There may be many different reasons for helping the environment, some more politically charged than others. However, I think we can all agree that is essentially a good thing to reduce, reuse and recycle including carbon emissions, water consumption, etc. What I want to know is, who among you have innovative or intersting ways to make it easier to do these things? There are always obvious suggestions like switch light bulbs, but what about less obvious things. For example, in order to remember to recycle my grocery bags I put them in my trunk ASAP and then the next time I shop there they are ready to be dropped off. Another example: Speaking of bags, how many of you waive the bag when buying one item? I hate it when a cashier tries to give me a bag for an item that I can obviously carry with my own two hands. When I decline they either look at me funny or throw the bag away...Grrr! Anybody have anything to share?
With the 2liter bottle of soda, when empty we use them to freeze water in for camping trips or fill with water for watering the aquariums and keeping pets water bowls full.
I have my computer and TV plugged into power strips, so I can cut off the power when they are not in use. You know they still draw a certain amount of current, even when turned off.
Turn the AC up during the day! (meaning it's warmer in here) Only use one dryer sheet. When the dishwasher goes to "heat dry" just open the door and let the dishes air dry Put screen doors in to keep the cold/heat out Close the blinds during the day as not to let the heat/sunshine in :? If it's not being used TURN IT OFF! Except the fridge Use ceiling fans Get off the computer :shock: :shock: :shock: (no chance) :mrgreen: Recycle :? If they didn't charge me, I would!
Speaking of only using one sheet... I wonder since Sheryl Crow has adopted a baby, if she will stick to the one sheet rule when changing diapers? Will she use cloth or disposable?
- computer is left on 24/7, i cant remember when i last turned it off. - my car gets 30+mpg so im cool there - i reuse my grocery bags as lunch bags, then throw them away. - i cant stand when someone leaves a light on in a room they are not in - i keep my ac at 74* - replacing light bulbs? hell no, those floro bulbs are to damn expensive, i would rather just buy the .99 multi-pack at wally world and replace them when they burn out i do what i can when i can. i am not gonna go outta my way to do something. especially if it costs more.
Do I list the personal or professional actions I wonder? Personal includes changing to CFC bulbs, installed theromstatic control to attic fan, upgraded HVAC system to higher seer and removed the need for CFCs, upgraded fridge to more efficient model, heat/cool limited by wife's health issues but puch the limits of accaptablity in range using programmed thermostat, Green Power program, set upstairs HVAC systems to higher range when not in use, recycle all possible at home and work, work with an employee who recovers usable materials as a side line to remove materials dumped beside the roads nearby and use the smallest vehicle possible for the purpose. Work includes assisting two hog farms in the installation of methane generator systems using their waste products, doing the same with several landfills, member of the Solid Waste Association of North America landfill gas technology council, and I personally handle the recycle plans at work.
You get charged to recycle? That's no good. My memory is failing me, but I know that there are some places around that have big recycle bins for people to recycle. (Actually meant for other people to use, so you don't have to be sneaky about it.) I know that there is one up on Capital Blvd, but that its pretty far away. If I find the one around here I'm thinking about, I'll post it. Or if someone with a better memory beats me to it...
I pay an extra $2.00 a month to recycle, and they pick it up on my regular trash collection day, so it's easy to remember. The Johnston County landfill and container sites do not require a sticker to drop off recycling.
I'm with ya on the bag thing. It's just a can of formula, I think I can carry it, thanks! I use an old cloth diaper for spit up messes instead of paper towels. We hardly ever use our dishwasher. I'm growing a garden. Sorry, thats all I can think of right this minute.
Anybody have any experience with installing and using: - solar for electricity - solar for hot water - wind power - micro hyrdo power generation There seems to be some "plug and play" systems finally coming to market for solar and wind. Would like to hear if anybody is actually using these types of systems locally and how they perform and fit in with daily life.
Great responses so far! I have to admit that it has been refreshing to start a constructive thread. As for recycling, we switched trash companies to save money and they don't have a recycling program. So, I bought a bin at target ($9.00) and fill it up myself and then take it to the convenience center (http://www.co.johnston.nc.us/mainpage.cfm?category_level_id=571&content_id=258) As for the CFL light bulbs. Yes, they are expensive, but watch for a deal at Lowe's, HD, Target or WalMart. I can't say for sure what net effect they had, but my power bill has definitely gone down since I put them in. They last ten times as long and generate less heat so you spend less cooling your home. It is a no brainer.
Ditto. I'd love to see/hear about these. In Vegas, there were alot of solar units, but whenever I would think about checking one out, it was about 110ยบ.
the cheaper incandescent bulbs i can buy 4 at wallys world for a buck or 2, thats enough light bulbs for me for a solid year. now a single floro bulb is what 8$? i single incandescent bulb is about .25@. theres enough of a difference to make me buy the regular bulbs. as far as the computer goes i dont think it takes alot to run it. i dont have a snazzy new computer, its one i built back in 2000, hell thats prolly the reason it still works. its not a damn dell or hp. it was built to last, and it is. like i said, i will do what i can, but i am not gonna go outta my way or spend a little more
This is just horrible economics, not to mention poor environmental policy. One CFL uses 1/3 the energy of an incandescent and lasts 10 times as long. Do the math. 1. Say it costs $1.25 for each old bulb (That's $0.25 for the purchase and we'll use $1 for the energy lifetime). 2. Say the old bulb last one year. 3. The purchase of a new, CFL bulb, costs $3.25 at Lowes (a four pack for $13, buy more save more). 4. Add the cost of 1/3 the energy per year at the $1 rate and you have $0.33 for a total cost of $3.58 for the first year. 5. Now carry that out over 10 years. 6. The old bulb has to be replaced 10 times and costs $0.25 each time, that's $2.50, plus the $10 it costs in energy for a total of $12.50 7. Now the new bulb never had to be changed and it cost $0.33 per year to run for a total of $6.55 over its liftime 8. You are looking at a difference of $5.95 over ten years by this math and when you change the 20 (?) bulbs in your house you save $119 and the planet at the same time. Factor in the time and gas you spend running to lowes every time a old bulb burns out and you'll save even more. Also factor in that I only used a $1 figure for the energy usage, which we know is not true. Those who ignore this simple math are just unwilling to change. If you are so bent on not going out of your way, I would think you would jump at the chance not to have to change a bulb every other month.
Solar for water is supposed to be very appropriate for this area, but the days of sunlight are a bit low for any but a supplemental solar production of electricity. The same for wind power, which is either good for small applications or supplemental power porduction in this area. Micro-hydropower units would work very well in the areas where there are existing dam systems.
How about solar for winter heat? I've built two solar boxes that is piped to two ducts with a blower, they'll heat up a 1000 sq foot building easily. I've also built a few solar water heaters for swimming pools... cook the water for a few hours and it warms a pool just fine.
