Give up your second vehicle. Years ago, it was uncommon to have two or more vehicles per household. In some cities, it is uncommon to only have one vehicle, but you will save gas if you can embrace it. If you combine the cost of licensing, insuring, maintaining, and buying gasoline, it costs thousan...
It is important to maintain moisture and air in the compost pile. Keep your pile as damp as a well-wrung sponge. Be sure to check moisture on hot summer or windy days. Sprinkle with water when dry. Add air to your pile every two to three weeks. Poke holes through the pile with a broom handle and loo...
Don’t set the temperature colder than necessary. Set the refrigerator temperature between 36° F and 42° F. Set the freezer control so the temperature is between -5° F and +6° F. A small thermometer placed in the refrigerator or freezer will help you set it correctly. Give SBESC a call (310) 37...
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 each year, a date designated as International Mother Earth Day by a consensus resolution adopted by the United Nations in 2009. Events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Do one environmentally-friendly activity (i.e. take a 5...
For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain. Give us a call (310) 371-7222 to learn how West Basin Municipal Water District is conserving water for South Bay residents.
There is no Green Tip this week.....April Fools! A couple of quick calls to mail order catalog companies can free your mailbox from piles of junk. Switch to online bill paying to cut down on even more paper waste. Give us a call at (310) 371-7222 and find out when and where we will be in your South ...
Use a waste bin instead of flushing trash down the toilet and save up to 5 gallons per flush.
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc.
Plant trees and shrubs on the south and west side of your residence. The vegetation acts as insulation and provides shading, reducing thermal gain in a building.
Install an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat – It can save up to $100 per year in coastal areas and over $150 inland and pays for itself in less than 12 months. Make sure to install it away from natural cool and hot spots.
Use your auto's accessories—such as air conditioning, heater fan, and power windows or seats—as little as possible, since they all draw energy from the car's engine and battery.
Installing faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads will cut water heating costs by 50% and save up to $300 per year. It will also cut water use by up to 50%. As much as 19% of California electricity is used to pump, transport and treat water. Attention all commercial kitchens & restaraunts, take a...
eCycle it! Take your old computer, DVD player, or other electronics to an electronics recycling center. Reusing and recycling materials like copper, gold, and others saves natural resources and reduces mining and processing. eCycling also helps avoid land, air, and water pollution by capturing and r...
It takes some practice to change the habit of using our vehicles, but think before you head out. Can you walk or bike instead? It's a great way to save gas. It will not only prevent creating greenhouse gasses but it is also good for your health. It’s a win-win for everyone. Give us a call to learn...
Water your plants either early morning or evening to reduce evaporation and wind interference and save from 20-25 gallons per day. To learn more about rebates and incentives for water conservation, give us a call: (310) 371-7222.
Reuse old glass containers with lids and save them for leftovers, or, make your own jam or jelly. Food safe airtight glass containers are great for storing rice, pasta, sugar and flour.
Trade in your SUV for a fuel-efficient car.
In the late 1990’s, SUVs started to become a status symbol. Today, people are beginning to see them as luxury that pollutes. SUV’s require large engines due to their weight and are designed for pulling heavy loads. In most cases, people use them as pa...
If you have limited space for composting, then there are alternate small space options, such as vermicomposting. You can vermicompost, right under your kitchen sink, in a five gallon bucket from the home center. You can add just about any non-meat, non-dairy, not-greasy food you have on hand. Fruit ...
Give us a call to learn more about what you can ...
10 Tips for Reuse:
1. Reuse your blankets and towels. Bring them to a local shelter that will be glad to put them to good use and give animals a soft, warm place to sit.
2. Reuse seeds from fruit and vegetables and try to grow them!
3. Reuse old plastic bags. There are 10 creative ways to reus...
Water your lawn only 2-3 days/week instead of 5 days a week or invest in a weather based irrigation timer that bases watering schedule/frequency on temperature and weather data. This can save thousands of gallons per month. To learn about water conservation programs and rebates/incentives, give...
