Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

DEEP is continuing to carry out its mission and provide services while keeping both the public and our workforce safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for the latest updates on DEEP's response to COVID-19. DEEP COVID-19 Response

Environmental Protection Begins With You

Protecting our environment is everyone's job because we all have an impact on the environment. And although keeping our little corner of the planet clean and green may seem daunting at times, even small steps add up.

Here are some ideas you can use at home, work, in your community or play.

Learn more about what you can do to protect the environment by subscribing to one of our publications and visiting our video library.

 

In Your Home
There are many actions you can take inside the your home, yard and garden and the garage to protect the environment, save money and create a cleaner healthier space for everyone.

Inside your home
Cleaning Products Everyone has to clean sometime! Check out some healthier alternatives to toxic cleaning products and breathe easier in every room of the house.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
It's easy to practice 3 R's at home. Learn all about what to recycle, Why it is important to purchase recycled content products, how to reduce the trash you generate and much more!
What do I do with...? Hmm, don't know what to do with all those packing peanuts, unwanted prescription medication or those burned out CFLs? Use this guide to find out how to manage those not-so-common household items in the most environmentally preferable way. Learn more about waste disposal for households.
Electronics Recycling
 Did you know that CT residents have convenient and free opportunities to recycle their computers, printers, televisions and monitors? Learn more.
Sustainable Living
Find more ideas about how to live "green" - from taking care of your pets to choosing better foods for your health and the environment.
Lighting, Heating and Cooling
Building and Remodeling Planning a building or renovation project? Consider using green building products and techniques.
Climate Change Learn all about climate change and actions you can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Heating Oil Tanks Do you have a home underground heating oil tank?  Learn how to deal with leaks and tank removal.
Water Water is a precious resource. Learn about water conservation.
Wells Prevent PCB Leakage from your Well Pump
In the yard and garden
Lawn and Garden
  • Have a beautiful, green lawn without the chemicals by using organic lawn care.
  • Don't trash grass! Grasscycling - leaving those clippings on the lawn - saves time and helps improve the grass.
  • Turn your household food scraps into gold for your lawn and garden. Learn more about composting.
  • More people are becoming concerned about the effects of lawn and garden chemicals on children, pets and the environment. Learn about alternatives to toxic chemical for the garden. 
  • Pesticides and Lawn Care
  • Learn more about plants that are endangered or invasive. Learn how to choose plants for your yard and garden that are native to our area.
Pest Management
Integrated pest management (IPM) is a way of managing pests using non-chemical methods and the judicious use of pesticides when pest populations exceed acceptable levels. Learn more about IPM.
Wildlife
In the garage
Vehicles
Gas Cans Protect our water supply and keep our air cleaner. Purchase a spill-proof gas can which can reduce harmful emissions by up to 75%.

 

Does your workplace recycle, conserve energy, encourage commuting by public transportation or vans? If not, you can get started by using some of these ideas to green your workplace.
Greening the DEEP Learn what the DEEP is doing to green our operations at 79 Elm.
Business and the Environment
Prevention for Business and Industry - Find fact sheets for dry cleaners, auto services, sustainability case studies from CT companies and more.
Construction Information Resources for Contractors in the Construction Trades
3 R's at Work Reduce, Reuse, Recycle at Work
Certification Programs Do you manage a hotel or a bed and breakfast? Learn how to earn the CT Green Lodging Certification.
DEEP Awards Has your business created a cleaner, green Connecticut? Apply for aDEEP GreenCircle Sustainability Award.

 

In Your Community
License Plates Buy License Plates Supporting Long Island Sound, Greenways or Wildlife Programs
Earth Day Celebrate Earth Day every day!
Car Washes Is your group thinking about holding a car was as a fund raiser? Learn how to have a car wash that has less impact on the environment. 
Ozone Help Reduce Ground-Level Ozone
Forest Fires Prevent Forest Fires
Illegal Dumping Prevent Illegal Dumping
School Recycling Reduce, reuse and recycle in schools and in your town.
Wildlife Support the Endangered Species/Wildlife Income Tax Check-Off Fund
Volunteer

 

At Play  
Boating Take the Clean Boater Pledge
Get Outside
Get an appreciation for the natural world. Learn more about outdoor recreation opportunities and No Child Left Inside activities.
Nuisance Species
Prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (water milfoil, fanwort, zebra mussels.)