Mid-Columbia Earth Month

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Recycling Information:

 

Richland

West Richland

Kennewick

Pasco recycling hand out

Pasco container locations

 

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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide to a green home
Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, in the market for a new home, or making home improvements, this Web site identifies the key environmental and energy issues at hand, and suggests solutions that will add value to your home, reduce energy use and energy costs, fight climate change, and help protect your health:  www.epa.gov/greenhomes

Living Zero Home Audit and Energy Checklist
Resources to make a whole-house energy plan, and information on alternative ways to power your home. www.livingzero.org

 

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Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Incentives

Washington State Renewable Energy Sales and Use Tax Exemption
In Washington State, tax does not apply to the sales of equipment used to generate electricity using fuel cells, wind, sun, biomass energy, tidal or wave energy, geothermal, anaerobic digestion or landfill gas. HB 2799, passed in 2006, added solar water heating systems to the list of eligible technologies. The tax exemption applies to labor and services related to the installation of the equipment, as well as to the sale of equipment and machinery. Eligible systems are those with a generating capacity of at least 1 kilowatt (kW).

Washington State Appliance Replacement Incentive

Franklin county low interest loans for energy improvements

Richland energy conservation loans

Benton County rebates for energy efficiency improvements,residential

Benton County rebates for energy efficiency improvements, manuactured homes

Franklin Counter PUD rebates -Rebates for appliances and energy savings.
Contact: Energy Services Department

Federal Weatherization Assistance Program for Low Income Families

Energy Mortgages: Credits a home's energy efficiency in the home loan

Utility-provided rebates are tax free!

Federal Tax Credits

Purchase Green Energy in Washington State - Utilities in Washington State will provide green energy to consumers if requested Contact: Deborah Reynolds, (360) 664-1255

Utilities must provide net metering - Net metering (allowing you to sell electricity to the utility) is required in Washington State Home owner associations cannot prohibit solar energy installations (although they can make rules about visibility, etc) in the state of Washington

B.Y.O.B (bring your own bag)

Every year nearly 380 billion plastic shopping bags are used by consumers across the nation, and only a small amount of them are recycled. Join Mid-Columbia Earth Month in dramatically reducing the number of bags used we use - Bring-Your-Own-Bag!

Many grocery stores offer bags for $.50 - $1.00, and more elaborate/designer bags can be purchased online from sites like www.reusablebags.com and www.amazon.com. Think about how many grocery bags you usually use to help estimate how many you'll need (you can adjust throughout the month as needed).  Some stores may even offer incentives for using your own bags!

Want to do more?  Ask your local store to post a B.Y.O.B. Project Flyer
Click a flyer below to download

Buy every-day items with reuse in mind
- Reusable Containers: Invest in re-useable containers such as tupperware, coffee mugs, and water bottles. Some coffee shops give discounts for bringing your own mug! (Check out lunch containers like Bento Boxes and water bottles on www.reusablebags.com)

- Reusable water bottles: Americans buy more bottled water than any other nation in the world. Manufacturing plastic bottles, (which are most often used only ONCE) uses a lot of fossil fuels and pollutes the environment, and only one out of every six water bottles gets recycled. More Plastic Bottle Facts. Choose bottles that are durable, easy to clean, and BPA-free.

- Use reusable (durable) tableware. Reducing the amount of paper and plastic tableware you use can greatly reduce the amount of trash you generate. Use durable (washable) dishes, or those made with recycled glass.

"Reusing items - by repairing them, donating them to charity and community groups, or selling them - also reduces waste and SAVES MONEY. Reusing products, when possible, is even better than recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again."

Reuse items already on-hand
Check out this great article: 20 Things You Can Use Twice Before Tossing. - Composting and Mulching Lawnmowers: Keep organic waste out of landfills and get free fertilizer for your lawn and garden. Visit the City of Richland Environmental Education website for composting and workshop info and the www.about.com mulching lawn mower info. Here’s one option for composting for smaller spaces, such as apartments or offices: http://bokashicenter.com.

