Misinformation, Bad advice and Falsehoods for Fools

In anticipation of April Fool’s Day, we are providing 10 pieces of bad advice you would be a fool to use.

1. Turn your water heater up to the highest setting to make sure your shower is HOT -or- turn your water heater ALL THE WAY down to save money.
   In reality: Your hot water heater should be set to 125⁰ Fahrenheit to ensure you don’t get sick from using the water, the risk of scalding is reduced, and it doesn't use too much energy.
2. If your next door neighbor has a low result on their radon test, go ahead and assume you'll have the same result.
   In reality: Radon test results can vary even between next door neighbors. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, so don’t guess! Pick up your free radon test from 4CORE today.
3. Leave your cell phone, laptop, wireless router, and tablet chargers plugged in because they don't suck electricity when your device isn't on or plugged in.
   In reality: Even when your devices are powered off or not plugged, your charger is pulling electricity, or phantom watts, from the outlet. Unplug, or use a power strip to turn everything off except when you are charging.

4. Don’t bother with low-flow shower heads. They don’t give you the pressure you need to get clean.
   In reality: Don’t fear the low flow! These have come a long way in the last few years, and often are adjustable for the type of “massaging effect” you’d prefer for your scrub time. Besides, they save you an average of $150 per year!
5. Don't worry about changing your furnace filter- it is such a pain anyway. Same goes for the lint trap in the dryer. In reality: Changing your forced air furnace filter every two months ensures your furnace is working effectively and efficiently, and reduces particles in the air that can irritate your respiratory system. Likewise, your dryer runs better with a clean lint trap. Put a reminder on your calendar so you can breath easy!
6. Use as many space heaters as you need to throughout your house to keep each room warm.
   In reality: Even the new energy efficient space heaters use energy and are not meant to be used in quantity to heat multiple rooms. Make sure your main heating system is up to snuff and add insulation and air sealing before you use any space heaters- it will save you in the long run!
7. If you get solar panels, you are going to be spending a lot of time on weekends to maintain them.
   In reality: Solar panels require little maintenance, and it doesn't take rocket science to understand that they are doing their job. Once they are set up, you may have to brush of the snow, if it is a particularly sticky storm, but they are meant to melt snow and work on their own so that you can rest easy, rain or shine.

8. Keep the heat tape on your roof plugged in all summer.
   In reality: We live in the Southwest, where there is no snow to melt in the summer. Put a reminder on your calendar to unplug it so you don’t spend all summer warming the feet of little birds that perch there.
9. Air sealing your home is super expensive and time consuming.
   In reality: Air sealing is THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE thing you can do to save energy in your home. Rolls of foam tape are inexpensive, a tube of caulk costs only a few dollars, and if you just don’t have time to do it yourself, here is a list of reasonably priced contractors.
10. Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs contain mercury, so you might as well use incandescent to avoid it. In reality: Yes, it is true, they contain about as much mercury as the ball on a ball point pen. However, the amount of mercury you prevent entering the air from coal-fired power plants by using CFLs is much more! Better yet, buy LEDs. They contain no mercury, and our local electric utilities have rockin’ rebates for them right now!

Weatherization Assistance Program Administration Moving from Durango to Grand Junction

Administration of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) for Southwest Colorado counties is slated to shift from the Durango-based Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) to Housing Resources of Western Colorado out of Grand Junction as of July 1^st, 2013.

4CORE has administered weatherization of 588 homes over the last three-and-a-half years for low income qualified residents in Archuleta, La Plata, San Juan, Montezuma and Dolores Counties. Together with partners Housing Solutions for the Southwest and the Southwest Conservation Corps (in partnership with AmeriCorps), 4CORE makes a tremendous difference for hundreds of families. The organization’s commitment to implement the most energy efficient technologies has made homes safer and more affordable for local families who can least afford high energy costs.

“It has been a very rewarding experience to serve so many good people in this region,” said Robert Dawes, 4CORE Board Chair. “We understand the reasons for this decision, and regret that we will be unable to provide local management of this valuable program.”

