Greenovate My Earth

Did you know? Maine

2010-06-04T08:00:00.000-06:00

The Port of Portland receives crude oil shipments, which it then sends via pipeline to refineries in Quebec and Ontario.
About three-quarters of Maine’s households – the highest share in the Nation – use fuel oil for home heating.
Maine generates a larger share of its electricity from nonhydroelectric renewable resources than any other State.
Maine is the only New England State in which industry is the leading energy-consuming sector.
Maine has the highest wood and wood waste power generation capacity in the United States.

source: Energy Information Administration

How to clean up BP's disaster

2010-06-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

I came across an interesting article regarding the cleanup of the massive oil spill that BP is trying to stop. Hair and mushrooms! Yes, a strange combination. To read the article click here.

Eco Friendly Pots

2010-05-23T17:35:00.016-06:00

Winter is gone for many across the country and the annual march to the local garden store has begun. It's time to add color to the yard and get this years garden in shape to produce beautiful vegetables, fruits and flowers. Red, blue, green, yellow, all of the colors that people enjoy during the summer while sitting on their patio or taking a walk in the park. But what about rust and black? These are the colors of many of the pots your pretty flowers and veggies were potted in by the nurseries that grew them. What do you do with them after you have planted the garden? Well, one company pots their vegetables in biodegradable pots. Bonnie Plants uses pots that are 100 percent biodegradable. They prevent transplant shock by allowing the roots to remain intact from container to soil so that plants make an easier transition to the garden. It couldn't be any simpler, remove the label, tear off the bottom of the pot and plant the whole thing in the ground. And don't worry about the roots, they will grow through the pot as well. As the pot decomposes it becomes part of the soil.

Not only do the pots decompose in the ground, they also have a plastic label around the pot that is recyclable. Nothing goes into the trash.

The efforts of Bonnie Plants have prevented hundreds of millions of plastic pots from entering our landfills and they've also dramatically reduced energy and petroleum required in the manufacture of plastic pots. But, what do you do with all those rusty red and black plastic pots you purchased plants or vegetables in? Many are recyclable and can be taken your local recycling center. If you're unsure, ask. You can also save your plastic containers and use them next year. Have too many perennials? Put them in a leftover plastic pot and give to a friend. So go out and garden, garden, garden! But, do your part to grow a "greener" garden.

The Canyon

2010-05-19T08:00:00.001-06:00

Canyon so deep. Canyon so tall. Don't stand too close 'cause surely I'll fall.

The grass grows green. The sky is so blue. Look at the clouds, you know that it's true.

I stand at the top and think of the drop. If I only had wings I could soar from this spot.

This canyon is deep. This canyon is wide. Until I get near, it appears that you hide.

You live all alone in the desert so dry. Yet water fills your bed from mountains so high.

You are a canyon with walls very steep. I'll treasure the moment with memories I keep.

Written by Chuckie C.

Did you know?

2010-05-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

3 to 10 degrees Farenheit. Scientists say that's the increase in temperature on the earth's surface by the end of the century if heat-trapping emissions are not reduced.
If you were to recycle a mere 1/2 of your household waste per year, you can save up to 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide. Are you doing your part? Are you filling your recycling bin every week with items you used to throw in the garbage? It's really a simple thing to do, you only have to make the effort to change your garbage habits.

Did you know?

2010-05-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

Glass produced from recycled glass instead of raw materials reduces related air pollution by 20%, and water pollution by 50%.

Glass bottles and jars are 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without any loss in purity or quality.

States with container deposit legislation have an average glass container recycling rate of just over 63%, according to the Container Recycling Institute.

Did you know?

2010-05-15T08:00:00.001-06:00

If just 25% of U.S. families used 10 fewer plastic bags a month, we would save over 2.5 BILLION bags a year.

Did you know?

2010-05-11T08:00:00.000-06:00

About 1% of U.S. landfill space is full of disposable diapers, which take 500 years to decompose.

Did you know?

2010-05-09T08:00:00.002-06:00

The U.S is the #1 trash-producing country in the world at 1,609 pounds per person per year. This means that 5% of the world’s people generate 40% of the world’s waste.

The ocean is big

2010-05-09T08:00:00.001-06:00

Oceans cover 70 percent of the earth's surface. But, only 1 percent of the oceans are protected. Apparently, what goes on below the surface of the ocean is out of site and out of mind. So, if the oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico didn't reach the surface, would it be a big problem?

What do I do with my lawn clippings?

2010-05-07T08:00:00.001-06:00

Every weekend I see my neighbors working in their yards in an attempt to make them pretty. Planting flowers that will bloom in the weeks to come, digging up the weeds that grow in all the places we don't want them and mowing the lawn. More and more people have purchased mulching lawn mowers, but many still catch the clippings in a bag and then the question is what to do with the clippings. This is where I see the garbage can come into play. Mow and catch the grass, empty the bag into the can, let the garbage man haul it to the dump. This method takes up precious room in the landfill. Mulching or composting the clippings is a better way to dispose of them. When you mulch, the grass is "thrown" below the surface of the grass and will decompose quickly while releasing nutrients into the lawn. Keep in mind that about 80 percent of grass is water. Some might say grass clippings cause thatch, actually, over watering and fertilizing do. Mulching allows one to water less and it reduces yard waste by 20 to 40 percent. If you don't have a mulching mower, use a rake to thin out the clippings and they will decompose on their own.
Composting is not difficult, but will take a little time. A good mixture of greens (grass, vegetable peels, etc.) and browns (wood chips, leaves and broken up sticks) make for a healthy compost pile. Make layers of green and brown, this allows air inside the pile and it will decompose faster. If need be, turn or aerate the pile using a pitch fork or aerating tool. If you work your pile on a regular basis, you will have compost you can use in your garden and flower beds.
So, here's the bottom line. Put your grass clippings to work for you instead of putting the garbage man to work!

Idaho Green Expo at Boise CentreMay 8-9, 2010

2010-05-06T12:30:00.000-06:00

The 3rd anuual Idaho Green Expo will be a free, two day event that will showcase environmentally friendly products and services, and provide information that will help people to lead healthier and more sustainable lives. The goal of the Expo is to improve both the quality of our environment and the quality of our lives. The Expo will feature over 150 exhibitors and more than 60 workshops and seminars on a variety of green-living topics. Attractions will also include music, speakers, art, food, demonstrations and activities for children. The Idaho Green Expo will be a celebration, but one with a serious purpose: to accelerate the emergence of a new green economy - an economy that is sustainable, healthy, ethical and earth friendly. It will unite green businesses, social and environmental groups, visionary thinkers, and thousands of community members in a lively exchange of ideas, commerce, and community building.

The Expo will allow visitors to:

See dozens of green products and services that are currently available to meet their needs.

Attendees will learn about organizations helping to affect positive and sustainable change in our region, our country, and around the planet.

Attend educational workshops and how-to sessions.