Repair items instead of buying new

Repurpose items that have outlived their current purpose, but can be used for other things
- Articles online: The Art of Repurposing, 25 Things To Do With Old Jeans, 12 Useful Things To Make From Repurposed Items or search "Repurpose Items" on google.

- Some schools and other organizations can use your unneeded items for craft projects. Call or post them on electronic bulletin boards like www.2good2toss.com or http://kpr.craigslist.org.

Sell, trade, or donate items in good condition that are no longer needed
Donate items to a thrift store or sell at a consignment shop (see list below), join a group like Freecycle or 2good2toss, or check out the latest postings on Craigslist, Ebay and Amazon. Bonus: Buying used can save you BIG money!

Thrift & Consignment Stores in Tri-Cities, WA:
Amber Rose Consignment
- 1388 Jadwin Avenue, Richland, WA 99354, (509) 943-6542 (Map)
Ellabella Limited (children's clothes)
- 1220 N Columbia Center Boulevard, #L, Kennewick, WA 99336, (509) 783-0342 (Map)
Goodwill Industries Thrift Stores
- 104 Vista Way, Kennewick, WA 99336, (509)783-2449 (Map)
- 307 W. Columbia St., Pasco, WA 99301, (509)547-7717 (Map)
- 201 Wellsian Way, Richland, WA 99352, (509)946-4575 (Map)
Habitat for Humanity ReStore (building materials)
- 1355 Dakota Ave., Richland, WA 99352, (509)783-2221 (Map)
New Beginings
- 1016 Lee Blvd., Richland, WA 99352, (509)946-7231 (Map)
RAGZ Wit TAGZ
- 3311 W Clearwater Avenue B120, Kennewick, WA 99336, (509) 736-3930 (Map)
Sails Outlet
- 408 N. Fruitland St., Kennewick, WA 99336, (509)586-8599 (Map)
Salvation Army Family Store
- 1219 Thayer Dr., Richland, WA 99354, (509) 943-7977 (Map)
Shop CI
- 810 S. Dayton, Kennewick, WA 99336, (509)586-3840 (Map)
St. Vincent Center
- 120 N. Morain, Kennewick, WA 99336, (509)783-7020 (Map)
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
- 1120 W. Sylvester St., Pasco, WA 99301, (509)547-2341 (Map)
Threads
- 201 North Edison Street, Kennewick, WA 99336, (509) 735-4370 (Map)
Treasure Tree Consignment
- 125 North Ely Street, Kennewick, WA 99336, (509) 735-7283 (Map)
Value Village
- 731 N. Columbia Blvd., Kennewick, WA 99336, (509)374-3100 (Map)

Used Books, Movies, Video Games in Tri-Cities, WA:
Adventures Underground (books)
- 1391 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99354, (509) 946-9893 (Map)
The Bookworm (books)
- 201 N Edison St, Kennewick, WA 99336, (509) 735-9016 (Map)
- 701 The Pkwy, Richland, WA 99352, (509) 946-0898 (Map)
EB Games (video games)
- 4008 W 27th Ave, Kennewick, WA 99337, (509) 737-0910 (Map)
Hastings (books/movies/video games)
- 1425 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99354, (509) 946-1060 (Map)

- Add to this list! Email admin@seenetwork.us with the store name, address, phone number, and what used items they buy and/or sell.

Find stores in other areas at www.thethriftshopper.com or by searching directories like www.YellowPages.com.

Rent or borrow items that will only be use a few times
Sometimes the best way to reduce your trash is to borrow or rent something that you are not going to need for very long. If you decide you need to use something only once or twice, ask around. Your friends are usually happy to help, and if not many stores will rent items for short term use, which can also save you money.

Projects & Activities

Attend an Earth Month Activity
Check out the Earth Month Calendar for tons of great activities going on throughout the month of April.

