What You Can Do

There's a lot you can do to make Roanoke a cleaner and greener city. Consider partnering with us by participating in some existing programs or try out a few of the tips. Do you have a clean and green tip? If so, be sure to let us know, we'd like to hear from you.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Whenever possible, exchange documents and other data files electronically. Avoid printing hard copies or burning CDs until necessary.

• Keep an eye on copy and print jobs. Make careful estimates of quantities. Go two-sided when possible.

• Don’t let the water run and run when washing your hands, brushing your teeth, or cleaning dishes in a break-room. Turn water off during scrubbing and back on for rinsing. And make sure you don’t leave the faucet dripping.

• Take the stairs. Not only will it save the electricity of running the elevator, you’ll get a little bit of exercise.

• When possible, find an alternative to driving as usual: take the bus, carpool, bike, walk.

• Be proactive. If you see trash or garbage contaminating a recycling bin, remove it. If you see reusable items like paper clips in a wastebasket, rescue them. If you see a dripping faucet, turn it off.