How would you like to take some concrete steps to help our planet and work with your neighbors to make an even bigger difference? Here’s your chance. Join the York Energy Efficiency Committee YORK GREEN HOMES campaign.
HOW?
Talk to your family members, decide on any eight or more of the 17 green actions listed below, and commit to carrying them out in your home. When we receive your commitment card, we’ll give you an attractive YORK GREEN HOME ribbon for your mailbox or lightpost. You’ll be able to recognize other families who share your commitment to “greening” our little part of planet Earth.
Brochures listing these 17 steps are available at Berger’s Bike Shop, Beyond the Sea gift shop, and Fiona’s Porch. The brochures also include the commitment card. After you complete the steps listed and turn in the card at any of these three businesses, they will give you a green ribbon.
Read the related article in the York Weekly, Simple steps to going green in York, written by Ron McAllister.
Steps to making your home GREEN:
1. Recycle. York has curbside pickup. Bins are available at Town Hall for $7.50. Questions? http://www.yorkmaine.org/Departments/PublicWorks/tabid/44/Default.aspx
2. Use energy efficient light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) cut CO2 and your electric light bill by 75%. They also last 5 – 7 years. Place them in the lights you use most often. Available through Efficiencymaine.org or at local hardware stores for a few dollars each.
3. Stop buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water more expensive than gasoline, it is no healthier than tap water — and ends up producing hundreds of millions of plastic bottles every year that are not recycled. Filter pitchers are a fine alternative and much cheaper.
4. Bring tote bags for groceries. Many communities in the US are banning plastic grocery bags because of the damage they create to the environment. Get ahead of the curve and save money by bringing your cloth bags with you to the grocery.
5. Reduce kitchen paper products. Most homes could save several trees and $300-$500 a year by cutting the paper napkin, paper towel, paper plate and cup habit. Cloth napkins, knit dishcloths, real plates and cups can be reused indefinitely – and are more elegant too.
6. Cook healthy meals and eat them together at least twice a week. Too much fast food, junk food, and frozen meals are costing families a fortune and creating major health problems in Maine. Teach your children the art of cooking simple healthy meals that taste better and improve both health and budget. Find ways to strengthen family ties by sharing meals at the table as often as possible. Eating together brings a family closer!
7. Shop locally for food and other necessities. Most food in supermarkets has been transported about 2,000 miles from farm to table, wasting fuel, increasing climate change, and causing produce to be less fresh and tasty. Many locally grown meats, poultry, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and flowers are available through much of the year. Support local farmers and merchants so they can continue to support you. Visit our Farmer’s Markets, join a CSA and buy locally whenever you can.
8. Grow some of your own food. There’s no greater thrill for kids of any age than participating in the mystery of seeds, soil, water, and sun transforming into delicious healthy food. If you don’t have a backyard or container garden yet, your family is missing a lot. Start small and expand gradually. Soon you’ll be freezing and canning your own treasures for delicious meals in the cold of winter. Visit http://www.extension.umaine.edu/gardening.htm for great information. Continue reading Join the York Green Homes campaign
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