Posts filed under ‘Green Tidbits’
Minnesota, we’re here to help you recycle more!
The Recycle More Minnesota campaign is a joint effort between the Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), designed to increase recycling in Minnesota through increased awareness about the benefits of recycling and the opportunities available. We are working with our partners across the state to promote recycling at home, at work, at school and on-the-go. There are opportunities for everyone, every day, to make a big difference by doing just a little bit more! To learn more, visit the newly updated website at http://www.recyclemoreminnesota.org/ or go directly to the St. Louis County Environmental Services Department site at www.stlouiscounty.org/recycle
In Minnesota, the total tonnage of recycled material has increased as population has increased; however, the overall increase in waste generation continues to grow and outpace recycling. According to state officials, the recycling rate in the state of Minnesota, while one of the best in the country at 41%, has remained largely unchanged for the last ten years. Because recycling reduces pollution, saves energy, reduces solid waste and improves both Minnesota’s environment and economy, we need to find new ways to recycle more in Minnesota. Recycle More Minnesota’s educational efforts will make Minnesotans think differently about recyclables.
Established in 2008, Recycle More Minnesota is an ongoing campaign with several phases: residential, commercial, schools and public entities, and away-from-home recycling. These phases have been instituted across the state with the goal of increasing Minnesota’s recycling rate to 50% by 2011.
Come Home to Comfort and Energy Savings!
CERTs (Clean Energy Resource Teams) and Honeywell have teamed up and are offering an exclusive rebate for programmable thermostats until November 30, 2010.
Honeywell is offering a $10 rebate off a programmable thermostat valued at $50 or more; or a $5 rebate for a programmable thermostat under $50. To print off your own rebate go to: http://thermostat.mncerts.org or to receive a rebate send an email with your full address to CERTs Campaign Coordinator, Michelle Vigen, at rebates@cleanenergyresourceteams.org
With the winter heating season fast approaching this is a great opportunity to save on your energy bill! A programmable thermostat helps you to ensure efficient operation of your heating and cooling system, resulting in a real energy saving and lower energy bills.
A programmable thermostat allows you to pre-set your home’s heating and cooling system to work around your schedule, providing ultimate comfort for your household.
New Solar Thermal Incentives in Minnesota
Clean up the spring melt
Spring is in the air and our lakes, stream and rivers are being replenished with melt water. Here are some helpful tips to keep your favorite water spot healthy:
- Use a broom instead of a garden hose to clean off driveways and sidewalks—put the sand in covered container instead of the nearest storm drain. Use this sand next year on your driveway and sidewalks.
- Gather your neighbors and pick up garbage and litter in your neighborhood.
Buy Green Electronics
Before you purchase an electronic device such as a laptop computer, you can check to see how “green” it is at EPEAT.net
They rate electrical products by looking at their recyclable characteristics and the amount of energy they use.
Protect your water
Only 3% of the Earth’s water is freshwater and of this small percentage, only 30% is unfrozen. What does this mean for you? Take good care of our freshwater sources—protect them from sediments (like sand) and other non-point source pollutants like motor-oil, gasoline drips, garbage, animal waste, fertilizers and pesticides. Do your part by clearing out storm drains, use natural fertilizers in responsible amounts and keep your car in great working condition.
Grow your own air filters
In a study organized by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America, research showed that houseplants remove not only carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but also other harmful elements like benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Many of these harmful elements are found in building supplies, cleaning products, paint, varnishes and some cleaning products. Using multiple varieties of houseplants will provide the best benefit. Here are some excellent houseplants to fill up your living space:
- Oxycardium (Philodendron scandens)
- Elephant ear (Philodendron domesticum)
- English Ivy (Hedera helix)
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Hug Your Dishwasher
Hate washing dishes by hand and love using your dishwasher? The good news is that dishwashers built after 1994 use on average 7-10 gallons of water per cycle compared to 15.7 gallons when dishes were washed by hand. Remember to only run your dishwasher when it is completely full and try not to run the rinse cycle in-between washes. Use a phosphate and chlorine-free dishwashing detergent. If you are updating your dishwasher soon, look to purchase an Energy-star model.
Don’t forget to Reuse
Remember the first two R’s! You all know that common phrase—reduce, reuse, recycle—but sometimes it’s easy to focus only on recycling. When cabin fever cleaning, remember to think of how items can possibly be reused at your business or living area. If you can’t find another use for it, then donate it to a charitable organization in the community.
Recycle Batteries, Phones, and Ink
Do you have old batteries, cell phones or ink cartridges lying around? Prevent these old, unwanted devices from going to the landfill by recycling them. About 130 million cell phones are retired each year—that adds up to a lot of waste! Some non-profits recycle cell phones by passing them along to individuals or families in need.
