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Project Home’s Green Team strives to initiate sustainable business practices and to reduce the company’s impact on the planet. Our employee Green Team’s most successful action has been organizing an agency recycling program. Project Home goes beyond typical office material and recycles or finds reuse for computer equipment, construction materials and metals. Money collected from recycling is put in a “Pizza Fund” and is used to purchase lunch for our entire staff. This encourages a cooperative green culture and gives employees an incentive to separate and clean their recyclables. We are fortunate to have many wonderful recycling vendors in Madison. Here is a list of our vendors and others that recycle or reuse common materials: Ace Hardware – Rechargeable Batteries and Florescent Bulbs http://www.aceretailer.com/aceonwilly/
Cascade Asset Management – Computer Equipment and Electronics http://www.cascade-assets.com/
The Bruce Company – Wood, Drywall and Asphalt Shingles http://www.bruceco.com/
Madison Stuff Exchange – http://www.madisonstuffexchange.com/
UW SWAP – Office Furniture http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/swap/
Habitat Restore – Building Products http://www.restoredane.org/home.com
Studio Paran – Styrofoam Peanuts and Bubble Wrap
All Metal Recycling – Metal Below are some energy saving tips or if you would prefer to download them click here: Here are some low-cost tips to save energy and reduce your monthly energy bill: WINTER / SUMMER - Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer (68º in the winter and 78º in the summer).
- Remember: the thermostat is not like the gas pedal on your car. Turning it to the highest setting does not warm up your home any faster.
- Keep the windows closed and locked when using the heating system or air conditioner.
- In the winter, open drapes or blinds during the day to allow the sun’s warmth into your house. During the summer, close drapes or blinds during the day to keep the sun out.
- During the winter, put plastic over windows to reduce heat loss and decrease drafts.
- During the winter, move your furniture so you are not sitting near exterior walls or windows.
- During the winter, reverse your ceiling fan motor to disperse warm air collecting near the ceiling. There is a switch on the base of the fan.
APPLIANCES - Appliances like DVD players and televisions still use power when they are plugged in but not turned on. Unplug these appliances or use a power-strip and turn the switch off when not in use.
- Use the air-drying cycle instead of the heated-drying cycle on your dishwasher.
- Wash your clothes in cold water. They get just as clean and colors will fade less quickly.
- Clean the lint filter on your dryer after every load. Check the venting 2 times a year to be sure it isn’t clogged.
- Open the refrigerator and oven doors as seldom as possible, and close them as quickly as possible. Each time they’re opened a large amount of cold or heat has to be replaced and that takes energy.
- Place your gas water heater on “vacation” mode, or turn off your electric water heater when you leave town for more than a few days. Don’t forget to turn it back on when you get home.
- Vacuum the coils at the back or bottom of your refrigerator twice a year.
- Wait until you have a full load before running the clothes washer or dishwasher.
- Turn off your computer or put it in “sleep” mode when it is not being used.
- Whenever possible use the microwave for reheating food rather than your electric oven.
Please see the references on theback of this sheet for more information. Thank you for participating in the Weatherization Program and for doing your part to conserveenergy!
YEAR-ROUND - Dress appropriately for the weather.
- If possible, take a quick shower instead of a bath.
- Keep radiators, air registers and baseboard heaters clean. Make sure furniture or drapes don’t block them.
Energy Conservation & Renewable Energy Focus on Energy Information Center:800-762-7077 OR www.focusonenergy.com/Information-Center Midwest Renewable Energy Association: www.the-mrea.org RENEW Wisconsin:www.renewwisconsin.org Home Power Magazine: www.homepower.com/home MATC Renewable Energy Classes: matcmadison.edu/matc/offerings/programs/pdfs/RenewableEnergy.pdf Madison Area Recycle & Reuse Habitat ReStore (Reused & Affordable Building Supplies):(608) 661-2813 OR www.restoredane.org/home.cfm Dane County Recycling: www.co.dane.wi.us/pwht/recycling.aspx UW SWAP: www.bussvc.wisc.edu/swap Madison Stuff Exchange: www.madisonstuffexchange.com Freecycle: groups.yahoo.com/group/madisonfreecycle Madison Area Sustainable Living City of Madison Sustainability Page: www.cityofmadison.com/Sustainability/index.cfm Sustain Dane: www.sustaindane.org Dane County Buy Local: www.danebuylocal.com/home Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture: www.macsac.org Madison Environmental Group: www.madisonenvironmental.com The Aldo Leopold Foundation: www.aldoleopold.org Madison Public Library Booklist: www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/booklists/sustaining.html Sustainable Building& Remodeling Home Green Home (Sustainable Building Supplies): www.homegreenhome.biz/home.html EcoFriendly Flooring: www.ecofriendlyflooring.com Timbergreen Forestry: my.execpc.com/~tmbrgrn Water Conservation Water Conservation Tips: www.monolake.org/waterconservation Rain Garden Manual: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ORG/WATER/WM/dsfm/shore/documents/rgmanual.pdf Alliancefor Water Efficiency: www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org
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