Networking opportunities will abound for people looking to work together for change at the local, national, and global level.

Meet interesting people who share common values.
Listen to speakers addressing a wide array of green topics, from the benefits of composting, to how to help your community improve their public transit system, to conserving energy in your home and workplace.

Spend some time at the Capital City Public Market, meet a few of our local farmers and discover the flavors of locally grown food, while listening to the sounds of local musicians.

Take in a green film or stop by the Kid’s Zone where the whole family can have some fun learning all about “green”.

The Idaho Green Expo will be held at The Boise Centre on the Grove

Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 10am to 7pm,
Sunday, May 9, 20010 from 11am to 6pm.

Did you know?

2010-05-05T08:00:00.001-06:00

380 gallons of oil are saved for every ton of office paper that is recycled. So, in the office or in the home, make sure the paper hits the recycle bin!

Did you know?

2010-05-03T08:00:00.001-06:00

The Arctic ice pack
has lost an area about twice the size of Texas since the mid-1970's.

Arbor Day 2010

2010-04-30T00:00:00.005-06:00

April 30, 2010 is National Arbor Day.

What is Arbor Day?

Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, it's celebrated on the last Friday in April. Trees not only add beauty to your home, they fight global warming as well.
When planting trees around your home, plant evergreens on the north side of your home and plant deciduous trees on the east, west and south sides of your home. In the summer months this will provide plenty of shade which will reduce the use of your air conditioner. In the winter months this will allow the sun to help heat your home thus reducing energy use. Keeping your air conditioner in the shade can reduce energy use by as much as 10% compared to one exposed to the sun. Try to park your car in shaded areas. Automobiles stay cooler which reduces emissions from the engine and fuel tank.
So go out and plant a tree, it's good for the earth.

For more information on Arbor Day and planting trees, visit http://www.arborday.org/

Did you know?

2010-04-29T08:00:00.004-06:00

Sea levels have risen
between 4 and 8 inches in the past 100 years. Current projections suggest that sea levels could continue to rise between 4 inches and 36 inches over the next 100 years.

A 36 inch increase in sea levels could swamp every city on the east coast of the United States, from Miami to Boston.

Did you know?

2010-04-27T14:18:00.001-06:00

By 2030 the world will consume 47 percent more oil than it did in 2003.

Put Away the Blower! Use a rake!

2009-10-28T08:00:00.001-06:00

November is near, the weather is cooler, trick or treaters will soon be at your doorstep and the colorful leaves have started falling to the ground. Men everywhere will be heading to the garage to start up their gas powered, 2 stroke blowers. Think before you pull. Grab your rake and put away your gas-powered blower!
Using your gas-powered blower for 1 hour produces that same amount of greenhouse gases as a car driving 4,400 miles! That's a round trip from Seattle to Indianapolis. So, pull out the old hand rake, you'll get more exercise and it will make much less noise.

Stay tuned for more "green" tips

CFL Facts & Figures

2009-09-04T08:00:00.001-06:00

If every household replaced just one light bulb with and ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

In 2007, Americans saved $1.5 billion by switching to ENERGY STAR qualified CFL's. The energy saved could light all the households in a city the size of Washington DC for more than 30 years. In other words, changing these bulbs removes as much greenhouse gas pollution as planting 2.85 million acres of trees or taking 2 million cars off the road each year.

Using ENERGY STAR qualified CFL's results in less mercury in our environment. Coal-fired power plants are the largest source of human caused mercury emissions in the United States. A coal-fired power plants produces 13.6 mg of mercury to power one 60 watt incandescent bulb, but only 3.3 mg to power an equivalent CFL. Even with 5 mg of mercury inside, using CFL's results in 5.3 fewer milligrams of mercury compared to incandescent bulbs.

The average ENERGY STAR qualified light bulb is designed to last more than 8,000 hours - more than 7 years based on typical household use. That's long enough to watch your first grader transform into a teenager.

SOURCE: US Environmental Protection Agency, Dept. of Energy

The Days are getting Shorter

2009-09-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

So what does shorter days mean? It means we use more artificial light, which also means our power consumption has the potential of going up. Now, there are certainly lots of variables depending on where you live, but the point of this article is to conserve power by using less watts to light your house each day.

The best way to make a big dent in the number of kilowatt hours used is to change your incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) when your lights burn out. How much light do you need from a CFL to equal the light output of an incandescent? The following chart will indicate how many watts of incandescent is equal to a CFL

40 watts incandescent is 450 lumens which equals a 9 to 13 watt CFL
60 watts incandescent is 800 lumens which equals a 13 to 15 watt CFL
75 watts incandescent is 1,100 lumens which equals a 18 to 25 watt CFL
100 watts incandescent is 1,600 lumens which equals a 23 to 30 watt CFL
150 watts incandescent is 2,600 lumens which equals a 30 to 52 watt CFL

By using compact fluorescent light bulbs you will save approximately 3 to 4 times the amount of electricity versus an incandescent bulb. That might not seem like a very big savings right now, but if you added up over the course of a year you will see a noticeable difference in your electric usage. Keep in mind that if everyone changed to CFL's the difference would be huge.

If you are still using incandescent bulbs you might want to think about turning off your lights when they are not being used. Change to a lower watt bulb. Use a timer for outdoor lights so they do not stay on all day.

Change is good! So, head to the store and pick up a CFL or two or threee!

Where have all the plastic water bottles gone?

2009-08-28T22:49:00.002-06:00

This year Americans will crack the tops of nearly 200 billions bottles of water. Everyone wants clear, clean water that tastes good too. Yes, it's true water is very good for you. It has no calories and it hydrates you. People drink water at home, at the lake, in the mountains, at the ballpark, and just about any other place you might go.
But wait! Where are these bottles going after you have put all that water in your stomach? In 2006 nearly 80 percent of used plastic water bottles end up in the landfill. This year there could be as many as 50 billion little clear bottles taking up space in all of our solid waste disposal sites.
If each person in the US drinks one less bottle of water per week, billions of plastic bottles would not enter our landfills.
So, how can we deal with this problem and still drink our precious purified water?

1. Pour you water from the kitchen tap (that is if you think it's pure enough to drink)
2. Put a water purifying filter on your tap
3. Buy a pitcher that has a water purifying filter built into it
4. Put water in a plastic bottle that you reuse
5. Buy it by the gallon and pour it into a plastic bottle, glass or cup

It might take a little bit more time to get you water if your use these methods, but you will be helping make our planet a better place to live. Before we had individual servings of water these are the things we had to do, it's not hard to do, it's just a matter of retraining ourselves to do what is kinder to the environment.

