Greener homes are in the spotlight these days, but what about the other places where many of us spend huge chunks of our time--our offices? Some simple changes of habit can save energy and resources at work, and these small steps can be multiplied by persuading the powers-that-be at your workplace to adopt environmentally friendly (and often cost-effective) policies.
1. Be bright about light
Artificial lighting accounts for 44 percent of the electricity use in office buildings.
> Make it a habit to turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and utilize natural light when you can.
> Make it a policy to buy Energy Star-rated lightbulbs and fixtures, which use at least two-thirds less energy than regular lighting, and install timers or motion sensors that automatically shut off lights when they're not needed.
2. Maximize computer efficiency
Computers in the business sector unnecessarily waste $1 billion worth of electricity a year.
> Make it a habit to turn off your computer—and the power strip it's plugged into—when you leave for the day. Otherwise, you're still burning energy even if you're not burning the midnight oil. (Check with your IT department to make sure the computer doesn't need to be on to run backups or other maintenance.) During the day, setting your computer to go to sleep automatically during short breaks can cut energy use by 70 percent. Remember, screen savers don't save energy.
> Make it a policy to invest in energy-saving computers, monitors, and printers and make sure that old equipment is properly recycled. Look for a recycler that has pledged not to export hazardous e-waste and to follow other safety guidelines. Old computers that still work, and are less than five years old, can be donated to organizations that will refurbish them and find them new homes. (You may even get a tax deduction.)
3. Print smarter
The average U.S. office worker goes through 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year.
> Make it a habit to print on both sides or use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts. Avoid color printing and print in draft mode whenever feasible.
> Make it a policy to buy chlorine-free paper with a higher percentage of post-consumer recycled content. Also consider switching to a lighter stock of paper or alternatives made from bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, or kenaf. Recycle toner and ink cartridges and buy remanufactured ones. According to Office Depot, each remanufactured toner cartridge "keeps approximately 2.5 pounds of metal and plastic out of landfills...and conserves about a half gallon of oil."
4. Go paperless when possible
> Make it a habit to think before you print: could this be read or stored online instead? When you receive unwanted catalogs, newsletters, magazines, or junk mail, request to be removed from the mailing list before you recycle the item.
> Make it a policy to post employee manuals and similar materials online, rather than distribute print copies. They're easier to update that way too.
5. Ramp up your recycling
> Make it a habit to recycle everything your company collects. Just about any kind of paper you would encounter in an office, including fax paper, envelopes, and junk mail, can be recycled. So can your old cell phone, PDA, or pager.
> Make it a policy to place recycling bins in accessible, high-traffic areas and provide clear information about what can and can not be recycled.
6. Close the loop
> Make it a policy to purchase office supplies and furniture made from recycled materials.
7. Watch what (and how) you eat
> Make it a habit to bring your own mug and dishware for those meals you eat at the office.
> Make it a policy to provide reusable dishes, silverware, and glasses. Switch to Fair Trade and organic coffee and tea, and buy as much organic and local food as possible for parties and other events. Provide filtered drinking water to reduce bottled-water waste.
8. Rethink your travel
> Make it a habit to take the train, bus, or subway when feasible instead of a rental car when traveling on business. If you have to rent a car, some rental agencies now offer hybrids and other high-mileage vehicles.
> Make it a policy to invest in videoconferencing and other technological solutions that can reduce the amount of employee travel.
9. Reconsider your commute
> Make it a habit to carpool, bike, or take transit to work, and/or telecommute when possible. If you need to drive occasionally, consider joining a car-sharing service like Zipcar and Flexcar instead of owning your own wheels.
> Make it a policy to encourage telecommuting (a nice perk that's also good for the planet!) and make it easy for employees to take alternative modes of transportation by subsidizing commuter checks, offering bike parking, or organizing a carpool board.
10. Create a healthy office environment
> Make it a habit to use nontoxic cleaning products. Brighten up your cubicle with plants, which absorb indoor pollution.
> Make it a policy to buy furniture, carpeting, and paint that are free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and won't off-gas toxic chemicals.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Green Homes: Environmentally Responsible
Even if you’re sick of the term “Going Green”, it’s likely that you are at least aware of the benefits of conserving our resources and trying to do our part in keeping the Earth clean on a certain level. Environmentally-responsible homes are a great way to start this process, especially if you’re having your home built for you. A few things here and a tweak or two there can do wonders for you in the long run. Here are few advantages of setting up your new home in this fashion:
Save Money: You might not realize it, but adapting your home to the environment around it and taking steps to ensure efficiency really doesn’t cost much more than standard procedures. Even if there is a slightly bigger monetary cost at the outset, you will find that within a few months, you have already made up the difference in efficiency. In today’s economy, many people worry daily about their future financial situations and what the road holds for them three years down the line. You can realistically save thousands of dollars in a few short years by attuning your home to environmentally-responsible standards.
Breathe Better: If your home is environmentally friendly, the air inside will be free of much of the debris and harmful particles that are in everyday homes. This can be especially beneficial in homes that host the elderly or folks with inherent breathing problems such as asthma or emphysema. There are ventilation systems with earth-friendly filters that are much more effective than the current systems, and they are available for less than you may think.
Less Maintenance: As you build your home, planning ahead is key. We’ve all seen the implementations of numerous city councils and planners around the country, and how year by year they are taking steps that demand environmentally-friendly homes. Many have told the tale of being required to upgrade something either in their practices at home or at their business that did not meet “industry standards” anymore. Seeing the current trend and taking action now rather than later can save you a bundle. It’s much cheaper to install such products initially rather than having to take down existing schemes and replace them later.
It’s not that serious and it doesn’t have to cost that much. All it takes is a little planning and a little initiative and you can have an environmentally-responsible home that will save you loads in throughout this next generation.
Save Money: You might not realize it, but adapting your home to the environment around it and taking steps to ensure efficiency really doesn’t cost much more than standard procedures. Even if there is a slightly bigger monetary cost at the outset, you will find that within a few months, you have already made up the difference in efficiency. In today’s economy, many people worry daily about their future financial situations and what the road holds for them three years down the line. You can realistically save thousands of dollars in a few short years by attuning your home to environmentally-responsible standards.
Breathe Better: If your home is environmentally friendly, the air inside will be free of much of the debris and harmful particles that are in everyday homes. This can be especially beneficial in homes that host the elderly or folks with inherent breathing problems such as asthma or emphysema. There are ventilation systems with earth-friendly filters that are much more effective than the current systems, and they are available for less than you may think.
