Climate Change Needs All of Us!

Posted on July 13th, 2023

WHAT’S ON MY MIND THIS MONTH

The easiest way to start curving your impact on Climate Change?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Three simple words that truly will make a difference when you implement them as often as you can.

Would you like to expand your recycling efforts? What can you be doing in your home to reduce your waste stream and reduce your consumption of resources? For starters, click here for tips on “How you can Recycle Right”

To expand your efforts even further, below you’ll find ideas you can incorporate into your recycling lifestyle, and links to all kinds of available resources.

Energy Reduction

Turn off lights when not in the room.
Switch to LED bulbs.
Make sure you have thermostats set at a reasonable temperature and do not change them as constant fluctuations in temperature use more energy.
When replacing bathroom fans and appliances upgrade to Energy Star Certified.
If you have older windows, in winter consider applying window film to add an additional layer of insulation.
Seal all air gaps and holes around plumbing and electrical outlets. This not only prevents your home from losing hot or cool air and reducing your energy consumption, it also improves your indoor air quality by reducing the amount of outdoor pollutants that enter your home.
Of course, if you have the funds to install solar that is the ultimate. There is a credit union that lends at low interest rates for solar installation. Call me for more info.

Water Reduction/Reuse

Think about how long you let the faucet run when brushing your teeth or rinsing/washing something.
Turn off shower head while soaping up. (I know this is impossible to get your teenagers to do, but there’s always hope they’ll remember!) 😊
Install low flow toilets and fixtures.
Use water from boiling vegetables for watering plants. Before using, you can strain it if need be.

Regional County Resources
You likely have a local recycling program throughout your city or county. If you’re new to your neighborhood or not sure what’s available, here are more resources.Whatcom County

Sanitary Services Co. LLC – typical glass, plastic and paper with yard waste & food scraps
Whatcom County Hazardous Waste – hazardous waste such as used oil, paint and garden products
Nooksack Valley Disposal – typical glass, plastic and paper with yard waste & food scraps
Ridwell – takes a lot items that other recycling companies don’t currently accept.
Electronic Recycling – this is a Washington State program

Skagit County
Each individual city has their own recycling program for typical glass, plastic and paper. Self-haul is also available in Skagit County.

Snohomish County
Waste Management
Hazard WasteKing County
As the largest county in the Pacific Northwest, King County provides numerous individual city services for recycling opportunities. Check here to see what’s available in your city.

More Recycling Resources

Asbestos is a serious and hazardous issue. Before you attempt to remove asbestos you need to understand the health hazards and know the federal and state rules.

Building Materials
Do you have a local recycling and/or reuse organization for building materials including door, windows, deck boards, etc.?

Lautenbach Recycling in Skagit and Whatcom Counties offers regional recycling for all sorts of building materials.
The ReStore in Bellingham is a branch of the non-profit organization, RE-Sources.
Habitat for Humanity reuse stores in your community. Regionally, there are stores in Bellingham and Mt. Vernon.

Even More Resources!
If you were unable to attend the recent Green Home talk on Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) rebates, or you would like a refresher on the information that was covered, here are some highlights:The IRA has two main incentives for homeowners: tax credits and rebates.

The tax credits for heating and efficiency upgrades are available now and apply to any improvements installed between 2023 and 2032. The tax credits have an annual maximum for heat pumps and other heating improvements, electric upgrades, insulation, and shell measures like windows and doors; you can apply each year for new upgrades. These credits are available to anyone regardless of income, assuming you pay taxes.
IRA rebates for improvements like heat pumps, water heaters, electric upgrades, insulation, and appliances will be available sometime in 2024. There are two rebate routes:

The Homeowner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) program is for anyone regardless of income and provides rebates for improved home performance and energy savings that result from efficiency measures.
The High Efficiency Electric Home Rebate (HEEHR) program is for low- to moderate- income households and covers a portion of the installation cost for electric improvements.

To help identify what incentives you may be eligible for, Rewiring America estimates your rebates and tax credits based on a few questions.

Lasty this month, if you haven’t already, now is also a great time to sign up for an energy audit with the Community Energy Challenge. CEC Energy Advisors will help you identify improvements for your home before the end of the year, so you are ready to take advantage of all the new incentives rolling out. If you’ve already received an audit but still have some efficiency projects to implement, call the CEC at (360)-676-6099 to get started.

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