Together, we will help make our world a better place: RECYCLE: Carmel Partners has implemented paper recycling at its communities and in all corporate offices coast to coast, reducing the amount of paper waste. CONSERVE: Carmel Partners installs energy efficient appliances at its communities which conserves energy and reduces C02 emissions. ENCOURAGE:      Carmel Partners installs compact florescent and ENERGY STAR light bulbs in the common areas and encourages residents to use them in their homes. INFORM: Carmel Partners will continue to provide energy saving tips in every community newsletter in this new Think Green. Be Green. section. If we recycled all of the newspapers printed in the United States on a typical Sunday, we would save 550,000 trees or about 26 million trees per year. One quarter of the United States annual electric bill, $34 billion, comes from lighting. More than 20% of the electricity generated in the U.S. is used for lighting alone. Approximately half of this energy is wasted lighting empty rooms or as heat produced by inefficient bulbs and lighting fixtures. Compact Florescent Light bulbs typically use 65% less energy than the standard bulbs and provide the same amount of light. In 2005, Americans saved enough energy with ENERGY STAR appliances to prevent the release of greenhouse gas equivalent to emissions from 23 million cars, cutting $12 billion dollars in utility bills. Americans use four million plastic bottles every hour. About 40 billion soft drink cans and bottles every year will be discarded. Placed end to end, this would reach the moon and back nearly 20 times. Change a light. Replace conventional bulbs in your 5 most frequently used light fixtures with bulbs that have the ENERGY STAR label. You will help the environment while saving money on energy bills. Recycle, Reuse and Reduce. Recycle your newspapers, beverage containers, paper and other goods. Use products in containers that can be recycled and items that can be repaired or reused. Buying products made from recycled materials. Reducing, reusing, and recycling in your home helps conserve energy and reduces pollution and greenhouse gases. Use water efficiently. Saving water, especially hot water, can lower greenhouse gas emissions. Do not let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth. Use less energy for your commute. Switch to public transportation, carpooling, biking, telecommuting and other innovative ways to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on your way to and from work. Drink from the Tap. There is a better way to drink H2O. Drink water from the tap instead of purchasing bottled water. Packaging and shipping bottled water consumes energy and contributes to global warming. Empty bottles add to litter and solid waste. And….bottled water is no safer or healthier than the H2O that flows from municipal water systems. Spread the word. Tell family and friends that energy efficiency is good for their homes and good for the environment because it lowers greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.