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THE ENERGY FAIR – Custer, WI

January 16, 2017

Celebrate the summer solstice at The 28th Annual Energy Fair, June 16-18, 2017! The Energy Fair brings over 13,000 attendees together to learn about clean energy and sustainability, connect with others, and take action towards a more sustainable future. Enjoy over 200 workshops, over 200 exhibitors, live music, inspiring keynotes, camping, family fun, great food,…

THE ENERGY FAIR – Custer, WI

January 16, 2017

Buckthorn Brush Burn

January 11, 2017

We’re hosting a winter brush pile burning event, where invasive buckthorn is the fuel at Allemansratt Wilderness park in Lindstrom, MN We need 50 volunteers to haul, stack, and burn pre-cut buckthorn. We’ll serve the cocoa. You are welcome to bring hotdogs, marshmallows, and roasting sticks! Registration is required http://www.greatrivergreening.org/events/2017-winter-buckthorn-burn/ Some considerations: Moderate to heavy…

Take a Tech Dump During Salvage Saturdays in January

January 11, 2017

Declutter your electronics in the new year! Drop unwanted e-waste at Tech Dump and get a coupon for Tech Discounts during January Salvage Saturdays. Plus, working flat screen TVs can be dumped for free through January 31st. WHEN: Saturday, January 14th, 2017 Saturday, January 28, 2017 WHERE: Tech Dump Saint Paul 698 Prior Avenue N,…

Take a Tech Dump During Salvage Saturdays in January

January 11, 2017

Green Tips

Reduce Paper Waste at the Office

Office paper is highly recyclable, but reducing or preventing paper waste is even more cost effective than recycling. Some ideas for reducing office paper waste:

Double-sided copying and printing.
Reusing paper. Keep a collection box by the copy machine for bad copies so the second side can be reused.
Make use of electronic communication.
Use smaller cover sheets or eliminate the cover sheet all together.
Reuse items from old packaging.
Reuse materials in-house, through clients, customers and consumers.
Consider buying the most environmentally-friendly paper (100% post-consumer recycled) to stock in your printers, copiers and fax machines.

Check out our full article Green Your Office for more great ideas.

Take the Energy Challenge

The fastest, cheapest, easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint is through energy efficiency and conservation. Plus, you’ll save yourself money in the process! Need a little boost to get started? Join the Minnesota Energy Challenge and learn from thousands of Minnesotans who have pledged to reduce their energy use—and are finding fun, creative ways to do it. Read more about the Challenge here.

Host an Art Night

Looking for a new way to connect with your neighbors, get free life advice, and spark your creative juices? Consider hosting an art night at your house, complete with paints, modeling clay, colored pencils and art smocks. Get messy, be creative, and let the conversation flow. For inspiration and resources, check out this article.

Check Windows and Doors for Energy Efficiency

Here are some easy tips for Home Energy Savings:

Leaky windows, doors and frames can let out the air you paid to heat or cool. Once a year, check the caulking around your windows, doors and joints to make sure everything is sealed tightly.
Install weather stripping around any leaky windows and doors.
If you use storm windows, check them each winter to be sure they provide a good seal and are not cracked.
If you have only single glaze windows, you can purchase do-it-yourself plastic storms that just tape into place.
If you use window air conditioners, take them out for the winter. If they are attached to the wall or too big to move, make sure they are well-covered with insulating material to avoid leaking a lot of your warm air.
If you have a fireplace, install a glass door that reduces hot air loss.

Support Strong Towns

The automobile era spurred the expansion of highways and the fragmentation of natural habitats and communities. Now, the suburban American lifestyle had led to an obesity epidemic, high levels of resource consumption, and oil dependency. Strong Towns is a nonprofit that helps cities focus on resiliency instead of growth. Find out more.

Start Backyard Composting

Did you know that the average Minnesota household throws 15 pounds of compostable materials into the trash every single week? Composting is an easy and simple way to have an immediate personal impact by diverting trash from the landfill or incinerator. Backyard composting takes leaves, grass clippings, veggie scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and tissue and turns them into valuable compost that reduces the amount of water and fertilizer required for your yard and garden, improves soil quality and supplies essential nutrients for plant growth.

Learn more!

Install a Programmable Thermostat

A programable thermostat can save $100 per year. Set it 2 degrees higher in summer and 2 degrees lower in winter for an additional money and energy savings.

Check out the Home Energy Checklist for more great ideas!

Purchase Low Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Your family can save 13,000 gallons of water per year with a low flush toilet, 2,900 gallons with a low flow shower head and 700 gallons with faucet aerators. Reducing temperature and usage of hot water will also save money and energy.

Find more great water saving tips with our Home Water Audit Checklist!

Learn from Shoreview

Shoreview Green Community is a group of citizens from the north metro community of Shoreview who are working with the Sierra Club North Star Chapter to make Shoreview a model community for its environmental practices. The group focuses on clean water, efficient resource use, and transportation issues. Learn more about how your community can model Shoreview’s environmental efforts here.

Support a Local Business

Did you know that roughly 73 cents of every dollar spent at a local business stays within the community, compared to 43 cents for non-local chain stores? When you buy from local businesses, you help that business employ community workers, support other local businesses, and contribute to the community’s overall health. Read more here about the benefits of buying locally.

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

THE ENERGY FAIR – Custer, WI

THE ENERGY FAIR – Custer, WI

Buckthorn Brush Burn

Take a Tech Dump During Salvage Saturdays in January

Take a Tech Dump During Salvage Saturdays in January

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

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