There are many environmental and energy websites that have excellent information. We can not emphasize enough the role of each and every one of us to save our planet. It starts right in your own home and you need to do your part.
The government is also more than willing to step up by giving incentives to people who wish to improve energy consumption. We wish you would take the time to visit www.EnegryStar.org and www.EnegrySavers.org Ask about programs that are available which share the cost of improving energy. Your utility companies are a great resource to provide information on these and other programs.
This is by no means a complete list of ideas. In fact we can conservatively say that there are triple the amount of useful energy saving tips available. It should be your goal to make a commitment to start today. For every step you take, the better it will be for our kids and future generations.
Premass is proud to be included in the effort to save our planet. We are also proud that you have taken an interest in reading this information. You are just one step away from making a difference. We are depending on you!
ENVIRONMENTAL TIPS
The number 1 item we can all do is Recycle. You can recycle items such as paper, plastic, glass, ink cartridges, tires, batteries and even shoes. Depending on your location in the country, you may be required to have certain recycling bins for many of these items. If it is not happening in your community, ask them why not. They may be surprised to find there is money available to recover part of the costs (and sometimes more than the costs) associated with this program. As always, the web is a great place to locate such programs.
Other tips you should consider doing are:
• Replace paper napkins with cloth
• Buy bleach free paper products
• Reduce your usage of Paper Towels by using washable towels
• Avoid discarding print or copier paper. Cut the paper up and use the back for notepads & messages
• Avoid using posted notes. Change to an erasable message board both at home and office
• Purchase items in bulk and store in reusable containers. Samples include:
• Cereals
• Sodas (liters versus cans)
• Cat or Dog Food (larger bags save money too)
• Candy
• Salad dressings or other items you may use a large quantity
• Reduce Junk Mail. Take the time to find who sent the item and “opt-out” of the mailing. One call will reduce it for up to 5 years of excess garbage.
• Eliminate the use of Styrofoam. To help, bring your own mug or plastic cup to fill instead of using containers from fast food or coffee shops or even convenience stores.
• Substitute as many chemical cleaners as possible by searching for natural alternatives. You need to look on the internet to see what Apple Cider, Egg whites, Chicken stock, peppermint, sale and many other natural (and lower cost) items can do for you.
• Don’t throw out any small to large appliances. Donate them! Search for someone in your community who can take them with just one call. They take what can be used and sell the balance as scrap.
• Here is an easy one for all of us to do. Recycle your grocery bags. In fact, find cloth bags that you can reuse, thus eliminating the use of garbage bags altogether.
When you are purchasing appliances, learn how to read the ENERGYGUIDE® yellow sticker. We are a company that promotes the ENERGY STAR® symbol.
• If you live within a mile of work, walk or bicycle to work
• Use public transportation or carpool with neighbors.
• Drive Slower. A 5 mph reduction on the highway may reduce your gas bill.
• With the cost of fuel rising, reducing the miles you drive will have a huge impact on your budget. If you drive one mile less per day, you will save a tank of gas a year. One less trip can save you bucks!
• Plan your daily trips all at once so you can minimize the miles you drive, again saving time and money and Energy!
• During the summer months, keep window shades down to reduce the sun’s energy from heating your home, while in the winter months you will want to keep them open to help with the heating of your home.
And some of the standard saving tips:
• Energy saving light bulbs are available
• Reducing your heating temperature in the winter
• Increasing your A/C temperature in the summer
• Place timers or motion detectors on outdoor lighting so they are burning only when necessary
• On your hot water tank, place a timer so it is heating only a few hours before you typically use the hot water
• Shut your computer and printers off when not in use. Completely turn off the monitor as well instead of having it on ‘sleep mode’.
Remember our goal here is open your eyes to save energy and our environment. Premass promotes doing our share in saving our planet and we feel it’s a community project we all should be involved with on a daily basis. We must emphasize that this is not a full list by any means. Please take the time to locate programs in your community and donate your time to help to make every day an earth day.
