December 2020: Eco-Friendly Holiday
• Lighting: Don't forget holiday lights when upgrading to LED bulbs. They are brighter, consume 80 percent less energy than incandescent lights and tend to last 25 times longer, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Wrap with Flair: Instead of traditional wrapping paper or gift bags use fabric, old maps, fancy magazine pages, or calendars pictures. If you do use traditional wrapping paper and boxes, please remember to recycle all but metallic wrapping paper.
• Think about giving those on your list experiences like concert tickets or local restaurant gift cards. Or better yet choose a Symbolic Gift for something meaningful and unique, give a gift that gives back to the community. Charitable gifts in honor of friends and loved one is a great way to put your values – and theirs – in action. The College Park Food Bank and Meals-on-Wheels are both local organizations helping those in need right here in College Park.
• Instead of store-bought décor, use pinecones, vines or branches from your garden to bring nature’s beauty inside.
• Incorporate more plant-based foods into your meal traditions — it’s good for your health and good for lowering your carbon footprint.
• Reduce food waste. Every year 30% - 50% of food produced gets wasted, along with the water, energy and labor it takes to make it. Cutting back on food waste is one of the biggest ways you can reduce your personal carbon footprint.
November 2020: Weatherization Tips
Check your gutters. Prevent ice dams by cleaning out your gutters, installing gutter guards (if feasible) and making sure the attic is properly insulated.
Protect the pipes. Protect against frozen pipes by insulating those that could be susceptible to freezing.
Seal the cracks. Caulk around holes and openings to help prevent cold air from seeping in. Install weather stripping and seals around openings such as windows, doors, air conditioners and mail chutes.
Stop the slips. Keep driveways and sidewalks clear of ice and snow and repair any issues with steps and handrails.
Keep it warm. Set your thermostat for at least 65 degrees and make sure your house or apartment is well-insulated.
Have heating checked. Furnaces, boilers and chimneys should be serviced at least once a year to clear any buildup and to keep them running efficiently.
Test your detectors. Residential fires are more common in winter, so it is important that all of your smoke detectors work. Check them monthly and replace batteries as needed. You should also consider installing a carbon monoxide detector to avoid inadvertently trapping this toxic gas in your home.
Clear the yard. Keep the trees trimmed and remove dead branches and debris from your yard. Ice, snow and wind can weaken trees and cause branches to fall and potentially damage your home, car or even yourself and others.
Drain and store your hose. Remove all attached garden hoses, drain them and store them away. Shut off the valves and insulate the faucet.
September 2020: It’s easy to power your home with renewable energy!
Did you know that you can choose your electricity provider? And you can choose to get your power from solar or wind. Switching an average home to renewable electricity can have the climate impact of preserving 6 acres of forest.
It’s easy to find renewable energy providers and easy to switch. Just go to MD electric choice https://www.mdelectricchoice.com/shop/ and enter your utility and your estimated monthly kWh of electricity used (you can get that off your most recent electric bill). On the next screen, you can refine your results to choose providers that use renewable energy. You’ll see many options and can choose one based on the percentage and type of renewable energy, as well as price and terms. Once you make the switch, your power lines will still be serviced by Pepco and you’ll still get a Pepco bill that will include charges from your new provider for electric generation and transmission charges from Pepco.
August 2020: Mosquito Control
Avoid spraying toxic chemicals in your yard to fend off mosquitoes. Instead you should reduce the standing water in your yard and use an effective repellent.
There are four repellents approved by the EPA to fight insects.
DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535, an amino acid that interferes with mosquitoes' sense of smell. The EPA considers DEET and picaridin "conventional repellents" and oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 as "biopesticide repellents," which are made from natural materials.
The EPA offers these guidelines for the safe use of insect repellents:
• Repellents should be applied only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use under clothing.
• Do not apply near eyes and mouth, and apply sparingly around ears.
• When using sprays, do not spray directly into your face; spray on hands first and then apply to your face.
• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin and clothes with soap and water.
DEET is considered the most effective insect repellent, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends DEET not be used on infants less than 2 months old. The label on products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus warns against use on children younger than age 3.
June 2020: Native Plants
Our state is home to at least 400 species of native bees that are essential to plant reproduction and food production. You can do your part to support pollinators by planting native plants and flowers of different shapes, sizes, and colors. And, to keep pollinators alive and healthy, refrain from using herbicides and pesticides on your lawn and garden.
The University of Maryland Extension has more helpful information, click here to go to their website.
February 2020: Melting Ice the environmentally friendly way
Common de-icers are cheap and effective, but threaten the health of soil systems, waterways, and wildlife when the snow melts. De-icing salts are also notorious for burning the paws of dogs and cats, and are highly corrosive to driveways, cars, and roads.
Here are some ideas for more environmentally friendly de-icing techniques:
• Look for the words “Pet Safe” on de-icer products. Pet safe de-icers are commonly made from calcium magnesium acetate, calcium chloride, or potassium chloride, are non-toxic, and will not harm the environment, your driveway, your pet’s paws, or your children. In fact, the minerals present in pet safe de-icers will fertilize the soil and plant systems the de-icer comes into contact with.
• If you suspect it will snow or ice-up overnight, flip up your windshield wipers and put a tarp over your car’s windshield, roof and rear window, then lower the wipers down onto the tarp. Open the car doors and tuck the tails of the tarp into the car to keep it in place. In the morning, If it is a light dusting or a little ice, just open your doors, flip the wipers back up and remove the tarp. The ice and snow should come off easily.
January 2020: Appliance Recycling Program
How to Participate
Schedule a recycling pick-up today!
Call us at 877.743.3117.
Eligibility
• You must be a Pepco customer with an active residential account in Maryland.
• You must own the appliance, and refrigerators and freezers must be 10 to 30 cubic feet.
• Room air conditioners and dehumidifiers are only eligible for pick-up at the same time as a scheduled refrigerator or freezer pick-up.
• The refrigerator, freezer, room air conditioner and/or dehumidifier must be emptied, plugged in and in working (cooling) condition at the time of pick up. Room air conditioners must also be removed from the window prior to pick up.
• The appliance must be picked up from the address listed on your Pepco account.
• Limit of two large appliances (refrigerators and/or freezers) and two small appliances (room air conditioners and/or dehumidifiers) per residential account per year.
• An adult, 18 years or older, must be present at the time of collection.
Get an Appliance Rebate: EmPOWER Maryland programs are funded by a charge on your energy bill. EmPOWER programs can help you reduce your energy consumption and save you money. To learn more about EmPOWER and how you can participate, click here.
Contact: 866-353-5798