Go Green 2019 by KPC Media Group

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Go Green

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April 18, 2019

©KPC Media Group Inc. • kpcnews.com

April 18, 2019

mknowles@kpcmedia.com

Terry Housholder

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

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Jeff Jones Michele Trowbridge Machele Waid Sarah Buttgen David Rigas

Special Sections Editor

President/Publisher

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Conservation District celebrates EARTH DAY every day!

Megan Knowles

102 N. Main Street, Kendallville, IN 46755 (260) 347-0400

Go Green

942 W. 15th St. Auburn, IN 46706

FREE Rain Barrel Workshop May 11th.

Workshop will be held at Auburn’s Stormwater Pollution Control facility located at 2010 Wayne Street, Auburn From 10:00am-11:00am Space is limited. Registration is a must!

Kanisha Bevins kbevins@kpcmedia.com Special Sections Graphic Designer

Call 260.925.5620 x3 for more information.

Why does Butler worry about storm water? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified storm water pollution to be one of the leading causes of contamination of our nation’s waters. Storm water from developed areas erodes stream banks and smothers stream beds with sediment. Accumulated chemical and bacteria flush off the land and into streams. Poor storm water management can destroy stream life, pollute drinking water and increase flooding and damage property. Approximately 70% of all drains lead directly to open waterways without being treated. Nearly 50% of polluted rivers and lakes around the U.S. are polluted due to uncontrolled storm water runoff. A one-quart oil spill can cause a two-acre oil slick.

Residential Storm Water Solutions City of

BUTLER Indiana www.butler.in.us

Do this: Maintain your vehicle and properly dispose of used oil.

Do this: Take your car to a commercial car wash that recycles water.

Don’t do this: Let your oil enter the sewage system. One million gallons of fresh water can be damaged by used oil from a single oil change.

Don’t do this: Wash your car at home where soapy rinse water goes right into the nearest stream.

Do this: Recycle and properly dispose of household cleaning products and chemicals.

Do this: Use native plants that require less maintenance and fewer chemicals.

Do this: Bring expired medications to a designated drop-off location.

Don’t do this: Pour cleaning agents down the drain or into drainage ditches.

Don’t do this: Use pesticides across broad areas.

Don’t do this: Flush medicine down the toilet or dump in the sink.

Do this: Scoop up your pet waste and throw it away. Don’t do this: Leave pet waste on sidewalks or lawns.

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April 18, 2019

The benefits of bugs How to encourage helpful insects BY MEGAN KNOWLES

mknowles@kpcmedia.com

In many people’s minds, the insects they notice fall into two categories: the beautiful and beneficial pollinators that are bees and butterflies, and the pests. But there are many more beneficial insects than just those we hear about regularly. In fact, of the million species of insects worldwide, only 3 percent are considered to be pests, or those that cause economic harm, Purdue Extension DeKalb County Director and Agriculture and Natural Resource Educator Elysia Rodgers said. “There’s literally thousands of beneficial insects out there,” she said.

The good PATRICK REDMOND

KPC Media Group reporter and photographer Patrick Redmond saw this praying mantis several times around his LaGrange County home before capturing this vivid moment on a car window.

Our commitment to the environment is more than jjust a commitment.

Nor th America’s Largest Recycler

One of the most commonly known beneficial insects (apart from butterflies and bees) are ladybugs or ladybird beetles. These little red bugs are aphid eating machines. “The larvae…once they get ready to pupate when they’re at their largest state as a larva, they can eat up to 100 aphids in a day,” Rodgers said. “So that’s huge for gardens and fields, things like that.” There are also Asian versions of the ladybug that are common and eat aphids as well, Rodgers said, though they can sometimes become nuisances when they find their way inside. Another insect that eats aphids is the lacewing. Other insects eat nuisance or pest insects as well. These include the praying mantis, assassin bugs and parasitic wasps. Assassin bugs have “evil looking, almost needle-like mouthparts” they insert into insects to suck out their insides, Rodgers said. “So they look evil, but rarely do they attack humans, usually (only) if they’re provoked,” she said. Parasitic wasps do something similar by taking what looks like a long needle called an ovipositor and depositing their eggs into another insect, Rodgers said. “So if you have things like tomato hornworm in your garden, if you ever see little white things starting to come off the tomato hornworm, just kind of hanging there, those are the parasitic wasp larvae that have basically eaten that caterpillar from the inside out and they’re getting ready to pupate as an adult,” she said.

