Green Tip of the Week Archive
Kitchen Composting = Less Waste, Richer Gardens
May 12, 2011
Gardening is topmost on Green Tip's mind, from Dad planting his version of a “Victory Garden,” complete with corn, to a FRC team mentor hoping that his newly planted annuals will get plenty of sunshine -- and no more egg-sized hail! Those fresh ears of corn got Green Tip thinking it’s time to enrich the soil and reduce waste heading to the landfill. Why not use a small bin to stow the vegetable peels and coffee grounds before they journey to the backyard composter? Easy enough to find a used plastic bag, a coffee can, a plastic bucket with lid to place banana peels, carrot ends, and onion peels. And, a daily walk to the backyard composter wouldn’t hurt either!
Helping Keep Everything Green
April 24, 2011
Look for Green Machine t-shirts on May 7, as FIRST Team 1816 will be out in force to clean up and get Lake Edina Park ready for summer activities. Once our adopted City of Edina park is tidied and all the trash picked up, we’ll head over to Calvary Lutheran Church to assist in their spring landscaping and mulching chores. Can't wait to see everything in bloom and everything green!
A Billion Acts of Green
April 17, 2011
Be one of "Billion Acts of Green” this Earth Day 2011, April 22. Whether it’s vowing to change out regular light bulbs for more energy efficient LEDs, bringing your own reusable bags when shopping, or picking up litter at a local park, all efforts count. Become part of the worldwide community working to make our planet better by visiting the official Earth Day website and recording your own “green” pledge.
Adopt-A-City-Park
April 11, 2011
Spring clean-up means more than raking out the mulch from the garden. For Team 1816, we're ready to get help get our local parks and playgrounds ready for summer fun. The Green Machine is proud to be counted among the City of Edina businesses and organizations that have adopted a hometown park. We keep an ongoing eye on conditions at Lake Edina Park: At least twice a year, we are out in force, raking, trimming, and bagging all unwanted litter to maintain “our” park ready for visitors. We thank the City of Edina for supporting all of the groups working to keep our parks in best-possible condition. Ready to join us?
What's Your Water Footprint?
March 27, 2011
Listening to yet another shower running, the laundry spinning and the dishwasher swishing, Green Tip got to thinking about how much water we Americans consume daily. National Geographic says the average American uses nearly 2,000 gallons! Plus, our consumption comes in ways you may not even consider. Find out how you can reduce your water usage by using this nifty water footprint calculator, and keep more freshwater available to our rivers, lakes, wetlands and underground aquifers.
Click Here to Select Phone Directories
March 7, 2011
Seems like you just brought in the latest phone directories from the porch when more are dropped off at the doorstep. If you, like Green Tip, are using the Internet more often than letting fingers walk through the yellow pages, consider opting out. Click here to a website that allows you to select the directories you are interested in receiving, and opt out of the ones you can do without. Still like paper copies? Most directories are now printed on recycled paper. When new directories arrive, be sure to recycle the old ones.
White Snow to Green Grass
February 18, 2011
A few days of warm temperatures has Green Tip thinking of snow melt and spring runoff. Water down the spouts reminds us that this spring would be a good time to install a rain barrel. Rain barrels placed at the end of a downspout will catch rain and runoff. The spigot or hose that can be attached makes it a perfect combination for watering the garden or yard. Let Spring begin!
Recycling is a Zip Code Away
February 7, 2011
Used ink cartridges stacking up like cordwood? Unwanted electronic devices filling the closets? Out of uses for paper phone books? The website earth911.com makes recycling these items and many more as easy as typing in your zip code. The directory search engine contains recycling info for more than 240 different products, listing 127,000 locations and programs to speed you on the way to a local recycling and disposal center. There’s also a free iPhone app, iRecycle, when you want this info-to-go.
Keep A Steady Pace
January 30, 2011
Trying to save a bit on the cost of gasoline this winter? Drive steadily! Slowing down or accelerating suddenly wastes fuel. Steady and even acceleration and braking is the key to maximum fuel efficiency. This works especially well on the highway when cruise control can keep the speed steady and the per-gallon mileage higher.
Last One Out, Shut the Lights!
January 23, 2011
Turn the lights out after you're done with a room! Not only will it make your mom and dad happy, but it will save on electricity, energy, and money. There's even an electrical cord that glows depending on how much energy you're using. That's one way to remind yourself that all that glows in the dark may not be good for your monthly electric bill or the planet!
- 1 of 8
- ››