Did you know? Colorado

2009-08-27T08:00:00.001-06:00

Seven of the Nation’s 100 largest natural gas fields and two of its 100 largest oil fields are found in Colorado.
Colorado is responsible for more than one-fourth of all coalbed methane produced in the United States. Coalbed methane output accounts for about one-half of Colorado’s natural gas production.
The Rockies Express Pipeline, set to begin service in January 2008, will help move Colorado’s rapidly increasing natural gas production to markets in the Midwest.
Colorado’s oil shale deposits hold an estimated 1 trillion barrels of oil – nearly as much oil as the entire world’s proven oil reserves. However, oil production from those deposits remains speculative.

source: Energy Information Administration

Top 10 Ways to Save Power at Home

2009-08-26T08:00:00.001-06:00

If your home is like mine, there is some cold or warm air sneaking into your house around a few doors or windows, or you could make a few changes to reduce you enegy costs. So, today I am going to give you some tips on how your home can be more energy efficient.

Put weatherstrip around your doors and windows
If you have gaps in your doors or windows, the warm or cool air in your house can "escape" defeating the purpose of heating or cooling your house. Weather strips can be found at your local home improvement store
Caulk around windows
Air leaks around your windows can cause a draft an increase your monthly power bill
Install energy saving compact fluoresent light (CFL) bulbs
CFL's are a great alternative to standard incandescent light bulbs because they save money, energy and time. These efficient light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer while providing the same amount of light.
Change your furnace filter on a regular basis
It is reccomended that you change the filters on your furnace once a month
Fix leaky faucets Repair leaky faucets promptly.
If you have a hot water leak, it’s costing you money in water and energy.
Install low flow shower heads
Install low-flow showerheads and sink aerators to cut down on the amount of hot water needed throughout your home. Older showerheads often use 4 to 5 gallons per minute, while newer ones range from 1.5 to 2.5 gallons per minute. You’ll save water and energy!
Insulate hot water pipes
Uninsulted pipes lose heat which costs you energy and money!
Install a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats automatically adjust your home's temperature settings, allowing you to save energy while you're away or sleeping. Save energy and save money on utility bills — when used properly, the average home will save about $150/year
Schedule an annual tune-up for your heating & cooling system Call your local heating & air condition service center annually to perform a routine maintenece check!
Plant trees for shading your home and to serve as wind breaks
Planting deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves in winter) on the southern side of you home will not only provide shade and cooling in the warm months, but will allow for solar heating in the winter

With a small amount of time, effort and money, you can do your part to help conserve energy in you city or state.

source: Idaho Power

Did you Know?

2009-08-25T08:00:00.002-06:00

Wind-generated electricity increased by 45% between 2005 and 2006 and by 21% between 2006 and 2007, more than any other renewable source of generation in both years. These increases were due, primarily, to newly- constructed wind power plants.
Hydroelectric generation increased by 7% between 2005 and 2006, second only to wind power. However, between 2006 and 2007, hydroelectric generation decreased by 14%. These changes were primarily due to variation in the amounts of rainfall and snowfall occurring in watersheds where major hydroelectric dams are located.

source: Energy Information Administration

Energy Conservation vs Energy Efficiency

2009-08-24T08:00:00.000-06:00

Many poeple think conserving energy and being efficient with their energy are the same thing. Wrong! I would imagine that most of you would agree with me when I say we take energy for granted. Our lights work when we wake up and they are still working when we turn them out at night. The invention of electricity and tapping into other types of energy has been a good thing. But, using it wisely is not something that you or I always think about.

So, what is the difference between energy conservation and energy efficiency?

Energy conservation is any behavior that results in the use of less energy. Turning the lights off when you leave the room and recycling aluminum cans are both ways of conserving energy.

Energy efficiency is the use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function. A compact fluorescent light bulb that uses less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light is an example of energy efficiency. The decision to replace an incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent is an example of energy conservation.

There you have it, now go conserve and be efficient!

It's my birthday!

2009-08-22T00:00:00.002-06:00

And I am going to party like a rock star!

So, in celebration of my Special Day, I proclaim August 22nd, 2009 Greenovate My Earth Day. Go out and do something that will Greenovate Your Earth! It doesn't matter what it is, small or big just do something that is good for the envirionment. If you like my blog spread the word to your friends! The more the merrier! And, send me a comment to let me know you are out there!

Have a great day!

Chuck

Doing your part to save energy

2009-08-21T08:00:00.002-06:00

How often do you watch the news, read the paper or listen to the radio and the topic is how can the US produce more energy? Well, with the world population growing at an exponetial rate we do need more energy to continue to power our homes and work environments. Energy companies are working daily to ensure the you have the power it takes to keep your lights on.

Texas oil man T. Boone Pickens is erecting thousands of windmills in an attempt to generate 22 percent of U.S. electricity and adding to that with additional solar generation capacity. That is one mans plan, but, there aren't too many of us out there that have the financial backing to go out and build our own windmill farms. Now, think about this. There are more than 30o million people in the United States. What if two thirds of our population made a concious effort to save energy everyday? Let's say each of those people used 2 kilowatt hours less per day, that would add up 400 million kilowatt hours saved in one day! The point is if everyone saves a little, the country will save a lot. A team effort!

What can you do to save your small portion?

Turn off lights when they are not being used.

Take shorter showers.

Turn down your heat by 2 degrees in the winter

Turn up your air conditioning by 2 degrees in the summer.

If you are in dry climates like those people in the west, don't use the air conditioner unless the outside temperature reaches 90 degrees.

Turn your computer completely off overnight.

Convert your incondescent light bulbs to compact flourescent lights (CFL).

Turn you refridgerator up 1 degree.

Hang you clothes out to dry.

Watch less tv.

Try it! You'll be surprised at how much energy you can save!

Go Paperless!

2009-08-20T08:00:00.000-06:00

The Pony Express was a fast mail service crossing the North American continent from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California from April 1860 to October 1861. Messages were carried on horseback relay across the prairies, plains, deserts, and mountains of the Western United States.

Today, the United States Postal Service, UPS, Fed Ex and other courier services deliver billions of letters and packages to American doorsteps each year! Now, many companies are offering electronic statments as an alternative to mailing paper statements. An e-statement comes to you via your e-mail and you can pay bills online rather than writing a check and sending it your service provider or creditor. If every American switched to receiving just one bill as an
e-statement instead of a paper one, the one-time savings would be 217,800,000 sheets - enough to completely blanket the island of Key West in a single layer of paper.

Not only does an electronic statement save paper, it also saves on fuel, transportation costs and you save money on postage. If you paid 100 bills per year through bill pay, you would save $41 in postage!

Paper accounts for nearly half of the solid waste that is deposited into our landfills. Anything we can do to save paper will help reduce the amount of trash going into landfills, and it will also reduce energy use and pollution associated with manufacturing, transporting, and recycling new paper products. Perhaps most importantly, when we save paper, we reduce the need to cut down trees to make new paper.

Here are a few ways to reduce our paper consumption:

Make a recyling bin for all of the paper that would would have thrown away.

When printing - print only what you need, not the whole article.

Save your e-mail to a computer file instead of printing every file.

