Have you ever thought about recycling your rechargeable batteries or at least thought there might be something you could do instead of dumping them back into the landfill? Well there is a virtual recycle encyclopedia at www.earth911.com that has a plethora of answers for your very basic recycle need to the more obscure.
There is also over 100,000 recycle locations in their database where you can drop items such as furniture, glass, electronics, etc. The main thing to realize is we have a wonderful recycling program here in Middle Tennessee but sometimes it’s hard to find out where to take paint, old motor oil or car batteries to safely get those things taken care of while keeping them out of the landfill. There are also artists who are looking for items to turn into art and it may be worth your while to place an ad on Craigslist.org. Whatever you do, if you look hard enough, you can find some way to dispose of almost anything these days in an environmentally safe way.
I recently read an article in the Tennessean about a woman who came up with an ingenious idea. Use potting soil in paper or plastic bags to plant your garden. You no longer have to worry about improving your soil or pulling weeds. The bag creates an all-encompassing environment for the plants to grow in, because you fill them with nurturing, healthy soil. Then, all you do is cover the bag with mulch. This type of gardening can be especially helpful for the elderly or the infirm, since they usually aren’t able to handle the rigors of normal gardening.
The value of this type of gardening:
- Cost – All the materials are inexpensive.
- Ease – Put down the bag, add some drainage holes, then cover with mulch.
- Flexibility – You can change position of the bags periodically for maximum sun exposure.
The idea of Green Remodeling is becoming more and more popular throughout the United States. However, much of the public either doesn’t know or understand how to effectively convert their homes into a Green or Sustainable home thus saving the planet and money. Here are 4 Tips to help you turn your current home into that sustainable home of your dreams.
One of the best things you can do is buy and install energy efficient appliances. These appliances have ratings to show the impact on the environment and electricity. By buying these types of appliances, you are effectively saving energy and lowering your carbon emissions on the planet. You can also keep the fridge full as it puts less of a strain on the cooling system in a refrigerator.
By installing thick insulation between each wall in your area you can eliminate the use of excessive air conditioning and heating since insulation traps the heat and the cold during the year. This keeps your house significantly cooler or warmer depending on the season. By keeping it warmer or cooler, there is less of a need to use Air Conditioning or heating throughout a home.
This one hasn’t caught on in Nashville as of yet but if you install artificial grass and optimize your irrigation system for gardens and flowerbeds you will reduce the amount of water need substantially. The artificial grass helps conserve water, since you never have to water it, and can save you hundreds over the span of a year. It also stays green and lush all year and some cities may even send you a rebate. Optimizing an irrigation system to water for 10 – 15 minutes maximum twice a week, helps save water and reduce water waste if you must keep your current lawn or have gardens and other planted beds.
One of the easiest things you can do is install water efficient toilets and shower heads. By installing these types of toilets in ones house, less water is wasted on flushing. Likewise, water efficient shower heads also save water by lowering the amount of water released during a shower.
If you can’t do all 4, you should at least do what you can to reduce your impact on the environment.
I recently read in a report called “Growing Green: The Potential for Green Job Growth in Tennessee” that was put out by the Research and Statistics Unit of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Employment Security Division and released to the Governor’s Task Force on Energy Policy. One of the basic things it stated was that Tennessee could add 45,000 new “green” jobs with a $1.9 billion investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy production.
This would allow many workers to transfer their skills to “create the energy infrastructure of tomorrow” and also stabilize employment, or as Gov. Bredesen stated, “could mark a turning point for job creation and retention in our state.” And, “Solving Tennessee’s energy and environmental problems will stimulate our economy at a time when many people are looking for work.”
Where all this money could come from is another story but with the recent investment in Clarksville that is estimated to bring jobs to between 500 and 900 people within the next five to seven years, the real question is; can we afford not to invest in green industries in our state. Having and keeping jobs in Tennessee will always be a good thing for families and properties.
The term “green” is thrown around these days like a flag of honor. Many people are looking for the “green” angle to sell everything from toilets to real estate. That’s not to say that there are not some very good and green products out there; but buyers beware. You will need to get a good green education in order to really know what you are getting.
There have been many articles and programs in the last few years talking about what is good for the environment and what is not. I find a great resource is to see what homeowners around the country are doing to turn the homes they live in or are building green. This gives you a good idea of what you can look for when shopping for a home. The bottom line is for you to know what is green and what really isn’t before you invest your hard earned money into the technology or real estate.
If you haven’t heard, you can get some valuable information from the website of the Nashville Electric Service Company in regard to how to save energy at your home. You will be asked to take an audit either online or by mail, and in return, NES will send you an Energy Conservation Kit. This kit is totally free and will be delivered directly to you at the address on record.
This kit has several things that include a couple of florescent bulbs and information that will help you around your home to save energy, which means you will save money. It’s a great time to learn how to save a little money and help the environment as well. The more we can all get together and save energy the better and if you can heat and cool your home for less, then it truly is a win-win situation.