The bad

Besides the annoying native species of

flies, mosquitoes and garden pests, Indiana is home to several invasive invertebrate species, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. These include the well-known emerald ash borer as well as the Asian long-horned beetle, the giant African land snail, granulated ambrosia beetle, gypsy moth, Japanese beetle and pine shoot beetle. The DNR is asking people to report sightings of these insects, getting a picture if possible. People can do so by calling 1-866-NO-EXOTIC and giving one’s name, address, phone number, the species of insect and the county. People can also email the same information to depp@dnr. IN.gov.

Encouraging beneficial insects

There are several simple steps homeowners can take to help encourage beneficial insects on their properties, Rodgers said. First, she recommends gardeners grow plants of different heights, offering preferred habitats for a variety of insects. This also includes leaving some leaf litter so some insects have a place to hide. Next, she suggests companion planting to encourage beneficial insects. “Any sort of herb you plant is going to be a great companion plant for your flower gardens or your vegetable gardens to help attract those beneficial insects,” she said. Her specific recommendations included dill, fennel, yarrow, bee balm, chamomile, sunflowers and mint grown in a container. This includes planting bright flowers that provides food for pollinators. Finally, homeowners can practice integrated pest management, “which basically incorporates you setting a limit as to how much damage you can tolerate from these pests before you take an action of some sort,” Rodgers said. “Typically once you start to take a damage from pests it will take two or three days before you might start to see some beneficial (insects) start to come in and eat on those pests, so it’s OK to have a little bit of damage, because if you just wait a little bit those beneficial insects can come in and start helping to control some of those harmful pests,” she said. “So if you can hold off on spraying or applying a chemical of some sort that would be best.” If gardeners start to see a lot of damage at once and decide they need to spray, Rodgers encouraged using sprays like Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt sprays, which are specifically formulated to certain pests and “shouldn’t be harmful to other things it comes in contact with.”

©KPC Media Group Inc. • kpcnews.com

April 18, 2019

Go Green

Simple changes around the home can make big differences in energy efficiency

mknowles@kpcmedia.com

Small upgrades can make a big difference in a home’s energy efficiency — which can help reduce strain on the wallet and planet Earth.

LED light bulbs

Low flow

Federal regulations mandate that new showerheads can’t have a flow rate of more than 2.5 gallows per minute (gpm) at a water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch (psi), according to Energy. gov, so upgrading from an older model can reduce water consumption. Likewise, new faucets can’t have a flow rate greater than 2.5 gpm at 80 psi or 2.2 gpm at 60 psi, according to Energy.gov. Aerators — “the screw-on tip of the faucet,” the website explains — determines the maximum flow rate of the faucet. “Typically, new kitchen faucets come equipped with aerators that restrict flow rates to 2.2 gpm, while new bathroom faucets have ones that restrict flow rates from 1.5 to 0.5 gpm,” according to Energy.gov. “Aerators are inexpensive to replace and they can be one of the most cost-effective water conservation measures,” Energy.gov states. “For maximum water efficiency, purchase aerators that have