Less Maintenance: As you build your home, planning ahead is key. We’ve all seen the implementations of numerous city councils and planners around the country, and how year by year they are taking steps that demand environmentally-friendly homes. Many have told the tale of being required to upgrade something either in their practices at home or at their business that did not meet “industry standards” anymore. Seeing the current trend and taking action now rather than later can save you a bundle. It’s much cheaper to install such products initially rather than having to take down existing schemes and replace them later.
It’s not that serious and it doesn’t have to cost that much. All it takes is a little planning and a little initiative and you can have an environmentally-responsible home that will save you loads in throughout this next generation.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Save Money and Reduce Carbon Emissions
Second to the refrigerator, the clothes dryer is a household’s worst offender in terms of energy efficiency. For an average household in the United States, a clothes dryer takes up 6 percent of the total energy use, costing each household around $100 per year in energy, and emitting 1,440 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air. In fact, clothes dryers are so inefficient, that energy star doesn’t label a single one.
The good news is that drying clothing in a machine is not necessary. Okay, I realize it is convenient, but if your goals and priorities are a healthy planet, sometimes convenience takes a back seat.
In reality though, avoiding a dryer is not really that hard. The sun provides plenty of free energy, and depending on where you live, you can probably dry your clothes outside in the open air most of the year. Think of the benefits: money saved, and a little extra exercise to help you stay fit. And nothing beats the smell of clothes dried outside in the warm, summer air.
The good news is that drying clothing in a machine is not necessary. Okay, I realize it is convenient, but if your goals and priorities are a healthy planet, sometimes convenience takes a back seat.
In reality though, avoiding a dryer is not really that hard. The sun provides plenty of free energy, and depending on where you live, you can probably dry your clothes outside in the open air most of the year. Think of the benefits: money saved, and a little extra exercise to help you stay fit. And nothing beats the smell of clothes dried outside in the warm, summer air.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Green Homes
So is it safe to say that you are aware of what it means to “Go Green?” The craze of green has taken over just about every aspect of society from the news, politics, fashion, nutrition and even technology making it difficult to properly define green. Though the overall outcome and motivation for going green is of course to aid in creating a better eco-friendly environment and allocation of resources for the future generations – it is exceptionally beneficial to you as well. As the craze takes off it has driven more and more people to take green into their homes, and I say that literally. Custom built green homes and buildings have become a popular investment that assists the environment and consumers alike. If you are building a home it is beneficial for numerous reasons to begin building a green home.
The first and foremost reasoning for building a green home is Energy Savings. This is done by increasing your water and heating efficiencies. There are many ways that this is done. Making sure that your home is properly insulated is a key factor. Most homes have insulation; however, making sure that you’re insulated with high quality insulation and the key word “properly” installed insulation greatly increases its efficiency. There are many voids where insulation can be installed and making sure that all of home is insulated correctly is vastly important. Another factor is upgraded windows and doors. Doubled paned windows are a must and appropriate weather stripping increases its effectiveness. Installing energy efficient appliances and systems takes another step in making sure your home is holding its value.
Another reason to go with a green home is your health. Green homes are designed to decrease the amount of air pollutants within your home by better ventilation systems. This is done in many ways from the design of the home to the ventilation system and filters used in itself – all of which plays a role in the overall air quality.
Because a green home is built to be of higher quality – less maintenance is required. When it comes to building a green home the key words are properly and efficient, and when products are installed properly and efficiently they require less maintenance. This lack of constant maintenance can play a huge role in the time and money put into the upkeep of a home.
The fact is that building a green home isn’t only good for the environment, contrarily; it offers an array of long and short term benefits for you, your home, and your family.
The first and foremost reasoning for building a green home is Energy Savings. This is done by increasing your water and heating efficiencies. There are many ways that this is done. Making sure that your home is properly insulated is a key factor. Most homes have insulation; however, making sure that you’re insulated with high quality insulation and the key word “properly” installed insulation greatly increases its efficiency. There are many voids where insulation can be installed and making sure that all of home is insulated correctly is vastly important. Another factor is upgraded windows and doors. Doubled paned windows are a must and appropriate weather stripping increases its effectiveness. Installing energy efficient appliances and systems takes another step in making sure your home is holding its value.
Another reason to go with a green home is your health. Green homes are designed to decrease the amount of air pollutants within your home by better ventilation systems. This is done in many ways from the design of the home to the ventilation system and filters used in itself – all of which plays a role in the overall air quality.
Because a green home is built to be of higher quality – less maintenance is required. When it comes to building a green home the key words are properly and efficient, and when products are installed properly and efficiently they require less maintenance. This lack of constant maintenance can play a huge role in the time and money put into the upkeep of a home.
The fact is that building a green home isn’t only good for the environment, contrarily; it offers an array of long and short term benefits for you, your home, and your family.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Tips For Energy Efficient For Your House
The ideas listed here are are just some of the items that can be done to lessen your energy expenditures month in, month out. They have low or no fees and may be performed quickly to allow you to be secure, comfy all the while helping the environment and being economical. Share these with the whole family and try to get each person included.
1. Install a programmable thermostat in order to maintain your own home pleasantly heated in winter and adequately cool in the summertime.
2. Take advantage of compact fluorescent light bulbs using the ENERGY STAR® label.
3. Air dry the dishes as opposed to using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
4. Put off your PC and keep track of when not in use.
5. Connect home electronics, including TVs and DVD players, right into power strips; flip the power strips off if the products are not in take advantage of (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still employ several watts of power).
6. Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F.
7. Take short showers as opposed to baths.
8. Clean mainly full loads of the dishes and clothes. With clothing take advantage of cold water.
9. Drive shrewdly. Aggressive driving (racing, quick acceleration and braking) squanders gasoline
10. Check for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and merchandise.
11. Ensure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are correctly cared for. Check your owner’s manuals for the suggested repair.
12. Search for open fireplace dampers and make certain they are closed when not in use.
13. Look at the insulation values in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces.
14. Look at for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air right into or out of your home.
15. You may also get the assistance of a professional.
1. Install a programmable thermostat in order to maintain your own home pleasantly heated in winter and adequately cool in the summertime.
2. Take advantage of compact fluorescent light bulbs using the ENERGY STAR® label.
3. Air dry the dishes as opposed to using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
4. Put off your PC and keep track of when not in use.
5. Connect home electronics, including TVs and DVD players, right into power strips; flip the power strips off if the products are not in take advantage of (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still employ several watts of power).
6. Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F.
7. Take short showers as opposed to baths.
8. Clean mainly full loads of the dishes and clothes. With clothing take advantage of cold water.
9. Drive shrewdly. Aggressive driving (racing, quick acceleration and braking) squanders gasoline
10. Check for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and merchandise.
11. Ensure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are correctly cared for. Check your owner’s manuals for the suggested repair.
12. Search for open fireplace dampers and make certain they are closed when not in use.
13. Look at the insulation values in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces.
14. Look at for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air right into or out of your home.
15. You may also get the assistance of a professional.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Tips for choosing a new green car
Choosing a greener car can have a direct financial benefit for you as well as helping to conserve our environment for all Australians and future generations. Buying a vehicle that is more fuel efficient can save you thousands of dollars on fuel bills and many tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the vehicle's life.
As a new car buyer there will be a range of factors that are important in making your final choice of vehicle. As a major financial investment and a decision that will be with you for a number of years, it is important to purchase the car that best meets your needs.
Assess your needs carefully. In doing so, consider your day-to-day transport requirements, eg. passengers carried and cargo capacity required, and match these requirements to a vehicle that can provide them (or a good compromise).
You may wish to draw up a list of the features you want in a car. Then think about what other factors will influence your decision, and add these to the list. How important is each of these in coming to your final decision?
Consider how often, if at all, you may need certain features, such as off road capacity or a larger engine for towing. These features may come at an extra financial cost and an extra cost to the environment. Given that many of these costs will be ongoing for the life of your car/s, it is important to make the right decision.
Research all possibilities, ask friends/family about cars, visit car dealers to look at various models and search the Internet for relevant websites, including those set up by manufacturers, motor magazines, and motoring clubs, etc. Ask questions! If there are any 'car terms' you don't understand, now is the time to ask.
Before buying a new vehicle, refer to the Green Vehicle Guide ratings. Detailed information helps identify individual vehicle models, including the make, model and variant name, engine and transmission, body style, seating and fuel type. Further information to help you compare each vehicle's impact on the environment includes the - Greenhouse Rating (based on CO2 emissions); Air Pollution Rating (based primarily on emission standards); an overall 'Star' Rating (a combination of the Greenhouse Rating and Air Pollution Rating); and Fuel Consumption (in L/100km). You can use the Green Vehicle Guide to identify the vehicle with the highest ratings which meets your needs.
Remember, larger cars and those with bigger engines often consume more fuel, which not only increases your fuel bills, but increases the level of greenhouse gas emissions. Commercial style vehicles and large off road vehicles are usually built to less stringent emission standards than "regular" passenger cars, so produce more air pollutants. If you are in a showroom, look for the Fuel Consumption Label on the front windscreen, which provides information on fuel consumption and greenhouse emissions from the vehicle.
As a new car buyer there will be a range of factors that are important in making your final choice of vehicle. As a major financial investment and a decision that will be with you for a number of years, it is important to purchase the car that best meets your needs.
Assess your needs carefully. In doing so, consider your day-to-day transport requirements, eg. passengers carried and cargo capacity required, and match these requirements to a vehicle that can provide them (or a good compromise).
You may wish to draw up a list of the features you want in a car. Then think about what other factors will influence your decision, and add these to the list. How important is each of these in coming to your final decision?
Consider how often, if at all, you may need certain features, such as off road capacity or a larger engine for towing. These features may come at an extra financial cost and an extra cost to the environment. Given that many of these costs will be ongoing for the life of your car/s, it is important to make the right decision.
Research all possibilities, ask friends/family about cars, visit car dealers to look at various models and search the Internet for relevant websites, including those set up by manufacturers, motor magazines, and motoring clubs, etc. Ask questions! If there are any 'car terms' you don't understand, now is the time to ask.
Before buying a new vehicle, refer to the Green Vehicle Guide ratings. Detailed information helps identify individual vehicle models, including the make, model and variant name, engine and transmission, body style, seating and fuel type. Further information to help you compare each vehicle's impact on the environment includes the - Greenhouse Rating (based on CO2 emissions); Air Pollution Rating (based primarily on emission standards); an overall 'Star' Rating (a combination of the Greenhouse Rating and Air Pollution Rating); and Fuel Consumption (in L/100km). You can use the Green Vehicle Guide to identify the vehicle with the highest ratings which meets your needs.
Remember, larger cars and those with bigger engines often consume more fuel, which not only increases your fuel bills, but increases the level of greenhouse gas emissions. Commercial style vehicles and large off road vehicles are usually built to less stringent emission standards than "regular" passenger cars, so produce more air pollutants. If you are in a showroom, look for the Fuel Consumption Label on the front windscreen, which provides information on fuel consumption and greenhouse emissions from the vehicle.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Passive Solar Energy For heating
Mention solar technology and most people automatically assume that solar panels are involved in one way or another. While this is generally true, the concept of passive solar energy has been used from thousands of years to heat structures. The trombe wall is one form of low tech used in passive solar for heating a home at night.
To understand how the trombe wall functions, it helps to first contemplate how passive solar energy works as a heating process. A simple example suffices. Imagine you drive to the grocery store. You park in the parking lot and head inside. You are there for no more than 30 minutes. When you come out to the car, what has happened? It has turned into an oven! This is passive solar at its finest. The sunlight has heated up every dark surface in the interior of the car, which then radiates heat. During the summer, sitting down on the seats can be a delicate maneuver, particularly if you are in shorts!
What if you could capture this heat during the hottest periods of the day and slowly release it at night when temperatures drop? This is exactly what the trombe wall is designed to do. The average trombe wall is between 8 and 16 inches thick. It is typically made of concrete. On the exterior face, the wall is covered with a heat absorbing material. This can be a painted on dark color or absorbent material. A double layer of glass is then placed about an inch outside of this and forms the exterior of the structure. It looks a little odd to have a wall inside of glass, but the heating impact is significant.
As sunlight penetrates the glass, it heats up the surface of the concrete wall. The wall then absorbs the heat at a rate of about an inch an hour. By the end of a sunny day, you have a concrete wall that is heated up much like the rocks in a sauna, although obviously not as hot. The double glass serves to insulate one side of the wall. Once the temperature in the area starts to cool below the heat level of the trombe wall, it will start to emit heat. The heat rises. Vents and small fans can be put in to circulate the warm air into the interior of the home where it can be funneled to rooms in use. This can be done day-after-day so long as the sun hits the wall.
