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Make green resolutions for 2008:

• Turn off your computer's screen saver — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that using a computer’s sleep mode reduces its energy use by 60 - 70%. Turning off your monitor when not in use will also decrease energy use, reduce its mechanical stress and prolong its life.

• Eliminate paper waste — DEP estimates that every year enough paper is thrown away to make a 12-foot wall from New York to California. Each ton of paper recycled saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water. Recycled paper also saves 60% of the energy in comparison to new paper and generates 95 percent less air pollution.

• Stop junk mail — There are a variety of vendors online that you can register with to reduce the amount of junk mail you get. Each year, the average American household receives about 1.5 trees worth of junk mail. Example: www.optoutprescreen.com

• Recycle — One recycled aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television or computer for three hours or a 100-watt light bulb for 20 hours. A six-pack of recycled aluminum cans saves enough energy to drive a car 5 miles.

• Purchase reusable shopping bags — According to the EPA, the U.S. consumes about 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps a year. Fewer than 5 percent are recycled. However, paper bags generate 70 percent more air pollutants and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags. And while paper bags do eventually biodegrade, an estimated 14 million trees a year have to be cut down to make 10 billion paper bags.

• Slash the packaging — Buying food and other products in reusable or recyclable packaging can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 230 pounds a year. Recycling all of your home’s waste newsprint, cardboard, glass and metal can reduce emissions an additional 850 pounds a year and about 410 pounds of garbage from entering a landfill.

• Use green cleaners — Americans generate 1.6 million tons of waste each year from common cleaning products with potentially hazardous ingredients. Purchase green cleaners or make your own. Here are some sample recipes for simple, effective cleaners:

- Drain cleaner: Pour a half-cup of baking soda down the sink and add at least a cup of vinegar. Cover the drain and wait a few minutes, then rinse with a mixture of boiling water and salt.

- Window cleaner: Mix two ounces of vinegar with a quart of water in a spray bottle.

- Silver polish: Put a sheet of aluminum foil into a plastic or glass bowl. Sprinkle the foil with salt and baking soda and fill the bowl with warm water. Soak your silver in the bowl and tarnish migrates to the foil. Dry and buff.

- Brass cleaner: Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with salt and rub the lemon on the metal. Buff with a cloth.

- Rust remover: Use vinegar to remove rust on nuts and bolts and other mineral deposits such as calcium.

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