Thank you for submitting your pledge!
Click the links below for information to help you complete your pledge. Be sure to check back at the end of April to tell us how you did. The first 1,000 to submit their results will receive an earth-friendly canvas tote or seedling or tree to plant!*
The following pledges require Earth Pledge Guide action:
Request Bio-diesel In Your Area; Request Plug-in Hybrids; and REI "Leave No Trace" Program.
Send us your pictures! Earth Month needs photos of activities, pledges, and projects to help showcase the difference our community is making. Email your photos with contact info and brief description to Tracy@Tri-CityEvents.com.
*Individuals and small groups (less than 10) will receive their choice of an earth-friendly canvas tote
Earth Friendly Tote Bag or tree seedling
Western Phite Pine
Conifer Seedling. Large groups will receive a tree or gift certificate at a local nursery. The seedlings are either a western white pine conifer seedling (approved for our climate) donated by University of Idaho, Pitkin Forest Nursery or select variety from Wal-Mart.
Bag & Tree Pick-Up Locations
Download the 2008 Trash Removal Guidelines
Groups/Projects: Please download the Group Roster Sheet and have your volunteers fill it out the day of your project.
Earth Pledge Guide
Get out thereNeighborhood Beautification Projects
Community Clean-Up Info
Earth Month Activity Calendar
Join an Environmental Group
Reduce - Reuse - Recycle
Recycling
Reusable Containers
Pre-cycling and Shopping Smart
Travel Green
Switch to Bio-Fuels
Request Plug-in Hybrids
Public Transportation and Carpooling
Walking and Biking
Hybrid and Fuel Efficient Cars
Emissions Testing
Conserve Water
Aerated Faucets and Shower Heads
Displacing Water in your Toilet Tank
Taking Shorter Showers
Hand-washing Dishes
Cleaning Your Sidewalks
Landscaping with Drought Tolerant Plants
Efficient Irrigation Systems
Conserve Energy
Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFL's)
Energy Efficient Appliances
Insulating Your Water Heater
Adjusting Your Thermostat
Other
Non-toxic Cleaners
Disposing of Hazardous Waste
Eating Less Meat/Animal Products
Buying Organic and Local
Composting and Mulching Lawnmowers
Reducing Use of Gas Powered Equipment
Your Carbon Footprint
REI "Leave No Trace" Program
If you need additional help with your pledge, or have ideas or suggestions, contact Gail Everett or Tracy Roberts.
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.
*There are 32 yards of senior or disabled citizens that are available for adopting for completion during Earth Month.* 13 in Kennewick, 12 in Pasco, 6 in Benton City and 1 in West Richland. For more information, contact Gail Everett, 942-7730 or geverett@ci.richland.wa.us OR visit www.sharefesttricities.com.
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 the 2008 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: Dan Dotta, dottad@pasco-wa.gov, 543-5759
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: Keith Martin, keith.martin@co.benton.wa.us, 539-5432
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Volunteer Projects *There are 32 yards of senior or disabled citizens that are available for adopting for completion during Earth Month.* 13 in Kennewick, 12 in Pasco, 6 in Benton City and 1 in West Richland. For more information, contact Gail Everett, 942-7730 or geverett@ci.richland.wa.us OR visit www.sharefesttricities.com.City of Pasco: To sign up, contact Debbie Clark, clarkd@pasco-wa.gov, 544-3096 or Dan Dotta, dottad@pasco-wa.gov, 543-5759. - Install conduit at Volunteer Park for future lighting. - Re-bark City Hall planter beds. - Plant flowers and shrubs at Martin Luther King Center. - Plant flowers at Kurtzman mini station. - Cut volunteer vegetation from shoreline at Chiawana Park. - Repaint shelters and restrooms at Chiawana Park. - Repaint restrooms at Memorial, Volunteer and Riverview parks. - Re-bark planter beds at Bus/Train Depot. - Rebuild volleyball courts at Memorial Park - Paint bleachers at Memorial and Highland Parks. - Plant annual flowers in various parks. - Re-paint picnic tables. Benton City: Clean-up projects occurring Saturday at 9 a.m., April 12 at Entry Way Park, across from bridge. Projects continuing Saturday, April 19. Contact Randy at 588-6481. Storm Drain Stenciling: Click Here for more information. To sign up contact Bethany Grayson, 967-2936 or brgrayson@hotmail.com. April 19th - Clean up and planting morning at McMurray Park, sponsored by Oasis School. Bring your gloves, hoes, shovels, wheel barrows and love for the Earth. For more information call Oasis School at 366-5306 or visit www.oasis-school.org. |
Join an Environmental Group
There are many environmental organizations locally and nationally that need volunteers. Some local agencies to contact:
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
Recycling
- According to the EPA, 75% of Americans' trash can be recycled, but only 25% actually is.
