Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 15, 1990                   TAG: 9004120494
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Beth Macy Staffwriter
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SAVE THE EARTH

Of starting simple.

That's one reason why books like "50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth" have been such a big hit; it's been a best seller now for eight weeks.

Written by The EarthWorks Group (EarthWorks Press, $4.95), the 96-page guide is an easily digestible compilation of how-to suggestions geared toward environmental conservation. Written in a straightforward manner, the book is broken down into three categories: Simple, It Takes Some Effort, and For the Committed.

And is it ever catching on, despite the fact that there's no shortage of environmental materials on the market right now. Several other saving-the-earth-type books were released this spring as well, including "The Green Lifestyle Handbook," "Shopping for a Better World" and "Saving the Earth: A Citizen's Guide to Environmental Action."

The EarthWorks Group has also written "50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth," which is due to hit the stands any day now. And Earth Day '90 organizations have been circulating a wealth of suggestions for citizens who want to become environmentally conscious.

What can you do to jump on the bandwagon? Following are a few of the suggestions, taken from Earth Day materials and from "50 Ways."

And, as the "50 Ways" introduction states: "None of us can close the hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica. [But] all of us can help prevent its spread to populated areas by reducing our use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)." Here are some of the other things you can do to help ease nature's burden:

Stop junk mail from being delivered to your home, and save the trees (not to mention the nuisance). Write to: Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, 11 W. 42nd St., P.O. Box 3861, New York, NY 10163-3861. This will reduce your junk mail by 75 percent.

Take your grocery bags back to the store for re-use.

Buy a living Christmas tree.

Try to use public transportation, car pool, bike or walk as much as possible. When you drive, drive a fuel-efficient car and keep it well-tuned.

Turn off the water between rinses when shaving and brushing teeth.

Use biodegradable soaps and detergents.

Purchase appliances with alternatives to ozone-damaging chlorofluorocarbons; think about purchasing a car without air conditioning to avoid using CFCs.

Grow your own food, using alternatives to pesticides.

Use rechargeable batteries.

Purchase from environmentally responsible businesses.

When six-pack rings get into the sea, they're hazardous to marine life; snip the ring holes before you throw them away.

Install low-flow faucet aerators in your house and save water.

Recycle your motor oil - and aluminum, glass, newspaper and mixed papers.

Avoid disposable eating containers and utensils; bring a coffee mug to work instead of using a Styrofoam cup.

Use cloth diapers instead of disposables.

Try composting organic materials from your kitchen and lawn.

Keep your water heater at 120 degrees.

Line dry your clothes instead of throwing them in the dryer. When you do use your dryer, keep the lint screen and outside exhaust clean.

Write letters to your representatives supporting environmental action.