April 27, 2019 10am – 2pm local time, is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

The DEA is promoting this day for people to turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal. They have a local collection site locator on their website. Over 5600 sites will take back items. Several cities near me are participating with most drop of locations at police stations. Last year 324 tons was taken back and recycled.

Pennsylvania and Delaware had their events early in September 2015.

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Happy Earth Day, Monday April 22, 2019. It’s great that more attention is being paid to eco friendly, green causes. Earth Day started slow, but has gained momentum every year. We celebrate it everyday as do many of our readers. Look for local events in your community.

Take time to help educate friends, neighbors, family members, and strangers about ways to lead a more eco friendly or green lifestyle. Only through extended enlightenment, can the cause succeed.

• Eat leftovers, do not go out to eat
• Use a refillable water bottle
• Change all your lightbulbs to CFLs or LEDs
• Walk or take public transportation instead of driving your car today.
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Recycle everything you can today. Learn new ways to recycle items.
• Plant a new tree in your garden
• Stick to organic, sustainable, and local products today.
• Eliminate your junk mail
• Start using a reusable bag
• Switch to an Electric Car like a Chevy Bolt or Tesla Model 3
• Put solar panels on your roof

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Did you know that making clothes is a dirty process?  Per the Wall Street Journal April 2019:

The textile industry has generated about 380 million metric tons of plastic—more than other individual sectors such as electronics or consumer and industrial products or building and construction, according to a 2017 study in the journal Science Advances. Plastic accounts for 63% of the materials used to make clothes, according to a 2017 report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and 73% of those materials end up being incinerated or put in a landfill each year.

Most people do not want to negatively affect the environment with their clothing picks. Shockingly, there are several gotchas with even this simple Choice.

Plastic goes into polyester, which is used to make leggings, athletic wear and other garments. It is in polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which gives clothes and accessories a glossy finish. And it goes into hangers, shopping bags, bubble wrap and other packaging material. Clothes made with plastic can take decades to decompose and the tiny fibers, or microplastics, they shed during laundering can end up polluting water streams.

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Spring is rapidly approaching, it is time to clean up your place. EWG Has a nice list of tips to help you clean your house the green more eco-friendly way.

• Check the exterior of your home and repair any cracked or flaking paint
• Check and clean gutters again
• It is time to work on your garden and rejuvenate your lawn
• Inspect and test your sprinkler system. It will be needed soon
• Clean out your garage and closets. The holiday season is over and it is time to donate useless items and recycle other things
• Bad weather is over. Your car needs some TLC. Change its oil if necessary, get an inspection, clean and wax its exterior
• Check and clean chimney if necessary
• The heater will get a rest, so it’s time to check your air conditioner and its filters
• Check your roof and patch or replace any damaged areas

Some other useful tips

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New PG&E rebates have been added for 2019. Most expire December 31.

Our local utility Pacific Gas and Electric – PG&E has cash rebates and ways to go green and save money. Here are some PG&E Energy Efficiency Rebates:

PG&E 2019 Residential Rebate Catalog

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New rebates have been added

Southern California’s power utility Southern California Edison rebates are here.  SCE has a bunch of cash SCE rebates and ways to go green and save money.

• Smart Thermostat Rebate up to $150
• $25 rebate on Home or Business Area Network
• Up to $200 on Variable speed pool pumps and motors.
• $1000 rebate on an Electric Vehicle

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New rebates have been added for 2019

Utility Company ComEd (An Exelon Company) has a bunch of rebates, programs and incentives to help save energy, go green, and most importantly save money.

• $50 ComEd rebate on select top-loading ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers
• $50 Rebate for Electric Clothes Dryer ≥ 4.4 Cubic Feet
• $50 rebate on Energy Star Refrigerators ≥ 7.75 Cubic Feet
• $50 rebate on Freezers ≥ 7.75 Cubic Feet
• $25 rebate on Room Air Conditioner
• Smart Thermostat $100 on certain models
• $50 rebate on Air purifier
• $10 on Advanced Power Strip
• $500 rebate on Heat Pump Water Heater (when purchased through your retailer)
• Up to $600 rebate on Central Air Conditioning Cycling to save money. Also covers Air Source Heat Pump and Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps
• Instant discounts on CFL Light bulbs
• Attic Insulation Rebate
• Air Sealing Rebate
• Wall Insulation Rebate
• Duct Sealing Rebate
• $50 back on old working Refrigerator and Freezer recycling

Questions about ComEd Energy Efficiency Rebates, call 1-877-928-8776.

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Electronics eventually break down.  The dilemma is then repair or replace the item. If you item is under warranty, the decision is easy – get it fixed. Recycling electronics does not address the issue.

• China stopped taking our waste
• Irresponsible recyclers add to toxic waste problem
• Fix, do not replace

Remember that many credit cards will double your manufacturer’s warranty.  Check your credit card’s fine print.

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New rebates have been added.

Utility Company Florida Power and Light has a bunch of cash rebates and ways to go green.

• Energy efficient air conditioners
  – new A/C system that has a minimum SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) of 14
• Save up to $137 a year with the On Call® Savings Program
• Save up to $190 on a new insulation
• Smart Home Thermostat Discount up to $60
• Photovoltaic solar panels.
• Buildsmart

Questions, call 1-800-226-3545.

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New rebates have been added for 2019.

San Diego’s power utility San Diego Gas and Electric rebates are here.  SDGE or SDG&E has a bunch of money saving SDGE rebates and ways to go green and save money.

• Home energy efficiency rebates of $25 for Energy efficient clothes washers
• $350 on Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters
• $100 rebate on Gas Water Heaters
• $75 for Smart Thermostats
• These are Instant rebates at specific stores.

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