The decision by the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) to consolidate the Southwest Colorado region with Housing Resources of Western Colorado is due to decreased funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for this program. Housing Resources previously administered the program for our area by subcontracting with Housing Solutions for the Southwest before the weatherization program was fortified with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars in 2009.

“This decision is based purely on economics and is in no way to be interpreted as a performance issue regarding 4CORE’s representation and administration of the weatherization program,” said Marjorie L. Carrasco, CEO Weatherization Production Program Manager. “(4CORE and their) employees’ dedication to serving the region is to be complimented.” 

Housing Resources will continue to work with Housing Solutions for the Southwest in providing free weatherization services to the communities in Southwestern Colorado after July 1^st, 2013.

4CORE was established to provide access to resource efficiency information, practices and measures for our community. The weatherization program is one of several programs the organization delivers and oversees. 4CORE will continue to serve the residents of Southwest Colorado with programs, including residential and commercial energy efficiency and education and information for advancing resource efficiency in Southwest Colorado. 4CORE programs have saved residents and businesses over $875,000 in utility bills to date, and brought over $7.8M in grant funds to our region.

4CORE will continue to help our communities to make smarter use of limited resources, help reduce utility bills, decrease dependence on foreign oil, and maintain a high quality of life for future generations. Support 4CORE and get involved by visiting www.fourcore.org.

About Housing Resources of Western Colorado

Housing Resources has been in business in Mesa County for over 30 years. The mission of Housing Resources, a 501(c)(3) private non-profit corporation, is to provide affordable housing and to promote the wise and sustainable use of resources. Housing Resources offers pre-purchase and post-purchase educational services, weatherization services, opportunities for community revitalization, and the provision of quality, safe, affordable housing for those with low and moderate income.  Housing Resources is a chartered member of NeighborWorks America.  Housing Resources has been weatherizing homes on the western slope since 1998 and has completed over 6,400 jobs over the life of the program.  Learn more about Housing Resources online or by calling their offices at 970-241-2871.

Solarize to Facilitate Discussions to Increase Local Solar Electric (PV) Installations

4CORE is facilitating a meeting to discuss increasing the number of solar electric (PV) installations in our community through the Solarize Campaign. The meeting will be held on March 19th, from 9 to 11 AM at the Durango Recreation Center’s Windham room.

The campaign is a grassroots effort that uses community volunteers, active local government and a local non-profit to manage the project. The program capitalizes on the purchasing power of a community and motivates the residents by offering significant savings through a limited-time bulk purchase opportunity that also removes other common market barriers.

Case studies in other communities have shown a 20 - 40-percent discount on solar installations for participants. In addition, it would provide jobs and spur the market for ongoing growth in the local solar industry.

Funding efforts during this first Solarize Campaign could help create a sustainable funding source for future Solarize campaigns in other communities. Common Solarize campaign steps include developing partnerships and initiate planning, creating a database for customer interface, volunteer recruitment, request for proposal (RFP) process, outreach and education, customer enrollment, site assessments by solar installer(s), solar installations, evaluation, and celebration.

The goals of the meeting are to provide an overview of the Solarize concept and gauge our community's interest in a Solarize campaign. A few recommended resources to review before the meeting include the DOE Solarize Guidebook and a Solarize Campaign Website Sample from Washington State.

To attend the meeting RSVP here. 

More information can be found at www.fourcore.org/Residential/Solarize.aspx.

Creative Ways to Re-Use Your Recycling

Incandescent Flower Vase

In fourth grade I was thrilled to learn that the school play we would be performing that year was called Planet Earth and that my friends and I would be singing songs about reducing, reusing and recycling. I was an eco-geek even as a child! My dad can tell you how annoying I was, hassling him about not using every last scrap of 2 x 4 from his construction jobs. When I looked at the overflowing dumpster I was upset to know that it was all just going to the landfill to sit in perpetuity  But the lessons I learned in the fourth grade have stuck with me, and I still try to prioritize Reducing first, Reusing second, and Recycling third.

