Dixie Somers

Recycling is becoming an increasingly big part of business. The obvious advantages are the environmental good coming from the practice and how companies can reuse materials. However, it also makes good business sense to try recycling whenever you can. Many people like to patronize establishments that they know are going for sound recycling methods. Here are a few of the more creative ways certain industries are trying to up their recycling game. Postage If your business ships any sorts of goods and packages, you will need a lot of postage each day. It is difficult to change the fundamentals of how postage works, but it isn't quite as hard to make a switch to kinds that you can reuse or recycle. You can find environmentally friendly envelopes and other items that you can reuse later. Being able to repurpose these items for another time cuts down on your overhead costs and moves you toward a more sustainable business model. In addition, keeping any mailing lists current will help you avoid sending out wasteful materials that won't reach current customers. Plastics Many businesses have to use plastic in some form. Depending on the industry in which you work, these materials might be a central part of your sales. Instead of throwing old things out when you make changes or improvements to your business model, you can donate them for use in other forms. Companies like bionicyarn.com even make this a central part of their mission. They'll take recycled plastics and transform them into other materials that can be just as durable and useful as the original components. Furniture It doesn't matter what kind of business you run or what you are selling when it comes to furniture. You and your employees need places to sit, gather, take breaks, and do your work efficiently. Many pounds of office furniture can wind up in landfills each month. You can help solve this issue. The various plastics and pieces of wood that comprise a lot of office furniture can be recycled into new components with relative ease. Many necessary changes to your business can result in old furniture moving out, but try to put those parts where they can do more good for professionals just like you. Electronics Technology changes all the time, and you have to keep up with the upgrades. If you need to get rid of things like old computers, there are a few ways you can go about it. Checking to see if the manufacturer has some kind of recycling program of their own should be your first step. Local supply stores might help you recycle what the industry calls e-waste. In addition, you might have some machines that still work well and could serve as donations. Your company might have specific industry guidelines it needs to meet for sustainability. It isn't always simple to reach these goals, but a little creative thinking could help you meet and even surpass these benchmarks before you know it. It is also worth it to consider how you can move away from products you need to recycle at all. If you work in an office environment, you might be throwing out a lot of empty pens. Consider switching to reusable versions to improve sustainability.

As climate change continues to be an important topic of discussion in today’s world, industrial facilities and other businesses are having to pay much closer attention to air quality and emission standards. Since these standards are regulated by the EPA and meant to slow the release of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants, failure to meet required standards can sometimes result in heavy fines and other penalties. To ensure your business is meeting emission standards, take the following steps. Make sure you know the rules and regulations of the EPA Clean Air Act, perform regular preventative maintenance, take advantage of technology, and incorporate training seminars into your workflow. By following these tips, you will be able to make sure that your company is staying below emission limits. Know the Rules The most obvious and important thing is to know the rules and regulations regarding emissions. Since most emission standards are regulated by the EPA Clean Air Act, it is important that you and others at your business stay up-to-date on the latest state and federal rules and regulations regarding emission standards. Since all businesses are different in some ways, the Clean Air Act does provide for some flexibility based on cost considerations and the feasibility for a business to use certain types of newer technologies, so keep this in mind. Take time to talk to experts and review what your business must do to remain within emission standards. Have Regular Preventative Maintenance The easiest way to keep emissions low is to perform regular maintenance on your equipment to keep them running at peak efficiency. If you oversee an industrial facility that relies on burners, making preventative maintenance a top priority will increase your chances of continually meeting emission standards. To have the best chance of meeting established guidelines, consider working with a burner service to have a customized maintenance plan created for your boiler operations. By having a plan that includes an annual inspection and other services, you can avoid unexpected problems. This will also prevent potential injuries and leaks. Take Advantage of Technology Along with having a maintenance plan for your boiler and related operations, also consider taking advantage of the latest technology when applicable. While it may have a high cost initially, the long-term benefits will far outweigh any initial spending by you and your company. As an example, many industrial facilities are now making excellent use of air monitoring equipment installed on roofs and other locations. In doing so, technicians can constantly monitor air quality levels to see if your facility is meeting established emission standards. Look into what technological innovations are available to help you meet emission standards. Training Seminars While you and your facility may have the latest equipment, it will not mean much if you and your employees are not properly trained in its use. Therefore, be willing to incorporate training seminars and workshops into your company. Since the technology associated with boilers and other industrial equipment is always changing, attending these training classes will be very useful for maintenance personnel, engineers, and others. Since you and your company want to do everything possible to meet emission standards in order to protect the environment as well as avoid hefty fines, implementing these strategies will be a smart business decision.

