These are questions Airmen, government and industry leaders recently asked during a conference in Washington, D.C. to determine ways to create a culture where energy is a consideration in all we do. After conducting surveys around the Air Force, leaders determined that most Airmen are aware of the issues facing today’s environment, from pollution to increasing gas prices. Yet the Air Force faces a challenge to change our culture into one where taking steps—no matter how small—to conserve energy and help the environment is the norm.

Below are tips you can follow in your home and office. Be the one to set the example, and encourage others around you to do the same.

- Turn equipment and lights off after hours.

- Select someone in the office to oversee your recycling program. Your recycling coordinator will be responsible for arranging collection of recyclables, encouraging employees to recycle and overall monitoring of the recycling program.

- Arrange for collection. There are several options to consider for collection. You may contact your waste hauler to arrange collection or designate an employee to deliver your recyclables to the nearest recycling center—a win⁄win scenario! Look online to find the nearest recycling center if one is not located on your base.

- Get recycling bins: buy new bins for multiple locations in your office, or transform some existing trash cans into recycling bins.