What’s not to love about February? The days are getting longer, it’s the shortest month of the year, and there’s a feeling of (dare we say it?) LOVE in the air. askHRgreen.org, the HRPDC’s environmental education initiative, is all about sharing our love for the environment, so read on for simple ways you too can embrace the green life this month.

Love Your Recycling Bin

Be generous to your recycling bin this month and top it off with the things it loves:  aluminum cans, plastic bottles, jugs with a neck or pour spout, mixed paper, steel and tin cans, glass bottles and jars, empty food boxes and cardboard.

Love Your Yard

Don’t let the winter doldrums keep you out of the garden this month. Lawns, plants, trees and shrubs are all living things that require year-round TLC. A little work now will yield a healthy landscape in the spring. Visit http://askhrgreen.org/your-yard/ for tips on how to please your yard.

Love Your Home

Showing your home some affection can keep you warm in the winter, cool in the summer and in the green all year long. Go green and reduce your home’s energy costs by implementing a few of these easy changes from the U.S. Department of Energy.  

• Cover drafty windows
• Switch to more efficient light bulbs
• Adjust the thermostat settings for peak efficiency
• Maintain your heating system (change filters regularly)
• Use ceiling fans to enhance your heating system
• Find and seal leaks
• Turn down the temperature of your water heater

So, spread the love around this month. You’ll be happy you did.