- Recycling an aluminum can takes 96% less energy than creating a new one!
Check out Recycle Awareness Month at WSU Tri-Cities!
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
"Reusing items -- by repairing them, donating them to charity and community groups, or selling them -- also reduces waste. Reusing products, when possible, is even better than recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again."
- More Reusing Ideas:
- Have an item repaired or refurbished instead of buying new.
- Refill ink cartridges at places like Cartridge World or Office Max. (Download coupon for a FREE ream of paper at Cartridge World)
- Use rechargeable batteries. Check out different kinds and pricing at www.greenbatteries.com.
- Donate items to a thrift store (The Sails Outlet, Goodwill, Salvation Army) or join a group like Freecycle or 2good2toss.
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.
- Ideas:
- Buy in bulk and concentrates to reduce packaging.
- Bring your own grocery tote shopping
- Shop second hand stores or join Freecycle or 2good2toss.
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.
Fill out form to request more filling stations in your area
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.
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.
- Ideas:
- Use an egg timer to remind you when it's time to get out of the shower.
- Turn off the water while lathering and on again to rinse.
- Don't perform any extra rituals in the shower, such as shaving or brushing teeth. Stick to the essentials and do the rest at the sink, where water flow is less.
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%.
- Ideas:
- Water early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.
- Find out how long you need to water: put a tuna can out in the yard where you’re watering - when the can is full, you’ve watered enough.
- Position your sprinklers so that you water only your turf and landscape. A simple adjustment can keep water from running onto sidewalks, streets and driveways.
- Use drip irrigation for trees, shrub beds and areas of groundcover to eliminate evaporation losses.
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.
- Ideas:
- When you'll be out for an evening, turn down the thermostats. If you'll be away for a weekend or more, lower the thermostats to 55 F. You'll save on heating without risking a freeze-up of your water pipes.
- Put on a sweater. Turn your thermostat down when you are leaving the house for more than one hour, or get a programmable one that you can set to increase the heat a half hour before you return home.
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
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.
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.
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, call Becky (509) 734-8989 or email bdrisco@rei.com or visit www.lnt.org
Earth Month Bags & Trees - Pick-up dates and locations
Beginning Friday, May 9th, bags and trees will be available at the following locations for those who have submitted their Earth Pledge:
Kennewick (West) - Three River’s Transit Center, 7109 W. Okanogan Place, M-F 8am-5pm, Sat 8am–6pm
Kennewick (Central) - REI at the Highlands Plaza, 129 N. Ely, 734-8989, M-F 10am–8pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm
Kennewick (East) - Municipal Services, MS Frost Bldg, 1010 E. Chemical Drive, M-F 8:30am-4:30pm
Pasco - City Hall City Clerks Office, 525 N. 3rd, M-F 8am-5pm
Richland - Community Center, 500 Amon Park Drive, M-F 8am-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 12pm–6pm
West Richland - Public Works Dept, 3801 W. Van Giesen St., M-F 8am-5pm
Benton City - EDC/Chamber of Commerce, 812 Della St., M-F 8am-5pm
Connell - Contact Katherine Bingham, 366-0504
Bags have been reserved for the groups and individuals who submitted their pledge results by the May 5th. Additional bags are available on a first-come-first-serve basis for those who took the pledge but did not submit results.
If you completed a project but didn’t get it submitted on-line and would like a canvas bag, visit one of the locations above after Thursday, May 22nd, complete the pledge sheet there (not on-line) and one will be given to you.