This is part two of three interviews with Heather Heck of Portland, Oregon—which I have affectionately dubbed The Ecology State. I asked Heather to share some everyday stuff we can do to be more eco-conscious.

SG: Let’s talk recycling. What should we recycle? And what could we recycle if we knew somebody wanted it (like, I dunno, a market for mattresses)?

HH: Many household items can be easily recycled: Cans, bottles, plastic containers, newspapers, and magazines, for starters. We recycle all paper, especially junk mail, shredding anything that we don’t want to get into the wrong hands. But then we recycle our shredded paper, too. I just went through my mail. All but two sheets of paper went in our paper recycling bin (kept under our desk).

We have oil and paint recycling in our curb-side pick up. Check with your local service providers to see what curbside recycling is available. Before Portland had curbside recycling, we had recycling centers. This requires more work, but also accepts a wider variety of items. Plus, there is usually a magazine bin that you can pull some interesting stuff out of!

Portland has a recycling line people can call. We tell them what we want to recycle and they tell us who to call or where to take it. I imagine not all cities have such a service, but the more people request such services, the more likely cities are to put them into place.

If the item you wish to get rid of has life left in it, you can post it on a website like Craigs List (http://www.craigslist.org/). Craigs List has sections for free stuff, which my husband frequently finds items on, including plants and trees, which we have added to our yard. Or you can sell items if you are looking for a little extra cash. We have successfully given away an old refrigerator, busted up concrete from our old walkway, and bricks from an old wall.

Alternately, you can donate your item. There is a non-profit for just about anything out there, (computers, bikes, clothing, household items). There are always people in need.

Another avenue: Check to see if your area has a “Rebuilding Center” of sorts. These facilities are non-profits, and take most any piece of a house (sinks, molding, carpet, windows). You get a nice tax deduction for your donation. Likewise, these facilities are great for locating that random drawer-pull that Home Depot no longer carries.

Batteries can be recycled. And so can cell phones. Phones with a 911 function on them are frequently given to battered woman, so they can call for help

SG: What about conserving energy in the home and car? What do you suggest?

HH: I’ll start with some easy tips:

Don’t leave lights on that you aren’t using.Where possible, switch to energy efficient light bulbs. I don’t like these all over the house, but they work well in our outdoor light fixtures and utility room. They fit a standard socket, and last much longer than a conventional bulb. Some electric companies provide discount coupons, or even give out free bulbs.If your dryer has it, use the “sensor” setting. This will determine when your clothes are dry, and won’t run your dryer for longer than is needed.In that same vein, empty your lint trap. This not only allows clothes to dry faster, but helps prevent fire as lint is very flammable (perhaps starting campfires are another use for lint). If you leave your computer on all the time, as I do, turn off your monitor when you walk away. This will also prolong the life of your monitor.Televisions suck up a lot of energy! Turn off the TV if you aren’t watching it. Or, if you are like us and listen to digital music through your TV, you can run the sound through your stereo or home theater speakers and turn off the actual TV.Using a programmable thermostat is an easy way to save on heating/cooling costs, and you can set it to warm up the house right before your alarm goes off in the morning.A bigger ticket item would be to ensure your home is well insulated.If you are looking to purchase new appliances, check to see if your local utility company or tax agency offers tax rebates for buying efficient models.

As for the car…I make a list of errands to run and find a way to get them done without backtracking all over town. I’ve always done this ’cause it made sense to my type-A personality. It wasn’t until a friend told me how much gas she and her husband were saving by coming up with a plan before they left the house that I realized it was also an earth-friendly practice.

I just saw a commercial for this website. It’s an interesting tool for folks looking to conserve around their home: www.energyhog.org.