Smart Appliances To Save Energy and Conserve Water Email Para leer este artículo en español, haga clic aquí. Conserving energy doesn’t mean you have to eat dinner with the lights off or turn the heat all the way down in the winter. Thanks to a few advances in technology, conserving energy is so easy you might even forget you’re doing it. Save on Your Heating and Cooling Bills There’s no need to stay too chilly in winter or too hot in summer anymore. Smart thermostats can easily control a heating and cooling system based on your preferences. The system adjusts the temperature automatically based on who is home and what temperature they prefer. These devices are considered “learning systems” which means they can program themselves over time. A learning thermostat costs about $250 up front but can pay itself back in energy savings in just two to three years. Curtail Power-Hungry Appliances Many appliances use energy when turned off — and can even use as much energy as when turned on. However, with the use of smart outlets, you are able to automatically shut off power to connected devices and appliances not in use, such as at night or when nobody is home. Though a smart outlet won’t generally save you a noticeable amount on your electric bill, the savings can add up when used to strategically turn off unused appliances that draw a significant amount of power. Conserve Water Water-saving devices such as smart sprinkler controllers are able to respond to local weather patterns and shut themselves off if an incoming storm is likely to provide the water your plants need. This can reduce your water bill and prevent lawns or garden beds from flooding. Keep in mind that not all smart gadgets will save you money. It’s important to do the math and consider other energy saving alternatives that may offer a better return on investment. For instance, using energy efficient light bulbs and being diligent about turning off the lights in unoccupied rooms will likely save more energy and money than installing smart light switches. Usando Dispositivos Inteligentes Para Conservar Energía y Agua Conservando energía no significa tener que comer sin luces o apagar totalmente el calentamiento en el invierno. Gracias a algunos avances tecnológicos, conservando energía es tan simple que puedes hasta olvidar que lo estás haciendo. Ahorra Dinero en tu Calentamiento y Refrescamiento Ya no hay necesidad de estar muy frío en el invierno o muy caliente en el verano. Termostatos inteligentes pueden fácilmente controlar sistemas de calefacción y refrigeración dependiendo de tus preferencias. El sistema ajusta automáticamente la temperatura dependiendo de quién está en la casa y su temperatura preferida. Estos aparatos se consideran sistemas de aprendizaje porque pueden programarse ellos mismos a lo largo del tiempo. Y aunque estos aparatos cuestan alrededor de $250, pueden pagar por ellos mismos en tan solo dos o tres años con los ahorros de energía. Limite los Vampiros Eléctricos Muchos aparatos usan energía cuando están apagados — y hasta pueden usar la misma cantidad de energía cómo si estuvieran prendidos. Sin embargo, con el uso de enchufes inteligentes, puedes automáticamente apagar la energía a aparatos que no estén en uso, cómo en la noche o cuando nadie está en casa. Y aunque un enchufe inteligente por sí mismo no te ahorrará tanto dinero en tu factura de electricidad, los ahorros se pueden acumular cuando lo usas para estratégicamente apagar aparatos que usan cantidades excesivas de energía. Conserva Agua Aparatos que ahorran agua como las controladores de regaderas inteligentes pueden responder al clima local y apagarse ellos mismos si viene lluvia que le dará el agua que tus plantas necesitan. Esto puede reducir tu factura de agua y prevenir que se ahogue tu jardín. Ten en cuenta que no todos los aparatos inteligentes te ahorrarán dinero. Es importante hacer las cuentas y considerar otras alternativas que ahorran energía y te puedan ofrecer un mejor retorno de inversión. Por ejemplo, usando luces de bajo consumo y siendo diligente con apagar luces en cuartos desocupados probablemente te ahorrará más energía y dinero que instalar interruptores inteligentes de luz.
