By Anna Klovstad
By Anna Klovstad We all know Truckee/Tahoe is a special place, and protecting it is our shared responsibility. But with so many challenges, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or wonder if individual actions really matter. As the Dalai Lama wisely said, “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room.”
Every action — big or small — adds up. Here are practical steps you can take to reduce your footprint right at home. And when you travel beyond our beautiful region, bring these habits with you to be a good steward of the planet wherever you go.
1. Do One Thing Every Day
Small daily actions build habits and reinforce your values. Whether it’s biking instead of driving, reducing waste, or supporting sustainable businesses, every bit counts.
2. Advocate for Climate Action
Engage in local climate efforts by voting for sustainable policies, supporting environmental organizations, and getting involved in community initiatives. Consider joining:
🌎 Climate Transformation Alliance (CTA)
🌎 Climate Hub at the Lift Workspace in Truckee
3. Drive Less and Drive Smarter
Did you know that transportation is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions? Reducing vehicle miles driven helps cut emissions and traffic:
🏔 Shop locally instead of making trips to Reno.
🏔 If going to Reno, carpool or combine errands into one trip.
🏔 Ride a bike or use an e-bike with Truckee BCycle.
🏔 Use TART Connect for free, on-demand public transit in Truckee and North Lake Tahoe.
🏔 Take the ski shuttles — let someone else drive and drop you off at the base or village.
4. Reduce Food Waste and Compost
🍏 Buy only what you need — bulk shopping trips can lead to excess waste.
🍏 Support local farmers and grocers to reduce transportation emissions by shopping at our seasonal farmers markets, New Moon Natural Foods, or Tahoe Food Hub.
🍏 Store food properly to extend its shelf life.
🍏 Check out additional resources on the Keep Truckee Green website.
Food waste in landfills emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Compost instead! Options in Truckee/Tahoe:
🌱 Use food collection bins in town.
🌱 Try a countertop digester like Lomi, Ouaken, or Mill.
🌱 Backyard composting (requires effort but is effective).
🌱 Keep chickens — they love food scraps!
5. Eat A Plant-Based Diet
Animal agriculture is a major contributor to climate change, producing methane (from livestock digestion) and CO₂ (from feed production and transportation). A plant-based diet can reduce food-related emissions by up to 50%.
✅ Eat more whole, plant-based meals.
✅ If you do eat meat, buy it from a local producer at one of our farmers’ markets or specialty shops.
✅ Cook from scratch using fresh ingredients.
✅ Avoid heavily packaged and processed foods.
✅ Support restaurants with plant-based options.
A diet rich in whole, unprocessed plant foods isn’t just better for the planet — it’s also healthier. Cutting out processed and boxed foods reduces reliance on industrial food production, which is energy-intensive and wasteful.
6. Improve Home Energy Efficiency
Schedule a free home energy audit to identify savings:
👉 Truckee Donner PUD Energy Audit & Rebates
👉 Liberty Utilities Energy Efficiency Programs
Simple upgrades include:
🌞 Installing weather stripping, LED lights, and smart thermostats.
🌞 Switching to heat pump water/air heating systems.
🌞 Adding solar panels and battery storage.
🌞 Utilizing rebates and assistance programs for affordability.
🌞 Exploring the Go Electric Truckee Tahoe program through the CTA and Sierra Business Council.
7. Conserve Water
Water use is energy-intensive because of pumping needs (both to get it to your house and to transport the wastewater to the treatment plant). Reduce usage by:
💧 Fixing leaks and installing low-flow fixtures.
💧 Using drought-tolerant and native landscaping.
💧 Taking short showers.
💧 Watering plants only when necessary.
8. Ditch Single-Use Plastics
Bring your coffee cup, to-go container, and reusable bags.
Ditch the single-use water bottle — Truckee’s ban starts on Earth Day 2025! South Lake Tahoe started theirs in 2024. Find a water bottle filling station.
Support businesses following the town’s single-use plastic ordinance.
Find Green Box Program participants.
Do you Okapi? It’s a service you can sign up for to obtain drinks in a reusable container in Truckee and many other communities. Download the Okapi app and find participating businesses.
If you get take-out food in Truckee, the restaurant should only provide plastic utensils if you request them. If they’re given to you without asking, let the town know at recycle@townoftruckee.gov so we can help save money and plastic.
9. Use Refill Stations for Personal Care and Household Items
Reduce packaging waste by refilling soaps, lotions, and cleaning products instead of buying new plastic bottles. Local refill stations:
♻ New Moon Natural Foods (Truckee and Tahoe City)
♻ The Refresh Station at Good Anya
♻ Lush Cosmetics (Reno)
10. Buy Less and Choose Sustainable Products
Did you know that a shirt’s environmental cost is significant, encompassing water usage, pesticide and fertilizer use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the disposal of textile waste? A single cotton T-shirt requires around 700 gallons of water to produce. Translate that into each clothing item you buy, and it really adds up fast.
Our region has excellent thrift and consignment stores — shop secondhand before buying new. We also have great furniture and gear consignment or resale places. Find your new favorite in Truckee. Tahoe City has Pass It On Thrift; Kings Beach is home to Jackpot Vintage and Yardsale & Company; my personal favorite, Karma, is in Incline Village, as well as several other thrift stores benefiting Tahoe Forest Hospice, women, and the Pet Network.
And don’t forget about the annual ski swaps and gear swaps!
When purchasing new items:
♻ Choose durable, repairable products.
♻ Avoid excessive packaging.
♻ Bring your own bag and skip unnecessary accessories like straws and to-go cup sleeves.
If you do have something that needs repairing, don’t throw it out — instead, come to one of Truckee’s Fix It Clinics!
In addition to the Fixit Clinics, you can attend free monthly mending and alteration workshops at Truckee Roundhouse.
