Green Church Tips Take Five Steps to a Healthier and more Environmentally Friendly Church We can take action to help make our churches more environmentally sustainable, creating both a healthy building atmosphere and helping to care for God's wonderous creation. If you are building a new building or addition to your church, make sure that you incorporate environmentally friendly components into your plan. 1. Conduct an Energy Audit. Have your youth group do an energy audit of your church. Consider taking the savings (usually, churches save money when they make their building more energy efficient) and have the youth sponsor a missions project. Energy Guide Environmental Audit for Congregations 2. Practice Conservation Landscaping on the church grounds Eliminate the use of pesticides to reduce toxic runoff into nearby waterways and provide a healthier recreation space for children and adults. Turn your church grounds into a garden and wildlife habitat by using creation friendly landscaping. Creation Care article on church landscaping. 3. Use environmentally friendly cleaning products EPA's environmental matrix on cleaning products 4. Host events that are environmentally friendly Interfaith Coffee Program Tips for Going Green: how to plan events 5. Reduce Waste Establish a recycling program at church. Recycling is good stewardship of resources and it helps to reduce air pollution, water pollution, and the need for landfill space, all of which reduce the harm pollution causes others. Utilize reusable items such as durable cups, plates, and dishes. Use recycled paper in the church office. Involving Children. Explore ways to engage children in environmental ministry projects.