Winter is a great time to stay home and relax while enjoying time with friends and family. Unfortunately, all of that extra time at home can greatly increase your home's energy consumption. To help lower utility bills and reduce your home's environmental impact, there are some important steps you should take to help make your home more energy-efficient this winter. Install a Programmable Thermostat Although manual thermostats are effective at maintaining one temperature in your home, they don't do well when you need to change the temperature in your home throughout the day. For example, if part of your day is spent away from home at work, you don't need your home to be as warm as it is when you're present. By installing a programmable thermostat, you can fine-tune your temperature settings to increase your energy savings. Let the Light Shine In If you have large windows in your home, winter is the perfect time to make good use of them. On sunny days, you can open your curtains and allow the sunshine to warm the interior surfaces of your home. This will result in radiant heating that will keep your home warm for free. The best part is that with energy-efficient replacement windows, once the air inside your home is warm, it won't leave your home in the same way that the sun came in. Seal Cracks You may not realize it, but at any given time, your home is losing a lot of warm air through cracks and gaps in various places. These cracks can hide around windows and doors, in foundations, and in countless other areas around your home. In order to reduce your home's energy consumption, it's important to fill in as many of these cracks as you can so that your home loses energy more slowly. The more slowly air leaves your home, the less-frequently your furnace will have to run to keep your home warm. Upgrade Your Heating System Operating an inefficient heating system can take a serious toll on your utility bill. That's why it's a great idea to upgrade your heating system to a more efficient model. For maximum efficiency, you can install a geothermal heat pump that utilizes the constant temperature underground to keep your home warm. Although these systems are more expensive upfront, the energy savings you will experience over the lifetime of these systems is quite significant. If you're like some people, it might be hard for you to get warm even after implementing all these tips. Although it's hard to get comfortable, it's important to keep energy consumption in mind when you're making efforts to increase the temperature of your home. In some cases, it may be better to add an extra layer of clothes so that you can stay warm without increasing your home's energy consumption.

Cars will probably never be completely eco-friendly, but there are some steps that drivers can take to minimize their impact on the environment. As an added bonus, many of these eco-friendly tips and upgrades are also going to end up saving you money in the long run. Follow the Suggested Maintenance Schedule One of the single best things that you can do for your vehicle is to follow the manufacturer's suggested maintenance schedule. That schedule is going to keep your car running as efficiently as possible and minimize your risk of serious mechanical damage. Every vehicle is slightly different, but you will probably need to change the oil, check the other fluids, and rotate the tires at least once every few months. Repair Damaged Parts Immediately Even if you go to great lengths to keep your vehicle well-maintained, you are probably going to run into at least a few mechanical problems over the years. Unfortunately, even relatively minor mechanical problems could have a huge impact on the environment. If you don’t work with a car repair shop, then your vehicle could end up spilling toxic materials all over the road whenever you run an errand or head to work. Drive Consistently When it comes to the fuel efficiency of a vehicle, how you drive is extremely important. You are going to use up quite a bit of fuel if you are constantly racing down the street or accelerating as quickly as possible whenever the light turns green. Gently accelerating and then staying at a consistent speed will reduce your fuel consumption and make your vehicle much more eco-friendly. Properly Inflate Your Tires Many drivers are surprised to hear that tire pressure can have a very big impact on a vehicle’s handling and fuel efficiency. If your vehicle’s tires aren’t at the proper pressure, then you could be wasting hundreds of gallons of gas every single year. Improperly inflating your tires is also going to result in quite a bit of damage to the rubber, and that means the tires will need to be replaced fairly often. To figure out the ideal tire pressure for your vehicle, you can check your vehicle’s door jamb sticker. While you should be able to carry out minor vehicle maintenance on your own, major repairs should usually be left to experienced mechanics. Many repair shops have excellent warranties, and that is going to give you peace of mind knowing that the repair was done correctly.