Spread a layer of organic mulch around plants to help retain moisture and save water, time & money. This can save up to 20-30 gallons per day. Give us a call to learn more about Ocean Friendly Gardening tips and workshops: (310) 371-7222.
Switch over to water efficient clothes washers, showerheads and toilets. Water-efficient showerheads can save up to 750 gallons per month. High-efficiency model toilets can save up to 17,500 gallons per year. A newer more efficient clothes washer can save 20-30 gallons per load over an older m...
Run dishwashers and clothes washers only with full loads and save up to 50 gallons per week. To learn about more water conservation tips and workshops available, call us: (310) 371-7222.
Inflate tires to their maximum recommended limit. The slightly softer ride gained by keeping those rubber "shoes" cushiony can play havoc with gasoline mileage. Also, if you're in the market for new tires, consider a radial-ply design—or at least a larger-diameter tire—since su...
Think different. Could some of your short trips be made on public transportation or by walking or riding a bike? Combining trips helps, as does carpooling with friends. Give us a call for more information and to learn about Metro's Vanpooling programs - (310) 371-7222.
Clear the clutter. Every 100 pounds you carry inside your car lowers its fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent. So if you don't need it, don't have it in your trunk.
Mind your maintenance. A well-tuned car burns less gasoline, so get your oil and air filters changed regularly.
October has been Energy Awareness Month since a presidential proclamation in 1991. For more than 15 years, government organizations — in partnership with businesses, associations, and concerned citizens — have observed this month with activities and programs to promote public understanding of ou...
Fix defective plumbing or dripping faucets. A single dripping hot water faucet can waste 212 gallons of water a month. That not only increases water bills, but also increases the gas or electric bill for heating the water.
Nearly 20% of household energy use comes from appliances. Choose EnergyStar appliances to save big every month on your bills!
The next time you wash your car, bring it to your local commercial car wash. Commercial car washes use less than half the water that you'd use when you do it yourself. Contact SBESC at (310) 371-7222 for carwash coupons for Hermosa Beach Carwash or Gardena Carwash.
Local officials who want to help youth and young adults connect with the emerging green technology and sustainability workforce can consider the following ideas.
Green this year’s back-to-school shopping by reusing last year’s supplies, buying items that contain recycled materials, and packing a waste-free lunch.
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc. Here's a list of simple ...
Leaving a computer on all day can cost about 21 cents per day, or about $75 per year. Unplug electronics and appliances when not in use – a task made easier by using multiple-outlet strips, which can turn everything off with the flip of a switch.
Programmable thermostats can save up to $150 a year on energy costs when used properly. Use one that can automatically turn off your cooling system when you are not home, and turn your system on in time for you to arrive home to a cooled house.
If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort. Just make sure to turn it off when you leave the room (fans cool people, not rooms).
On average, households lose about 20 percent of their heated and cooled air through the duct system to the outside. To avoid wasting energy, have your ducts inspected to ensure they’re sealed properly and insulated if necessary.
Running your air conditioning at 78°F instead of 72°F can save between 6 and 18 percent on your cooling bill. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be, so set your thermostat as high as possible during the summer months.
Well-planned landscaping isn’t just for aesthetics -- properly placed trees around the house can save between $100 and $250 annually.
Placing lamps or TV sets near your room's air-conditioning thermostat can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary because the thermostat senses heat from the appliances. Set them apart and save energy.
Here are some ways you can stay cool without using your home’s air conditioning, courtesy of Southern California Edison:
One of the easiest ways to honor the earth is to stop flushing prescription, over-the-counter medications and veterinary medicines down the toilet. Unused portions of legal and illegal drugs, including needles and sharps, should be taken to a special South Bay drop off location. The locations are in Manhattan Beach, Gardena, Lomita, Carson and South Los Angeles. For more information please call SBESC at (310) 371-7222, or click here for a list with addresses and other details.
The filtration system for swimming pools is powered by an electric pump, which consumes a lot of energy.Because it consumes a lot of energy, there is opportunity there to SAVE a lot of energy.The motor should be replaced every five or six years, and when it’s time, consider an energy efficient poo...