The City of Durango implemented a Single-Stream Recycling program on February 4th, and now city residents can recycle a much wider variety of plastics, paperboard, and egg & milk cartons. Make sure you sign up to receive a new recycling bin! I appreciate the City taking the steps to make recycling more efficient and comprehensive for our community. Don’t forget you can still reduce and reuse before the products eventually make it into the recycling bin.

To reduce your consumption of high energy fossil fuel products, such as plastics, consider bringing re-usable bags to the grocery store (yeah, we all know we should be doing this!), but are you bringing old shampoo bottles to one of our great natural food groceries to fill up on bulk shampoo?

Now let’s explore some of the fun and creative ways of re-using all kinds of products. Click on some of the links for Do It Yourself (DIY) guides.

I miss having a garden in the winter time, but a great way to have fresh, local greens in the winter and reuse plastic lettuce containers is to grow microgreens on your windowsill. Microgreens are packed full of nutrients and make the perfect addition to sandwiches, salads and soups! Key components are having a growing material, holes for drainage, plenty of sunlight and covering the seeds with a wet paper towel until they sprout.

Here’s a clever glass jar photo frame idea. Clean the label off a glass jar, stick a photo in it and turn the jar upside down. I think it adds a neat fish-eye effect to the photos too!

Have some old incandescent light bulbs? You may if you read our blog post from December comparing light bulbs. Use an old incandescent bulb as a flower vase. Be careful since you’re dealing with fragile glass! See instructions in the link, using a stronger wire if you want the vase to stand instead of hang.

Consider this nifty cork mat either for the front door or bathroom. Since these projects take a lot of corks, you’ll need to start throwing lots of dinner parties this winter or encourage your friends to start collecting their corks for you! Or if you only have a few, you can make a cork pot trivet instead.

I love this Jet Pack idea! I might use this for a future Halloween costume, even though I’m no longer in the fourth grade! Just take a couple two liter soda bottles, silver spray paint, red felt for flames, and some webbing or cardboard to use as backpack straps  and VIOLA, you’ll have Buzz Lightyear rocketing around the house in no time!

I’m not sure if you've ever shopped for cookie cutters at Williams-Sonoma before, but they can be very pricey! Here’s a simple way to make cookie cutters from soda cans. Heavy duty scissors for cutting and needle nosed pliers for bending should work quite well.

Now what to do with the extra shampoo bottles besides filling up at the co-op? Sailboats that will easily float in the bathtub! Make a sail out of straws and lightweight fabric, stick one end into half a cork with superglue, and secure the sail to the boat with rubber bands. Rubber Ducky watch out!

There are millions of inventive ways to reuse items before eventually recycling them. I hope this gets some of your creative juices going. Now get out there and make something! And fourth grade Sandhya wants to remind you to: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

About the Author

Sandhya Tillotson provides intake and outreach for clients in the weatherization program and performs coordination of weatherization projects. Originally from California, Sandhya earned her Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from Colorado College in Colorado Springs. After moving to Durango in 2010, Sandhya is thrilled to be working for a local environmental non-profit and spending her free time volunteering, running, biking, climbing and exploring the vast wilderness that makes up Durango's backyard.

I forgot to include the link for the cookie cutters: http://pinterest.com/ericalouise/recycled-and-diy-things-for-children/

Local Businesses Earn ‘Resource Smart Certification’ and Achieve Greater Efficiency in the Workplace

The Resource Smart Business Program (RSBP) is pleased to announce Durango Coffee Company and For the Birds are now Resource Smart Certified as ‘Ramping Up’ for upgrading their lighting and completing three RSBP assessments. A natural fit for the program, these businesses enlisted the help of the RSBP to make positive changes by reducing energy consumption, increasing worksite wellness and promoting sustainable business practices in the workplace.

Thus far, Durango Coffee Company and For the Birds have both upgraded their lighting to LED, resulting in annual savings of over $1,197 and $305, respectively. For the Birds is also working on installing more insulation and has updated their mission and vision to incorporate sustainability principles. By reducing operational costs, these businesses will see a return on their investment in just one to two years.