Saving the planet is usually something we can all get on board with. Unfortunately, many of us just simply don't know where to start. We're going to share with you five easy habits you can start doing today to do your part to help save the planet. Use Reusable Shopping Bags One trip to the store, and suddenly you have a bunch of plastic bags that typically get tossed in the garbage. You can completely eliminate your use of plastic bags by investing in some sturdy reusable shopping bags. These are perfect for throwing in the car. Many even come with a thermal lining to ensure that your items stay warm or cool during transportation. Recycle This habit is an obvious one that many people simply skip over. Recycling helps to ensure that we utilize fewer new resources to produce the products that we need. Take the time to put the recycling bin in a convenient place. One of the biggest reasons that people fail to recycle daily is simply because the garbage is conveniently close. You can change that in an instant. Invest in Tupperware Tupperware should be an investment that is well worth your money. Many people tend to rely on plastic bags to pack their lunches. Each day, they throw away the plastic bag and pull out a new one. This is extremely unnecessary when there is Tupperware that can do the same job even better. You can find all different sized Tupperware containers that can ensure you are living sustainably. From sandwich containers to bowls, Tupperware has every size you need to pack the food that you love in a safe and reusable manner. Program Your Thermostat Correctly Many homeowners have a programmable thermostat that they can easily set to adjust the temperature in their home. Take a moment and program your thermostat to reduce its efforts while no one is home. In the wintertime, you can set your thermostat to a lower temperature throughout the day and have it kick up the heat to a more comfortable temperature shortly before you arrive home. Carpool Using a car to get to work everyday uses a lot of fuel. That fuel lets off harmful emissions that contribute to environmental problems. One way to help reduce your impact on the planet is to carpool. You may find carpool groups in your local area that drive to other areas in a nearby town. Or, you may simply decide to carpool with a friend from work. Saving the planet can be done with a combination of many little steps. The above are just five of the many smart steps you can take to do your part. Talk with a local organization, like Sustainability for Life, to learn about what else you can do. The more habits you stack on top of one another, the more you can make a real difference in the world.

Owning an older home can be a wonderful way to enjoy some unique character that simply can’t be found in a newer home. At the same time, it’s rare to find an older home that can operate as efficiently as a newer home, specifically in the area of water conservation. Fortunately, though, while you might not be able to implement every last water-saving device, there are several great and easy ways to save water in your older home. New Fixtures If you have an older home, it’s likely that it’s equipped with older plumbing fixtures, as well. Unfortunately, these older fixtures do very little to conserve water. In order to save water, then, you can replace these fixtures, whether it’s a shower head, bathroom faucet, or kitchen faucet, with low-flow models to start seeing savings right away. Just be sure your home’s plumbing can adapt to these newer fixtures, as many have special water pressure requirements that your home may not be equipped for. Find Leaks The materials in pipes of any kind inevitably break down over time due to the different substances found in water. Over time, this can lead to leaky pipes, which can waste a lot of water. If your water bill is higher than expected, or if you have a visible leak somewhere, it’s important to call a plumber to complete these plumbing repairs as soon as possible to ensure the water doesn’t cause any damage and you don’t waste any money. Collect Rainwater If local ordinances allow, collecting rainwater can be a great way to reduce your water bill. Especially if you can’t install a water-saving irrigation system due to the older construction, collecting rainwater allows you to keep your landscaping well-watered without having to depend on the city water supply. Plus, diverting rainwater in this way helps prevent erosion on your property since the water is being prevented from continuing on to the sewer. Install a New Toilet In addition to new plumbing fixtures, a new toilet can be a great water-saving investment for your older home. If your toilet has been around since before 1994, it’s using almost two gallons more per flush than a modern toilet. If you consider how many times a day you use the bathroom, that can add up quickly. Installing a new toilet is a fairly easy and quick process that will more than pay for itself over time. Be Water Smart Whether your home is old or new, you can save water using other methods, as well. Turning off the water while brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, and watering your lawn in the morning or evening to prevent evaporation are all great ways to save water. Ultimately, it’s important to treat water as a precious resource that is worth working to save. With a few easy fixes, it’s an effort that is totally accessible