Programmable thermostats

Another popular way to reduce energy consumption is through a programmable thermostat. “Those are great because you can set MEGAN KNOWLES the temperature different when you’re Programmable thermostats allow homeowners to set a different temperature at work or out for the day and your when they’re away from home, reducing heating and cooling costs and wasted house isn’t heating or cooling during energy. those periods and using extra energy,” Bolinger said. “There’s no drawback on CASINGS • BASES • HANDRAILS • PICTURE MOULDINGS • IN STOCK AT AUBURN HARDWOOD MOULDINGS that one.” Programmable thermostats range from simple devices to ones that utilize Wi-Fi, 600 West Maple and can range in price from $40 to $150, Waterloo he said. They are easy to install to preexisting 260-837-8841 1109 W. Auburn Dr., Auburn systems and there are several types that Keith Jewel’s Cell: are universal “that will work with about 800-538-4163 260-704-5263 any different heat system,” Bolinger www.rpwakefield.com www.auburnhardwood.com said. “(Programmable thermostats) have • Casings been around a long time. Most people • Bases have moved to those,” he said. • Handrails

Tankless water heaters

While most of these changes are simple, cheap and can be done by the average handyman, installing a tankless water heater is a different story. Tankless water heaters can be 8-50% more energy efficient than their storage tank counterparts, depending on the amount of water used and location of tankless water heaters installed, according to Energy.gov. However, replacing a storage tank water heater with a tankless one isn’t a simple task, Bolinger said. “There’s a lot more involved than just putting one in,” he said. First, tankless water heaters are more expensive, even up to twice as much as a storage tank water heater, Bolinger said. SEE CHANGES, PAGE 10

• • • • •

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CASINGS • BASES • HANDRAILS • PICTURE MOULDINGS • IN STOCK AT AUBURN HARDWOOD MOULDINGS

One of the easiest ways to save green in more ways than one is to switch a home’s incandescent light bulbs with LED ones, Kendallville Do-It Center store owner Joel Bolinger said. “That’s a huge, huge energy savings,” he said, adding he’s seen the difference himself. “I redid the whole store here. My electric bill was always at least $1,000 a month and after I switched it went down to $700 a month. … It paid for the light bulbs in 12 months just in the savings.” LED lights can save as much as 80% of the cost of traditional incandescents, according to Energy.gov. They can also last up to 25,000 hours, compared to 1,000 for incandescents. Though they’re generally more expensive than incandescent light bulbs, the Kendallville Do-It Center is running a special during the next several months where many LEDs are available for $1 each, Bolinger said.

flow rates of no more than 1.0 gpm.” Upgrading to a low-flow fixture could save 25-60%, according to Energy.gov. Another area where water can be conserved is the toilet. Toilets that predate the mid-90s can use seven to eight gallons per flush, whereas more modern ones use at most 1.6 gallons per flush. A leaking toilet can be a significant source of water inefficiency as well. If a homeowner does not want to replace his or her whole toilet, new water-saving flappers and fill valves can be a cheaper way to reduce water consumption.

CASINGS • BASES • HANDRAILS • PICTURE MOULDINGS • IN STOCK AT AUBURN HARDWOOD MOULDINGS

BY MEGAN KNOWLES

CASINGS • BASES • HANDRAILS • PICTURE MOULDINGS • IN STOCK AT AUBURN HARDWOOD MOULDINGS

Go Green

kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.

April 18, 2019

10 Things You Can Do to Prevent Stormwater Runoff Pollution Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and gutters Never dump anything down storm drains or in streams Vegetate bare spots in your yard Compost your yard waste Use least toxic pesticides, follow labels, and learn how to prevent pest problems Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces; consider a rain garden to capture runoff Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway Check your car for leaks and recycle your motor oil Pick up after your pet Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected regularly

This message is brought to you by…

Angola’s Clean Water Utilities (260) 665-2514 www.angolain.org

Taking leftovers to lunch is one way to reduce food waste.

