Green Tips–Lifestyle Tips 1–10
 
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1. Dumping on Garbage—Reducing Solid Waste Transfer Station RECYCLING Guidelines Have your recycling ready in separate bags/bins for one of three collection containers: the paper materials container the plastic bottles/metal cans container the glass bottles/jars container. Fluorescent light bulbs and CFLs contain small amounts of mercury so it's very important to recycle these at the transfer station instead of throwing them into the trash. Winchester recycle bins may be obtained from the Town Clerk's office in the Town Hall or from CoolWin for $15 each. Check the Winchester Transfer Station for details and the most current information. Transfer Station TRASH Guidelines Check the Winchester Transfer Station for details, including a list of acceptable trash items and those that require an additional fee. Local private haulers Go Green, 877-720-1313. M&M Landscaping, 781-729-2021, Winchester Rubbish Removal and Recycling, 781-721-7800 John Edward Airey, 781-721-1880 To reduce junk mail and catalogs OptOutPrescreen.com is the official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website to accept and process requests from consumers to Opt-In or Opt-Out of offers of credit or insurance. The Direct Marketing Association is good to help get rid of marketing junk mail (gym memberships, oil changes, etc.), catalogs, even marketing emails for your personal accounts. The DMA is a major source of direct mailing address lists for companies. 2. Am I Clean Yet?—Reducing Hot Water Used in Showers Low flow shower heads range between 1.2 gallons per minute (GPM) and 2.5 GPM and can be found for $15 and up. Winchester’s Fells True Value Hardware carries at least one model. Turn off shower or lower volume while soaping and scrubbing. Some shower heads have a pause button or lever which makes this easier. 3. Scrub-A-Dub Tub—Reducing Water Used for Dishes Winchester’s Fells True Value Hardware carries faucet aerators. Free aerators are available as part of a no-cost energy assessment. Click Energy Upgrades to learn more. When washing dishes by hand, avoid leaving the tap running while washing to save on hot water use and costs. If you are planning to buy a new dishwasher, check out the facts in the Consumer Guide of the non-profit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The Winchester Transfer Station will accept your old dishwasher for recycling for a fee. Check the website for the most current information. 4. Wear it Again Sam—Washing and Drying Clothes 
 Efficiently Drying clothes on racks indoors saves energy and, in the winter, gives the home a little extra humidity. If you are planning to buy a new washing machine, check out the facts in the Consumer Guide from the non-profit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. 5. Better a Sweater—Turning Down the Heating Thermostat Programmable thermostats, if needed, are no-cost as part of an energy assessment (upgrade). Click Energy Upgrades to learn more. Winchester’s Fells True Value Hardware carries programmable thermostats. To landlords who control heat for tenants, please note there is a MA law stating that during heating season, rooms must be heated to at least 68° from 7 am to 11 pm and at least 64° at all other hours. 6. Plug Your Electricity Leaks—Turning Appliances All the 
 Way Off Borrow a Kill-a-Watt device from Winchester Library to determine energy “vampires.” Use inexpensive power strips (as little as $5) to turn electrical items completely off when not in use. Winchester’s Fells True Value Hardware carries power strips. To turn off all but one plugged-in item completely, buy a "Smart Strip" for about $35 (on web). Say you’ve used a hand controller to put your cable TV box into standby (low power) mode. The strip completely turns off the TV, DVD player and any other items plugged into the strip. To turn off each plugged-in item individually and completely, buy an "Ultra" power strip for about $20 from Tiger Direct. It has 7 outlets, 6 of which have individual on/off switches. providing convenient control of each item. Cheapest and simplest. To turn off all plugged-in items completely with one switch, buy a simple power strip for as little as $5 at Fells Hardware, CVS or Stop & Shop. Say you’ve used this strip to switch off the cable box. When switched back on, you only need to wait a minute or so for the cable box to update its information and function properly. Use motion sensors for briefly lighting specific areas. For a larger selection, you might have to go to a larger store, like Home Depot or Lowe’s. A timer wall switch may help by turning off lights after a pre-determined period of time. There are twist knob types ($15) and digital ones ($25+). Available at electrical supply outlets, home improvement stores, some hardware stores and online (See a Leviton example.) 