Fresh Start to 2021: Out with Plastic and In with Reuse Email Para leer este artículo en español, haga clic aquí. With the start of the New Year, chances are you may have some new resolutions in mind. Why not make a reusable centered, low-plastic lifestyle one of those goals? From takeout dining to buying in bulk, we have seven options to help you reduce your dependence on plastic. We suggest trying one or two of them at first to keep your resolution achievable. Once those are second nature you can try more! When shopping, always ask yourself: Do I really need this? And, is there a more sustainable way I can get this item? This check-in is a great way to think about what is truly necessary and evaluate whether there are better alternatives without plastic and other packaging waste. With California’s plastic bag ban back in place, the majority of stores are again allowing customers to bring reusable bags with them. Using a reusable bag is an easy way to curtail some unnecessary plastic waste. Call ahead to make sure the store you’re planning to shop at is allowing reusable bags into the store. When shopping for groceries, buy bulk whenever you can. Stopping at the bulk food store, butcher shop or farmers market allows you to buy exactly how much food you need while also cutting back on plastic waste from packaging – a double win! Make home-cooked meals with real ingredients by shopping on the perimeter of a store and avoiding the middle aisles where food tends to be over packaged to preserve shelf-life. If you’re ordering takeout to eat at home, let the restaurant or delivery service know that you do not want plastic cutlery or a plastic bag. Fed up with all the foam and plastic takeout waste? Try making more meals at home. Commit with an accountability-buddy. Although we might not be able to gather together right now, we can set goals together! Share your commitment with friends and check in with each other regularly about new creative ways to slim down your plastic use. Assess your progress weekly to check for any improvements you can make. A quick glance into your trash bin can provide the feedback you need. The National Institutes of Health estimates that impacts of COVID-19 will increase plastic demands by nearly 60%, so what better time to cut out unnecessary plastic in your life than now to do your part? Empezando el 2021 con un Adiós al Plástico Con el comienzo de Año Nuevo, es probable que tengas nuevos propósitos en mente. ¿Por qué no hacer una de tus metas un estilo de vida basado en la reutilización? Desde ordenando comida para llevar hasta comprando a granel, te presentamos siete opciones para ayudarte a reducir tu dependencia del plástico. Sugerimos escogiendo sólo uno o dos consejos para empezar para que sea más manejable. Cuando eso se haga instinto, puedes experimentar con más. Cuando estés haciendo compras, pregúntate a ti mismo: ¿De veras necesito esto? Y, ¿existe una forma más sustentable que pueda conseguirlo? Estas preguntas son una buena manera de identificar lo que realmente es necesario y si hay mejores alternativas sin plástico y otro embalaje que resulta en desechos innecesarios. Con la prohibición de bolsas plásticas en California ya en efecto otra vez, la mayoría de tiendas ya están dejando entrar bolsas reutilizables. Usando una bolsa reutilizable es una manera fácil de evitar el uso innecesario de plástico. Llama para confirmar que la tienda que planeas visitar sí está aceptando bolsas reutilizables. Cuándo vas para el mandado, compra a granel cuando puedas. Comprando a granel, en la carnicería o en un mercado abierto te deja comprar la cantidad exacta de comida que necesitas mientras cortas tu uso de plástico – ¡una doble ganancia! Prepara comida en casa con ingredientes naturales y compra al borde de la tienda, evitando los pasillos de en medio donde la comida suele ser embalada excesivamente. Si estás ordenando comida para llevar, deja el restaurante o servicio de entrega saber que no quieres una bolsa plástica o utensilios desechables. Y si estás cansado de todo el embalaje plástico y poliestireno, puedes hacer una meta de preparar más comida en la casa. Busca un amigo y motivense entre ustedes a ser más responsables con lo que consumen. Aunque no podemos juntarnos ahora, podemos hacer y alcanzar metas juntos. Comparte tu compromiso a menos plástico con tus amigos y compartanse ideas para reducir su uso de plástico. Evalúa tu progreso cada semana para ver si puedes hacer alguna mejoría. Un vistazo en tu bote de basura te ayudará a ver cómo vas progresando. Los Institutos Nacionales de Salud calculan que los impactos de COVID-19 aumentarán la demanda por plástico casi 60% y ¿que mejor tiempo de hacer tu parte y cortar plástico innecesario en tu vida?