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Tips to reduce food waste

General tips

• Bread can be stored on the counter, in the refrigerator or frozen • Plan your meals and only buy what you need • Wash carrots and herbs immediately before • Check your fridge before grocery shopping storing them in the refrigerator to keep fresh • Chop fruits and vegetables ahead of time so longer. Only wash other vegetables when you’re more likely to use them you are ready to use them to prevent mold • Date leftovers so you know what to eat first and sogginess. • Take leftovers to work for lunch • Meat and fish can be stored in the freezer for • Post a list of perishables to be used on the several months fridge where you can see it • Keep packaging on perishable foods until Food expiration you are ready to use them • Food dates on canned goods are a “best by” • Store food in airtight containers once opened or “sell by” date, not an expiration date Food quality • High-acid canned foods will keep their best • To tell if a food is bad, check to see if the quality for 12-18 months, while others can food has changed texture, color or has mold last for 2-5 years or has a foul odor • Canned goods that are rusted, swollen or • Never thaw food at room temperature for compromised should be discarded more than 2 hours • Frozen foods can be used past their “best • Even “ugly,” overripe or food scraps can be by” dates as long as they remain frozen. repurposed: Once thawed, they should be used for best — Ripe bananas = banana bread, quality smoothies, banana pancakes • Milk is often safe one week after its “sell — Orange peels = candied orange peels, by” date, while eggs are usually good for orange zest for flavoring 3-5 weeks after their “sell by” date — Bruised apples = apple pie, applesauce

Food storage

• Keep tomatoes, honey and avocados on the counter • Store potatoes and onions in separate spaces as they can cause each other to spoil early

Information from the Allen County Department of Environmental Management’s “Waste Watchers” and Purdue Extension’s “What a Waste of Food.”

©KPC Media Group Inc. • kpcnews.com

April 18, 2019

Go Green

Solar power on the rise in northeast Indiana BY STEVE GARBACZ

sgarbacz@kpcmedia.com

Indiana remains a fossil-fuel powered state, but as green technology has continued to evolve and advance, northeast Indiana is beginning to buy in, specifically in solar power. Solar technology continues to improve and is becoming more cost-competitive with other materials such as coal and natural gas when it comes to electricity generation. Although the cost of solar panels is still prohibitive for most individual users — recent state law changes in reimbursement for solar users has also reduced the financial incentive to produce energy at home — larger businesses and organizations are finding a place for solar in their energy portfolios. Here’s a look back in recent history at some northeast Indiana agencies who have adopted solar power.

Wible Lumber

The 1-megawatt array at the South Milford lumber yard is one of the area’s oldest, coming online in late 2016. But the savings have been real. In 2017, the company was estimating it would save more than $160,000 per year in utility costs thanks to the net-metering agreement it had for its field. The first phase of the project involved mounting more than 660 panels to the south-facing roofs of six large storage buildings. The roof-mounted solar arrays can generate a maximum of 214,000 watts, according to Renewable Energy Systems, which installed the panels. The second phase of the project comprised putting panels on groundmounted arrays. Pilings were installed for 2,400 solar panels that can generate more than 782,000 watts. Renewable Energy Systems said the system installed at Wible Lumber will last more than 30 years and generate more than 39 million kilowatt-hours of power over its lifetime. The clean, renewable solar energy generated by the system is expected to offset 650 tons of carbon dioxide each year.

Fremont Community Schools

The monthly electrical bill for this northern Steuben County school district’s elementary/high school complex is just $24. Prior to installing a 1.79-megawatt solar field, the district used to pay $32,000 per month in electric bills. In combination with other power-saving projects like installing LED lighting, Fremont has drastically slashed its utility costs by capturing energy from the sun. The project broke ground in May 2017

and has been operational for less than two years. “What I tell these guys is this is a legacy thing. These will be here for 30 years,” said Mike Robinson, Heartland solar project manager as construction was nearing completion in June 2017. “I think that’s very responsible. It’s going to benefit the community a long time.” In May 2018, the school district was recognized by the Building Contractors Association of Northeast Indiana for its project.