Neighborhood Beautification
Find an eyesore in your neighborhood and make it beautiful. Neighborhood beautification projects can include yard clean-ups, planting trees or flowers, picking up trash, etc. Find project in your area, or check out the Sharefest Website to sign up for senior yard projects.

Community Clean-Up
Find a community area that needs a little help. Community clean-up projects can include parks, streets, and non-profit grounds clean-up, trash pick-up, etc. Be sure to check this year's Trash Removal Guidelines, find out if the project is on public or private land, and get permission if needed.

If you need help or ideas, contact your city project coordinator:
Richland: Phil Pinard, ppinard@ci.richland.wa.us, 942-7463
Kennewick: Greg Duffy, Greg.Duffy@ci.kennewick.wa.us, 585-4522
Pasco: Debbie Clark, clarkd@pasco-wa.gov, 544-3096.
West Richland: Roscoe Slade, roscoe@westrichland.org, 967-5434
Connell: Katherine Bingham, kmbingham@yahoo.com, 366-0504
Benton City: Randy Rutledge, bcedc@bentonrea.com, 947-7332
Franklin County: Jerry Lingo, jlingo@co.franklin.wa.us, 545-3521
Benton County: Donna Holmes, donna.holmes@co.benton.wa.us, 786-3084 x5682.

More great ways to get involved and make a difference:

Reduce - Reuse - Recycle

Recycling

Recycling information can be found at http://earth911.com or www.1800reccyle.wa.gov. You can also look in your phone book for the closest recycling center or call your garbage provider for information.

Pre-cycling and Shopping Smart
"Precycling is the practice of reducing waste by attempting to avoid bringing into the home or business items which will generate waste. It includes such practices as buying consumables in bulk to reduce packaging, buying consumables in recyclable packaging over non-recyclable packages, avoiding junk mail, and using electronic media for reading materials, especially throwaway items such as magazines or newspapers." (Wikipedia)

While recycling is a positive thing, it still requires energy to transport, melt down, and re-manufacture materials. Shop smart by pre-thinking your purchases now to prevent waste later.

Check out PlanetPal's Top Ten List of Ways to PRECYCLE.

 

For reuse ideas, click here.

 

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Travel Green

Switch to Bio-diesel or Ethanol & Request More Filling Stations
Biodiesel is the name of a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics. (Courtesy of the National Biodiesel Board).

Check out Gen-X Energy Group, a local biodiesel manufacturer located in Burbank, WA.

Ethanol is a high octane, liquid, domestic and renewable fuel, produced by the fermentation of plant sugars. E85 has an octane of approximately 105, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, is biodegradable and does not contaminate water. Ethanol sells for approximately the same price as unleaded gasoline. It is domestically produced and promotes energy independence. Learn more from the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.

Bio-Fuel Compatibility:
- Ethanol-10 can be used in any gas vehicle without modification. Ethanol-85 requires a Flexible Fuel Vehicle. Many cars are already compatible. Check to see if your vehicle can use E-85.
- Biodiesel-5 can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications.

Where to get these fuels in the Mid-Columbia: The fueling station at the Pacific Pride Mart near the Richland airport carries Ethanol-85 and Biodiesel-5 fuels. The public can purchase the fuel by using any Pacific Pride card or any major credit card.

Public Transportation and Carpooling
"Public transportation produces 95 percent less carbon monoxide (CO), 90 percent less in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and about half as much carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx), per passenger mile, as private vehicles." (publictransportation.org)

Locally, Ben Franklin Transit (winner of the City of Richland's "Green Business of the Year" award in 2006) offers bus service and vanpool/ridesharing. Visit their website, www.bft.org, for more information.

Walking and Biking
Not only will you help the environment - you'll also save money, stay in shape, and enjoy the outdoors!

A map of bike paths in the Tri-Cities can be found at www.benton-franklin.cog.wa.us. It can also be obtained for free at the Benton Franklin Council of Governments office, local jurisdictions, local bike shops, local Chambers of Commerce, and the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau.

