Local Guide
Local ResourcesMake Buffalo a great place to live by using water and energy wisely and protecting other local resources. To learn more about how local, natural resources and energy can enrich your community, click here. Learn about conservation from the UB Green Office at www.ubgreenoffice.com. Water Rain barrels, typically inserted under the downspout from a roof, allow you to store rain water. Learn how to install your own by checking out Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s tips at bnriverkeeper.org/programs/rain-barrels. Less rain water in our sewers keeps sewage out of our waterways. Conserve water by fixing leaks, taking shorter showers and keeping water flow low when you turn on the tap. Check out the Buffalo Water Authority’s tips for saving water:www. buffalowaterauthority.com/Consumer%20Tips.htm.  Energy Support development of renewable energy by checking out suppliers in National Grid’s GreenUp renewable energy program. Learn about conservation from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (www.getenergysmart.org). The Western New York Sustainable Energy Association (www4.bfn.org/wnysea) has information on sustainable energy including solar and wind power. Local TravelWalking, biking and using public transportation help keep Buffalo beautiful by cutting down greenhouse gas emissions. Buy Local Buying local goods can help the environment, cutting down on carbon emissions associated with shipping. Think Short Distance When renting an apartment or buying a home, search for a good fit near the places you frequent. Living close to work can help reduce your carbon footprint — and the amount of time you spend commuting. When driving, take care of multiple errands on a single trip instead of single errands on multiple trips. Take a Walk Improve your health and discover new local, independent businesses by taking a walk around your neighborhood. To see how your area rates in terms of walkability, visit www.walkscore.com. Take Public Transportation Visit www.nfta.com/metro for bus and metro maps and schedules.  Ride a Bike Green Options Buffalo promotes bicycle, pedestrian and public transportation in Buffalo. Check them out at www.greenoptionsbuffalo.org. Also check out the Buffalo Blue Bicycle community bicycle-lending program at www.buffalobluebicycle.org. Carpool Find carpooling opportunities at goodgoingwny.com. Share a Car Ever think about giving up your car and the responsibilities of car ownership? Car-sharing services such as Buffalo CarShare make that easy. Check out the local service at www.buffalocarshare.org. Local WasteReduce waste by buying only items you know you’ll use. donate goods you no longer need. Garbage doesn’t just disappear after you leave it on the curb. Visit www.storyofstuff.com to learn what happens to your “stuff” after you throw it away. Reduce Take simple steps to help the environment and help local businesses save money. Bring your own bag to the local grocery. Refill a reusable cup or mug at coffee shops. At restaurants, decline a straw when ordering drinks, and decline plastic utensils when ordering to go. Store leftovers in a tupperware container instead of asking for a styrofoam container. At home, repair and refurbish items before buying replacements. Build a neighborhood tool shed and find other ways to share supplies with neighbors to minimize individual expenses and maximize use. Every bit makes a difference. Reuse Sell unneeded items on craigslist or donate them to thrift stores or charities. If you’re looking to buy, thrift stores are great places to find everything from utensils to furniture, with proceeds often going to a good cause. Search for used books at shops such as Paperback Trading Post on Seneca Street (www.ptpbooks.com or 716.822.2231). Find salvaged building materials at Buffalo ReUse on Northampton Street (www.buffaloreuse.org or 716.882.2800). Recycle The City of Buffalo provides a wealth of information on recycling at www.buffalorecycles.com. Erie County has information, including a menu of recyclable items, at www.erie.gov/environment/compliance/sw_recycling.asp. When you shop, look for items made from recycled materials and items that can be recycled. Compost Turn organic waste such as food into rich soil. Erie County has tips on how to start composting: www.erie.gov/environment/compliance/backyard_ composting.asp. Local BuildingThinking of building or remodeling a home? Learn about green building from the U.S. Green Building Council. Find a Local Architect The local chapter of the American Institute of Architects has listings. Build Green Bale on Bale Construction specializes in environmentally sensitive building. www.baleonbale.com or 716.649.8554 Build Local Buffalo has a great urban housing stock. If you work in the urban core, remodel a house in the city to reduce your commute. Look for housing in walkable neighborhoods. Save Energy Save money and the environment. Look for household products and appliances with the ENERGY STAR designation. According to ENERGY STAR, a program of the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $19 billion on utility bills and enough energy in 2008 to avert greenhouse gas emissions matching those from 29 million cars. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has tips on conservation and information on incentives for increasing energy efficiency at www.getenergysmart.org. Ecologic Home can help you figure out how to save energy and money. www.myecologichome.com or 716.830.3459
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