“It’s an honor to recognize these businesses for their efforts and accomplishments in striving to be ‘Resource Smart’,” said Gwen Lachelt, La Plata County Commissioner. “We look forward to supporting them and other local businesses as they reduce energy consumption and work toward long-term sustainable business development in La Plata County.”

Durango Coffee Company is conveniently located at 720 Main Avenue in historic downtown Durango. A local's favorite for over 15 years, serving Durango's freshest locally roasted coffee, the largest selection of fine quality teas, and an extensive selection of ever-changing kitchenware. 

“The RSBP has enabled us to reduce our energy use to improve our bottom line, as well as help our employees, customers and the environment,” commented Tim Wheeler, owner of Durango Coffee Company. “The $1,194 we are projected to save annually is good for our pocket book, and the 22,085 pounds of greenhouse gases we’ll prevent is good for our community and the earth. I recommend all businesses in the four corners area look to 4CORE and the RSBP for help in improving their resource efficiency and therefore their bottom line; they are a wonderful community resource.”

For The Birds is located at 1560 E. 2nd Avenue on the river trail at Rotary Park. For the Birds is Durango's own nature store. When you shop at this locally, owned independent business, you are helping support local nature education and conservation organizations. They provide space and program time for Durango Nature Studies, Bear Aware, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, and La Plata Open Space. They can be found on the web at www.forthebirdsdurango.com.

La Plata County businesses are invited to participate in the RSBP by applying online at resourcesmartbusiness.com. A total of 30 businesses are expected to participate and become ‘Resource Smart Certified’ by the end of 2013.

For more information or to apply for RSBP certification, please visit the website or contact Amanda Saunders with 4CORE at (970) 259-1916.

Taking Recycling and Recovery to the Next Level

Recycling, reuse and remanufacturing activities create jobs and can be done profitably and sustainably. The biggest obstacle to improving recycling locally is the limited availability of suitable land of sufficient size located close to Durango. To address this issue, a group of local business owners have spent several years planning a Resource Recovery Park. This project cleared its first major hurdle in December of 2012 when the conceptual development plan for the Resource Recovery Park was unanimously approved by the Board of County Commissioners.

Many municipalities have recycling, composting and scrap metal facilities but they are often in separate locations which makes it harder for a resident to “do the right thing.” The vision for the Resource Recovery Park (RRP) is to co-locate these services and then add other innovative components which will be unified by a common goal yet be composed of a wide range of businesses. The scope of activities, services and businesses will surpass anything else currently being done in Colorado, the Four Corners or the Rocky Mountain West. This will create jobs within the park, support new jobs in the community, and increase the awareness and image of our region, leading to increased tourism. In summary, the RRP will turn waste, which is an expense and a liability for our community, into marketable products that will dramatically increase local employment opportunities.

Americans are currently producing an average of 4.4 pounds of waste per person per day. In La Plata County alone, this means we are producing one ton of waste every 12 minutes, enough to fill more than 2,000 semi-trucks every year. When the waste from Archuleta and Montezuma Counties is included, we produce a ton of waste every 7.5 minutes, enough to fill 3,500 semi-trucks annually.

According to the EPA, the current average recycling rate in the United States is about 32%. According to a study conducted by Columbia University and Biocycle in 2007, Colorado has a recycling rate of 12.5%, the 12^th worst in the nation. This low recycling rate means that there is an abundance of valuable raw materials available. The RRP will recycle, repurpose, or reuse cardboard, paper, paperboard, cans, plastics, glass, wood, scrap metal, food waste, electronics, textiles, and other discarded items and materials.

Phase 1: Material Recovery Facility (MRF)

The main feature of this phase will be a mostly manual sorting facility designed to process residential co-mingled recyclables, commercial source-separated and co-mingled recyclables, construction and demolition waste, and other high-value waste streams where recyclable materials can be recovered that would otherwise have been landfilled. It is anticipated that mixed paper, cardboard, paperboard, plastics 1-7, tin, aluminum, glass, scrap metal, wood, asphalt, concrete, and drywall may be recycled. This facility will serve the five-county region of Southwest Colorado and provide a local, reliable MRF. The City of Durango has filled part of this niche for many years but will be unable to sort the recyclables they collect after they complete their remodel. This facility will meet the needs of county residents, local municipalities, and local builders/contractors.