Options for Zero Waste Grocery Shopping Email Para leer este artículo en español, haga clic aquí. One of the most visible sources of household trash is the packaging that our food comes in. These days it’s hard to avoid plastic and other single-use packaging while shopping because it’s used to package nearly everything. However, there are certain services and grocery shopping techniques that can help cut way back on packaging. Zero Waste Grocery Delivery Services Some companies have jumped on the increasing popularity of grocery delivery services, but with a twist — everything that is delivered to your door comes in completely reusable packaging and there is no waste. It’s been likened to the modern-day version of the milkman, as essentially, you order your food online, receive it at your doorstep in reusable containers, and then return those same containers to receive more upon your next order. This greatly cuts down on packaging waste because the same material can be used many times before being disposed of. Zero Grocery, Loop and The Wally Shop are a few examples of these emerging online grocery services. While these services are not yet available in all areas, they continue to serve more communities and offer more products all the time. Community Supported Agriculture Another option that has existed for decades is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), which allows you to receive deliveries of fresh produce from a local farm. Some companies such as Imperfect Foods even reclaim millions of pounds of perfectly good “ugly” produce that would normally be tossed out and deliver it to consumers at a reduced cost. Local Stores The grocery store you already shop at can even be a place to find zero waste packaged foods. For instance, almost the entire produce area of the store can be zero waste if you bring a reusable produce bag instead of using the store provided plastic bags. Bulk bins are another zero waste option for daily staples without any packaging waste. Call ahead because not all stores are using bulk bins during the pandemic. Ultimately, zero waste grocery delivery services, CSAs and even your local store provide ways to get the food you need while reducing your waste footprint. Cómo Hacer Compras de Mandado de forma Cero Residuo Una de las más visibles causas de basura del hogar es el embalaje en el que viene nuestra comida. Hoy en día puede ser difícil evitar comprar cosas que vienen envasadas en plástico y otros materiales diseñadas para un solo uso. Sin embargo, existen ciertos servicios y técnicas de hacer compras que pueden ayudar a cortar el desperdicio de embalaje. Entrega de Mandado a Domicilio sin Desperdicio Algunas empresas han empezado a seguir la popularidad de entrega de mandado a domicilio, pero con una diferencia — toda la comida que viene a tu puerta viene envasada en materiales completamente reutilizables y no hay ningún desperdicio. Se compara a la forma moderna del lechero, porque, tú haces tu pedido de comida de forma digital, y luego lo recibes a tu puerta en contenedores reutilizables que puedes regresar para recibir más en tu próximo orden. Y porque estos contenedores se pueden usar muchas veces antes de tener que ser tirados, esto ayuda bastante a reducir el desperdicio de embalaje. “Zero Grocery”, “Loop” y “The Wally Shop” son algunos ejemplos de estos servicios emergentes. Y aun cuando estos servicios no se encuentran en todos lados, continúan a servir más comunidades y ofrecer más productos todo el tiempo. Agricultura Sostenida por la Comunidad Otra opción que ha existido por décadas es la Agricultura Sostenida por la Comunidad (CSA), que te permite recibir frutas y verduras frescas de una granja local. Algunas empresas cómo “Imperfect Foods” hasta rescatan millones de libras de productos frescos “feos” que normalmente serían tirados y los entregan a consumidores a un precio reducido. Tiendas Locales La tienda donde ya haces compras de mandado puede ser un lugar para encontrar comidas envasadas de forma cero residuo. Por ejemplo, casi todo el área de productos frescos de la tienda puede ser cero residuo si traes tu bolsa reutilizable en vez de usar las bolsas de plástico ofrecidas en la tienda. Comprar a granel es otra opción para comprar alimentos básicos sin cualquier desperdicio. Llame primero porque no todas las tiendas están dejando comprar a granel con la pandemia. En conclusión, servicio de mandado a domiclio, CSAs y hasta tu tienda local pueden ofrecer maneras para recibir la comida que necesitas sin tantos desechos.
Should I Recycle or Compost Paper? Email Soiled Paper GOES IN THE COMPOST CART so it can be turned into a high quality, 100% organic soil amendment • Tissue • Paper Towels • Food-soiled Paper • Coffee Cups • Paper Egg Cartons* • To-go Containers • Pizza Boxes • Waxed Paper & Waxed Cardboard Clean Unsoiled Paper GOES IN THE RECYCLING CART so it can be made into new paper • Office Paper • Clean Cardboard • Newspaper • Magazines / Catalogs • Paper Bags • Junk Mail / Envelopes • Phone Books • Shredded Paper in Clear Bags
Recycle Big With Recycle More Email If the holidays left you with unused, outdated or oversized electronics & appliances, recycle them through our Recycle More program. Recycle More accepts: Televisions & computer monitors Computer & office equipment Consumer electronics Anything with a cord Large and small appliances Oversized metal items (Over 36”) Bagged clothing & shoes (Holes, tears and stains are OK but items must dry and bagged. Wet items cannot be accepted.) Cooking oil (Call or go online to request a collection container.) Bagged household batteries (When combined with another Recycle More item.) Pick-up is by appointment only. Schedule a pick-up by visiting naparecycling.com/recycle-more or calling (707) 255-5200.
