energy in food production and reduce waste.

• Purchase locally-grown food, supporting local agriculture and minimizing energy spent transporting products. Growing Places Indy

• Support restaurants and grocery stores that use and sell locally-grown food.

• Support your local farmers markets. Indianapolis Farmers Markets | Visit Indy

• Support locally owned restaurants. Restaurant Guide - Indianapolis Monthly

natural resources

• Turn off your car if you are idling for more than 10 seconds.

• Refuel your car and mow your lawn after 7pm, which helps prevent ground-level ozone. Don’t overfill or drip fuel at the gas station.

• Mow after 7 p.m. Keep equipment well maintained to run more efficiently. Mow with a reel mower. Trim with propane or electric-powered equipment. Use a rake or broom instead of a leaf blower.

• Take Action on Knozone Action Days

• Collect rainwater in rain barrels to water your lawn and/or plants.
  Express Yourself Rain Barrels

• Trade your shower heads and faucets for low-flow, water-efficient options.

• Run dishwashers and laundry only when full. Saving Water at Home - Citizens Energy Group

Public Health & Safety

• Put together an emergency preparedness kit for your household by visiting Ready.Gov.

• Join the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to make Indianapolis more prepared during emergencies.

• Check in on the people in your life, especially the elderly and those experiencing mental health problems.

• Practice mindfulness by doing yoga, going for a walk or even just taking deep breaths, all of which have been linked to improved mental and physical health.

Transportation & land use

• Ride the IndyGo bus to work once a week - or even better, every day.

• The best way to warm up your car in the winter time is by driving it. No more than 30 seconds of idling is needed.

• Keep your personal vehicle well-tuned and tires inflated properly, saving up to 20% in gasoline use.

• Ditch your grass lawn and plant native pollinators that support our wildlife and don’t require mowing.

• Plant native trees on your property and preserve the trees you already have. Indiana Native Plant Society - Native Plants - Indiana Wildlife Federation

Waste & recycling

• Bring your own reusable produce and tote bags when grocery shopping to avoid using plastic bags.

• Purchase reusable goods like durable water bottles, cutlery, and to-go containers to avoid using single-use plastics.

• Never throw hazardous household waste, like batteries and chemicals, in the trash. Dispose of them in an environmentally responsible way, like through ToxDrop.

• Avoid getting food “to-go” to prevent the use of Styrofoam containers, single-use plastics utensils and plastic bags.

• Make sure to wash and wipe dry your recyclable goods, so as to lower contamination in recycling streams.

• Buy gently used, second-hand clothing and avoid "fast fashion."

• Minimize your food waste by first eating what you already have in your fridge. Meal planning and making grocery lists can also reduce your food waste.