Eco-friendly living is becoming more popular all the time, and many companies and organizations are coming out with new ways for you to live in an environmentally-conscious way. As climate change and the dearth of natural resources becomes more of a concern all the time, it is becoming increasingly important to embrace eco-friendly living to save resources for future generations. Here are five new technologies that are helping to make this type of living possible in the United States and around the world. Food Recycling Bins While you most likely already recycle your plastics, glass, paper and aluminum, you may not be recycling your food. Most food waste can be composted to use as natural and cheap fertilizer for your outdoor gardens. However, rather than having to wait months before using this compost, new food recycling bins speed up the process to take only 24 hours. Solar Wallpaper Solar panels mounted on rooftops have been making it big in recent years, but new technology allows solar cells to be mounted on flexible papers. This lets the solar cells be mounted on practically anything, including the sides of building and along curves. They can even be used on mobile items, such as campers. Footstep Energy If you are longing to go beyond solar or wind-powered energy, you will be excited to learn about footstep energy. New technology is beginning to pick up on the easy way to gain energy just from the footsteps of humans. Some companies are working with shoes that can do this while others are working to create walking surfaces that can be used as floor tiles in train stations or sidewalks. Learning Thermostats While smart thermostats are not new, learning thermostats are new enough that they are not widely found in many people’s homes. However, they can save plenty of money and energy by learning your habits in and out of the home and programming themselves to be most efficient. It takes only a week of use before it goes to work for you. Resistance Spot Welding Although welding may not be the most exciting of technologies, it can significantly improve the environment when it is used efficiently because welding is necessary throughout many industrial sectors. Spot welding is far more environmentally clean than traditional welding is because it requires less energy and creates less heat than usual. New technologies are coming out nearly every day, but not all of them are being designed to benefit the environment. As you purchase new technology for your home, car or workplace, try to choose ones that save the most energy, create new energy or create a healthier earth. Thankfully, because of the increase in interest in eco-friendly living, more companies are focusing on these and other incredible new and beneficial technologies.

As the problem of e-waste looms ever larger in the consciousness of the American public, understanding what to do with those unwanted electronics can still be a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, there are plenty of reputable electronics recyclers where you can take your e-junk. At the same time, there are some important things you should know about recycling your electronics to ensure they end up in the right hands. Not All Electronics Recyclers Are Created Equal There are plenty of companies that offer to take your old electronics off your hands. It’s important, though, to understand what happens to those items once they’re carted away. A reputable company, such as Ranch Town Recycling Center Inc., will tear the electronics down to their individual component parts which can then be recycled. A less-reputable company may just sell the electronics in bulk to an overseas processor that will then allow the electronics to pollute the water and land of people in other countries. Electronics Recycling Is Smart While it might seem easier to simply send your old electronics to the landfill, that action can cause great harm to the environment. Electronics contain a multitude of harmful chemicals that can leach into the environment, leading to health issues for people down the road. By responsibly recycling your electronics, you ensure that these chemicals stay out of the land and water and that the materials in the electronics are given a new life. Electronics Recycling Is the Law In many municipalities, it is illegal to dispose of electronic waste in a landfill. Government leaders understand the data and realize that they don’t want all those toxic materials in the land and water that they, too, use. Some areas have stiff financial penalties if you’re caught improperly disposing of your electronics, so just do yourself and your city a favor and recycle those out-of-date e-devices. Electronics Recycling Sets You Up for Future Success Today’s electronic devices are marvels of technical wizardry. At the heart of these devices are various materials, many of which are actually quite rare. If you throw your electronics in the landfill, these materials can never be recovered, meaning they have to continue to be mined with greater and greater difficulty. If you recycle your electronics, however, you help ensure that there is a healthy supply of these materials for generations to come, ensuring that the fast pace of technological innovation can continue. The World You Leave Behind If you enjoy the use of electronic devices, chances are that you’ve been dealt at least an okay hand in life. Take the time to do something tangible to ensure the life you’ve gotten to enjoy is the life that future generations can enjoy, as well. Electronics recycling is an easy yet important way to ensure that future generations can enjoy the beautiful and amazing earth that we enjoy today.