Phase 2: Composting

A composting facility will receive organic materials from Durango and the surrounding areas via commercial collection and public drop-off.  These materials will be managed onsite using controlled processes to produce valuable organic soil amendments that will support local agriculture, gardening, landscaping, parks and sports facilities, soil reclamation and erosion control activities. Composting will be achieved using covered aerated static piles, vermicomposting, mycelium, turned windrows, an in-vessel system or a combination of these technologies depending on which prove to be the most appropriate for the site.  Materials processed will be comprised of mostly yard trimmings and source-separated food waste, which together make up 27% of the waste steam.  The compost facility will provide an opportunity to divert a large percentage of the waste stream from landfills, potentially doubling our community’s recycling rate, while directly and indirectly creating dozens of local jobs.

Phase 3: Metal

Durango and La Plata County produce approximately 10,000 tons of metal annually. Some of this is recycled in Farmington, Cortez or even on the Front Range, but much of this material is landfilled (at an expense) because there is no local scrap facility. This facility will purchase metals from the community, which will create jobs, reduce waste, and bring money into our community.

Phase 4: Green Business Incubator

This phase will encourage and facilitate green-entrepreneurialism. The main feature of the incubator will be facilities that provide relatively low-cost office, research, storage, and manufacturing space on a sliding scale to some permanent, but mostly start-up businesses that will utilize components of the waste stream as a basis for a business model. Fort Lewis College graduates, other community members, and businesses attracted from outside the region will have an opportunity to test their green business model in an established and supportive environment without a large financial penalty for failure. This will enable new businesses to take risks that would not otherwise be possible, creating new jobs and careers along the way.

The Resource Recovery Park is consistent with our community’s desire to minimize our environmental impact and promote economic development. The RRP will create a comprehensive development with flexibility in mind and enough space to meet our community’s needs far beyond our ability to predict what those needs will be. The RRP will be a long-term asset to our community by enabling, encouraging and facilitating recycling, re-use and remanufacturing businesses.

About the Author

Mark Thompson, founder of Phoenix Recycling, is working with Tim Wheeler of the Durango Compost Company to facilitate the creation of the Resource Recovery Park. Mark started Phoenix Recycling in 2000 in Durango, Colorado, offering recycling and waste collection,shredding service and co-mingled construction waste recycling.Phoenix won the "Green Business Leadership" award from the Durango Chamber of Commerce in 2004.

BP America Partnering with Local Energy Efficiency Organization

BP America is partnering with the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) and the La Plata Energy Council (LPEC) to host regional meetings that will explore   interest, viability, benefits and possible drawbacks of converting local vehicle fleets to run on compressed natural gas, or CNG.

The meetings come as falling price and reduced emissions of compressed natural gas (CNG) are prompting a discussion among local vehicle fleet managers about transitioning to CNG as a transportation fuel.

“BP America was a founding partner of our organization,” said Gregg Dubit, 4CORE Executive Director. “We look forward to facilitating the exchange of information through these regional discussions and exploring the many moving parts of CNG viability for fleets.” CNG is currently less expensive and burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, making it an affordable and environmentally preferred option for many fleets.

CNG meetings are planned to assess fueling, range, power, maintenance, return on investment, regulations, synchronization between vehicle attainment and fueling stations, and conversion of existing versus the purchase of new vehicles.

Guest speakers with expertise in these areas will be present to inform dialog among regional fleet managers. Fleet managers invited to these meetings include those from the City of Durango, La Plata County, Fort Lewis College, and Southern Ute Community Action Programs Road Runner Transit, among others.

A fleet manager survey is currently underway regarding CNG potential. 4CORE and partners will use this data to further dialogue, address issues, and collaborate on potential solutions.