Picture by Sue Moen
Go Green New Glarus
"Take the Initiative"
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Take the initiative and start implementing these "Green" ideas today:
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Before you recycle that junk mail - make a simple call and get your name off their mailing lists.
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Plug all of your computer equipment into one power strip and turn it off at night--saving energy and money and/or invest in a Smart Strip Power Strip.
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Unplug toasters, blenders and other occasional-use electronics when not in use--all of these items use power, even when not in use, contributing to your overall energy use.
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Use cloth bags at the supermarket, instead of plastic. Click here to learn more and how to get a FREE bag.
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Sign-up for paperless billing. Many companies offer you the chance to receive your bills via email. Take advantage, and save yourself from unwanted paper mail and advertising inserts. Click here to learn more about paperless billing at New Glarus Light & Water.
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Instead of viewing rainwater as a nuisance, set up collection barrels and use it to irrigate your flower and plant beds.
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There is currently an estimated 400 million people worldwide facing severe water shortages. All the while, an enormous amount of water is lost through seemingly minor drips around the house. A leaky faucet can lose up to 20 gallons of water a day, while a leaky toilet can flush an extra 200 gallons every day! What's worse, the toilet could be leaking and you might not even know it! To test for a leak, put five to ten drops of food coloring in the tank. If ten minutes later there's coloring in the bowl, you've got a problem and you need to get it fixed.
THINK GREEN - LIVE GREEN
Well over a billion single-use plastic bags are given out for
free each day. These plastic bags take
That is why we offer FREE Environmentally Safe reusable "green" grocery/shopping bags that are an excellent way for you to contribute to saving our planet in addition to providing you a better alternative to bringing home your goods. The bags are of high quality and have multiple uses. They fold up nicely for easy storage. Stop down at Village Hall to pick one (or two) up today.
The Village of New Glarus actively supports recycling!
Click
Here to View the Village Garbage & Recycling Brochure
Yard Waste - Don't throw those old grass clippings or branches into the garbage to take up space in our landfills. The Village offers a compost dumpster located at the Village Garage (93 1st St) anytime during the months of April through November. Click here for more information.
- For every ton of paper that is recycled, the following is saved: 7,000 gallons of water; 380 gallons of oil; and enough electricity to power an average house for six months.
- You can run a TV for six hours on the amount of electricity that is saved by recycling one aluminum can.
- By recycling just one glass bottle, you save enough electricity to power a 100-watt bulb for four hours.
"The energy decisions you make today can support a cleaner environment tomorrow"
No single solution can meet our society's future energy needs. The
answer lies instead in a family of diverse energy technologies that
share a common thread: they do not deplete our natural resources or
destroy our environment. Renewable energy taps into the natural
cycles and systems, turning the ever-present energy around us into
usable forms. The movement
of wind and water, the heat and light of the sun, heat in the ground,
the carbohydrates in plants—all are natural energy sources that can
supply our needs in a sustainable way.
Best of all, it can be easy and affordable to get started - simply
invest a few dollars a month in our Renewable Energy Program. By
supporting renewable energy, you can help ensure a good quality of life
for your family and your community for generations to come.
Click here to view Renewable Energy Program Application
Businesses can take part their support of renewable energies through investing in Green Power.
Click here to view Green Power Program Application
With rising (catapulting) gas prices, there's never been a better
time to share a ride to work. Carpool with one other person and you'll
cut your costs in half. Carpool with two and you'll cut your costs by
two-thirds. You'll not only save on gas, but you'll put fewer miles on
your car, reducing maintenance costs. It is estimated that over
1/2 of New Glarus resid
ents work in the Madison area, why not ride with
one (or two) and start saving today.
Click Here to Start Finding Local Rideshares
Please pass along the rideshare information including the above link (www.rideshareetc.org) ...the more New Glarus residents that register (no cost or obligation), the more likely people are to find rideshare matches.
For more information, or if you would like assistance, please call 266-RIDE (7433) or send an email to rideshare@cityofmadison.com. There is no charge or obligation. Most commuters save over $1,500/year. Even though the program is sponsored by City-County-State government it is for ALL COMMUTERS, not just state employees. Home addresses are always suppressed in the database.
As an incentive, participants are eligible to receive, FREE, Guaranteed Ride Home service (taxi vouchers), in cases of an emergency when you are at work without your vehicle. Another incentive, Share & Park coupons are available to participants for $25 for 7 days of parking in City ramps for occasional parking on days when your alternative isn't doable.
Why not check it out and see what the program can do for you?
Did you know that your appliances (i.e., TVs, computers, etc.) continue to use power even when they are shut-off. It is estimated that electronics use up to 40% of energy while shut-off. But there is a solution. Purchase a Smart Strip Power Strip that stops the use of unneeded energy. In addition, bring in your receipt and New Glarus Light & Water will give you a $25 credit on your utility bill for each power strip purchased (i.e., must be a customer of New Glarus Light & Water to qualify for the $25 bill credit).
Click Here to learn more about and/or purchase Smart Strip Power Strips
Click on the following links to learn more about "Going Green:"