"Go Green!" What Does It Mean?
We've either seen it on TV or heard it on the radio - the phrase "Go Green" is gaining a lot of exposure. It certainly has gotten our attention that we decided to write about it to provide helpful information to our readers and to the community as a whole.
One might think, what does "Going Green" really mean? There are many definitions, some of which can be found online. Shaw Malcolm of the wordpress.com states that "At its most basic level, to 'go green' means to make choices that reduce, minimize, or even attempt to reverse the negative impact of your actions on the earth and its resources." Sounds simple and basic, right? However, with emerging technologies, busy schedules, and the pressures of keeping up with the daily demands of living, how does one begin to partake in contributing to the preservation of Mother Nature?
GREEN TIP
Source: www.thedailygreen.com
GIVE UP HOT WATER
(At Least in the Clothes Washer)
Cost: $0
Did you know that only 10 percent of the energy used by a typical washing machine powers the motor? About 90 percent of the energy is used to heat the water, and most clothes will come clean in cold water. So switch your washing machine's temperature setting. For heavily soiled clothing, change it from hot to warm, but otherwise try to wash and rinse most of your clothing in cold water.
How do we educate our children in helping us take care of the planet and its resources? How do we motivate ourselves to reduce waste? It starts with "US" and collectively, our community.
Using Water Efficiently
The City of Brentwood Web site offers valuable information on how to use water resource efficiently and effectively by understanding how to read your water meter. As reported in the city's publication called "The Brentwood Connection" residents can call the Public Works at (925)516-6000 for information regarding "cost saving tips on irrigation and additional water conservation measures and programs." In addition, homeowners can find more water saving opportunities in each area of their home, garden, and landscaping by checking out the "Smart From the Start" program available at www.h2ouse.org.
Energy Saving Tips
Have you checked the energy saving tips provided by PG&E lately? Understand where your energy is going by conducting an energy audit using PG&E's SmartEnergy Analyzer.
Recyclable or Not?
While the Brentwood Connection reported that "City residents have proven [to recycle] with the steady increase in recyclables collected by the City each year," in our opinion, there is still a lot of room for improvement. If you are unsure about which materials are recyclable and which are not, here's a list provided by the city. For more information you can also call Solid Waste at (925)516-6090.
Recyclable Items:
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Paper - newspapers, magazines, junk mail, paperback books, phone books
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Chipboard - cereal and shoe boxes, and other similar containers
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Corrugated cardboard (broken down to fit into cart)
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Plastic - bottles and containers with the triangular recycling symbol with #1 to #7 (i.e. beverage, laundry, milk jugs, water jugs, tub containers)
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Metal - tin, aluminum and bimetal cans and CRV beverage containers, aluminum foil and trays
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Glass - clear, brown and green, including beer and wine bottles and food jars
Items that are often mistakenly thought to be recyclable. These items are not recyclable and should be placed in the brown cart:
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Plastic grocery bags
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Packing peanuts
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Styrofoam
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Garden hoses
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Small appliances
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Metal pipes
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Auto and window glass
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Plumbing fixtures
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Drinking glasses
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Treated wood