Solar power is a complex energy platform and involves much broader techniques then just solar panels or water heaters. Passive solar can be a powerful way to deal with heating issues and the trombe wall is one example of this.
To understand how the trombe wall functions, it helps to first contemplate how passive solar energy works as a heating process. A simple example suffices. Imagine you drive to the grocery store. You park in the parking lot and head inside. You are there for no more than 30 minutes. When you come out to the car, what has happened? It has turned into an oven! This is passive solar at its finest. The sunlight has heated up every dark surface in the interior of the car, which then radiates heat. During the summer, sitting down on the seats can be a delicate maneuver, particularly if you are in shorts!
What if you could capture this heat during the hottest periods of the day and slowly release it at night when temperatures drop? This is exactly what the trombe wall is designed to do. The average trombe wall is between 8 and 16 inches thick. It is typically made of concrete. On the exterior face, the wall is covered with a heat absorbing material. This can be a painted on dark color or absorbent material. A double layer of glass is then placed about an inch outside of this and forms the exterior of the structure. It looks a little odd to have a wall inside of glass, but the heating impact is significant.
As sunlight penetrates the glass, it heats up the surface of the concrete wall. The wall then absorbs the heat at a rate of about an inch an hour. By the end of a sunny day, you have a concrete wall that is heated up much like the rocks in a sauna, although obviously not as hot. The double glass serves to insulate one side of the wall. Once the temperature in the area starts to cool below the heat level of the trombe wall, it will start to emit heat. The heat rises. Vents and small fans can be put in to circulate the warm air into the interior of the home where it can be funneled to rooms in use. This can be done day-after-day so long as the sun hits the wall.
Solar power is a complex energy platform and involves much broader techniques then just solar panels or water heaters. Passive solar can be a powerful way to deal with heating issues and the trombe wall is one example of this.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Eco-Friendly Home Buying Tips
Buying an eco-friendly home is not as difficult as you might think, and in the long run it can save you a lot of money, as well as having less of an impact on the environment. An eco-friendly home is one that is energy efficient and saves you money, but it also can mean it is a home made from recycled materials and one that makes much better use of space. When buying an eco-friendly home you will still need to consider the same things that you do when buying a normal home, such as going through the right channels to borrow money and paying additional fees like stamp duty and conveyancing fees.
Building methods
You can start thinking eco-friendly even before you start building the home. Choose an architect that is familiar with eco-friendly homes and have them design a home that is suitable for your block. Think about creating a home that takes up less land space, leaving as much room for trees and plants as possible. Leave room around the home for water tanks and a vegetable garden. Think about where on your block you build the home too. Make sure it is in a position so you can make use of natural light, and it is facing a direction so you get the warmth of the sun to increase the energy efficiency.
Building materials
You can even be eco-friendly with your choice of building materials. Any timber in your home should be recycled from other sources. You will find that you can buy bricks from homes that are being torn down. You could also choose to build with eco-friendly materials like mud or stones, or even build a straw bale home.
Energy efficient
One of the main purposes of your home is for it to be energy efficient. Make sure that it is well insulated so it stays warm in winter and cooler in summer. You can also put in double glazed windows and have solar panels installed so you rely on the sun to power your home. Solar power can also heat your water so you can save on gas as well as electricity. Solar panels are not as expensive as they used to be and many new homes that aren’t eco-friendly are being built with solar panels to heat their water.
Appliances
Within your home you can be more eco-friendly by choosing the right appliances. When you buy a dishwasher, washing machine, fridge or even a clothes dryer you will see the energy rating listed on the item through a star rating system. The more stars an item has the more energy efficient it is. You can also buy dishwashers and washing machines that use less water. You can also be more energy efficient when lighting your home by choosing to use power saving light bulbs. Another way to be eco-friendly is to watch your energy consumption, so turn off lights in rooms that are not in use, switch appliances off at the wall and don’t heat or cool rooms you are not using. Having blinds or curtains on your windows will help keep your house warm in winter and block out the heat in summer.
Building methods
You can start thinking eco-friendly even before you start building the home. Choose an architect that is familiar with eco-friendly homes and have them design a home that is suitable for your block. Think about creating a home that takes up less land space, leaving as much room for trees and plants as possible. Leave room around the home for water tanks and a vegetable garden. Think about where on your block you build the home too. Make sure it is in a position so you can make use of natural light, and it is facing a direction so you get the warmth of the sun to increase the energy efficiency.
Building materials
You can even be eco-friendly with your choice of building materials. Any timber in your home should be recycled from other sources. You will find that you can buy bricks from homes that are being torn down. You could also choose to build with eco-friendly materials like mud or stones, or even build a straw bale home.
Energy efficient
One of the main purposes of your home is for it to be energy efficient. Make sure that it is well insulated so it stays warm in winter and cooler in summer. You can also put in double glazed windows and have solar panels installed so you rely on the sun to power your home. Solar power can also heat your water so you can save on gas as well as electricity. Solar panels are not as expensive as they used to be and many new homes that aren’t eco-friendly are being built with solar panels to heat their water.
Appliances
Within your home you can be more eco-friendly by choosing the right appliances. When you buy a dishwasher, washing machine, fridge or even a clothes dryer you will see the energy rating listed on the item through a star rating system. The more stars an item has the more energy efficient it is. You can also buy dishwashers and washing machines that use less water. You can also be more energy efficient when lighting your home by choosing to use power saving light bulbs. Another way to be eco-friendly is to watch your energy consumption, so turn off lights in rooms that are not in use, switch appliances off at the wall and don’t heat or cool rooms you are not using. Having blinds or curtains on your windows will help keep your house warm in winter and block out the heat in summer.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Tips for greener motoring
Your driving habits, the type of vehicle you drive and the conditions under which you drive will affect your vehicle's environmental performance. Follow these tips for greener driving.
Minimise your vehicle use
Think about your travel needs prior to your travel. Planned travel decisions will result in fewer trips and more efficient/cheaper travel than unplanned decisions made 'on the go'. Some travel planning tips:
Plan to do a number of errands in one trip rather than several trips and save both time and fuel (for the first couple of minutes of a car trip the engine is cold and this results in an increase in fuel consumption per kilometre).
Patronise shops near to you whenever possible to reduce the distances you travel by car. Walk or cycle to your local shops if you can.
Avoid peak-hour traffic whenever possible.
Use alternative transport, eg. public transport (bus, train, tram or ferry), walking or cycling. These alternative methods of travel are often cheaper, and may provide other benefits including increased fitness.
