Eco - Local Eco News

POSTED: Wednesday, Apr. 22, 2009

Quick tips for saving energy, money

What do a Toyota Prius, a Volkswagen Beetle and a Chevy S-10 pickup have in common? They're all part of Bellingham's Community Car Share. If you need the use of a car only a few times a month, it's for you. Members share the use of the vehicles and leave them parked throughout the community. Go to www.communitycarshare.org.

"Throw away your space heater. It's wasteful and dangerous," says Scott Dorough, resource conservation manager at St. Joseph Hospital. Instead, treat yourself to a 100-watt foot warmer. "Warm toes make for much happiness" especially during colder months.

Save up to $100 a year on your energy bills with your choice of lighting. Replace incandescent bulbs in your house with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Check PSE.com for information on rebates for certain CFL bulbs.

How does your carbon footprint stack up against that of other Washington residents? Go to Earthlab (www.earthlab.com/carbonprofile) and track your own Earth Conservation Plan. Take the three-minute quiz and see if you beat 325, the average score in the nation.

Get discounts at Whatcom County stores and earn a shot at cash prizes when you take SmartTrips. Go to Whatcom SmartTrips to record all rides you take by bike, by WTA bus, by walking or carpooling. www.whatcomsmarttrips.org.

Go au naturel. Tara Perry, an assistant professor in Western Washington University's communications department, has grown dreadlocks for several years. "My hair is not processed at all. I usually use natural aloe products for cleaning and grooming," she said. "I save a lot of time, energy and water by not having to wash my locks often. My hair stays fresh and clean."

Use more compost. Did you know that in many places more than 25 percent of waste going to landfills is "green waste," like branches, brush, leaves and Christmas trees? Contact Green Earth Technology in Lynden to learn more: www.greenearthtechnology.com.

Recycle your used cell phone. Nonprofits like Womencare Shelter, a domestic violence shelter in Whatcom County, accept old cell phones that can still be used for emergencies. Contact their administrative office at 671-8539. Old phones get recycled for free at Safe and Easy Recycling on Iowa Street in Bellingham.

Try red wiggler worms to compost your vegetable scraps. Ann Reynolds, communication department manager at WWU, uses the creatures in her kitchen. The worms process large amounts of organic matter and typically eat their body weight each day. "The castings go into my vegetable garden, which makes my plants grow like crazy."

Who says you have to whittle away a month's pay to save for that engagement ring? Create even stronger memories by asking family members to contribute old gold jewelry that will be recycled to make rings, says Beth Smithson, co-owner of Jewelry Affair in Fairhaven. "It gives them a chance to recycle items that are sitting in the bottom of their jewelry box, every little piece adds up. Don't forget to send them a recycled thank you card."

Treasure hunt for the kids. Rod Smithson, co-owner of Jewelry Affair says old stones that are chipped can be recycled into a mining treasure hunt for children. Fill a box with dirt and the stones. Children can use a sifter or strainer to mine for treasures.

Hang loose. "I hang all my laundry out to dry," says Bea Acland of Bellingham. "No static cling, no shrinking, no high electric bill. It's less wear and tear on my clothes."

Scrapbooking fans can be green while making fabulous projects by following these tips suggested by Elizabeth Boyle, owner of Treasury of Memories in Bellingham:

• Keep a recycle bin and a garbage can near your scrap space. That way you won't automatically throw away all of your recyclable scraps.

• Create a scraps drawer to use just for cards or embellishments.

• Keep old cereal boxes to use as die-cut shapes and/or book covers.

• When cutting shapes out of paper or chipboard, keep the "negative" image and use that on a page or book.

• If you have a lot of old supplies and paper that don't interest you anymore, swap with a friend or donate to a charity.

• Save junk mail to use on layouts as a fun way to work "outside of your box."

Jennifer Karchmer is a freelance writer in Bellingham.