Make a scratch paper bin. Instead of throwing away a piece of paper, re-use is as scratch paper. Use if for writing notes or printing drafts on the backside of the paper.

Utilize the double-sided feature on your printer. You can find this in the features tab of the preferences window on your printer.

Did you know?.......Nevada

2009-08-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

Nevada has large geothermal resources and is second only to California in the generation of electricity from geothermal energy.
Though total petroleum consumption is low, Nevada’s jet fuel consumption is disproportionately high due in large part to demand from airports in Las Vegas and Reno and from two air bases.
The State’s largest power generating plant, the Mohave Generating Station, which was fueled primarily with coal, was shut down at the end of 2005 for failing to install agreed-upon pollution-control equipment.
The U.S. Department of Energy plans to build the Nation’s first long-term geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste at Yucca Mountain, which is located on federally protected land about 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Green for Kids

2009-08-16T09:00:00.000-06:00

It is totally amazing how our planet has changed in the last 100 plus years! Think about it, if you are 100 years old you probably didn't have electricity, running water or a car when you were a youngster. If you are 50 years old, you probably didn't watch color TV until you were a teenager, 1 computer took up enough space to live in, you remember gas for 25 cents per gallon and you could only talk on the phone in the comfort of you home.

Well, things are changing more rapidly than ever! Planet earth topped 6 billion people a few years back and is estimated to top 7 billion midway through 2010. More people, more homes, more cars, more waste, more pollution!

Life on earth is not going to stop immediately but, we can certainly slow down how much inpact that we make. This is why it is so important to teach our children how to protect our environment. Recycling, reducing and reusing need to become a lifestyle. Renewable energy and other resources have to be on the minds of our children. Recycling should can be put in all school cafeterias in order to build a good habit. Teachers can provide earth friendly projects that are imformative and fun. If the next generation of "earth users" totally understands the importance of "saving God's green earth", then maybe we can make this place a better place to live in the coming generations.

For more information on how you and your children can do your part to recycle, reduce and reuse, click on the following link:

http://www.powerhousekids.com/

You will find plenty of information, games and tips to reduce your carbon footprint.

POP QUIZ - Recycling Aluminum Cans

2009-08-14T09:00:00.001-06:00

Test your recycling knowledge!

Anwsers at the bottom of page

1. What beverage container is worth the most money when you recycle it?

A. The Glass Bottle
B. The Aluminum Can
C. The Plastic Bottle

2. What type of container is the easiest and cheapest to deliver thanks to its lightweight properties?

A. The Glass Bottle
B. The Aluminum Can
C. The Plastic Bottle

3. It is always a good idea to recycle because it_________.

A. Helps keep the environment clean
B. Saves energy
C. Is worth money
D. All of the above are true

4. How many times can an aluminum can be recycled?

A. 3 times
B. 10 times
C. 5 times
D. Infinitely

5. With the energy you save by recycling an aluminum can, how long can you power your television set?

A. 22 minutes
B. 64 minutes
C. 2 Hours
D. 3 Hours

6. When you recycle 40 aluminum cans it is equal to the amount of energy of_____________.

A. 3 gallons of gas
B. 1/2 gallon of gas
C. 1 gallon of gas

7. How thick is the metal used to make aluminum beverage cans?

A. 1/50th of an inch
B. 1/100th of an inch
C. 1/1000th of an inch

8. How much more money is aluminum worth compared to other kinds of packaging materials?

A. Twice as valuable
B. 4 to 6 times
C. 6 to 20 times

9. How long could the energy saved each year by recycling aluminum cans light the city of Washington D.C. for?

A. 4 months
B. 2 years
C. 4 years
D. 1 year

10. The energy saved by recycling one ton of aluminum is equal to about the amount of electricity your house uses over how many years?

A. 10 years
B. 3 years
C. 5 years
D. 1 year

11. How long will an aluminum beverage can keep your favorite soft drink fizzy?

A. 2 years
B. 1 year
C. 1 day

12. What can your aluminum cans be recycled into?

A. Soda cans
B. License plates
C. Aluminum Foil
D. All of the above are true

13. In what year did the aluminum can travel to the moon so the astronauts could enjoy their favorite fizzy drinks while in outer space?

A. 2000
B. 1985
C. 2004
D. 1993

14. How many aluminum cans are recycled in the United States every minute?

A. 1,000 - 10,000
B. 50,000 - 100,000
C. Over 100,000

15. How much money do America's earn each year from recycling their aluminum cans?

A. $100 million
B. $10 million
C. $1 Billion

16. How many times could the cans that were recycled last year alone circle the Earth?

A. 138 times
B. 57 times
C. 171 times
D. 98 times

17. How quickly can a recycled can make it from your recycling bin back onto the store shelf filled with your favorite beverage?

A. 1 week
B. 60 days
C. 1 year

18. How much does an empty aluminum beverage can weigh today?

A. 14 grams
B. 14 ounces
C. 14 pounds

19. If each consumer in the United States recycled just one more can a week, how many cans would that be?

A. 15 billion
B. 10 billion
C. 20 billion

20. If consumer in the United States recycled just one more can each week it would provide enough energy and money to________!

A. Provide all the electricity needs for Alaska for 1 year
B. Provide all the electricity needs for Alaska for 6 months
C. Provide all the electricity needs for Alaska for 2 and a half years

Answers: 1. B, 2. C, 3. D, 4. D, 5. D, 6. C, 7. B, 8. C, 9. C, 10. A, 11. A, 12. D, 13. B, 14. C, 15. C, 16. C, 17. B, 18. A, 19. A, 20. C

Where do Clunkers go to die?

2009-08-13T01:10:00.000-06:00

So you've heard about the "cash for clunkers" program, but where do the cars go after you trade them in? To find out more about motorcide click here.

You Can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

2009-08-12T08:00:00.002-06:00

In our last article, you calculated your carbon footprint. Some of you are doing just fine, but others have a larger than average carbon footprint and today we are going to make a plan to reduce that footprint.

Around the home

Install a programmable thermostat
Insulate your attic to at least R-38
Seal and insulate your entry doors
Put weather stripping around your windows
Install a more efficient HVAC system
Fix leaky faucets (especially hot water leaks)
Change your furnace filter on a regular basis
As incandescent lights burn out, replace them with compact fluorescent lights (CFL's). Begin with lights you use the most like porch lights and living or family room lights
Dry your clothes on a clothes line
Recycle your aluminum cans, glass, plastic, and paper products
Turn out the lights when you leave a room
Close the refrigerator door when you're pouring a glass of milk

On the road

Leave the SUV in the garage and drive the sedan which gets better gas mileage
Take the bus
Car pool
Consolidate errands - avoid going to the store for 1 item at a time
Consider down sizing your vehicle or buying a hybrid
Check your tire pressure - under inflated tires reduce gas mileage
Drive 25 miles less per week
Ride you bike

In the air

Take one less short domestic flight per year

Now you have a plan! Come up with more ideas of your own. If half the people in the United States could reduce their carbon footprint by 2 tons per year, 300 million tons of CO2 would NOT be emitted into the atmosphere.