Hazardous material (hazmat) refers to everything from household chemicals to fuel or potentially infectious biological substances like medical waste. All hazardous materials must be handled with extra care to ensure the safety of workers and the public. Special regulations have been put in place by state and federal authorities, particularly the DOT and OSHA. Here are some tips to make compliance easier. Reference for Regulations These regulations must be followed by manufacturers, shippers, truckers, distributors, and end-use companies, including all employees of the above. Failure to comply can cost you some heavy fines. In the U.S., instructions for handling hazardous goods are covered by the rules outlined in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Known as 49 CFR, this set of guidelines covers nine different volumes. Those covering transport fall under Parts 100 through 185. All companies and individuals engaged in hazmat shipping are expected to understand these regulations and follow updates as they occur. Summary of 49 CFR The information found here covers: Description of hazardous materials by class, such as explosives, poisons, radioactive substances, corrosives, and so on. Types of packaging and containers permitted, and testing procedures for containers, as well as the amount of each hazmat substance allowed per container and in total shipment volume. Documentation, including shipping manifests, proper labels/placards, and MSDS (material safety data sheets). Safety and training requirements and equipment. Staying in Compliance Although you’ll have to follow every 49 CFR requirement, here are some important tips to help avoid mistakes: Use the United Nations 4GV labels when shipping variations on common goods such as lithium batteries. Every container shipped must conform to the exact configurations given for each tested container type, including how it’s sealed. Use leak-proof bags and plenty of absorbent cushioning to minimize the chance of spills and damage. These are required for some materials. Make sure there are thorough declarations of everything in each load. Train employees to earn hazmat certifications and keep up training to ensure those certifications stay current. Check with Insurers One way to ensure you’re staying compliant is to check with your insurance carrier and follow their guidelines. Hazmat shipments require insurance by law, and your insurance company will do what they can to help you stay compliant. Experts in hazmat insurance requirements will be experts in 49 CFR shipping requirements. Metropolitan Insurance Service Consultants, for instance, will take the steps necessary to see that you, your truck, and your cargo are protected, including regulatory compliance. Title 49 was created to protect the environment as well as people. Hazardous spills can have severe and long-lasting effects. For these reasons, failure to comply can involve stiff fines.