You can also join the Tri Cities Bicycle Club: www.tricitybicycleclub.org.

Hybrid and Fuel Efficient Cars
A hybrid car features a small, fuel-efficient gas engine combined with an electric motor that assists the engine when accelerating. The electric motor is powered by batteries that recharge automatically while you drive.

Compare types of hybrid cars at www.hybridcars.com.

Emissions Testing
According to the Wa State Department of Ecology, motor vehicles are Washington's largest source of air pollution. Well-maintained vehicles not only minimize air pollution, but will also result in better fuel economy and longer engine life.

Department of Ecology Emissions Testing Program: www.ecy.wa.gov
Local Emissions Inspections on Yahoo.

 

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Conserve Water

 

Aerated Faucets and Shower Heads
Inexpensive and simple to install, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce your home water consumption as much as 50%, and reduce your energy cost of heating the water also by as much as 50%. They are readily available at retail and hardware stores.

Find out if you need one, and get information on models and installation intructions at www.eartheasy.com.

Displacing Water in your Toilet Tank
Save 1/2 gallon with each flush! Nonconserving toilets use 3.5 galloons or more per flush. By displacing some of the water, you could save thousands of gallons a year!

Idea: put plastic bottles bottles filled with water, or some similar water displacer in your toilet tank (no bricks please, they leave grit). Be sure the bottles do not interfere with the operating parts.

Taking Shorter Showers
With water flowing up to five gallons per minute from a nonconserving showerhead, showers account for about 17% of water used indoors.

Check out www.h2ouse.org for more information.

Hand-washing Dishes - The Right Way
Washing dishes in a tub or sink filled with hot, sudsy water uses about five times less water than washing dishes under a running tap, and letting the dishes sit in the sudsy water will make them easier to clean.

Learn how to hand-wash dishes the right way at www.quamut.com.

Cleaning Your Sidewalks
Your garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours! Using a broom to clean your sidewalks and driveway can greatly reduce water waste.

Landscaping with Drought Tolerant Plants
Xeriscaping - landscaping in ways that do not require supplemental irrigation - is the best way to beautiful gardens to a dry area like the Mid Columbia. Contact your local nursery or the Master Gardeners for help.

Efficient Irrigation Systems
Appropriate planting and efficient irrigation systems can reduce irrigation water use by 50% to 70%, and overall water consumption by up to 25%.

Water use it wisely

Conserve Energy

Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFL's)
Compact fluorescent light bulbs typically consume 65% - 75% less electricity than regular light bulbs, and they last up to 10 times longer! They are widely available at stores that sell regular incandescent light bulbs.

Check out Energy Star's "Change A Light, Change the World" Program at www.energystar.gov.

Energy Efficient Appliances
Look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying appliances. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2006 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million cars — all while saving $14 billion on their utility bills.

For more information check out www.energystar.gov.

Insulating Your Water Heater
Insulating your storage water heater tank is fairly simple and inexpensive, and it will pay for itself in about a year. You can find pre-cut jackets or blankets available from around $10–$20. Not sure if you need one? Feel your water heater - a tank that's warm to the touch needs additional insulation.

Some instruction and precautions are needed for this project. For more detailed information, please go to www.eere.energy.gov.

Adjusting Your Thermostat
You can save about 3% on your heating bill for every degree that you set back your thermostat.

Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes.

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More Ideas

Helpful Links:

Join an Environmental Group
There are many environmental organizations locally and nationally that need volunteers. Some local agencies to contact:
Mid-Columbia Earth Month: www.earthmonthmc.org
ALSC (Alliance for a Livable and Sustainable Community) www.ourlivablecommunity.org
CCAN (Confluence Community Action Network) www.ccando.org
Sustainable Energy & Environmental Network: www.seenetwork.us
Columbia Kayak Adventures: www.columbiakayakadventures.com
Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society: www.lowercolumbiabasinaudubon.org
Tapteal Greenway Association: www.tapteal.org
Friends of Badger Mountain: www.friendsofbadger.org
Washington Native Plant Society: www.wnps.org
InterMountain Alpine Club: www.imacnw.org
Veterans Conservation Corp: www.dva.wa.gov
Fun, Fit and Over Fifty: www.ffofc.org
Tri-City Bicycle Club: www.tricitybicycleclub.org
Chinook Bicycle Club: www.chinookcyclingclub.com

Non-toxic Cleaners
Save money and the environment by making your own non-toxic household cleaners! Check out an extensive list of recipes at www.ecocycle.org. Or purchase ready-made products, such as Seventh Generation.

