Did you know, according to gogreeninitiative.org:• For every ton of paper that is recycled, the following is saved: 7,000 gallons of water; 380 gallons of oil; and enough electricity to power an average house for six months.
• You can run a TV for six hours on the amount of electricity that is saved by recycling one aluminum can.
• By recycling just one glass bottle, you save enough electricity to power a 100-watt bulb for four hours.
As the population grows at record rates, and landfills continue to be made because of the amount of trash created, and natural resources become depleted, we have to search alternatives to alleviate these issues. Here at Laidlaw’s we’ve been on the green bandwagon since our current home was built seven years ago. For one, our roof is covered with a white reflective coating to reduce heat absorption. Then on top of that we have solar panels that cover most our roof and our average kilowatts per day of usage is below 2005 levels (that’s as far back as I could find data). Weekly the solar inverters are monitored for any issues and quarterly the solar panels are cleaned to maximize their efficiency.
We also use a computerized system to manage our lights and swamp coolers and the time their on and to thermostatically manage our air conditioning units. We have multiple AC units so that we can monitor the zones and vary temperature settings accordingly. We also use filters that we clean regularly rather than replacing them as often as the electrical and HVAC companies suggest.
Other things we’ve been doing are:
• Copying/printing on both sides of paper so as to not waste paper.
• Using companies that pick up and recycle batteries, oil, and tires.
• Sending used toner cartridges back to our supplier for reuse.
• Donating old computer equipment to organizations that can reuse the items or use the parts inside of these items to be recycled.
• And selling vehicles that are green. Motorcycles have been tested as having great gas mileage. Even the large touring bikes are listed as averaging 54 MPG. Riders, you knew that motorcycling were economically as well as efficient modes of transportation!!
Recently our Service Department started recycling other fluids, cardboard, plastics, and steel from products and items used in the repairing vehicles. It has gone so well that we lessened the amount of weekly pickups from our regular trash company from three times per week to once per week.
Recycling takes time and work, but in the end your kids, friends, and the environment will benefit. So the next time you’re thinking of going green, hopefully using us as an example can set the standard. In today’s economy and times, every little bit helps.
Not sure how to go green? Type “Going Green” at google.com and 129 million results will be produced. There are ways…it just takes a little energy.
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