Summertime is here again, and as the weather continues to heat up, your utility bills are also rising. This is pretty common, since most other households are also cranking up the air conditioners and using a lot more electricity to keep their home interior temperatures in a comfortable range. But comfort comes with a price. If you’re looking for ways to stretch your paychecks and lower your utility bills this summer, then check out these five tips for making your home more energy-efficient. Switch to Energy Star Appliances One of the best things you can do to lower your utilities is to use appliances and fixtures that are more efficient. The Energy Star program was developed to help consumers identify energy-efficient home appliances that help to reduce the consumption of water and electricity while lowering energy costs. Now obviously, if your appliances are all working just fine, then it might not make much sense to toss them all and replace them with Energy Star devices. But you should keep in mind that as your appliances wear out and need to be replaced, switching to more efficient machines at that time will save you a good amount of money over the long term. Use Power Strips Major appliances that use more energy than needed to get the job done aren’t the only money waster in your home. All of your electronic devices also suck up a lot of electricity just by being plugged in, even when they aren’t turned on! To reduce these energy leaks, make sure that they are all plugged into power strips that can easily be turned off when not in use. Give Your HVAC System a Tune Up Your central air conditioner can also waste a lot of power and money if it isn’t working efficiently. Over time, parts can begin to work loose, and the vibrations can cause your unit to wear out faster. Not only that, but the hoses, vents, ducts and filters can become clogged with heavy use, and this can cause the unit to strain more as it works to cool down your home. So it’s a good idea to call in an HVAC company like Aggressive Mechanical Contractors, Inc. every few years to give your system an overhaul and get everything working as efficiently as possible. Add Window Tint, Blinds and Curtains In the cold winter months, sunlight coming in through your windows is a welcome sight, as the additional warmth helps to regulate your temperature and reduce the load on your central heating system. But in the summertime, all that extra heat just drives your electric bill up. So now is a good time to install heavy drapes and blinds on all your windows to block out the heat of the sun. Many homeowners also opt to have tinted film applied to the windows, just like you would do with a car. That tint reduces the heat and also adds a little extra privacy to make it more difficult for people outside to see inside your home, especially during the day. Replace Weather Stripping to Reduce Drafts Lastly, replacing weather stripping around your exterior doors and windows can also help bring down your cooling bill by keeping the cold air from escaping. It’s an easy job that you can do yourself, and the stripping itself is very cheap. You just buy a roll at the local hardware store, rip off the old stripping and stick on the new strips. Reducing your electric bill in the summer is a great idea, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these five tips to keep your home a little cooler and to eliminate energy waste and watch how quickly your utility bills come down compared to the same time last year.

Steel as a building material is growing in popularity, even for residential structures. It’s actually become trendy for its variety of options, speed and ease of construction, durability, and a number of environmental benefits. If you’re an eco-friendly buyer looking to build a new home, here are five good reasons why steel is the best ecological choice in green building design. Lower Energy Costs As one of the strongest construction materials, steel homes can support much denser layers of insulation that traditional wooden frames that tend to absorb moisture and warp over time. It’s much easier for your HVAC system to maintain indoor temperatures, saving you money on every electric bill. Reduced Waste In steel construction, every piece of the structure is normally pre-measured and pre-fabricated to fit neatly together. This eliminates all the wasted material that accumulates as wooden joists and 2x4s are cut to the proper length and angle. This makes for both efficient construction and less scrap, since there’s very little clean-up to do. Weather-Resistant Structural steel from companies like Ashley Savage is not only stronger but more durable than wood. Special coatings may be used to make the surface of steel beams even harder and more resistant to rust or corrosion. They also are better able to withstand the stresses of high winds, flooding, fire, or earthquakes than wooden or even concrete structures. A quality steel construction can last much longer than traditional wood in regions where these conditions occur. Environmentally Safe Steel does not absorb moisture and does not allow harmful growths like mold, fungus, or mildew that pose health risks to your family. It also lowers the chances of insect or rodent infestations compared to wood. Steel is almost completely recyclable long after wood has dried out or rotted away. Meets Green Building Standards Steel homes are better able to satisfy modern standards for green home construction. These are determined by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) criteria. You can be confident that your steel home will be healthier, safer, and longer-lasting than the typical home built today. As demand for green construction rises, steel homes are also poised to offer better resale value as well as tax and insurance credits. Homes with modern steel frames have many advantages but few of the drawbacks of conventional wooden homes. Steel is efficient, affordable, and low-maintenance, making it the right choice for new construction.