Drive in high gear
The engine runs most efficiently between around 1,500 and 2,500 rpm (lower in diesels). To maintain these low revs you should change up through the gears as soon as practical and before the revs reach 2,500 rpm. Automatic transmissions will shift up more quickly and smoothly if you ease back slightly on the accelerator once the car gathers momentum.
Drive smoothly - avoid unnecessary acceleration
Drive at a good distance from the car in front so you can anticipate and travel with the flow of traffic. You will be able to see such things as traffic lights changing or cars turning and minimise your fuel use through braking and accelerating back up to full speed.
Minimise fuel wasted in idling
Minimise fuel wasted in idling by stopping the engine whenever your car is stopped or held up for an extended period of time. By having the engine switched off, even for a short period, you will save more fuel than is lost from the burst of fuel involved in restarting the engine. The net increased wear and tear from this practice is negligible.
Speed kills economy
High speeds result in high fuel consumption. At 110 km/h your car can use up to 25% more fuel than it would cruising at 90 km/h.
Minimise aerodynamic drag
Additional parts on the exterior of a vehicle such as roof racks and spoilers, or having the window open, increases air resistance and fuel consumption, in some cases by over 20%.
Look after your vehicle's tyres
Inflate your vehicle's tyres to the highest pressure recommended by the tyre manufacturer and make sure your wheels are properly aligned (remember to keep your spare tire inflated as well). Looking after your tyres will not only reduce your fuel consumption it will also extend tyre life and improve handling.
Travel light
Don't carry more people or cargo than you have to. The more a vehicle carries the more fuel it uses.
Service your vehicle regularly
Keeping your vehicle well tuned will minimise its environmental impact.
Minimise your vehicle use
Think about your travel needs prior to your travel. Planned travel decisions will result in fewer trips and more efficient/cheaper travel than unplanned decisions made 'on the go'. Some travel planning tips:
Plan to do a number of errands in one trip rather than several trips and save both time and fuel (for the first couple of minutes of a car trip the engine is cold and this results in an increase in fuel consumption per kilometre).
Patronise shops near to you whenever possible to reduce the distances you travel by car. Walk or cycle to your local shops if you can.
Avoid peak-hour traffic whenever possible.
Use alternative transport, eg. public transport (bus, train, tram or ferry), walking or cycling. These alternative methods of travel are often cheaper, and may provide other benefits including increased fitness.
Drive in high gear
The engine runs most efficiently between around 1,500 and 2,500 rpm (lower in diesels). To maintain these low revs you should change up through the gears as soon as practical and before the revs reach 2,500 rpm. Automatic transmissions will shift up more quickly and smoothly if you ease back slightly on the accelerator once the car gathers momentum.
Drive smoothly - avoid unnecessary acceleration
Drive at a good distance from the car in front so you can anticipate and travel with the flow of traffic. You will be able to see such things as traffic lights changing or cars turning and minimise your fuel use through braking and accelerating back up to full speed.
Minimise fuel wasted in idling
Minimise fuel wasted in idling by stopping the engine whenever your car is stopped or held up for an extended period of time. By having the engine switched off, even for a short period, you will save more fuel than is lost from the burst of fuel involved in restarting the engine. The net increased wear and tear from this practice is negligible.
Speed kills economy
High speeds result in high fuel consumption. At 110 km/h your car can use up to 25% more fuel than it would cruising at 90 km/h.
Minimise aerodynamic drag
Additional parts on the exterior of a vehicle such as roof racks and spoilers, or having the window open, increases air resistance and fuel consumption, in some cases by over 20%.
Look after your vehicle's tyres
Inflate your vehicle's tyres to the highest pressure recommended by the tyre manufacturer and make sure your wheels are properly aligned (remember to keep your spare tire inflated as well). Looking after your tyres will not only reduce your fuel consumption it will also extend tyre life and improve handling.
Travel light
Don't carry more people or cargo than you have to. The more a vehicle carries the more fuel it uses.
Service your vehicle regularly
Keeping your vehicle well tuned will minimise its environmental impact.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Incorporate Green Sustainable Architecture Into Your Existing Home
As more people around the world try to find more ways of reducing their carbon footprint, environmentally conscious homeowners are turning to ideas for the incorporation of green architecture into their existing homes. Sustainable architecture is based on the idea that the design of a building or home should have the least impact on the environment as possible. Green architecture therefore creates a cleaner living environment, while using cost effective energy saving building techniques.
In order to incorporate sustainable green architecture into your already existing home, you will first need to contract the services of a sustainable architect to bring to reality your dream for greener living. A sustainable architect knows that every component in a building can comprise of sustainable architecture, such as renewable building materials, building design, active and passive heating and cooling, water conservation methods as well as natural and artificial lighting. The architect will be able to advise you on how best to incorporate green architecture into your home through the use of sustainable materials for your home finishes. For instance, you may include sustainable materials for your wall surfaces, countertops and flooring with finishes such as salvaged steel, recycled plastic as well as locally mined and produced tiles and stones.
When it comes to paint, opt for the low toxic paints and finishes to coat both the exterior and interior of your home. Install a low flush toilet which will enable you to conserve water usage. As you do your shopping, always check the product labels and only buy home building products that contain low levels of volatile organic compounds. Be sure to conduct an energy audit of your home where it will be inspected for any spots with leaks which require added insulation. Remember that a tightly sealed home which is properly insulated will help you save on heating bills and usage.
In order to incorporate sustainable green architecture into your already existing home, you will first need to contract the services of a sustainable architect to bring to reality your dream for greener living. A sustainable architect knows that every component in a building can comprise of sustainable architecture, such as renewable building materials, building design, active and passive heating and cooling, water conservation methods as well as natural and artificial lighting. The architect will be able to advise you on how best to incorporate green architecture into your home through the use of sustainable materials for your home finishes. For instance, you may include sustainable materials for your wall surfaces, countertops and flooring with finishes such as salvaged steel, recycled plastic as well as locally mined and produced tiles and stones.
When it comes to paint, opt for the low toxic paints and finishes to coat both the exterior and interior of your home. Install a low flush toilet which will enable you to conserve water usage. As you do your shopping, always check the product labels and only buy home building products that contain low levels of volatile organic compounds. Be sure to conduct an energy audit of your home where it will be inspected for any spots with leaks which require added insulation. Remember that a tightly sealed home which is properly insulated will help you save on heating bills and usage.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Green Building:Construction And The Environment
This is a conclusion to our series of articles on ways in which construction affects the environment. Green building is a concept in construction which aims at creating environment friendly construction. The aim here is to reduce the impact of construction on the environment as well as coming up with remedial measures to resuscitate the already chocking environment. Below are just examples of green construction practices.
