Earth Day is a celebration of green, and as we all know, green is good. Whether we’re talking about money, the environment or Bin There Dump That’s dumpsters, green is a beautiful color.
Believe it or not, those three things — money, the environment and Bin There Dump That dumpsters — are the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day.
The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970, and was held during a time of turmoil in U.S. history. It seems hard to believe now (especially if you’re under 45), but it was a time without an Environmental Protection Agency; there was no Clean Water Act. In fact there were few, if any, regulations in place to protect the environment.
We’ve come a long way!
Then Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson was looking for a mechanism to raise the importance of the environment in the American consciousness. He conceived of Earth Day, which led to an estimated 20 million Americans demonstrating in cities across the country.
In what might now seems like an unbelievably swift manner, in December of 1970 Congress authorized the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which was signed into law by President Richard Nixon.
Earth Day was celebrated sporadically in the ensuing years. In 1990, the 20th anniversary of Nelson’s original concept, Earth Day saw a resurgence and in the United States and around the world. One estimate suggests that by 2000 more than 180 countries celebrated Earth Day.
Change the lights: Thomas Edison, the genius behind the incandescent light bulb and hundreds of other inventions, brightened and improved our world immeasurably. But incandescent bulbs are energy hogs, especially compared with the compact fluorescent and LED lighting options now available.
Take those incandescent disasters and put them in a dumpster. Doing so uses less energy and saves homeowners money in the long run.
Caulk entrances: A home’s comfort is only as good as the doors and windows that keep Mother Nature on the outside. Use environmentally certified caulking the cracks and crevices around your doors and windows.
Or, if your windows and doors are old, it might be time to have them replaced with more environmentally friendly versions. Almost all your home repair materials can find their way into a dumpster, whether it’s a leftover caulk canister or a new window.
Recycle your electronics: Today’s consumer culture means owning the latest smart phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, and portable music player. Not only that, odds are that factoring in your spouse and kids you own multiple versions of each of these items. And since a new version comes out every year… OK, you get the idea.
Those electronic items sit around collecting dust. It can be useful elsewhere. If you can’t recycle it on your own, put it in a dumpster. Many Bin There Dump That franchise operators will take recyclable materials and deal with them appropriately.
HVAC filters: A furnace is one of those home appliances that is often ignored until there’s a problem. Change a filter? I’ve got a guy for that… Actually, changing a furnace filter is a good way to ensure your family is breathing healthy air. Take those old heating, ventilation, air conditioning filters and put them in your dumpster.
Recycle your appliances: Beyond the home itself, perhaps the priciest items homeowners buy are appliances — washer and dryer, dishwasher, and refrigerator. While the electronics mentioned above are nearly obsolete by the time you walk them out the door, these durable goods tend to stick around for a little longer. That doesn’t mean that technology has not improved. Whether it is a clothes washer or dryer, a dishwasher or a refrigerator, the energy needed to run the newer versions of these devices is significantly less than older iterations. Considering how long these machines will remain in your home, the savings can be considerable.
Not only do all these changes help the environment, but they also help homeowners save considerable amounts of money. There are plenty of other good tips and tricks to help homeowners reduce their carbon footprint, not all of which result in filling a Bin There Dump That dumpster. Learn more by visiting the EPA’s Take Action website.
For more tips on clearing the clutter from your home, visit the BTDT blog. For more tips on how a Bin There Dump That dumpster can help, visit the company website.
Image credit: https://flic.kr/p/7VAYq8