Ellen Perlman was a GOVERNING staff writer and technology columnist.
E-mail: mailbox@governing.comTwitter: @governing
How Many Energy-Saving Tips Do YOU Have?
Looking for more tips to offer residents on how to conserve energy?
Take a look at these 50 simple tips from the Chicago Tribune. They came from engineers, chemists, environmentalists, recycling experts, government agencies, medical professionals, appliance-makers, gardeners and readers.
We've heard about many of these, but some were new to me.
For instance, go back to bars of hand soap instead of buying liquid in wasteful plastic bottles.
Or, if you're a dog owner, buy biodegradable bags from pet stores for poop-scooping. If you're grabbing old plastic newspaper bags on the way out of the house, as many people do, that means the delightful contents will be preserved forever in the landfill.
Then there's the tip about leaky toilets. It's estimated two out of 10 toilets in the U.S. leak. Here's how to find out if yours does. Add food coloring to the tank. If there's leak, color will appear in the bowl within 15 minutes. (Caveat - flush as soon as you're done or the bowl will stain.) Need more help? Here's a video.
This sounds easy and fun! Try it tonight!
Check out the other tips and share them with your constituents, if you haven't already.
Twitter: @governing
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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