Reliable Production Machining and Welding

From S.R. 3 in Kendallville, you can see a field of blue-tinted panels tilted up toward the sky. Coming online in late 2017, Kendallville manufacturer Reliable Production Machining and Welding put in a 1-megawatt array to help power its facility. With about 3,500 individual panels, the solar power would help put a dent in the electric bill at the factory producing machined components for various industries. “Reliable’s been here since 1946, and it pretty well lets everyone know that we’re going to be here for a while, which is important to employees and the city of Kendallville,” Chief Operating Officer Greg Salway said of the project in November 2017. Renewable Energy Systems, the same group that built Wible Lumber’s project, installed the field at Reliable. Reliable’s president, Chuck Drerup, and CEO, Tom Walterhouse, knew Wible Lumber co-owner Dennis Nowels. When they learned about the Wible Lumber solar field, they began thinking about how a similar project could benefit their operations. “It piqued our interest,” Drerup said. “The more we looked into it, the more financial sense it makes for our long-term goal here at Reliable.”

GRAPHIC CONTRIBUTED

This conceptual drawing prepared by architect Jones Petrie Rafinski shows a potential layout for the former McCray Refrigerator site off Wayne Street. The city is considering using the land for a wastewater plant expansion, solar field and pocket park.

Tempus Technologies

A new solar field will provide about 75 percent of the electric this Auburn manufacturer utilizes at its facility. Coming online December 2018, the solar panels occupy 1.23 acres west of the Tempus Technologies office. The company worked with AgTechnologies of Rochester to install them on the former concrete floor of the foundry. “AgTechnologies welcomed the opportunity to work with innovators at Tempus Technologies to install this high-efficiency system. The cutting-edge reporting of energy provided will ensure maximum uptime production at minimal post-instal-

CONTRIBUTED

A view looking to the north shows the new solar-energy field at Tempus Technologies in Auburn. Nearly 900 solar panels have been installed immediately west of the company’s headquarters on the site of the former Auburn Foundry.

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April 18, 2019

lation cost,” said Eric Straeter, AgTechnologies Inc.’s vice president of solar energy sales and support. The system consists of 28 arrays, with 32 solar panels per array, designed to track the sun in the southern sky. It can generate 336,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

Noble REMC

CONTRIBUTED

Solar panels have been installed at a new array at the corner of S.R. 3 and C.R. 70 just south of LaOtto in DeKalb County. The field was built by Wabash Valley Power, but will connect into lines owned by Noble REMC and the power can be distributed to its customers.

One of the newest solar fields in the area sits right off S.R. 3, right in the vicinity where DeKalb County, Noble County and Allen County all meet. Installed in January, the new 1-megawatt array built by Wabash Valley Power will help feed solar power into a cooperative of REMCs, including Noble REMC, which serves the immediate area. Frames and panels began going up in late 2018, with the field expecting to begin generating power early this year. Noble REMC surveys its customers and interest in renewable energy sources has been rising. Cost for individuals to generate renewable energy themselves can be high between installation of equipment and ongoing maintenance, so having a major power generator invest in the infrastructure and add that renewable energy to its portfolio is one way to bring green energy to households. “We’re listening to our members and how they want to see energy change,” Noble REMC communications specialist Kelly Lynch said. “This gives them an option to go green without having to

make that huge investment.” Built on an 8-acre plot, the array of about 3,600 individual panels is a good starting part for the local REMC to get into solar power, Mike Robinson of installer Bee Solar said. “This is a fair-sized field for Indiana,” Robinson said. “This one here is a good entry level for the REMC to get a feel for what’s going on.”

