Today's Energy Thought

Terri Bennett from the Kansas City Star recently published the following tips on how to have an eco-friendly Thanksgiving:

Do Your Part:
Top 5 Ways to Green Your Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving should be about a lot of things - family, friends, and breaking bread together. It shouldn't be about waste. This year, Do Your Part to make your Thanksgiving holiday an eco-friendly affair. To help you get started, here are my top five tips for being greener and healthier this Thanksgiving.

1. Serve local or organic foods

On a holiday that features a bountiful feast, serving organic or local food and drinks can have a big impact. When buying a turkey choose a local vendor or brush up on food label claims before you head to the market. Don't know where to start? Check out DoYourPart.com/Columns for information on local turkey sellers and information on healthier choices when doing your holiday grocery shopping.

2. Use nature as decoration

Make beautiful centerpieces and decorations with seasonal items from nature. Some examples include winter gourds, seasonal corns, or pinecones. If you use evergreen branches, let them soak for a day in a water-filled cooler to give them an extra boost of moisture. There's no need to spend big bucks on elaborate centerpieces when you can find all the ingredients in your own backyard. Add a few soy candles in various sizes for a finishing touch.

3. Rent or borrow tableware

If your guest list outnumbers your dinner plates, consider renting extra supplies from a party service. Or ask friends or relatives if you can borrow a few pieces to round out your set. Reusable napkins and cups are the most eco-friendly choice but if you must use disposables choose items that are made from recycled material or are easily recycled.

4. Use reusable "to-go" containers

When it comes to leftovers, reusable containers are the greenest choice. If you send out invitations, ask guests to help you stay green by bringing their own take-home containers. If you think a few people may forget, consider purchasing inexpensive containers as an eco-friendly parting gift.

5. Prep your vehicle for the road

And waste doesn't just come in the form of food and party supplies. If your Thanksgiving plans involve a road trip, make sure your vehicle is ready to go. First, make sure to take care of any necessary maintenance before the big day. And maximize fuel efficiency by removing unnecessary weight from the trunk and checking that your tires are properly inflated.

There's no need to wasteful this November. Do Your Part to enjoy the big feast and your family without spending extra money or creating more trash for the landfill. That's something we can all be thankful for this year.

(Terri Bennett is a veteran TV meteorologist, eco-expert and author of "Do Your Part," a practical guide for everyday green living available at DoYourPart.com)

Sneak Peek!

Thank you to students and advisors from the high school Eco Team who had fun striking poses this morning. Here is a sneak peek of a few of the new Laker sustainability initiative images coming soon to the high school.
 

Today's Energy Thought

Did you know that leaving your computer on draws an average of 50-300 watts, about as much as a common refrigerator? To save energy, a general rule of thumb for shutting down as opposed to leaving your computer up and running is about 20 - 30 minutes. If you are going to be away from your computer for longer than a half hour, then consider shutting down and restarting upon your return.

Winter Winds are Coming

Did you know a 1/8 inch gap around an exterior door is equivalent to a six inch square hole in the side of your house and causes a lot of energy loss? When put in those terms I realized I would not leave a gaping hole in the side of my house all winter so I'd better check for air leaks.

There are two ways to check your exterior doors:

Have someone stand on the other side of the door and shine a flashlight around the door's perimeter. If you can see light through the cracks, your door needs sealing.
OR
Hold a piece of paper between the door and the frame and shut the door. If you can pull the paper out without tearing it, you should weather strip around the door.

Make it a Green Halloween!

Have a fun, safe and efficient Halloween, everyone!

Please remember to re-use and/or recycle your costumes and decorations. And don't forget to compost those jack'o lanterns .

It's Energy Awareness Month

From the home office in White Bear Lake, see the inspiring and personal message below from Class 5 Energy Inc., the parent company of Schools for Energy Efficiency, in recognition of Energy Awareness month.

KEYS

Keys... in drawers, we all have them, many keys sit in drawers for years until you can't remember what the key is from so why not recycle them? Redtail Ridge Elementary students in Savage are collecting keys for recycling as a fund raiser for their school. The students are currently trick or treating for keys asking for old, discarded and unused keys for recycling.

Here a couple of things to keep in mind:

• Approximately 16 keys weigh 1 pound
• 1 pound of yellow brass recycled currently yields $1.95
• K & K Metal Recycling will return 100% of the profit to Redtail Ridge
• 700 pounds of keys would yield $1,365 for the school

You can drop off your keys at Redtail Ridge, 15200 Hampshire in Savage (near PLHS) through November 11th or at the District Services Center in Prior Lake, 4540 Tower Street (behind the Post Office) through November 9th.