· Using renewable energy sources in buildings for example solar and wind energy in the place of electricity and fossil fuels.
· Coming up with designs that require minimum energy supporting systems like maximizing on day lighting in buildings as opposed to electric lighting.
· Reducing the use of timber in construction, especially rare and deciduous types, and in their place using fast growing species like bamboo and softwoods in controlled forests and plantations.
· Reusing timber as well as timber wastes like saw dust to make timber replacements.
· Tapping into rainwater and other precipitation for use in buildings to replace or supplement water from other sources.
· Reducing water wastage by making use of pressure control valves, low flush cisterns and the like.
· Reusing grey water (all used water in the house, other than from closets, bidets and such).
· Using porous materials in parking and general surfaces to allow for percolation of water for replenishing sub surface.
· Incorporating gardening and greening in built up areas, including the introduction of green roofs.
· Reducing earth-moving activities for construction works.
· Avoiding construction in environmentally fragile areas for example water catchment areas.
· Reducing the wastes from buildings that end up in land fills by ensuring sorting at source. A good example is where biodegradable wastes are put in different bins and used as fertilizers.
· Rehabilitating derelict land and mine fields by planting trees and such environmental conservation measures.
All these and many other similar measures will definitely nurture the environment. They will however need a lot of deliberation and forward planning so as to make success. It is also worth noting that green building is usually more expensive upfront but could be affordable in the building life cycle. Furthermore, the extra cost in money will be compensated in a sustainable environment.
Green construction is a collective responsibility and should be sought by all and sundry. Architectural association and building regulatory boards the world over should put all the necessary efforts to have their jurisdictions adopt green construction. Governments should also demonstrate green building in their projects to have their subjects easily accept them. Learning institutions and training institutes should also put enough emphasis on these procedures. Green construction materials and equipment should also be zero rated to reduce costs as well as create a preference.
· Using renewable energy sources in buildings for example solar and wind energy in the place of electricity and fossil fuels.
· Coming up with designs that require minimum energy supporting systems like maximizing on day lighting in buildings as opposed to electric lighting.
· Reducing the use of timber in construction, especially rare and deciduous types, and in their place using fast growing species like bamboo and softwoods in controlled forests and plantations.
· Reusing timber as well as timber wastes like saw dust to make timber replacements.
· Tapping into rainwater and other precipitation for use in buildings to replace or supplement water from other sources.
· Reducing water wastage by making use of pressure control valves, low flush cisterns and the like.
· Reusing grey water (all used water in the house, other than from closets, bidets and such).
· Using porous materials in parking and general surfaces to allow for percolation of water for replenishing sub surface.
· Incorporating gardening and greening in built up areas, including the introduction of green roofs.
· Reducing earth-moving activities for construction works.
· Avoiding construction in environmentally fragile areas for example water catchment areas.
· Reducing the wastes from buildings that end up in land fills by ensuring sorting at source. A good example is where biodegradable wastes are put in different bins and used as fertilizers.
· Rehabilitating derelict land and mine fields by planting trees and such environmental conservation measures.
All these and many other similar measures will definitely nurture the environment. They will however need a lot of deliberation and forward planning so as to make success. It is also worth noting that green building is usually more expensive upfront but could be affordable in the building life cycle. Furthermore, the extra cost in money will be compensated in a sustainable environment.
Green construction is a collective responsibility and should be sought by all and sundry. Architectural association and building regulatory boards the world over should put all the necessary efforts to have their jurisdictions adopt green construction. Governments should also demonstrate green building in their projects to have their subjects easily accept them. Learning institutions and training institutes should also put enough emphasis on these procedures. Green construction materials and equipment should also be zero rated to reduce costs as well as create a preference.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Best Eco Friendly : Old Vs New Homes
People are the one responsible in the negative changes that we have seen in the environment today. That’s why we human being should be aware of our choices every now and then. By being careful with our choices we can make the earth a better, full of life and healthier place to live in.
We created to progress and live life in advance and the modern way. Along with the progress caused negative impact and degradation to the environment. However, with the climate changes and calamities that we have experienced, people are now much concerned with the environment. The government and the rest of the world are making moves that will help lessen the environment degradation process.
Thankfully, there are so many methods to save the mother nature nowadays. We can start it with our home by transforming that into an eco-friendly property. That way you can save energy and helps preserve the environment. But what type of home is best for eco-friendly updates, is it a new home or an older one?
New Home Advantages
Insulation is very important a home must have as it helps maintain the temperature inside that could save energy. Modern homes come equipped with effective energy saver insulation.
With the modern homes, bathroom equipments like, faucets and shower heads are designed to use less water compared to their older counterparts.
Windows installed in the new homes will save you a lot of energy, prevent any heat leakage, damage or any problems associated with the older windows. They will remain in good condition for long time as they were built to last.
New Home Disadvantages
Formaldehyde-containing particle board are usually found in new homes.
Sometimes base models of newly-built homes are with low-end features, like vinyl counter tops and wood laminate flooring.
Old Home Advantages
When looking for quality craftsmanship, real wood flooring and architectural design that much different from others, can have it all with the old homes.
Parts of the house will deteriorate as the time goes by that needs a remodeling job that will greatly increase its energy efficiency.
Old Home Disadvantages
Being exposed too much to the minerals called asbestos may cause several health problems and illness. Old homes may contain this kind of hazardous minerals, and workers may put their life at risk of being exposed during remodeling process.
Older homes may cost you a great amount of energy usage. Energy efficient windows, bathroom equipments and appliances are rarely found in this home.
We created to progress and live life in advance and the modern way. Along with the progress caused negative impact and degradation to the environment. However, with the climate changes and calamities that we have experienced, people are now much concerned with the environment. The government and the rest of the world are making moves that will help lessen the environment degradation process.
Thankfully, there are so many methods to save the mother nature nowadays. We can start it with our home by transforming that into an eco-friendly property. That way you can save energy and helps preserve the environment. But what type of home is best for eco-friendly updates, is it a new home or an older one?
New Home Advantages
Insulation is very important a home must have as it helps maintain the temperature inside that could save energy. Modern homes come equipped with effective energy saver insulation.
With the modern homes, bathroom equipments like, faucets and shower heads are designed to use less water compared to their older counterparts.
