Energy Conservation Tips
Don't forget to redeem those coupons from your local utility (EPUD and Pacific Power, EWEB in Eugene) for those energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs. Not only will you be saving precious electricity, but you also will help decrease the emission of greenhouse gases.
According to Home Energy magazine, we would save over 250 million gallons of water every day if every American home installed faucet aerators. By attaching a simple low-flow aerator to each water faucet in your home,you can save an amazing amount of water. Aerators can reduce water flow by 50%.
Installing an aerator is easy. The ends of most modern faucets unscrew, and that's where the aerator attaches. If you have questions, ask a plumber or seek advice at a local hardware store. Low-flow aerators sell for less than $4 at hardware and plumbing stores everywhere.
Waste Not . . .
Every day, American families produce an estimated four million pounds of household hazardous waste. Who's dumping hazardous waste into the environment? It's not just
factories -- you and I could be doing it too. As much as 25% of America's hazardous waste comes from private homes.
Take a look around your house. Here is a list of common household items that are considered hazardous:
- adhesives (super glue)
- caulk drain openers
- furniture polish
- lighter fluid
- mothballs.
- nail polish remover
- nail polish
- oven cleaners
- paint stripper
- paints and thinners
- pesticides
- scouring powders
- spot removers
- toilet bowl cleaners
Hazardous items can be taken in to the Glenwood Center on Thursdays and on the second
Saturday of each month. Disposal is free, but you must make an appointment by calling in advance: 682-4120.
The best solution is to use as few hazardous products as possible, but recycling is a limited alternative. Some of these products can be passed on to friends and neighbors who will use them up -- which is essentially better than throwing them away.
If just 1% of American families cut their hazardous waste in half, we'd keep 7.3 million pounds of it out of our landfills and waterways.
You can also plan to buy less-toxic or nontoxic alternatives whenever possible. Green consumer products are increasingly available. PC (Price Chopper) in Cottage Grove carries many such products.
Did you know . . .
. . . two 75-watt lightbulbs will use as much energy in a year as a new Energy Star refrigerator? These refrigerators are widely available at all appliance stores.
Be sure to look for the Energy Star label.