Disposing of Hazardous Waste
Prescriptions, batteries, antifreeze, and car oil are some things that have special safe disposal methods.

Eating Less Meat/Animal Products
According to a 2006 report by the United Nations raising animals for food is one of the top two or three most significant contributors to environmental issues such as land degradation, climate change and air pollution, water shortage and water pollution and loss of biodiversity.

Find out how eating less meat helps the environment at www.goveg.com. Ideas: Try Meatless Monday. Check out the vegetarian recipes at www.allrecipes.com.

Buying Organic and Local
Buying local food not only helps local farmers thrive, it reduces energy consumption. The average food has traveled 1200 to 2500 miles to your place. Energy is expended freezing, refrigerating, and trucking that food around. Eating locally grown food means less fossil fuel burned in preparation and transport. And local food is often fresher and tastier too!

Ideas: Get produce at a farmers market. Learn to can, freeze, or otherwise preserve food for the winter. Start a garden. Find local shops with local goods.

Find more resources at www.foodroutes.org.

Benton City Community Market
City Park, 8th St. between Dale and Della Streets
Sunday, 9am-1pm, June 1-September 28
Randy Rutledge: (509) 947-7332, bcedc@bentonrea.com

Kennewick Farmers Market
Kennewick Avenue & Auburn Street
Thursday, 4pm-8pm, June 7-October 25
Ann Steiger: (509) 585-2301, ahsteiger@aol.com
www.kennewickfarmersmarket.com

Pasco Farmers Market
4th & Columbia
Wednesday & Saturday, 8am-Noon, May 5-October 27
Mike Somerville: (509) 531-7274, threefinger@verizon.net
www.pascofarmersmarket.org

Richland Market at the Parkway
The Parkway on Lee Blvd
Friday, 9am-1pm, June 1-September 28
Tara Erben: (509) 946-3349
West Richland Farmers Market
Flat Top Park (Bombing Range Road & Van Giesen), West Richland
Gail Clark: (509) 967-3431, gail@westrichland.org

Reducing Use of Gas Powered Equipment
The emissions from many gas mowers and other gas-powered tools are full of greenhouse gases. Some older or poorly running mowers create more pollution than a car! Idea: Try a reel lawn mower.

Your Carbon Footprint
There are many carbon footprint calculators on the web, so you can look around. The most important part is that you gather information on where you can cut your carbon use in simple ways! Try these online tools: www.carbonfootprint.com, and www.zerofootprint.net.

*Cool new tool!* Earth Day Network has just released its newest tool to combat climate change: The updated and much more fun Ecological Footprint Calculator. In this new tool created by Global Footprint Network, you can create a three-dimensional avatar of your choosing, and tour your virtual neighborhood. Then you will be asked a series of questions about your food consumption, energy use, favorite mode of transportation, type of residence, recycling commitment, and spending habits. You can even choose to take a long version or a short version of the quiz! The Footprint Calculator will tell you how many "planets" would be necessary to sustain human life- if everyone lived just like you, and how many acres of land and tons of carbon necessary to sustain your lifestyle. You can even revisit your quiz to see where she "went wrong", and find out how to reduce your carbon footprint.

REI "Leave No Trace" Program
This hands-on, interactive program emphasizes environmental stewardship, respect and safety. It is personalized to fit audience, timeframe and needs. REI will contact you to schedule a date and time. For more information, visit www.lnt.org