Windows installed in the new homes will save you a lot of energy, prevent any heat leakage, damage or any problems associated with the older windows. They will remain in good condition for long time as they were built to last.
New Home Disadvantages
Formaldehyde-containing particle board are usually found in new homes.
Sometimes base models of newly-built homes are with low-end features, like vinyl counter tops and wood laminate flooring.
Old Home Advantages
When looking for quality craftsmanship, real wood flooring and architectural design that much different from others, can have it all with the old homes.
Parts of the house will deteriorate as the time goes by that needs a remodeling job that will greatly increase its energy efficiency.
Old Home Disadvantages
Being exposed too much to the minerals called asbestos may cause several health problems and illness. Old homes may contain this kind of hazardous minerals, and workers may put their life at risk of being exposed during remodeling process.
Older homes may cost you a great amount of energy usage. Energy efficient windows, bathroom equipments and appliances are rarely found in this home.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Healthy City, Could You Identify it ?
Sarah Mahoney and Brad Edmondson, researchers for a certain association of older folks, developed a ranking of what they termed as the “Healthiest Hometowns.” To avoid stress-inducing suspense, let me mention at the start that the healthiest hometowns or American cities, in their view, are Ann Arbor, Honolulu, Madison, Sante Fe and Fargo.
Using a series of alternative criteria (e.g., greenest, longest life expectancy, skinniest and cities with the most medical care insurance), dozens of other hometowns gained honorable mention, which I suppose will cheer old folks living in those cities across the land. Unfortunately, the criteria used for the healthiest rankings are mostly medical in nature. Make no mistake – the selected cities are extremely cool places and probably ought to be at or near the top of any healthy city ranking, regardless of the selection criteria employed. But the reality is that the factors used for these selections were appropriate for identifying only the least sick cities, not the healthiest.
This did not come close to a ranking of the most well cities in America. That would be the ranking I believe most people would most like to see. Such a ranking has not been attempted, despite the magazine, professional association and other healthy city ratings announced with much fanfare each year. The absence of a truly well city rating is easily explained – those commissioning and conducting such assessments do not appreciate the difference between wellness and health as the absence of illness. The medically not-so-sick ratings of healthy cities sells magazines, but nobody gets it right. No group has looked exclusively at factors that reveal how genuinely healthy the people are and how supportive are their environments in sustaining positive lifestyle mindsets and behaviors.
Until now. I have suggested that the National Wellness Institute (NWI) do just that – develop and apply genuine REAL wellness criteria. By gathering data on factors that measure wellness, not medical care utilization or risk factors, NWI could identify the most well cities in America, using REAL wellness, not medical criteria. The time for such a true health or wellness ranking has come at last. The top five well cities might still be Ann Arbor, Honolulu, Madison, Sante Fe and Fargo, but NWI would pick these places or others for very different reasons than those relied on by the old folks assessors. If NWI does it right, the practice of rating the well cities might spread across the globe. What a boon this would be for tourism alone – who would NOT want to vacation in the wellness places abroad?
Getting back for a moment to the above-noted report, I must say that it’s a bit comical, really, to consider the factors used to assess health and well-being. It shows that the focus of most people, including the experts in the health system who designed this study, still equate health as the absence of illness or risk factors for illness. Here are the criteria utilized in deciding the healthiest cities:
* Physicians per capita.
* General practitioners per capita.
* Cardiologists per capita.
* Oncologists per capita.¨
* Percentage of population that smokes. ¨
* Stress index (including divorce rate. suicide rate and rates of depression).
* Number of alcoholic drinks per month.
* Percentage of population that has health plans.
* Percentage of population that has trouble affording health care.
* Percentage getting regular checkups.
* Teaching hospitals per capita.
* Hospital beds per capita.
* Overall mortality.
* Mortality rates of heart disease.
* Mortality rates of cancer.
* Rates of diabetes. ¨
* Rates of hypertension.
* Rates of high cholesterol.
* Obesity rates (average BMI).
None of these criteria would be on my list. This is no way to discover the identity of the most well cities. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of the factors – all are in fact useful for assessing medical situations in varied jurisdictions. But, they do not tell us as much about how WELL the city residents are as they do how UNWELL they might or might not be. The researchers did list a few criteria that could be included in my proposed NWI wellness-based assessment. If I were to design such an investigation, the following factors would be examined:
* Existence of smoke-free legislation (smoke-free office buildings, restaurants, bars).
* Healthy eating score (how many fruits, vegetables and whole grains did average resident consume).
* Number of alcoholic drinks per month.
* Percentage getting regular exercise.
* Percentage who commute by biking or by walking.
* Percentage who say they get enough emotional support.
* Percentage satisfied with life.
If you are ready to move to a wellness city, those identified by this group for all the wrong reasons still might be good bets. They are all attractive places. (What’s not to like about a town – Fargo – that erected an 8-foot, 500-pound statue commemorating Wood-Chip “Marge,” the main character in the dark-comedy film “Fargo?”)
What, that is, besides the blood-freezing cold ten months out of the year? But, I recommend you stay where you are until a new ranking based on REAL wellness lifestyle criteria is available. You certainly should not relocate on the basis of convenient access to an ample supply of medical resources. If that’s your priority, just move close to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, The Johns Hopkins Hospital complex at Baltimore or the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda!
All the best and be well.
Using a series of alternative criteria (e.g., greenest, longest life expectancy, skinniest and cities with the most medical care insurance), dozens of other hometowns gained honorable mention, which I suppose will cheer old folks living in those cities across the land. Unfortunately, the criteria used for the healthiest rankings are mostly medical in nature. Make no mistake – the selected cities are extremely cool places and probably ought to be at or near the top of any healthy city ranking, regardless of the selection criteria employed. But the reality is that the factors used for these selections were appropriate for identifying only the least sick cities, not the healthiest.
This did not come close to a ranking of the most well cities in America. That would be the ranking I believe most people would most like to see. Such a ranking has not been attempted, despite the magazine, professional association and other healthy city ratings announced with much fanfare each year. The absence of a truly well city rating is easily explained – those commissioning and conducting such assessments do not appreciate the difference between wellness and health as the absence of illness. The medically not-so-sick ratings of healthy cities sells magazines, but nobody gets it right. No group has looked exclusively at factors that reveal how genuinely healthy the people are and how supportive are their environments in sustaining positive lifestyle mindsets and behaviors.