If you would like to make a pledge to reduce your carbon footprint click here.

You Can Calculate Your Carbon Footprint!

2009-08-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

Have you ever wondered how big your carbon footprint is or do you even know what your carbon footprint is? In a nutshell, your carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is produce through your daily activities such as, driving a motor vehicle, flying in a jet plane, and home energy use. All of us produce carbon dioxide and some people generate more than others base on their lifestyle. Do you drive to work everyday or do you take mass transit, ride your bike or walk? Do you conserve energy in your home by turning down the heat, taking shorter showers or use compact fluorescent light bulbs? All of these things will contribute to the size of your carbon footprint.

Now that your curious about your size, let's measure it with the carbon footprint calculator!
Hopefully, you are of average size or smaller, keep up the good work! But, if you have a big footprint it's time to make a plan to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that you generate on a daily basis. Come back for our next article which will show you have to reduce the size of your big 'ol carbon footprint.

How should I dispose of dry cell batteries?

2009-08-09T00:22:00.005-06:00

When you hear the term dry cell battery do you ask yourself what is a dry cell battery? If you answered yes to that question, read on. Typical household “dry cell” batteries can be rechargeable or single-use and are used for power tools, cameras, flashlights and other items.More than 3 billion household dry cell batteries are sold and discarded in the United States each year, producing more than 125,000 tons of waste.

“Dry cell” refers to the type of electrolyte used in the battery. In “wet cell” batteries, such as those used in automobiles, the electrolyte is in the form of a liquid bath. In dry cell batteries, the electrolyte is absorbed in solid material or is a gel rather than a separate body of liquid.

Now that you know what a dry cell is, what should you do with it when it runs out of juice? Many of you have non-rechargeable alkaline batteries in your household electronics. These type of batteries should be thrown into your trash can. But, recycling used rechargeable household batteries is possible through recycling centers or household hazardous waste collection sites.

The battery manufacturers have funded a joint recycling center. To find a center near you that will take them, click here! (in the US or Canada))( Which types do they take? Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion), and Small Sealed Lead* (Pb) rechargeable batteries are commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, two-way radios, camcorders and remote control toys.
Note that California is a bit of a special case. California regulations require recycling for more types of batteries than other states. See this page for detailed information about how and where to recycle batteries in California.
For more information about the program and the sponsors, click on Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation
If you can't find a location above:
Take the rechargeable batteries to any of the participating retailers. In the U.S.: Alltel, Batteries Plus, Best Buy, Black & Decker, Cingular Wireless, The Home Depot, Milwaukee Electric Tool, Orchard Supply, Porter Cable Service Center, RadioShack, Remington Product Company, Sears, Staples, Target, US Cellular, Verizon Wireless, and Wal-Mart. And in Canada: Battery Plus, Bell Mobility, Canadian Tire, FIDO/Microcell, Future Shop, The Home Depot, Home Hardware, London Drugs, Makita Factory Service Centers, Personal Edge/Centre du Rasoir, RadioShack Canada, Revy, Sasktel, Sears, The Sony Store, Telus Mobility and Zellers.
Use the RBRC collection site locator, or call the consumer helpline, 1-800-8-BATTERY, to find the retail collection site nearest you.
Non-rechargeable (typically "alkaline batteries") still don't have a recycler and must be disposed in the trash. If you have large quantities or are a business, talk with your permitted sanitary landfill operator (otherwise known as "sanitation services", the "dump" or "landfill"). Waste batteries should not be burned because of the metals, and they could explode. When burned, some heavy metals such as mercury may vaporize and escape into the air, and cadmium and lead may end up in the ash.
Click here for one more place to try to find a recycling location near you if none of the options above were suitable.

Why are dry cell batteries regulated?
Several types of batteries still use heavy metals as electrodes or to
increase their lifespan. These metals include mercury and cadmium,
toxic materials regulated under the federal Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA).
Even at low levels, mercury can impair the central nervous system,
kidneys, lungs and liver. Mercury bio accumulates in the food chain,
exposing species at the top to the highest concentrations. Elevated
levels of cadmium can damage the kidneys, liver, respiratory tract and
lungs.
In 1989, spent household batteries accounted for 88 percent of mercury
entering the municipal solid waste stream. With any battery disposal
method, the potential exists to release heavy metals into the
environment. Thus, landfill disposal is regulated to prevent leaching of
mercury, and incinerator disposal is regulated to guard against toxic
stack gases.

Are today’s batteries better for the environment?
In response to environmental concerns, battery manufacturers have
substantially reduced or phased out mercury levels in many kinds of
batteries. Mercury oxide batteries are being replaced by nontoxic zinc
oxide and zinc air batteries. Rechargeable nickel-cadmium (Ni-cad)
batteries are used in many appliances. In the past, these batteries were
sealed in appliances, making recycling difficult. Now, most products
containing batteries are designed to allow removal for recycling. Also
relatively new on the market are nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium
ion batteries. Used in personal computers, cell phones and video
cameras, these batteries do not contain the cadmium used in Ni-cad
batteries.

Lead-Acid Batteries top recycling list

2009-08-03T19:46:00.002-06:00

Just about everyone has a lead-acid battery and you may not know that you have one. Every time you start your car engine the lead-acid battery under the hood is what provides the power to start your engine. Car batteries are pretty much taken for granted but, when your battery dies and you have to buy a new one what do you do? Usually, when you buy a new battery, the store that sold it to you will keep it and send it to a recycling company where the lead can be recycled and used in a "new" battery. More than 97% or all battery lead is recycled, making it the most highly recycled consumer product. Compare that to 55% of aluminum soft drink and beer cans, 45% of newspapers, 26% or glass bottles and 26% of tires.

The lead-acid battery gains its environmental edge from its closed-loop life cycle. The typical new lead-acid battery contains 60 to 80 percent recycled lead and plastic. When a spent battery is collected, it is sent to a permitted recycler where, under strict environmental regulations, the lead and plastic are reclaimed and sent to a new battery manufacturer. The recycling cycle goes on indefinitely. That means the lead and plastic in the lead-acid battery in your car, truck, boat or motorcycle have been - and will continue to be -- recycled many, many times. This makes lead-acid battery disposal extremely successful from both environmental and cost perspectives. Now, imagine the landfill space we could save if we could only raise the recycling numbers of the other household products we use everyday.

