Tips

Dec
13
2007

If you chose to have Christmas lights, make them LED

Filed in: Energy, Products & Services

In Alberta, the majority of our greenhouse gas emissions come from electricity generation. Any steps taken to reduce electricity use are beneficial especially during the 5pm-10pm peak hours.
LED lights use only 0.04 watts per bulb; 1/10th the energy of mini-lights and 1/100th the energy of C-7 bulbs.
LEDs last up to 10 times longer than incandescent lights.
If you can’t make the switch to LEDs this year, seek exchange programs next year (i.e. Home Depot Holiday Light Exchange).

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Nov
14
2007

Purchase green gifts for Christmas

Filed in: Products & Services, Shopping

The season of giving is upon us and though reducing the amount of gifts purchased during the season will have a great impact, so will buying green gifts.

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Oct
15
2007

Help to stop idling and idling myths

Filed in: Air Quality, Transportation

Idling for 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting your engine.
Frequently turning off and restarting a vehicle has little impact on a vehicle’s battery or starter motor. Component wear caused by restarting an engine adds little to annual repair costs – and can be recovered several times over in fuel savings from reduced idling.
Idling produces more emissions per minute than driving.
Driving is the best way to heat up your engine. A vehicle’s catalytic converter needs to be hot (400 to 800 degrees Celsius) before it can effectively clean pollutants from its exhaust.
Traffic areas around schools – where vehicles are often left idling – often show significantly higher pollution levels outside – and inside – their buildings.
Calgary has the highest transportation-generated carbon dioxide emissions of any city in Canada.

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Sep
14
2007

Drop off old, unwanted cell phones at Clean Calgary

Filed in: Waste & Recycling

Cell phone recycling programs, including one set up by the Clean Calgary Association, attempt to prevent cell phones from fouling our soil and water by keeping them out of the landfill.
According to INFORM Inc., cell phones are replaced every 18 months and less than 5% are recycled. This means that, in Canada alone, roughly 14 million cell phones enter the waste stream every 18 months.
Call Clean Calgary to set up a cell phone collection week at your workplace or school.

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Aug
14
2007

Start Grass Cycling

Filed in: Composting, Yard & Garden

Grasscycling is the process of recycling grass clippings by leaving them on your lawn.

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Jul
16
2007

Unplug all your electronics and appliances, especially before you go on vacation.

Filed in: Energy

Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off.

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Jun
15
2007

Have a container of water in your fridge for cool summer drinking

Filed in: Water Conservation

Letting the faucet run to get cold water is a big water waste. Keep a water jug or water bottle in the fridge will ensure you have cold water when needed.
Water use doubles in Calgary in the summer putting extra pressure on our water treatment and wastewater treatment plants.
For other tips on water conservation visit www.cleancalgary.org

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May
14
2007