Until now. I have suggested that the National Wellness Institute (NWI) do just that – develop and apply genuine REAL wellness criteria. By gathering data on factors that measure wellness, not medical care utilization or risk factors, NWI could identify the most well cities in America, using REAL wellness, not medical criteria. The time for such a true health or wellness ranking has come at last. The top five well cities might still be Ann Arbor, Honolulu, Madison, Sante Fe and Fargo, but NWI would pick these places or others for very different reasons than those relied on by the old folks assessors. If NWI does it right, the practice of rating the well cities might spread across the globe. What a boon this would be for tourism alone – who would NOT want to vacation in the wellness places abroad?
Getting back for a moment to the above-noted report, I must say that it’s a bit comical, really, to consider the factors used to assess health and well-being. It shows that the focus of most people, including the experts in the health system who designed this study, still equate health as the absence of illness or risk factors for illness. Here are the criteria utilized in deciding the healthiest cities:
* Physicians per capita.
* General practitioners per capita.
* Cardiologists per capita.
* Oncologists per capita.¨
* Percentage of population that smokes. ¨
* Stress index (including divorce rate. suicide rate and rates of depression).
* Number of alcoholic drinks per month.
* Percentage of population that has health plans.
* Percentage of population that has trouble affording health care.
* Percentage getting regular checkups.
* Teaching hospitals per capita.
* Hospital beds per capita.
* Overall mortality.
* Mortality rates of heart disease.
* Mortality rates of cancer.
* Rates of diabetes. ¨
* Rates of hypertension.
* Rates of high cholesterol.
* Obesity rates (average BMI).
None of these criteria would be on my list. This is no way to discover the identity of the most well cities. There is nothing inherently wrong with any of the factors – all are in fact useful for assessing medical situations in varied jurisdictions. But, they do not tell us as much about how WELL the city residents are as they do how UNWELL they might or might not be. The researchers did list a few criteria that could be included in my proposed NWI wellness-based assessment. If I were to design such an investigation, the following factors would be examined:
* Existence of smoke-free legislation (smoke-free office buildings, restaurants, bars).
* Healthy eating score (how many fruits, vegetables and whole grains did average resident consume).
* Number of alcoholic drinks per month.
* Percentage getting regular exercise.
* Percentage who commute by biking or by walking.
* Percentage who say they get enough emotional support.
* Percentage satisfied with life.
If you are ready to move to a wellness city, those identified by this group for all the wrong reasons still might be good bets. They are all attractive places. (What’s not to like about a town – Fargo – that erected an 8-foot, 500-pound statue commemorating Wood-Chip “Marge,” the main character in the dark-comedy film “Fargo?”)
What, that is, besides the blood-freezing cold ten months out of the year? But, I recommend you stay where you are until a new ranking based on REAL wellness lifestyle criteria is available. You certainly should not relocate on the basis of convenient access to an ample supply of medical resources. If that’s your priority, just move close to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, The Johns Hopkins Hospital complex at Baltimore or the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda!
All the best and be well.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Go Green City
We all know that going green is the cool thing to do nowadays. Find out some easy tips on how everyday citizens, real estate construction sites, and even businesses can help improve our environment by making it a safer place to live.
* Many cities will offer residents incentives to use less energy. Look for and work towards rebates that your current city may be offering such as $25 off this month’s bill if you use less energy than the previous month. Not only will you be able to take advantage of the rebate, but you’ll also be helping your city be more eco-conscious.
* Utilize the recycling program your city has organized. Recycling as a whole costs less to operate than waste collection, landfilling, and incineration and drastically reduces emissions, saves energy and reduces pollution. Did you know that every ton of paper that is recycled saves 17 trees and that the energy we save when we recycle one glass bottle is enough to light a light bulb for four hours
* Compost. Larger cities will usually offer a compost service that comes on the same day as your garbage and recycling. Composting is a great way to cut back on the amount of garbage you produce which in turn reduces the amount of garbage that goes to landfills and cuts back on the production of methane and leachate formulation in the landfills. Cities can then use compost to prevent pollutants in stormwater runoff from reaching surface water resources, prevent erosion and silting on embankments parallel to creeks, lakes, and rivers, and even prevents erosion and turf loss on roadsides, hillsides, playing fields, and golf courses.
* Use sediment control measures around your home and work site. Natural erosion stormwater runoff from your home and worksite can negatively affect water quality, wetlands, wildlife and natural vegetation around your city. If you notice that following a storm excessive debris and runoff is leaving your property, it is important that you install proper devices to keep this excess debris from entering the drainage and water system. When sediment gets into the water system, it takes longer and becomes more expensive to purify that water for drinking. It also can get washed into the lakes and oceans causing excess flooding in times of high precipitation.
* Help beautify your city by picking up trash wherever you may be. Whether it’s around your property or while on a walk, avoid littering and try to pick up trash is one of the simplest ways to help greenify and beautify your city!
* Many cities will offer residents incentives to use less energy. Look for and work towards rebates that your current city may be offering such as $25 off this month’s bill if you use less energy than the previous month. Not only will you be able to take advantage of the rebate, but you’ll also be helping your city be more eco-conscious.
* Utilize the recycling program your city has organized. Recycling as a whole costs less to operate than waste collection, landfilling, and incineration and drastically reduces emissions, saves energy and reduces pollution. Did you know that every ton of paper that is recycled saves 17 trees and that the energy we save when we recycle one glass bottle is enough to light a light bulb for four hours
* Compost. Larger cities will usually offer a compost service that comes on the same day as your garbage and recycling. Composting is a great way to cut back on the amount of garbage you produce which in turn reduces the amount of garbage that goes to landfills and cuts back on the production of methane and leachate formulation in the landfills. Cities can then use compost to prevent pollutants in stormwater runoff from reaching surface water resources, prevent erosion and silting on embankments parallel to creeks, lakes, and rivers, and even prevents erosion and turf loss on roadsides, hillsides, playing fields, and golf courses.
* Use sediment control measures around your home and work site. Natural erosion stormwater runoff from your home and worksite can negatively affect water quality, wetlands, wildlife and natural vegetation around your city. If you notice that following a storm excessive debris and runoff is leaving your property, it is important that you install proper devices to keep this excess debris from entering the drainage and water system. When sediment gets into the water system, it takes longer and becomes more expensive to purify that water for drinking. It also can get washed into the lakes and oceans causing excess flooding in times of high precipitation.
* Help beautify your city by picking up trash wherever you may be. Whether it’s around your property or while on a walk, avoid littering and try to pick up trash is one of the simplest ways to help greenify and beautify your city!
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