Think before you buy! Ask yourself: Do I really need it? Do I already own something like it? Is it adding to the clutter in my home? How will I dispose of it? Get more green shopping tips.

Avoid wasteful packaging and single-use products.

Buy reusable, repairable, rechargeable or refillable products.

When appropriate, buy reused, reconditioned, or refurbished rather than new.

Buy "greener" products. Check out the >Green Guide, "Greener Choices for a Greener Planet"

Seek out locally grown food or goods manufactured locally.

Purchase wood products from sustainable forests (look for independent certification labels).

New American Dream "helps Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice."

For information on sustainable furniture, go to Sustainable Furniture Council.

Remember to take your reusable shopping bags to the store!

Is it really "green?" Read "8 Ways Not To Get Tricked Going Green" from Earth 911.

The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX) is a non-profit organization that compiles scientific evidence on the health and environmental problems caused by endocrine disruptors. 

Learn more about alternatives to toxic products found in the home. 

Follow the "recipes" for some home-made non-toxic cleaners. (Also available in Spanish.)

Read the report, "Dirty Secrets: What's hiding in your cleaning products" from Women's Voices For the Earth.

Tox Town, developed by the National Library of Medicine, is an interactive guide to help identify commonly encountered toxic substances that effect your health and the environment. Visitors can take a virtual tour through the city, a parks, home, river and other locations that reveal environmental and health concerns.

The Household Products Database provides easy to understand information about the potential health effects of ingredients in over 2,000 brand name products. Search by  product category or specific brand name.

Green Seal, a non-profit organization, provides information on products that they have certified. Products are evaluated to ensure that environmental impacts and human health are considered. 

You may have more toxic products in your home than you think! Products like oil-based paints, cleaning products and insect sprays are considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and should be disposed of at an HHW collection, not in the trash.

Antifreeze can be toxic to humans and animals if ingested and can contaminate water if spilled or leaked. Learn how to manage it properly.

Deicing products can cause skin irritation to people and pets. They also contain chemicals that can deplete oxygen levels in ponds. Learn about alternatives .

Do you work on engines and use degreasing products?

Don't flush disposable cleaning wipes down the toilet. They can cause clogs at pump stations, resulting in sewerage overflows and expensive repairs.

Don't throw out unwanted prescription drugs and over the counter medicines in the toilet or sink. They pollute our water supply and harm fish and other aquatic life. Follow these instructions for safe disposal. 

The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has created a new Healthier Furniture Product Guide to help purchasers find products that do not contain the “hazardous handful” chemicals: flame retardants, fluorinated stain treatments, antimicrobials, PVC and formaldehyde. 

A green building is one where the indoor and outdoor environmental qualities have been considered and protected during its design, construction, maintenance and use.

There is room for environmental and energy improvements everywhere in your house or apartment. Learn about what the issues are and find solutions that will add value to your home, reduce energy and protect your health.

Find green building products and services through the CT Green Building Council.

Try to use green building products in your next construction or renovation project. The variety and quality of these products has never been better.

If you are renovating your home, reuse of salvaged materials from deconstruction projects may be an economical and an environmentally preferable way to go.

Find out how to manage construction and renovation waste. 

The air in your house may be more polluted than you think. Learn how to improve your home’s indoor air quality. 

The CT Dept. of Public Health has information on how substances like asbestos, lead, mold, radon, carbon monoxide impact indoor air quality. 

Learn more about healthier air in the home from the American Lung Association.

A rain garden, grassed swales and pervious pavements are just of few of the techniques you can use to reduce stormwater run-off to protect our water supply. Learn more. 

Each of us uses 100 gallons of water per day! Read more about water use in your house (P2 View).

Get environmental tips from EPA  delivered to you via e-mail or podcast.

Watch DEEP videos on organic land care, composting, grasscycling and more. 

Take the "Green Home Quiz".

A "Green Home Is A Healthy Home" is a printable brochure with many tips on how greening your home will benefit the environment and your health.