7. Chill-In—Cooling Your House More Efficiently Use fans instead of air conditioning when possible. Set up an area in the basement to use on hot days or nights. For local vendors who can provide AC tune-ups, see "Air Conditioning Contractors" in the phone book or on the web. For additional tips or if you're planning to buy a new air conditioner, check out the facts in the Consumer Guide from the non-profit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The Winchester Transfer Station will accept your old air conditioner for recycling for a fee of $15 (includes freon reclamation). Check the Winchester Transfer Station website for the most current information. 8. Think Before You Go—Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled Bike websites: http://www.massbike.org/ Carpool websites: www.carpoolcrew.com www.dividetheride.com www.erideshare.com www.facebook.com/applications/carpool/2549790782 Bus & T schedules: www.mbta.com Support more appropriately priced fossil fuel pricing through www.onepennypermile.org and by speaking up for increased federal and state gas taxes. Support better pedestrian and bike paths in Winchester. Contact Sustainable Winchester. Buy locally. That is why CoolWin emphasizes using local businesses. 9. Drive Earth Smart - Fuel Efficient Driving If you feel you need to speed because you're always running late, schedule leaving home earlier so you can be on time while driving the speed limit (or even under). Idling for over 5 minutes in Massachusetts is against the law (with some exceptions) and is punishable by fines of $100 or more. 10. Chew on This for a While—Eating Lower on the Food Chain Eating (Very) Locally Wright-Locke Farm, 78 Ridge Street, the only producing farm in Winchester, has U-Pick organic raspberries during August-October and a wide variety of vegetable crops. Check with the non-profit Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy for details or visit their table of jams, berries, and produce at the Winchester Farmers Market. Buying Locally from Farms and Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) Busa Farm, in Lexington, near Winchester (CSA/U-pick and retail): www.busafarm.com, 52 Lowell Street, 781-861-1107. Waltham Fields Community Farm in Waltham (CSA): communityfarms.org, 240 Beaver Street, 781-899-2403. Wilson Farms in Lexington (CSA and retail): www.wilsonfarm.com/ 10 Pleasant Street, 781-862-3900 The Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) listing of CSAs in the area, many of which make weekly deliveries to pickup locations in Arlington or Lexington (or maybe where you work!) Local Farmers Markets Winchester Farmers Market on the Town Common from mid-June through October. Medford, Arlington and Lexington also have farmers markets. LocalHarvest.org lists farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in our area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies. Other Sources and Ideas Local sources for grass-fed beef, poultry and associated products (cheese, eggs, etc) are listed at www.eatwild.com/products/massachusetts.html. If you eat meat, be aware that grass-fed animals produce far less greenhouse gas than conventional (feed-lot) animals. www.eatwild.com/environment.html. Sustainable and eco-friendly seafood choices are easy to find by checking out this online guide from Blue Ocean Institute: www.blueocean.org/files/Seafood_Guide.pdf. Also from Blue Ocean Institute:an iPhone app and a texting option: text 30644, type the word "FISH" and a kind of fish, and in seconds they’ll text you their assessment and better alternatives when there are major environmental concerns. Be on the lookout for new services, such as The Wooden Crate a Winchester-based business that sources and delivers sustainable and organic foods to your door. Call Liz Fox at (781) 729-2671. Grow Your Own If you have a sunny spot in your yard, and you'd like to try growing vegetables, consider organic methods that avoid rototilling and avoid store-bought fertilizer. For beginners: start small, grow a couple of tomato plants and some herbs. Check out gardening websites: www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/ www.wikihow.com/Double-Dig-a-Garden www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/1987-05-01/Deep-Mulch.aspx Start a compost pile to keep your garden well "fed": www.compostguide.com/ Get on the waiting list for a plot at the Winchester Community Garden (near west side fire station) or work to create another community garden in town. Email Sustainable Winchester for more info. And once you start harvesting veggies or with the ones you get at the CSA or Farmer's Market you'll need some recipes: www.gardenguides.com/how-to/recipes/vegetables/ allrecipes.com/Recipes/Everyday-Cooking/Vegetarian/Main.aspx vegweb.com/index.php?action=recipecategories An excellent low-energy (and fast) way to cook is with a pressure cooker: www.missvickie.com/. Or work on your wok skills; small pieces of food cook much faster. There are many excellent books on these topics available at Winchester’s BookEnds, 781-721-5933.http://www.winchester.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=46http://www.winchester.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=46http://www.gogreenma.org/http://www.winchesterrubbish.com/http://www.winchesterrubbish.com/https://www.optoutprescreen.com/http://www.dmachoice.org/Energy_Upgrades.htmlhttp://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/dishwashing.htmhttp://www.winchester.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=46http://www.aceee.org/consumer/laundryEnergy_Upgrades.htmlhttp://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4823710&CatId=1284http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-612-6230M-W-Decora-30-15-10-5-Electronic/dp/B00004YUMP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1234476804&sr=1-1http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/cooling.htmhttp://www.winchester.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=46http://www.massbike.org/http://www.carpoolcrew.com/http://www.dividetheride.com/http://www.erideshare.com/http://www.facebook.com/applications/carpool/2549790782http://www.mbta.com/http://www.onepennypermile.org/mailto:cstar10@concentric.net?subject=Bike%20Pathshttp://www.wlfarm.org/http://www.busafarm.com/http://communityfarms.org/http://www.wilsonfarm.comhttp://www.nofamass.org/programs/csa.phphttp://www.nofamass.org/programs/csa.phphttp://www.winchesterfarmersmarket.org/http://www.localharvest.org/http://www.eatwild.com/products/massachusetts.htmlhttp://www.eatwild.com/products/massachusetts.htmlhttp://www.eatwild.com/environment.htmlhttp://www.blueocean.org/files/Seafood_Guide.pdfhttp://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/http://www.wikihow.com/Double-Dig-a-Gardenhttp://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/1987-05-01/Deep-Mulch.aspxhttp://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/1987-05-01/Deep-Mulch.aspxhttp://www.compostguide.com/mailto:cstar10@concentric.net?subject=Community%20Gardenhttp://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/recipes/vegetables/http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Everyday-Cooking/Vegetarian/Main.aspxhttp://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Everyday-Cooking/Vegetarian/Main.aspxhttp://vegweb.com/index.php?action=recipecategorieshttp://www.missvickie.com/shapeimage_12_link_0shapeimage_12_link_1shapeimage_12_link_2shapeimage_12_link_3shapeimage_12_link_4shapeimage_12_link_5shapeimage_12_link_6shapeimage_12_link_7shapeimage_12_link_8shapeimage_12_link_9shapeimage_12_link_10shapeimage_12_link_11shapeimage_12_link_12shapeimage_12_link_13shapeimage_12_link_14shapeimage_12_link_15shapeimage_12_link_16shapeimage_12_link_17shapeimage_12_link_18shapeimage_12_link_19shapeimage_12_link_20shapeimage_12_link_21shapeimage_12_link_22shapeimage_12_link_23shapeimage_12_link_24shapeimage_12_link_25shapeimage_12_link_26shapeimage_12_link_27shapeimage_12_link_28shapeimage_12_link_29shapeimage_12_link_30shapeimage_12_link_31shapeimage_12_link_32shapeimage_12_link_33shapeimage_12_link_34shapeimage_12_link_35shapeimage_12_link_36shapeimage_12_link_37shapeimage_12_link_38shapeimage_12_link_39shapeimage_12_link_40shapeimage_12_link_41shapeimage_12_link_42shapeimage_12_link_43shapeimage_12_link_44shapeimage_12_link_45shapeimage_12_link_46
Sustainable Winchester www.suswin.org President: Carolyn Starrett Email: cstar10@concentric.net Phone: Home: 781-729-9022 Cell: 617-899-1849 http://www.suswin.orgmailto:cstar10@concentric.netshapeimage_13_link_0shapeimage_13_link_1
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