Everyday Sustainability Tips

The holiday season is a time for giving, gathering and celebrating, but it can also create a lot of extra waste. Take five minutes to explore simple ways to reduce waste, save money, conserve resources and make more sustainable choices while enjoying the season.

Gathering

• Purchase ingredients for holiday dishes from local farms, farmers markets or locally owned businesses
• Plan for the right amount of food using savethefood.com to avoid food waste
• Skip disposable plates, cups and utensils when possible
• Adjust your AC and break out the ugly sweaters or festive PJs
• Skip confetti and balloons
• Show guests your recycling cans and teach them Clearwater’s “Simplify to 5”

Gifting

• Get creative with gift wrap by reusing newspaper, maps, paper bags, fabric or other materials you already have
• Use natural ornaments like pinecones or dried flowers as decor
• Send an e-card instead
• Look for durable, reusable or sustainably made gifts
• Give an experience instead of a physical gift
• Donate to a cause that your friend supports on their behalf
• Let friends and family know that secondhand, handmade or swapped gifts are welcome

Decorating

• Be sure to find out the right way to dispose of holiday decorations
• Be creative with Christmas trees – create one with items you already have, like books
• Make, reuse or swap holiday decors
• Switch to LED lights and set timer to reduce energy use

Electricity is one of the largest energy expenses for homes and businesses, with much of it used for lighting, heating and cooling buildings. By making a few simple changes, you can reduce energy use, lower utility bills and improve efficiency.

Here are some easy ways to get started:

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs.
• Unplug devices and appliances when not in use.
• Set your air conditioner to 80–85°F when your home or business is unoccupied during the summer.
• Request a free energy audit from your electricity provider to identify opportunities for savings.
• Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances and smart home devices.
• Consider installing solar panels.

Solar energy is a renewable resource provided by the sun, making solar energy a great choice as it offers continuous availability in our sunshine state with much reduced environmental damage, as well as saving money on electricity bills. 

If you are interested in harnessing the sun’s energy into your property, consider installing solar panels to generate your own electricity. The city partners with national nonprofit Solar United Neighbors to provide free education and resources on going solar through Solar 101 workshops, Solar Help Desk and more. They also run Switch Together group buying programs from time to time which allow residents to go solar with bulk purchasing discount. Visit SolarUnitedNeighbors.org for more information.

For more information on the city’s efforts in installing solar panels on municipal buildings, visit MyClearwater.com/solar.

You can help the environment by choosing to recycle, but not everything can be recycled. Please “simplify to 5” and recycle only these five categories of items:

• All plastic bottles and jugs #1-7 (no Styrofoam, plastic bags or wraps)
• Glass bottles/jars
• Aluminum/steel cans and empty aerosol cans
• Mixed paper. If you can rip it, you can recycle it. This includes newspapers, office paper, magazines, junk mail, phone books, paperback books, cereal/food boxes, envelopes, shoe boxes, wrapping paper and folders. This does not include tissues, paper towels and napkins.
• Flattened cardboard and cartons

If you see litter or illegal dumping in your neighborhood, please report to the Keep Pinellas Beautiful litter hotline at (727) 210-GONE (4663), or report it online. Locations must be on the public right of way and not on private property. Please leave your name, phone number, location and type of illegal dumping.

1. Use reef-friendly sunscreen. Sunscreen can wash off while swimming and enter nearby waterways. Some common sunscreen ingredients, including oxybenzone, octocrylene and nano-titanium dioxide, may be harmful to corals and other marine life. Learn more about sunscreen and coral reefs.
2. Reduce single-use plastics. Bring reusable containers and cutlery when possible and limit single-use plastic items that can become litter or enter waterways. Properly disposing of waste helps protect wildlife and keep our waterways clean.
3. Follow fishing regulations and help protect wildlife. Become familiar with local saltwater and freshwater fishing regulations and follow current catch and size limits. View Florida fishing regulations. Dispose of used fishing line in a monofilament recycling bin when available to help prevent wildlife entanglement.
4. Skip summer fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing lawns during the summer rainy season, when heavy rainfall can wash excess nutrients into local waterways. These nutrients can contribute to poor water quality and harmful algal blooms. Learn about Pinellas County fertilizer requirements.
5. Adopt A Storm Drain. When you adopt a storm drain, you keep leaves, trash and other debris off the grate. Doing this before storms is especially important. Most storm drains flow directly into lakes, creeks and wetlands without any filtration. Anything that enters a drain goes straight into the Tampa Bay Watershed or the gulf. By keeping drains clear, you help prevent pollution, protect wildlife and support the long-term resilience of Clearwater’s waterways.

Be a part of something big and join the city's conservation efforts. These events include cleanups, invasive species plant removals, planting events, animal assistance and more.

Volunteer for a Cleanup or Event

Clearwater businesses can participate in Keep Pinellas Beautiful’s eco-hospitality program. The Wyndham Grand Clearwater is a member, and your business can be, too. To learn more to or to register, reach out to Keep Pinellas Beautiful at (727) 533-0402,via email at info@kpbcares.org or visit KPBCares.org/get-involved.