When you are the owner or manager of a company, you will want to use environmentally friendly methods to dispose of waste. Here are some ways to implement a plan to get rid of various types of waste in a way that won’t harm the earth’s air, water or soil. Schedule a Consultation with an Environmental Expert If you don’t know how to throw waste away in the appropriate ways, then have a consultation with an environmental expert. A knowledgeable environmentalist can create a plan for your company after walking through its buildings to see what type of waste is made by your manufacturing and office processes. Develop a Written Plan for Your Company’s Waste You should develop a written plan for the disposal of the various types of waste made by your workers and machinery. This can take time because you must understand how much waste there is and when it is made. With a written plan, you will understand where your problems are concerning waste such as having a lot of paper and cardboard to get rid of or having dangerous chemicals that can pollute natural waterways. Are You Recycling Cardboard, Wood and Paper? Today, it is possible to recycle almost any type of material, and in many cases, you can make a profit from recycling certain items. Rather than only throwing trash into dumpsters, learn how you can bundle cardboard, wood and paper for pick up by companies that offer you money for the items. By completing a search on the internet, you can find an assortment of recycling plants in your city so that you can save money and the environment. Contact Scrap Metal Services Scrap metal is one of the items that you can make a profit from by collecting it correctly in dumpsters or wastebaskets so that it is accepted for cash. By recycling metal, you are protecting the earth from the damages of additional mining along with the pollution made by trucks transporting metal ore to smelting plants. Scrap metal services buy a variety of types of metal, including copper, steel or brass. Filter Your Company’s Wastewater Filtering your company’s wastewater can save the environment, and in many geographic locations, you must remove chemicals and pathogens from the water that your company disposes. Using industrial-strength filtering devices is one of the best ways to clean wastewater, so contact a company that designs water-filtering systems. Create a New Plan Once a Year Once a year, you should create a new plan for disposing of waste, making sure to follow the guidelines that are required by local and federal government agencies. Consider creating a proper initiative by announcing any changes that will be done and getting employees involved. This will help get your company on the same page and get them excited to save the company money while saving the environment.

One of the keys to operating a successful farm is to maintain the integrity of your water sources and irrigation systems. With levels of pollution on the rise—even in isolated, rural areas—accessing clean water is more important than ever. Below are five tips you can use to protect your farm’s water sources and plumbing lines. City and County Water Lines Most local water utilities are strictly regulated to provide clean water to the communities they serve, both in the cities and out in the farming communities like yours too. So most farmers will find these to be the best choice. But while most county water sources are safe, there have been notable exceptions in the news over the years. If your local water provider has a poor quality reputation, or if you simply prefer to source your own water, there are alternatives. But you’ll still need to follow local regulations concerning the collection of water. Install Your Own Well and Pump After acquiring the necessary permits, you can drill your own well to provide water for your farm. Keep in mind that groundwater is not always as clean as it was in the past. This is because many farming communities have experienced ground and water pollution. So be sure to have your ground water tested for impurities and toxins by a company like Action Well & Pump Repair. If it tests clear, then you’ll be in good shape, as having your own well and pump can provide your farm with all the water it needs for years to come. Keep Water Catchment System Clean In some areas, water catchment systems might also be used to collect rainwater. While these are becoming less common, they still meet a need in many rural communities. If you have a catchment system, it’s important to keep it well maintained year round. Be sure that all filtration systems and UV light systems are maintained per the manufacturer’s specs, and you should have all catchment gutters and surfaces cleaned regularly. Reduce Use of Pesticides Reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides is the only sustainable practice for ensuring clean water for future generations. Pesticides work down into the soil and build up layer after layer as the seasons pass. Water from rain and irrigation systems can then push the pollutants down into the groundwater supplies, so this can be problematic as the years go by and the pollution levels accumulate. But your commitment to organic farming can help to reverse that trend. Properly Maintain Plumbing and Sewage Systems All water lines need to be maintained and repaired regularly to keep your water clean and safe. This is especially true if you have a home or living quarters on your farm for your family or workers. Corroded pipes add impurities into the water, and leaks allow pollutants from the soil surrounding the pipes to work into the water supply as well. So repairing leaky or corroded pipes is essential. Keeping your water clean is important for your farm, as the quality of your crops depends on the quality of your water and soil. Follow these five tips to reduce pollution and protect the integrity of your irrigation systems to provide pure water for your crops year round.