Electric Motorcycle Unveiled Today

2009-07-30T21:18:00.002-06:00

With gas prices soaring above $4 per gallon last summer, more and more people we're looking for a way to save money on gas. Now, we are starting to see more electric cars on the road. No trips to the gas station, just plug it in at home and the next morning you'll be able to zip around town in you "clean" car! But, now you can take that one step further......the electric motorcycle!Zero Motorcycles introduced the all-electric Zero DS today. The environmentally friendly bike has a driving distance of up to 50 miles per charge, tops out a 55 mph and sells for $9,950. Lithium-ion batteries power this bad boy and it's made of completely recycled material. And, you'll have no charging worries because the Zero DS plugs directly in a 110 or 220 volt outlet. You won't be traveling to Sturgis on this baby (unless you trailer it), but you can certainly save money on gas and not pollute the evironment.

Greenovate Your Mailbox

2009-07-27T00:08:00.001-06:00

Most days when I check my mailbox I end up with more junk mail in my hand than mail I want or need to look at! Credit card applications, companies wanting to loan you thousands of dollars (read the fine print and watch out for the hight interest rates and penalties), satellite services, cable servics, phone services and many other things I don't need! My favorite time of year to look in the mail box is Christmas! Not only because I get cards and letters from loved ones.....the post offices holds all the junk mail until after Christmas!!! Needless to say January is a bad junk mail month. Millions and millions of pieces of mail go directly from Americans mailbox into their trash cans every year. What a waste! But wait.....there is good news! You can sign up for a service that will reduce that amount of junk mail you receive.

The name of the service is Mail Preference Service. The process is very simple! Send them a letter and $1 (check or money order) stating that you would like to have your name removed. You will want to inform them of all spellings or misspellings of your name

The following is a form letter example for junk mail removal:

Date:

Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 282

Carmel, NY 10512

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please remove me from your direct marketing files, and place me on your
suppress file list. Included below are several ways in which my name and
address appear on various mailing that I receive.

Name variations:

Address variations:

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

If you are really adement about not receving junk mail, you can send additional letters to the following:

Telephone Preference Service Direct Marketing Association

P.O. Box 1559

Carmel, New York 10512

Dun & Bradstreet

Customer Service

899 Eaton Avenue

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18025

R. L. Polk & Co.

Name Deletion File List Compilation Development

26955 Northwestern Highway

Southfield, Michigan 48034-4716

Database America Compilation Department

470 Chestnut Ridge Road

Woodcliff, New Jersey 07677

Acxiom U.S.

Consumer Advocate Hotline

Phone: 877-774-2094

www.acxiom.com/us

Dirct Mail

https://www.directmail.com/directory/mail_preference/

MSNBC Article

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16531776/page/2/

Americans get more than 2 million tons of junk mail a year. That adds up to a lot of trees. If you want to help make a difference just send a letter to the Mail Preference Service asking them to remove your name.
Mail Preference ServiceDirect Marketing Association.P.O. Box 282 Carmel, NY 10512
Write: "Please remove my name from any junk mail lists."
Include all of the different ways your name is spelled when you get junk mail. (Ex. Jane Doe, J. Doe, etc.)
You'll need to include a check or money order for $1.
Another way to get your name off of the junk mail lists (without it costing any money) is to do in online at the following address: https://www.dmachoice.org/MPS/mps_consumer_description.php
This will stop your name from being sold to most large mailing list companies. Your request will last for 3 years. It won't stop the one's that already have your name but it can reduce your junk mail by 75%. To stop the ones that have your name contact them directly.

Jarbidge Canyon

2009-07-26T23:56:00.002-06:00

This one's for Dusty

2009-05-28T21:55:00.006-06:00

It's been quite some time since I have written in my blog! Lots of work, more work and more work have been big factors. Yes....this is a bad excuse but I have been busy working and getting my yard in shape for the new growing season and trying to get in some "me time" have consumed much of my waking hours. Today my friend Dusty called me and near the end of our conversation asked why I hadn't written any new articles recently. So, this one's for Dusty!

This is a great time to start a compost bin. Many of us have become accustom to curbside recycling but, how many of you compost? Grass, flower clippings, food.....the more you put in the compost bin the better (but, make sure it's ok to put in the compost bin). Compost bins are easy and don't require a whole lot of attention and can make great dirt for your garden.

CLICK HERE to learn how you can start your own compost bin!

For a list of items you should put in you compost bin CLICK HERE.

Please post pictures of your compost bin.

Lighting for free?

2008-06-18T08:00:00.001-06:00

When Thomas Edison invented the first reliable, long-lasting source of light in 1879 I wonder if he realized how much money would be generated from the use of electricity? Electric companies and power administrations continue to crank out the power and rake in the dough! Much of which comes from customers lighting their homes and offices across the world. We all pay for the privilege to use electricity, but have you considered free light? Are you wondering where free light comes from? Well, the simple answer is the sun! Take advantage of free light, turn off the lights and open the curtains in your home. If you are building a new home, consider putting more windows on the sunny side of the home. For those of you who are very ambitious and energy conscious, you get up as the sun comes up and go to bed when the sun goes down and you utilize the days sun to it's fullest. But, for most of us that is not practical, especially in the winter and if you live in Alaska. If you work in an environment where there are no or limited windows, consider compact fluorescent lights which use considerably less power than incandescent lights. And keep your eyes open for LED lights. You see them now on tail lights of vehicles, flashlights and crosswalk signs. Right now the cost of a LED light for your home is quite high, but expect that to come down in the future as the technology and demand improves. Figures show the LED's last considerably longer than the compact fluorescent.

The bottom line......if you plan your day around the light of the sun you will be able to reduce the cost of you monthly electric bill.

Sunset Pond

2008-06-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

A beautiful sunset that will last forever!

New washing machine uses a single cup of water to clean clothes!

2008-06-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

A new washing machine uses just a single cup of water to clean an entire load of clothes, saving a ton of both water and energy every time its used. The secret? Read more.

Did you know?.......Kansas

2008-06-12T08:00:00.000-06:00

Kansas ranks among the top 10 States in crude oil production.
The Anadarko Shelf contains the Hugoton Gas Area, one of the top producing gas fields in the United States.
The Mid-Continent Center, located in Wichita, is a key natural gas supply hub that merges production from several States in the region before piping it east toward major consumption markets.
Natural gas production from coalbed methane is rapidly expanding in the Cherokee Platform, where reserves have become economically recoverable.
Renewable energy generation, almost all of which comes from wind power, contributes minimally to Kansas’s electricity supply.

Source: Energy Information Administration

How much does a barrel hold?

2008-06-11T08:00:00.005-06:00

With the price of gasoline and diesel rising at such an alarming rate these days, we often hear reports of the price of a barrel of crude oil. But just how much petroleum product is contained in a barrel?

A barrel is a confusing unit of measure indeed! Let's start with some facts about different types of barrels.

1 barrel which many would call a "drum", generally holds 55 gallons.
1 barrel of flour is 196 pounds.
1 barrel of Portland cement is 376 pounds.
1 barrel of pork or fish is 200 pounds.

See, I told you it is confusing.

