Every Home Counts - Survey

2. Is your yard a STORM WATER CEANER (and reducer)?

Clean my street’s storm drain regularly to prevent clogging

Capture stormwater runoff from downspouts into a rain barrel or cistern for reuse

Plant/maintain deep rooted trees (ideally native) in strategic locations to soak up excess water

Installed a permeable driveway to capture water where it flows fast

Installed a rain garden or similar green infrastructure where water flows fast

Refrain from using toxic lawn pesticides & synthetic fertilizers on your lawn

Clean up polluting residue from car leaks or dog droppings

3. Is your home a Climate friendly transportation user? *critical for climate change

Bike or walk instead of driving, whenever possible, esp. short trips

Take public transportation (ideally electric-powered) when commuting

Drive electric vehicles (EV) instead of gas-powered

Work from home rather than commuting, whenever possible

4. Is your home a DIRTY ENERGY Eliminator? *critical for climate change

Produce your own renewable power supply & save money.

Join a community solar subscription if you can’t install your own solar panels

Shift to a more renewable power supply with PSE&G & save. It’s easy.

Make your home more energy efficient to reduce energy use & save money

Electrify your home space & water heating systems to eliminate natural gas use

Electrify your cooktop range to eliminate natural gas use

5. Is your yard a NATIVE TREE & PLANT PRESERVER?

Replace downed trees with new native trees, especially shade trees (it's the law in Montclair!)

Prune/maintain important yard trees every few years to ensure longevity

Plant native perennial plants whenever possible including reducing lawn area with natives

Remove invasive plants from your yard to prevent ecosystem disruption

6. Is your home a FOOD PRODUCER?

Use a portion of your yard to grow your own organic fruits & vegetables

Have an egg-producing chicken coup

Donate home-grown food to local food banks and kitchens

7. Is your yard a WATER CONSERVER?

Only water edible plants using drip irrigation and micro-sprays instead of sprinklers

Capture stormwater roof runoff into a rain barrel or cistern to reuse

Replace turf grass with drought-resistant native plants that require less water

8. Is your yard a WILD LIFE PROTECTOR?

Refrain from using toxic, synthetic pesticides, herbicides, insecticides

Hold off on early spring mowing to allow clover and dandelions to provide critical early food for pollinators

Portion of your yard is dedicated to food and water for wildlife

Portion of our yard is dedicated to breeding and shelter for wildlife

Protect birds and insects from injury: Minimize artificial night lights. Keep bird feeders 10 feet from the house to prevent collisions

Certified with Montclair Wildlife Habitat, Monarch Waystation, Xerces, and/or NE Pollinator Pathway

9. Is your home ZERO WASTE PURSUER?

Actively compost in your backyard or via Java's compost pick up

Extend the life of durable goods and clothing whenever possible by repairing instead of replacing broken items, repairing instead of replacing broken items, or buying second hand or refurbished

Reduce single use plastic waste by replenishing with existing containers for repeat products like laundry detergent, dish soap, household cleaners, or hand soap

Reduce single use plastic waste by switching to products in sustainable packaging like soap bars or laundry pods

Reduce paper product use by replacing with sustainable or reusable materials

Recycle right - review the guidelines for what, where and when to recycle in Montclair

Learn the actions that matter. Be counted

Pledge to do your part

Tell us what you're doing