It’s Easy To Be Green in the Summer

By Beverly McAllister

Living green is an omnipresent theme here in Southwest Colorado. Since beginning my Internship at 4CORE, I have discovered that although there are many ways my lifestyle supports a conscious approach to zero waste living, there are always new ideas to employ toward this goal. The summer season offers a variety of opportunities to improve our efficient use of resources.

One obvious change is to use alternative transportation while the weather is cooperative. The Clean Commute Week, organized by the City of Durango in June, encouraged many alternatives to diminish our reliance on less efficient methods of transportation, and promote cleaner ones. For summertime fun and a healthier lifestyle, participate in zero carbon activities such as utilizing mass transit, walking, biking, and sharing rides. Attend the 3rd Annual Verde Fest in Cortez, CO or the 4 Corners Green Living Expo in Durango, CO for lots of product vendors, sustainability advocates, and fun!

Reducing our footprint by using less electricity can be accomplished a number of ways. To help fund sustainable energy sources you can purchase a Green Power Block from local electric providers La Plata Electric Association and Empire Electric Association.

Our region receives abundant solar energy, and there are tax credits and rebates for adding photovoltaic panels or solar thermal systems to your home or business. This is also a good time to apply for the income-based free weatherization services

Switching to newer, more energy efficient appliances or adding a solar shade to your home could be a summer improvement project. To reduce additional wasted heat and power, turn off unnecessary lighting, use the air-dry setting on your dishwasher, set your water heater temperature lower, switch to compact fluorescent bulbs, and utilize power strips to shut down electric power to appliances and electronics when not in use.

In and around your home consider using a “solar powered’ clothes dryer, an old-fashioned clothes line. Xeriscape your yard or use a push mower to cut your grass (and exercise!). If you have a garden or access to the summer’s bounty of fresh foods, try a solar dehydrator as a preservation method. Build one yourself for almost free.

Recycle and compost your personal waste. Set your thermostats to 78 degrees and run ceiling fans on medium, blowing down in summer, and close shades and drapes during the day to keep the heat out. If you use air-conditioning, have your system checked out by a HVAC technician and remember to clean filters monthly. Evaporative cooling is especially well suited for climates where the air is hot and humidity is low, since it is relatively cheap and requires less energy than many other forms of cooling.

Support the economy by buying locally, and save resources by buying recycled or used items. Shop the flea market, farmer’s market, thrift stores, and yard sales to reuse, recycle, and save money. As an alternative to discarding useful items, donate them, have a sale, or list them on sites such as the Freecycle.

Pay a visit to the “Really Really Free Market" at the Riverfront Park on Sundays 1-3 pm, and not only get free stuff but also free food from “Durango’s Food Not Bombs”.

When dining out, ask if the restaurant uses recyclable food containers for packaging your leftovers. Even if they do not, you can help raise their awareness that their customers feel strongly about this issue. Also, consider bringing your own containers and cutlery if they use disposable utensils (available locally at Nature’s Oasis).

After calculating my carbon footprint (12.47) and interning at 4CORE, I have realized so many more ways to be on a “carbon diet”. It is my hope that some of these suggestions will be beneficial in your life this summer, help you reduce your energy bills, save you money, and make it so you can grow more green.

About Beverly McAllister, Intern
Beverly has lived in Durango for the last 30 years. Before coming to 4CORE, she worked with the Mercy Medical Center's Gift Shop trying out her innovative ideas on customers. Beverly enjoys going to punk rock concerts and taking time off for fishing vacations. She has become an integral part of the 4CORE team by taking on multiple duties and tasks that are requested of her.

Integrating 4CORE into the Fort Lewis College community

[To the left is a picture of FLC students with an IR camera, which are used in the Weatherization Assistance Program]

As a new intern for 4CORE I became very attracted to the Weatherization Assistance Program. It is a great way to strengthen the community because it increases the quality of housing stock, creates work for local contractors, decreases our dependence on foreign oil, and lowers our total energy footprint one house at a time. This program offers free weatherization services to qualified low income households. The only problem is that not very many people know about the program. I have decided it is time to get the word out there and recruit people to apply. It is not easy to get the word out, but I have devised a plan.

Fort Lewis College (FLC) students make up a large portion of the Durango renting community. College students have also always been known for being broke. Incidentally these two factors make them the perfect low-income candidates to qualify for the program. Students are ideal because it is easy to reach out to them. They are already grouped together in classrooms so if I can find my way into classrooms for a few minutes to present the possibilities of the program then just maybe I can attract a good portion of the students one short presentation at a time. Another way it’s easy to reach out to college students in bulk is through Facebook. 85% of college students these days have a Facebook account, and that number is only growing. I will organize a Facebook group dedicated to recruiting FLC students. On the page will be a link to the weatherization application and advertisement of an event where there will be a presentation and incentives to come- such as free pizza. I was a College student for the past four years and if I’ve learned anything about students it’s that they love free, especially free food.

This plan should attract FLC students to apply for the weatherization program and increase the number of homes weatherized in Southwest Colorado. My basic theory of the whole plan is to keep it simple and to the point. Let them know they can help decrease energy use for free and be helped by 4CORE for free; It’s a win-win situation. I want the students to get the idea that there is no reason they shouldn’t apply.

Hopefully while I am recruiting students to apply I can make the 4CORE name recognizable to the FLC student community. 4CORE exists “to decrease the emission of pollutants, protect public health, and strengthen the economy” as declared in the mission statement. Considering the amount of students enrolled at FLC is roughly one third of the population of Durango, the school could be a great portal to help accomplish the mission statement, especially strengthening the economy.

About the Author:

Cara was born and raised in New Hampshire. Upon completion of her internship at 4CORE, Cara will receive her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy. After four years in Durango, she has fallen in love with the mountains and claims she will never move back to the east coast. Cara enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, traveling, reading, dancing, and floating down the river with a good group of friends.