Reducing Waste

• Use a reusable shopping bag
• Use a refillable water bottle and coffee mug
• Pack lunch in reusable containers and bring metal utensils
• Donate old items to those in need
• Recycle– Metals and plastics #1 and 2 can be placed in your recycling bins, while paper and cardboard should be bundled, tied and placed next to your recycling bin. There are 7 igloo locations where glass can be dropped off for recycling:
  • Department of Public Works, 150 Miller Place, Syosset
  • Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa
  • Solid Waste Disposal Complex, 101 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road, Old Bethpage
  • Theodore Roosevelt Park, Oyster Bay
  • John Burns Park, 4990 Merrick Road, Massapequa
  • Tappen Beach, Shore Road, Glenwood Landing
  • Hicksville Athletic Center, 167 S. Broadway, Hicksville
• Don’t forget to recycle your electronic waste properly by dropping it off at our STOP program

Saving Energy

• Instead of taking your car, try walking, riding a bike or carpooling
• Exchange your regular light bulbs for fluorescent or LED bulbs in your home, which use less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs
• Turn off the lights when you leave a room
• Unplug electronics after you are done using them because they still use energy if turned off and left plugged in
• Take short showers instead of baths to reduce hot water use
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes
• Air dry clothes and dishes

Saving & Protecting Water

Did you know approximately 400 billion gallons of water are used in the United States per day? In fact, in one year, the average American residence uses over 100,000 gallons of water (indoors and outdoors). There are many activities we can all take part in to limit our water consumption to preserve our most precious resource.

For example, you can save up to four gallons of water every morning by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth. A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day while a leaky faucet can waste up to 3,000 gallons per year! Moreover, if you drink a daily 8 glasses of water per day from the tap, it will cost you about 50 cents per year, but if you choose to drink bottled water, it can cost you up to $1,400!

• Water your yard before 10 AM or after 4 PM so water isn’t wasted due to evaporation
• Don’t leave the faucet running while brushing your teeth or washing the dishes
• Take quick showers instead of baths
• Repair leaks in faucets, toilets and outdoor hoses and irrigation systems
• Install moisture/rain sensors on sprinkler systems
• Consider landscaping with plants that require less water and are better suited to your local climate, like native plants, which also provide food and habitat for wildlife
• Sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them off
• Avoid using pesticides or fertilizers, which can pollute our drinking water and local waterbodies
• Don’t flush chemicals or medications down the drain or toilet
• Don’t put anything down storm drains except water
• Consider installing a rain garden to capture stormwater on you property and help replenish our drinking water underground