LESS = Lighting, Efficiency and Safety Stewardship Email Fluorescent bulbs are up to four times more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last up to ten times as long. It’s important to switch to more efficient lighting because of the energy you can save, but spent fluorescents must be recycled properly…do not throw in the trash! Please note that LED bulbs do not contain mercury and can be disposed of in the regular trash when they finally burn out. Why is disposal in the trash ILLEGAL? Improper disposal can cause mercury to be be released into the air, water and soil—posing a risk to public health and environment. To learn more: www.lamprecycle.org or naparecycling.com/guide/light-bulbs-fluorescent-cfl Lámparas fluorescentes son hasta cuarto veces más eficientes y duran hasta diez veces más que las lámparas incandescentes tradicionales. Es importante cambiar a lámparas fluorescentes por el ahorro de energía, pero deben ser recicladas apropiadamente cuando se funden… ¡no las deseches en la basura! Por favor nota que lámparas LED no tienen mercurio y puede desecharlos en la basura cuando se funden. ¿Por qué es ilegal desechar en la basura? Eliminación incorrecta puede causar mercurio ser liberado en el aire, el agua y el suelo, representando un riesgo para la salud pública y el medio ambient. OVER THE PAST 9.5 YEARS, several Napa stores have voluntarily accepted fluorescent lamps from the public at no charge in the “LESS” RECYCLING PROGRAM. Over 52,000 compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and 50,000 fluorescent tubes have been collected, shipped and recycled by LESS retail partners. Thanks for keeping these mercury-containing lamps and tubes out of landfills…keep up the good work Napa! ZELLER’S ACE 819 Randolph St, Napa 707-224-0204 Mon–Fri 7:30am–6:00pm Sat 7:30am–5:00pm; Sun 8:00am–5:00pm CLARK’S ACE 325 Lincoln Ave, Napa 707-255-427 Mon–Fri 7:30am–6:00pm Sat 7:30am–5:00pm; Sun 8:00am–5:00pm Napa Electric 2240 Brown St 707-252-6611 Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm Outdoor Supply Hardware 3980 Bel Aire Plaze 707-690-0366 Mon–Sat 7:00am–8:00pm Sun 8:00am-6pm
Where Do Your Napa Solid Waste/Recycling Bill Payments Go? Email Are you curious about where your Napa solid waste/recycling bill payments go? If you want to know more about the City of Napa’s Solid Waste & Recycling (SWR) Enterprise Fund, please visit: www.cityofnapa.org/SWRFundInfo for more information including a link to the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) from the City’s fiscal year 2019/20 for the SWR Fund. ¿Tiene curiosidad sobre a dónde van los pagos de su factura de reciclaje / desechos sólidos? Si desea saber más sobre el Fondo de Reciclaje y Desechos Sólidos de la Ciudad de Napa, visite: www.cityofnapa.org/SWRFundInfo para obtener más información, incluyendo un link para el Informe Financiero Anual Popular del año fiscal 2019/20 de la Ciudad para el Fondo SWR.
Recycle More Clothing Email Clothes in a landfill? We can do better! Nearly 100% of clothing, apparel and shoes are reusable or recyclable. Yet, Americans only reuse or recycle 15% of consumer-used clothing and shoes. The rest — over 15 million tons a year — goes to landfills. What to do? Call Recycle More! What is accepted: All clothing All other textiles, including towels, linens & bedding Shoes and Belts Purses, Handbags and Backpacks Holes, tears and stains are OK. All items must be dry and bagged in a tied plastic bag. Wet items cannot be accepted. Our minimum for pickup is at least a full kitchen-size bag. Visit naparecycling.com/recycle-more or call 707-255-5200 to make your appointment! Please don’t put clothing, apparel or shoes in the blue recycling cart, since they tangle in our machinery and cannot be sorted for recycling.
Help Stop Junk Mail Email It’s good to recycle your junk mail. It’s even better to stop getting it. Here’s How: Switch all your bills to electronic delivery Decline promotional mail when you buy online Log on to www.catalogchoice.org to stop receiving unwanted catalogs Visit www.dmachoice.org to reduce junk mail by 80% (charges $2 processing fee) Opt out of credit card and insurance offers at www.optoutprescreen.com (this site uses the credit bureaus to effectively stop junk mail and will ask for your SSN – it’s not a scam) Opt out of phone books at www.yellowpagesoptout.com Check www.stopjunkmail.org for additional tips Don’t forget to check out our Recycling Guide for information on recycling any junk mail you already have.
Christmas Tree Recycling Email The Do’s and Don’ts of Christmas Tree Recycling. Recycling your Christmas tree is a great way to reduce the amount of waste created over the holidays. Watch this short video to learn how Christmas tree recycling helps sustain our environment. Ready to recycle your tree? Here are some simple do’s and don’ts to get your tree ready for recycling. Do… Remove all items from the tree so it looks the way it did when you purchased or cut it Cut trees in half if they are over 8ft long Don’t… Attempt to recycle artificial or flocked trees Put it in your recycle bin Leave it in the tree stand Leave ornaments, tinsel or any other decoration on the tree To Recycle Your Tree in Napa The annual Boy Scouts of America Christmas Tree Pick-Up and Recycling Day comes to Napa on Saturday, January 9, 2021. Please have your tree on the curb by 9:00 am on Saturday morning. Please DO NOT set out your tree earlier in the week, since tree collection will not take place until Saturday. A voluntary donation of $10 per tree is suggested and appreciated. Please do not leave money on the tree! Scouts will come to your door. Please leave a check made out to “Boy Scouts of America” in an envelope at your door. Customers who miss the Scouts tree pick-up may place their tree out for collection on their normal service day beginning the following Monday. Please follow the above tree preparation guidelines and cut trees over 8′ in half. Flocked trees are not accepted and need to be disposed of as trash. Wreaths, pumpkins, and other holiday greenery go in the compost cart.At our Napa Recycling and Composting Facility, we turn all your holiday greenery into compost, mulch or fuel for renewable energy.