A barrel that holds petroleum or petroleum related products holds only 42 gallons. So, what do you get from a "barrel" of crude oil? You get about 20 gallons of gasoline, about 7 gallons of diesel, 1.75 gallons of heating oil, 1.76 gallons of heavy fuel oil, 3.82 gallons of jet fuel, 1.72 gallons of liquified petroleum gases, and 7.27 gallons of other products. When you add it all up, you get slightly more than 44 gallons of product from a barrel of crude oil. Hmmmmmm, it seems to grow when you take it out of the barrel!

By the way, other things that are made from petroleum products include, ink, crayons, bubble gum, dishwashing liquids, deodorant, eyeglasses, records, tires, ammonia, and heart valves.

Now you know!

Source: Energy Information Administration

Did you know?.......Virginia

2008-06-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

Virginia accounts for more than 5 percent of U.S. coal production east of the Mississippi River.
Virginia’s only petroleum refinery, in Yorktown, processes foreign crude oil delivered by barge via the Chesapeake Bay.
Virginia has two nuclear power plants, which typically provide about one-third of the electricity generated within the State.
Two of Virginia’s coalbed methane fields are among the top 100 natural gas fields in the United States.

source: Energy Information Administration

Did you know?.......Utah

2008-06-05T08:00:00.000-06:00

Utah contains three of the Nation’s 100 largest oil fields and two of its 100 largest natural gas fields.
More than four-fifths of Utah households use natural gas for home heating.
Coalbed methane accounts for more than one-fourth of Utah natural gas production.
Utah is one of the few States with electricity generation from geothermal power sources.
Utah has enormous deposits of oil shale rock, known as marlstone, which can be converted into crude oil through destructive distillation.

source: Energy Information Administration

Did you know?.......Wisconsin

2008-06-04T08:00:00.000-06:00

Wisconsin produces ethanol at several plants in the central and southern portions of the State.
The Unit 1 reactor at the Point Beach nuclear plant is one of the oldest operating reactors in the United States.
Coal dominates electricity generation in Wisconsin, fueling more than two-thirds of the State’s power plants.
Energy-intensive industries in Wisconsin include forest products and metal casting, and Wisconsin's industrial sector is the largest energy-consuming sector in the State.

source: Energy Information Administration

Two Strokes and You're Out

2008-06-03T08:00:00.002-06:00

Impressive new tech reduces pollution from small engines by almost 90 percent, read more.

Did you know?.......Maine

2008-06-02T08:00:00.001-06:00

The Port of Portland receives crude oil shipments, which it then sends via pipeline to refineries in Quebec and Ontario.
Four-fifths of Maine’s households -- the highest share in the Nation -- use fuel oil for heating.
Maine generates a larger share of its electricity from non-hydroelectric renewable resources than any other State.
Maine is the only New England State in which industry is the leading energy-consuming sector.

source: Energy Information Administration

Did you know?.......Wyoming

2008-05-30T08:00:00.000-06:00

The Powder River Basin, most of which lies in northeastern Wyoming, is the largest coal-producing region in the Nation, accounting for approximately 40 percent of all coal mined in the United States.
More than 30 States receive coal from Wyoming, and several Midwestern and Southern States are highly or entirely dependent on Wyoming’s coal supply.
Wyoming is one of the top natural gas-producing States in the Nation.
The Southern Wyoming Corridor is one of the most favorable locations for wind power development in the country.
The Governors of four Western States are pursuing a 1,300-mile high-capacity power line that would allow Wyoming and other Rocky Mountain States to transmit as much as 12 thousand megawatts of electricity to California.

source: Energy Information Administration

Did you know?.......Louisiana

2008-05-29T08:00:00.001-06:00

Louisiana ranks fourth among the States in crude oil production, behind Texas, Alaska, and California (excluding Federal offshore areas, which produce more than any single State).
The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) is the only port in the United States capable of accommodating deepdraft tankers.
Two of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve’s four storage facilities are located in Louisiana.
The Henry Hub is the largest centralized point for natural gas spot and futures trading in the United States, providing access to major markets throughout the country.
The liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal at Lake Charles is the largest of five existing LNG import sites in the United States.
The Excelerate Energy Gulf Gateway Deepwater Port/Energy Bridge, which came online in 2006, is the only offshore LNG terminal in the United States and is the first new LNG import facility constructed in more than 20 years.

source: Energy Information Administration

Did you know?.......North Dakota

2008-05-29T08:00:00.000-06:00

North Dakota oil output accounts for about 2 percent of total U.S. crude oil production.
Due partly to high heating demand in winter, North Dakota’s per capita energy consumption is among the highest in the Nation.
Nearly all of the electricity generated in North Dakota is produced by coal-fired power plants.
North Dakota is one of the few States that allow the statewide use of conventional motor gasoline. (Most States require the use of specific gasoline blends in non-attainment areas due to air-quality considerations.)

source: Energy Information Administration

It's time to compost!

2008-05-28T08:32:00.001-06:00

Summer is just around the corner, gardens are springing up everywhere and you're probably wondering what to do with all of your lawn clippings, trimmings from the shrubs, leaves, kitchen waste such as, banana peels, apple cores, and vegetables that have gone bad.

Start a compost bin or pile. You'll reduce your solid waste, and save yourself a little bit of money by making your own nutrient rich dirt!

I recently found a great website called compost guide that tells you how to compost the right way. The following item are described in great detail:

Why we make compost

The Compost Decomposition Process

Compost Materials

Compost Site Selection

Seasonal Schedule for Composting

Making Compost

The Compost Bin

Troubleshooting

Vermicomposting: Composting with Worms

Using Compost

Plus, there are tips on organic gardening, articles specific to composting and more!

So, check out the composing guide.

Have a happy garden!

Did you know?.....Florida

2008-05-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

Florida’s per capita residential electricity demand is among the highest in the country, due in part to high air-conditioning use during hot summer months and the widespread use of electricity for home heating during winter months.
Geologists believe that there may be large oil and gas deposits off Florida’s western coast in the Federal Outer Continental Shelf.
Florida is a leading producer of oranges and researchers are attempting to derive ethanol from citrus peel waste.
More petroleum-fired electricity, in absolute terms, is generated in Florida than in any other State.
Hurricanes and severe storms from the Atlantic Ocean put Florida at risk for massive power outages during the storm season.

source: Energy Information Administration

Did you know?.......California

2008-05-26T08:00:00.000-06:00

California ranks third in the Nation in refining capacity and its refineries are among the most sophisticated in the world.
California’s per capita energy consumption is low, in part due to mild weather that reduces energy demand for heating and cooling.
California leads the Nation in electricity generation from non-hydroelectric renewable energy sources, including geothermal power, wind power, fuel wood, landfill gas, and solar power.
California is also a leading generator of hydroelectric power.
California imports more electricity from other States than any other State.
In 2000 and 2001, California suffered an energy crisis characterized by electricity price instability and four major blackouts affecting millions of customers.

source: Energy Information Administration

Freecycle it!