Water is one of the most precious and limited resources that we utilize. At the same time, it is one of the most necessary resources, being used for drinking, cooking, washing, going to the bathroom, and other essential tasks of everyday life. With so much at stake, then, it’s important to try and conserve water whenever possible, to ensure there’s plenty available, both now and in the future. Here are a few ways that plumbing can be environmentally friendly. Low-Flow Fixtures A standard shower head uses around 2.5 gallons of water a minute. Across the U.S., this adds up to over 1.2 trillion gallons of water a year that’s used for showering. By utilizing a low-flow shower head, you can reduce water consumption for showers by at least 20% and often more. This may not sound like all that much, but when you’re talking about over a trillion gallons, even a 20% reduction adds up to billions of gallons of water saved. Water-Saving Toilets Another major water user in the home is the toilet. Fortunately, most homes have been converted to using toilets that use 1.6 gallons per flush, down from the 3+ gallons of older toilets. However, newer toilets that are WaterSense certified utilize only 1.25 gallons per flush or less. This isn’t to say that a toilet should be replaced simply for the lower water consumption, as that is a waste of resources, as well. However, if a toilet is in need of replacement, it’s a great opportunity to reduce water consumption within a home. Warm Pipes The pipes in your home or business often run through areas that are uninsulated. This can cause problems when warm water is running through pipes located in cold wall cavities. The energy that is lost can lead to higher water usage and more energy used to heat the water. Fortunately, easy-to-use pipe insulation kits are available to allow you to keep the pipes nice and warm, no matter the weather. The insulation fits easily around the pipes, then seals to provide a tight fit. This prevents you from having to insulate large cavities or rooms that wouldn’t be cost-effective to insulate as a whole. Leak Monitors Unseen leaks can cost you hundreds of dollars a year in wasted water. If you have leak detectors in strategic points throughout your home, however, you can detect these leaks early on to prevent them from wasting water and causing damage to your property. Many leak detectors can be linked to your smartphone to quickly alert you to any potential issues. Quick and Easy One of the best ways to “go green” when it comes to water consumption is simply to intentionally work to reduce your normal consumption. This might mean shorter showers, fewer loads of laundry, or less watering your lawn. Whatever the case, the environmental and financial benefits which result from these efforts will certainly be worth it in the long run. Contact a plumbing company like Jim Dhamer Plumbing and Sewer, Inc. for more information and tips on your specific situation.

As summer comes creeping up, the question on many homeowners’ minds at this time of year is how can they save water at home this summer—and all year long? The first place to start is to simply make sure that everyone in your household is more conscious about the water they use during daily activities such as brushing teeth, showering, washing hands before meals and washing the car. By shutting the faucet off during the activity, you can save quite a bit right there. But beside reducing waste, what else can be done? Here are four ideas that can help. Use Landscaping Techniques That Save Water One easy way to cut down on your family’s water usage is to address the problem outdoors. Lawns and flower gardens are notorious water hogs, and many people in drought-prone states simply let them die during the summer and then start watering them again in the fall. But there are other options. You could replace your foliage with low-maintenance landscaping. Astroturf, rock gardens and other desert landscaping features can create a beautiful front or back yard that requires little or no water all year round. Install Water-Efficient Fixtures WIth the outside taken care of, now you can turn your attention to the inside of your home. Water fixtures in the kitchen, bathroom and bar can all be changed out and replaced with ones that use much less water. Your toilet, shower head and kitchen faucet are all prime targets. By replacing these with low-flow water fixtures, you could easily reduce your water usage by 20 to 30 percent. Fix All Leaky Faucets and Handles You could go all out and put the latest water-saving shower heads in all your bathrooms, and it won’t do you any good if your shower handle is broken and causing your faucet to leak around the clock. So make sure that you fix those leaky fixtures inside and outside your home as soon as possible. A single drippy faucet may not seem like much, but it’s slowly losing you money over time. Switch to a More Efficient Water Heater You can also save a ton of water every year by changing out your old water heater for a newer, more efficient one. Sometimes all you need is to downgrade the size of your tank. But you can also go with a tankless water heater to push the savings even further. Saving water around the house doesn’t have to be complicated or painful. You don’t have to start showering together or anything crazy like you sometimes see on TV. By implementing these four water-saving strategies you can easily reduce your family’s water bill by a significant amount.