MAPLEWOOD’S GREEN CHALLENGE 2009

1. Why adjust your thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer?

Studies have shown that for each 1^oF you set your thermostat back, you typically save 1% of your total heating bill for each 8 hour period per day.  By setting your heat back 2^oF for the full day you are likely to save about 6% on your annual heating.  If you set the thermostat back 5^oF while you are away during the day or sleeping at night you can save an additional 5%.  Comparable savings are possible from raising the thermostat with air conditioning.

2. Why recycle as much as possible?

Recycling is the law.  New Jersey residents are required to recycle everything that is locally recyclable.  There are no exceptions: not for businesses, not at school nor at sporting events, not in public places.  Learn what is recyclable and make the effort: always!  Recycling saves dramatically in the amount of energy and other resources needed to produce containers and paper products.  

3.  Why buy local food?

Our decisions about what foods to buy can be as environmentally significant as our personal transportation decisions.  Worldwide, livestock-raising is as significant a source of greenhouse gases as personal transportation.  Eating lower on the food chain (less meat) dramatically reduces the energy and land required to provide equivalent nutrition, and avoids significant emissions of methane (a major greenhouse gas) produced by cattle.

Buying food grown nearby usually reduces the transportation required, often reduces the packaging necessary, and helps preserve New Jersey farmland for future generations.  Carry home your groceries in reusable shopping bags by all means, but even more importantly, pay attention to what is in those bags!

4.  Why keep your car’s tires properly inflated?

Just keeping your tires inflated to the designed pressure for your car can save you money on gas.  Avoiding speeding, rapid acceleration, and unnecessary rapid braking can save even more.  Avoid carrying around extra weight: an extra 100 pounds can increase your gas consumption about 2%.  If your household has more than one car, try to use the most fuel efficient one whenever possible.  

Consider buying a higher mileage car when that makes financial sense, but in the meantime take some of the simple steps in the short-term that will save energy, money, and reduce your greenhouse gas impact.