City of Kendallville

Nothing is in the works yet, but Kendallville is conceptually exploring the possibility of a solar field on the site of the former McCray Refrigerator complex, which burned in a huge fire in June 2018 and has since been demolished. “The city has reached out to a solar place and we’re making contact with (Indiana Michigan Power) and opening up the discussion of how that could work and who would draw from it,” City Engineer Scott Derby said in February. With about 6 acres available, Kendallville might be able to establish around a 1-megawatt field. Although conceptual at this time, Derby said power from a solar array near downtown could help power the city’s nearby wastewater treatment plant, potentially be put back on the grid to earn revenue for the city or even be used to power nearby homes and businesses. The city is continuing to investigate the possibilities this year.

Having a ball Seed bombs easy gardening task for kids

Seed balls or seed bombs are a kid-friendly way to beautify a space. Simply mix up the balls, given them a toss and wait for Mother Nature to do her work. These are especially great for planting wildflowers on one’s property. Making them is perfect for a rainy spring day when everyone is itching to be outside.

Recipe

2 parts potting soil 5 parts pottery clay mix (can be found at art stores) 1-2 parts water 1-2 parts seeds of your choice Large tub to mix ingredients Large box to dry and store seed balls (preferably cardboard; do not use plastic bags)

Directions

1. Mix the soil, clay and 1 part water thoroughly. There should be no lumps. Slowly add more water until the mixture is the consistency of toy molding clay. 2. Add seeds. Keep kneading the dough until the seeds are well mixed in. Add more water if necessary. 3. Take small bits of the clay mixture and roll into balls about one inch in diameter. The balls should hold together easily. If they’re crumbly, add more water. 4. Dry seed balls for 24-48 hours in a shady place before sowing or storing. 5. To sow, you can place them carefully over the area to be planted or you can gently toss them one at a time. Don’t bury them and don’t water them. From Gardening Know How, www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/children/makingseed-balls.htm.

Seed balls or seed bombs are a kid-friendly way to beautify a space.

MOLLY RUSCHAU

April 18, 2019

Go Green

How children can go green BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Children often aspire to emulate their parents. Kids’ curiosity may be similarly piqued when they see their parents going green. Parents who reduce, reuse and recycle are setting positive examples for their kids, who may inquire about the ways they can follow suit. While going green might not seem like the most kid-friendly activity, there are myriad ways for parents to involve children in their efforts to live eco-friendly lifestyles. • Donate clothing and toys. Children outgrow their clothing pretty quickly. Rather than discarding items kids can no longer wear, parents can take tots along to donation centers or thrift stores to show them how their clothes can be reused. Use this as an opportunity to teach kids how donating or recycling old items cuts down on the need to use natural resources to create new items. Do the same with toys, which kids tend to outgrow almost as quickly as their clothing. • Bike to school. Stay-at-home parents, telecommuters or those who have time to escort their children to and from school can bike to school with their children. Teach them how biking in lieu of driving helps to conserve fuel and how such conservation benefits the planet.

If biking is not an option due to weather or distance, parents can organize carpools, teaching kids how traveling together instead of individually helps to conserve fuel. • Avoid plastic water bottles. Plastic water bottles might seem more convenient because they don’t need to be washed after using them, but the environmental organization Clean Up Australia notes that plastic bottles, many of which are derived from crude oil, generate enormous amounts of waste that ultimately end up in landfills. In addition, the transportation of such bottles from factories to store shelves requires the burning of significant amounts of fossil fuels. Take kids along to the store to purchase their own reusable water bottle, explaining to them how they’re doing their part to protect the planet by choosing reusable bottles over bottled water. • Visit the library. Young children who love to read can borrow books from the library rather than asking mom and dad to purchase their own copies at the bookstore. Explain how borrowing cuts down on the need for paper, which helps preserve forests and reduce waste. • Spend more time in the great outdoors. Many parents want their children to spend more time outdoors and less time on the couch playing video games or watching

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Spending time with kids in the great outdoors can instill a love of nature in youngsters that compels them to embrace eco-friendly practices throughout the rest of their lives.

television. Parents can make an effort to spend more time outdoors with their children engaging in fun activities like hiking, camping or fishing. Such excursions can instill a love and appreciation for nature in youngsters, and that love can compel them

to a lifetime of protecting the planet and conserving its resources. Kids who want to follow their parents’ example and go green can do so in various ways, many of which are as fun as they are eco-friendly.

