text: County Executive:News Releases:Think Green, Save Green
  County Government >> Departments >> County Executive >> Steinhaus Administration Archives >> 2007 News Releases >> Think Green, Save Green
  Smart Tips to Celebrate "Protecting the Environment Week"
  Poughkeepsie… With all due respect to Kermit the Frog and his famous song, Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus wants to remind residents that it can indeed "be easy, being green." As Dutchess County continues to celebrate "Protecting the Environment Week", the County Executive has a few simple and easy green tips to share that not only help to protect the environment, but can save money as well.
  "We all have to think and care more for the environment that sustains us. The wonderful thing about thinking green and behaving green is that it can be good for our environment and often it can actually save some green in your wallet as well," said County Executive Steinhaus.
  The following are five quick and easy tips to help protect the environment and save money:
  Install compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs - CFL bulbs use between a quarter and a third of the energy when compared to traditional incandescent bulbs and generally last up to 10 ten times as long according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA has also estimated that one CFL bulb prevents more than 450 pounds of emissions from power plants. Reducing your electrical energy use helps to reduce your electric bill.
  Remanufactured Inkjet & Toner Cartridges - If you choose to purchase refurbished cartridges for your computer printer, you are helping to save the natural resources that would be needed to manufacture new ones as well as keeping the old cartridges out of landfills. Remanufactured toner and inkjet cartridges also cost up to half as much as new ones.
  Paperless billing - Consider signing up to pay bills electronically whenever possible. Electronic bill payment saves time as well as postage costs.
  Take the time to make sure your home is properly insulated - Reducing air leaks can save up to 10 percent of an average household's monthly energy bill. Be sure to seal leaks around doors, windows, and other openings such as pipes or
  ducts with caulk or weather-stripping. The most common places where air escapes in homes are floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, fireplace, plumbing penetrations, doors, windows, fans and vents and electric outlets.
  Drive sensibly - Aggressive driving including speeding, rapid acceleration and braking is a waste of gasoline. According to Energy and Environmental Analysis, Inc., Washington, D.C., each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is equivalent to paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
  "These are just a few quick and easy tips for residents to start behaving green. There is still much more to be done, but as these tips demonstrate, it is not hard to get started. Every action adds up and we all need to start somewhere," concluded Steinhaus.