Did you know that Americans send approximately 3,000 tons of paper towels to landfills each day? Cotton dishcloths are better for the environment because they are reusable. Plus, they can hold more liquid than paper picker-uppers.

Consider using dishcloths instead of multiple rolls of paper towels. You can even save up to $100 per year by making the switch!

For an added environmentally friendly approach, look for organic cotton dishcloths.

Are you or someone in your family taking college courses this fall? Does the size and cost of all those required textbooks make you crazy? Textbooks not only cost money, but also have an impact on the environment. The average U.S. college student uses one tree's worth of paper in textbooks each year. That's over 17 million trees! Most students have figured out that returning textbooks to the bookstore allows them to be re-used and saves some cash. But, here's another idea:

Save money and trees this semester by renting textbooks. Many companies offer easy online textbook rental services similar to online DVD rental, saving you up to 60%. You pay only for the time you need to use them, and later return them to the company with free shipping. You can find a variety of textbook rental providers by conducting an online search for "textbook rental". One company, www.chegg.com, even plants a tree for every textbook they rent!

Have you ever heard that the act of shutting off and restarting your car causes damage to your engine, or that it uses more gas than if you'd just left it running? The California Energy Commission has busted this anti-idling myth with the following facts:

• For every two minutes your car is idling, it uses the same amount of gas it takes to drive about one mile.
• Frequent restarting has minimal impact on engine components, and is estimated to add about $10 per year to the cost of driving. This money will likely be recovered several times over in the gas you can save by idling less.
• Excessive idling can actually damage your engine's cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust system.

What's the bottom line? Reducing idling will not only save you some gas money, but also protects the environment by reducing air pollution. Your best bet is to shut off your engine if you are going to be waiting in your car for more than 30 seconds to make the most of your fuel economy.

Even better? Instead of using drive-throughs for restaurants and banks, try parking your car and walking in to save even more!

Read the full article at the California Energy Commission's website, www.consumerenergycenter.org.

This week, an exciting new Green Port project is taking place in the Port Administration Building's front parking lot. The General Services Department is installing low-energy LED lights in the parking lot to save energy and reduce the Port's electric bill and maintenance costs. These fixtures use 50 to 70% less energy and last at least five times longer than typical outdoor light bulbs. This project will reduce the Port's environmental impact while saving about $3,000 per year on energy!

LED lights are used in many types of electronic devices, and are available for use in your home in the form of recessed lights, under-cabinet lights, and holiday lights. Although they tend to be more expensive, residential LED lighting pays for itself by using at least 75% less energy and lasts 25 times longer than typical residential lighting.

If you'd like to learn more, click here to view the California Center for Sustainable Energy's fact sheet about LED lights.

Did you know that San Diego County is entering a second year of water shortage? The San Diego County Water Authority has decided to remain in a Level 2 Drought Alert condition for a second straight year, which means that the local water providers will keep water use restrictions and other mandatory conservation measures in place. Although this winter's above-average rainfall prevented the current water shortage from worsening, it was not enough to improve it. We can all help the region conserve water (and save some money!) by cutting back on our water use.

The good news is that new rebate programs for residential water customers have recently been launched! Several services are available to help you save water and money, including:

• Rebates for high-efficiency clothes washers, which save you money in the short and long-term by getting cash back on the upfront cost and reducing your monthly water bill.
• Rebates for irrigation upgrades in your yard, including rotating nozzles and "smart" controllers.
• Free Smart Landscape Evaluations to assist you with the identification of indoor and outdoor water savings opportunities. Participants will receive recommendations for maintenance, irrigation, and plant alternatives.

Click here to learn about how easy it is to take advantage of these programs and save some money!