Go Green

April 18, 2019

Conserve energy around the office BY METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Conservation methods can help save energy and preserve natural resources, but business owners may also be intrigued by the potential cost-savings of conservation. Traditional conservation methods like recycling and reusing are great ways to conserve and save around the office, but business owners also can embrace some other ways to lower their office energy costs while benefitting the planet at the same time. • Order an energy audit. Many utility companies will conduct energy audits free of charge or for nominal fees. These audits typically include onsite visits, during which auditors will look for areas where business owners can conserve energy. • Determine how much space you truly need. Current business owners and prospective owners can save substantial amounts of money and avoid wasting energy by giving ample thought to how much office space they truly need. Large office spaces may not be necessary for businesses that recently downsized

staff, while those starting out may want to start in small spaces before upgrading to larger spaces if and when their businesses expand. Small business owners leasing their office space can speak with their leasing agents to determine if they can include a clause in their lease that allows them to move into larger spaces if the need arises before their existing leases expire. • Allow employees to telecommute. Based on an analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2005-2014 American Community Survey conducted by GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com, a typical business would save $11,000 per person per year if it allowed its employees to work from home just half the time. Those cost-savings can be traced to numerous factors, and lower utility costs in the office as well as the need for less office space are among them. • Embrace green technology. Many homeowners use programmable thermostats and other eco-friendly tech products to lower their monthly utility costs at home, and businesses can follow

Quality Floor 260-593-2213

3-1/2 Miles North of Topeka 3565 S. 600 W., Topeka, IN

Advantage

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Evaluating existing office space and downsizing if ample space is going unused can help business owners conserve energy and save money.

suit. LED lighting around the office can substantially reduce office energy consumption and costs, while business owners who own their office buildings might be able to install solar panels that will dramatically reduce energy costs

and even pay for themselves over time. Conservation is not just for home, and business owners confronted with rising energy costs can find numerous ways to lower their energy expenses while simultaneously helping the planet.

CHANGES: Tankless units last longer FROM PAGE 5

In addition, the units can require wiring or other updates for them to work. For example, a Stiebel Eltron brand electric tankless water heater that would allow two showers to go at once requires at least 150 amps and one that would accommodate two showers and a sink requires 200 amps, according to information on the Home Depot’s website. “That’s the thing that most people don’t realize is it’s all dependent on the size of the wiring in your house and most houses aren’t set up to run them so usually there’s way more to it than buying the water heater,” Boling said. “The installation sometimes costs more than the water heater itself.” The advantages of a tankless water heater are that they use less energy by avoiding “standby heat loss,” according to Energy.gov. “You don’t have 30 or 40 gallons of water it’s keeping warm all day until you’re ready to use it, that’s the advantage of it,” Boling said. They also last longer — more than 20 years — compared to the 10-15 years for a storage tank version, according to Energy.gov.

MEGAN KNOWLES

LED lightbulbs are more efficient than incandescent ones. For the next several months the Kendallville Do-It Center is running a special where select LED bulbs can be purchased for $1 each.

