Next steps toward sustainability

Thanks to all who have joined in our efforts to change tomorrow!

We are focusing on other projects at this time, and will no longer be updating this site. You have inspired us with your commitments, and our hope is that these resources will continue to inspire other to take steps toward a more sustainable lifestyle.

Watch the 'Story of Stuff' online

Have you ever wondered where all of your stuff comes from? Annie Leonard knows, and she put together a video explaining the whole process:

"The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever."

Ready to tackle the stuff in your life? Browse the Conscious Consumer Marketplace and Better World Shopper guide to find products that help people and the planet. When it's time to clear out the clutter, use the Freecycle network to find someone in your town who can give your stuff a second life. If you're ready to cut down on purchases altogether, consider making a resolution to "buy nothing new" and support your local economy in other ways by joining a Compact community in your area.

Enjoy the Story of Stuff video and talk it over with your family and friends. Where did your conversations lead? Looking around your home, which types of stuff just get in the way and which items are essential to your lifestyle?

Take the Energy Star Home Challenge and make two improvements

Buildings are responsible for 40% of total energy use in the U.S., and almost half of our energy use at home is spent just heating the place up. How does your home energy use measure up? If you have five minutes to spare plus easy access to your recent utility bills, then you're ready to take the Energy Star Home Challenge.

There are countless ways to save at home, but it's important to know where you're starting from. After you complete the Challenge quiz, follow the links to discover hidden energy savings, from installing new air filters to taking advantage of rebates and tax credits for buying energy efficient appliances. Get inspired by real stories of success, then commit to making two improvements to your home energy usage.

Which changes are you going to make around the house?

Spare the landfills and start composting at home

Composting is all about letting natural materials return to the earth to be used again, instead of sealing them off in a landfill. It's the ultimate recycling program!

You can compost any time you have leftover organic materials, from dirty paper plates to potato peelings. In fact, here's a list of 163 unexpected things that can be added to your compost pile, including unpaid bills, freezer burned fruit, and the Sunday comics.

Composting can be done at home, at school, and even at work. All you need are a few supplies, a little bit of know-how, and an interest in saving money and natural resources. Try these "getting started" guides from Reduce.org and the Natural Resource Conservation Service, then recruit your family and friends to help out!



Garbage pickup rates are rising in many areas, so composting your food, lawn and garden waste keeps these valuable materials out of your trash bin and puts them back into use.

Are you ready to get started? Share your photos of the process and post the most unusual item you've found to compost.

Increase my Household Water Audit score by 5 points

Even though 70% of our earth is covered in water, less than one percent of it is available for our daily needs. As the Circle of Blue organization says it, "If all the world's water were to fit inside 100 glasses, the supply available to humanity would not fill three quarters of one glass." That's a small amount to share between 6.6 billion people!

How do you score on water savings? Spend two minutes taking the Family Water Audit to learn how your usage stacks up. If you make it to the top tier, you're already saving hundreds of gallons of water each month - not to mention the savings on your water bill. At the end of your audit, click on the "easy ways to save" links to explore more than 100 tips for conserving one of our most vital resources.

Despite my super score of 30 points, I know I'm a water hog when it comes to showering. Ripple Products inspired me with their fun line of shower timers, but I bet I can make my own using an extra timer from the game closet or the kitchen.

I'm committed to boosting my water audit score by 5 points, and I'm challenging you to beat me! Post your 'before' and 'after' scores below and show off your water-saving strategies in our Flickr photo pool.