2008-05-25T08:00:00.003-06:00

When you were a kid and you outgrew your clothes what did your mom do with those clothes? They became hand-me-downs. Maybe your brothers or sisters acquired them or they went to your cousins or an entirely different family reused the clothes that you had outgrown. This practice of reusing clothes has been around for a long time, but now that so many people are environmentally conscious, the hand-me-down idea has gotten much bigger.

It's called "freecycle". Freecycling is simply offering something that you don't want anymore for FREE! What a concept! Do you need wide mouth canning jars, a cassette tape recorder, seamless gutters or a bathroom vanity? Those items are merely the tip of the iceberg that you can find today.

So, how do you find these FREE items in your city?

Many people have joined Yahoo! Groups to find others who "freecycle" Once you find a group in your area, sign-up and you can be OFFERING, TAKING, WANTING, or RECEIVING stuff from free instead of disposing of it in the landfill. Everything is 100 percent FREE and there are no strings attached. You can also look at the free listing on craigslist or you can check the classifieds in your local newspaper.
Go ahead, offer your bicycle on "freecycle"! Your old stuff is always new to someone else.

Did you know?.......New York

2008-05-24T08:00:00.001-06:00

The New York Harbor area between New York and New Jersey has over 40 million barrels of refined product storage capacity, making it the largest petroleum product hub in the United States.
New York produces more hydroelectric power than any other State east of the Rocky Mountains.
The 2,253-megawatt Robert Moses Niagara plant, harnessing power from the Niagara River, is one of the largest hydroelectric facilities in the world.
State per capita energy consumption is among the lowest in the Nation due in part to its widely used mass transportation systems.
During the Northeast Blackout of August 2003, almost the entire State lost power and all four of New York's nuclear plants were shut down.

source: Energy Information Administration

Bottled Water vs. Tap Water

2008-05-13T14:12:00.015-06:00

Water, the lifeblood of our earth. We shower with it, we cook with it, we water our grass, flowers, and vegatables with it, and we drink it. When I was growing up, we filled our cups from the tap at the kitchen sink. Many times I would drink water directly from the garden hose! Now, there are people who will drink nothing but bottled water. If I were in Mexico or some other country that treats their water differently than we do in the U.S., then I would most likely drink bottled water. But, in the United States most cities have regulations governing the treatment of driking water so we don't get sick. There are more than 700 companies (a conserative figure) that bottle water in the United States and they have had stellar marketing campaigns that have convinced the consumers of this country to buy their water at the store rather the dispense it from their own kitchen tap. They have pictures of mountains and crystal clear streams. And they claim that the water is bottled at the spring source. If you are a consumer of bottled water then I would suggest that you investigate as to the whereabouts of the source from which you are drinking. Most water drinkers would want the source coming out of the earth, not from a tap and then run through a filter!

Americans are projected to spend more than $12 billion in 2008* on bottled water. Millions of us are willing to pay 240 to over 10,000 times more per gallon for bottled water than we do for tap water. Since 1997 the average person in the United States has double the amount of bottled water they drink*. Drinking water is very good for our health, but, not so good for our pocket book. Some studies have found that most bottled water apparently is of good quality, but some contains contamination; it should not automatically be assumed to be purer or safer than most tap water. For those who wish to use bottled water for reasons of taste or otherwise cannot be confident that they are necessarily getting what they pay for -- a pure, well-regulated product.

The bottom line......buyers beware!

*Source: Beverage Marketing Corporation

Finding a Recycling Center

2008-05-06T13:23:00.012-06:00

Winter has come and gone, flowers are starting to pop-up everywhere, people are hiking, biking, walking and playing, spring is in the air! Over the course of the winter you have piled things high in your garage, attic or closet and said "I'll wait until spring to clean!" Well, the time is here! But, after you clean out the garage the question arises..... should I throw put everything in the garbage can a let the garbarge man take it to the land fill or should I recycle? If you are going to recycle, where do you do it? Just about every town has a recycling center in which you can simply drop off your items so you can become a steward of the environment.

To find the recycling or reuse center nearest you click on the following link:http://earth911.org/

Recycling centers will pay for many items such as:

Aluminum Cans
Plastic
Newspaper
Steel
Tin Cans
and more!

As of today, recycling centers will pay .40 to .60 cents per pound of aluminum cans depending on the recycling center. Be sure to ask how much each center is paying so you can make the most money!

Suggested recyclables

Automotive
Motor Oil
Car Battery
Tires
Antifreeze

Household
Aluminum Cans
Toys Books
Fluorescent
Bulbs
Cleaners
Asbestos
Batteries
Smoke Detector

Plastics
#1 Plastic (Pete)
#2 Plastic (Clear)
#2 Plastic (Colored)
#4 Plastic (LDPE)
#5 Plastic (Polypropylene)
#6 Plastic (Polystyrene)
#7 Plastic (Other)

How can I save water?

2008-05-05T15:31:00.003-06:00

Did you know that if 40 million people were to spend 1 minute less in the shower everyday, they would save 4 TRILLION gallons of water of the span of their life! Seems like a lot doesn't it? Let's put this into perspective. That is the same amount of water that falls in one day over the entire lower 48 United States. So, it's going to take a lot more people to save water over the course of a year in order to make a huge dent in the water savings.
If you are like me.....I would rather find an alternative solution so I could spend more time in the shower and still use less water! Low flow shower heads are the anwser. I have used a low flow shower head and after a few showers I did not notice that there was less water flow and my showers felt great!
Normal shower heads average around 2.5 to 3 gallons of water per minute. Low flow shower heads average around 1.5 to 2 gallons of water per minute, with some heads as low as 1 gallon per minute. Let's say you average 10 minutes in the shower each day and if you save 1 gallon per minute you would save 10 gallons of water per day. This would save 70 gallons per week, 3640 gallons per year and in 25 years you would save 91,000 gallons of water. But wait! You are not only saving water, you are saving energy! Since you are using less water, you don't have to use as much eletricity or gas to heat the water.

If you would like to buy a low flow show head click the following links:
http://www.waterpik.com/shower-head/about-low-flow-showers.html

http://www.savewaterus.com/ShowerHeads2.htm

If you are the analytical type and would like to calculate how much water you use and what you cost savings might be, click on the link below:
http://showersmartfaucet.com/gallons.html

How can you greenovate?

2008-04-22T22:16:00.001-06:00

Do you toss all of your solid waste into the garbage can for the trash collectors to pick up? If you do, you carbon footprint is much larger than it could be.

Plastic, aluminum, glass, newspaper, steel and more can all be recycled! Does recycling happen on it's own? No way! It takes time and effort by people just like you to separate recyclables from the non-recyclables. One of the easiest way is to have a recycling bin that you toss items in to and take to the recycling center or if your city has a curbside recycling program, you can simply set it out with your trash on trash collection day.

Recycling pays you too! Right now recycling centers are paying up to 60 cents a pound for aluminum cans. If that doesn't make you want to recycle, I don't know what will.