April 18, 2019

Go Green

9 ways to celebrate Earth Month BY STATEPOINT AND METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION Are you looking for ways to celebrate Earth Month? From enjoying nature to making simple changes to your routine that will have a positive impact on the environment, here are 9 ways to celebrate: 1. Reduce and reuse. You may not realize how much waste you create each day when you use disposable containers, bags and plastic bottles. While recycling is a great thing to do, that process itself takes a lot of energy to support and, unfortunately, not everything makes it to the recycling center. A better way to reduce your waste is by ditching single-use items and opting for more eco-friendly, reusable alternatives. 2. Skip “fast fashion.” Many of your favorite stores likely sell what is known as “fast fashion.” The fast fashion concept is what brings brand new apparel to consumers on a consistent basis, but unfortunately, the mass production of these cheaply made garments takes a toll on the environment. You can secure fashionable finds in an eco-friendly way by taking a look at apps and websites that sell second-hand clothing or even by visiting a consignment or thrift shop for unique finds. Declutter your own closet and give your clothing a second life by making donations to those in need. 3. Connect with nature by turning off electronics for the day and getting outside. 4. Make it a point to bike or walk to school or work. If conditions are prohibitive, carpool to cut down on traffic. The fewer cars on the road, the less emissions in the air. 5. Recycle e-waste in your home. E-waste is considered outdated electronic appliances that are no longer used. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests e-waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world. 6. Invest in a reusable coffee cup or water bottle. This can reduce the amount of trash that ultimately ends up in the environment. 7. Do something as simple as switching paper statements and bills to e-bills and online invoices. This reduces reliance on trees for new sources of paper. 8. Grow some produce and herbs in your home garden or even on a windowsill. This is a fun, eco-friendly way to control the foods you consume at home and a great way to save money as well. 9. Volunteer your time at an organization that has an environmental focus. Or suggest a task with an eco-friendly slant, like picking up trash from a beach, to a local community group or club.

A few more ways to be eco-friendly Earth Month, celebrated in April, is a great time to take a look at your daily habits and consider how you can give your lifestyle a green makeover. To get started, check out these three eco-friendly changes you can make right at home: Eat less meat On average, it takes 434 gallons of irrigation water to produce 1,000 calories of beef, according to National Geographic. To protect waterways, consider going meat-free more often. These days, there are plenty of great online resources for finding and selecting vegetarian and vegan recipes. Make it fun by making Meatless Mondays a family tradition. Green your car wash The way you wash your car matters. Unfortunately, when you wash your car at home, the runoff you create heads straight into storm drains without being treated first. When you use harsh chemicals to clean your car, you’re effectively pouring those elements directly into waterways. Reduce this impact by washing with eco-friendly soap and taking steps to prevent water from entering the gutter. If you bring your car to a commercial car wash, select a facility that recycles the wash water.

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

One way to celebrate Earth Month is to volunteer your time at an organization that has an environmental focus.

Our vac systems are FREE with car wash purchase!

Compost Food waste in the U.S. is estimated at between 30-40% of the food supply, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. A good portion of that waste goes directly into landfills. By setting up a compost bin at home, you can reduce your contribution to landfills while creating high-quality soil for your garden. Be sure you understand what should and shouldn’t be composted and take steps to create the right mix of scraps for the proper breakdown to take place.

Celina - 1001 Havemann Rd. Van Wert - 1190 Westwood Dr. Auburn - 502 Touring Dr. Hours: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday www.westwoodwash.com

Go Green

April 18, 2019

NOBLE COUNTY DISPOSAL Locally Owned & Operated Residential & Commercial

Since 1972

TOWN OF WATERLOO SPRING CLEAN UP WILL BE SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2019 ONE PLACE DROP OFF FROM 8:00 AM TO 12:00 PM W. Van Vleek St. Enter from North Center Street onto W. Van Vleek Street

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED: 3, 4 & 6 YARD CLEAN-UP CONTAINERS FLUORESCENT TUBES & ELECTRONICS DROP OFF LOCATION 1973 E. US 6, ALBION, IN 46701

www.NCDisposal.com • 800-292-9098

1. paint / paint cans / paint thinner 2. tires / rims 3. construction materials (dry-wall, concrete, wood boards, etc…) 4. hazardous / infectious materials 5. rocks / dirt / leaves / brush 6. absolutely nothing with Freon in it NUCOR WILL BE PICKING UP ELECTRONICS FOR SPRING CLEAN UP Please bring driver’s license and/or copy of your water bill.