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Environment Week 2019, June 1-8
Some time ago, the “environment” may have been considered as only what existed outside of municipal limits. Well, now more than ever, citizens are recognizing just how important the environment is within their towns and cities.
Lethbridge, and more particularly Environment Lethbridge, is a great example. They are a non-profit whose mission is to “inspire and equip people to create widespread community action and engagement towards sustainability.”
There are many ways they do this.
They advocate for sustainability, provide people with the tools and resources they need to live more sustainably and to reduce their footprint, and highlight those who are making positive differences in the community to make it a more sustainable place.
We were lucky enough to be recognized by Environment Lethbridge as a Community Leader for our waste diversion during construction of our custom homes.
We would like to recognize them too. They are the real Green Superhero!
Each year for Environment Week, June 1 – 9, Environment Lethbridge promotes a variety of ways people can get involved from events, to workshops, and more! You can check out their suggestions here.
What Else Can You Do?
There are of course many ways to reduce our footprint, and we’d like to discuss some of the options you have at home to use less electricity and water.
If you’re already living in a BUILT GREEN® certified, Net Zero home, equipped with energy-efficient appliances and taps, then you don’t have to worry about some of these.
As for the majority of people, here are some things you can do with minimal additional investment:
1. Ditch Your Hair Dryer
You may not associate a hair dryer with significant power consumption, but using one each morning can really add up.
Depending on your hair dryer and your fridge, your hair dryer may actually have a larger power draw.
2. Wash Your Clothes With Cold Water
Did you know that 80-90% of the electricity your washing machine uses is used to heat water?
You can easily save some energy by using cold water for your next load of laundry.
3. Let Your Clothing Air-Dry
Out of all of your appliances, your dryer might have the largest power draw in the household. If you want to cut back on power usage, this is it.
If you don’t have a clothesline, or the weather isn’t cooperating, you can pick up a drying rack at most large retailers.
4. Capture Wasted Shower Water
Do you turn your shower on before you get in? So do most other people.
Instead of letting the water wash down the drain, place a pot or a bucket under the head of the shower to capture the water that would otherwise be wasted.
You can use this water for other things, like watering your plants!
5. Turn Off the Lights!
Who didn’t hear this when they were a kid? Okay, some much older generations may have not.
Leaving your lights or your TV on is a sure way to waste electricity. If you really feel like saving energy, replace all of your incandescent bulbs with LEDs.
6. Organize Your Fridge
Have you ever been in the fridge, looking for the ketchup that you know you have, but can’t find?
Having your fridge organized, so you always know where to find something allows for a quick in-and-out retrieval, meaning less cold air leaving the fridge.
7. Unplug Electronics When Not in Use
Some electronics are known as “energy vampires”. They continue to use electricity even when they’re not in use.
Anything with a clock on it, like your microwave, is using energy to display it. Anything with a status light on it is also using power.
Unplug these electronics when they’re not in use and save your energy.
