Kingston Sustainability Centre

• Home
  • Staff
  • FAQs
  • Be Involved
• Join the Journey
  • Overview
  • Team Photos
  • Tip of the Week
  • Media Coverage
  • 2010 Milestones
  • 2010 Events
  • Testimonials
• Youth Mentoring Youth
  • Sponsors
• Partners
  • Solution
  • Community
  • Education
  • Not for Profit
  • Community Classroom
• News & Events
  • Upcoming events
  • KSC in the Media
  • Newsletters
• Contact

TIP OF THE WEEK

Join the Journey released a new tip each week throughout the summer with simple steps to help you make a big difference. Every week had a different focus, and each tip had a segment on CKWS Newswatch at 5:30 each Wednesday. Also, the team leaders aired on FM96 or lite104.3 on Tuesdays throughout the summer to chat about the tip of the week. Join our Facebook page for updates!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Become Bathroom Smart

Did you know that your shower and tub accounts for35% of your household water use?

Your toilet alone uses 1/3 of the water that you use in your house.

In total, 65% of the water that you use in your house is used in the bathroom.

Check out these suggestions to conserve water and electricity in the bathroom, saving yourself some money along the way.

In my shower…

• Take shorter showers: Every minute in the shower uses about 10 litres of water. Over the course of one year, each extra minute in the shower wastes 30 bathtubs full of water. Consider using a timer, or timing out some of your favourite songs onto a CD that will stop when your shower time is up.
• Install a low-flow shower head: By inserting air into the water and pushing it through smaller holes, a low flow shower head uses less water per minute and maintains a great pressure- sometimes even better than your current shower head!
• Take colder showers: Although a colder shower won’t directly save water, it will save the electricity that is needed to heat the water.

At my sink…

• Install faucet aerators: This inexpensive gadget is simple to install and works the same as the low flow shower head, inserting air into the water flow.
• Turn off the tap: You’ve been hearing it for years, but do you remember to turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth or shaving?

My toilet…

• Use a displacement device: You can purchase a displacement device to put into the back of your toilet, or make your own out of a plastic soda bottle and sand. By putting a displacement device into the toilet tank, you reduce the amount used each flush.
• Install a low-flow toilet: These come with a smaller tank and use less water per flush, saving you about $10 a month. The toilet will pay for itself in about a year! Check out dual flush options as well.

Keep these tips in mind to conserve Kingston’s water and save yourself some money.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Become Laundry Smart

Check out our 2 minute segment on CKWS TV about this tip!

What is "Laundry Smart"?
To be laundry smart means to be conscious and considerate of both water and electricity consumption while you are doing laundry. There are several things that you can think about in the laundry room...

Peak hours?
By doing your laundry after 9pm on weekdays and/or anytime on the weekend, you’re helping to shift peak demand and ensure that sufficient amounts of energy are available at all times. This will also save you money once time of use billing is implemented.

Hang Dry
Always Hang dry your laundry. You can use an outdoor clothesline, an indoor rack or even your shower rod. To keep towels and sheets soft and fluffy, toss them in the dryer for only 5 minutes after they have dried.

Cold Water Washes
Something else to consider is to always do your laundry in cold water. This uses less energy since the water doesn’t have to be heated, and cleans your clothes just as well. Consider detergents made specifically for cold water washes.

Full Loads
Hold off doing laundry until you have a full load. Even if you set your machine to only fill halfway with water, you’re still using the same amount of electricity as if it was a full load. Two half loads use twice as much energy as one full load.

Energy Star
And finally, if you’re shopping for a new washer or dryer, consider energy star appliances to cut down on energy used and save you some money.

Step up, Kingston, and join our journey to becoming the most sustainable city in Canada. You might find yourself saving some money along the way!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Make Smart Purchases

Check out our 2 minute CKWS TV segment about this tip!

Isn’t Recycling Enough?

Recycling is a great thing to do, but it all starts with reducing what you use in the first place. The less packaging and disposable products you consume, the less resources need to be used to recycle them.

How Can I Make Smart Purchases?

It all starts at the grocery store. Look for products with minimal or reusable packaging. Try to avoid purchasing products with packaging that isn’t recyclable, like #3  and #7, mixed plastics, and also #1 containers that don’t have a screw top, like cookie trays and clamshell containers that you buy berries in. #1 containers with a screw top are recyclable.

Check out these tips:

• Choose a glass jar over a plastic tub. You can re-use the glass jar later and it will last longer.
• Purchase your veggies “naked”- so without packaging or bags whenever possible 
• Buy larger quantities instead of individually packaged, and use reusable containers in your lunch.
• Shop at the farmer’s market on Tuesdays or Thursdays and support local businesses
• Avoid tetrapack and polycoated materials like juice boxes
• Avoid over-consumption; do you need the products? Can you make it yourself instead?

 By keeping some of these tips in mind, you can reduce the waste that you produce.

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Use Your Outdoor Water Efficiently!

Did You Know...

Kingston has regulations as to when you can water your lawn? This helps ensure that there is a sufficient supply of water available at all times. Between the hours of 5 and 10am, even numbered houses can water their lawns on even days, and odd numbered houses on odd days. Violation of this by-law can result in some hefty fines. If needed, citizens or businesses can apply to purchase a one week exemption permit.

 Consider these tips:

• Use a water gage to determine if your lawn even needs to be watered. To keep your lawn healthy, it only needs 1 inch of water per week. Usually, the rain will meet these needs.
• Ensure that the water from your sprinkler is hitting the lawn, and not the sidewalk or road. This water is just running off into the storm drains and being wasted.
• Water before 10am to avoid evaporation during the heat of the day.
• Check the weatherforecast- is it supposed to rain tomorrow anyways?
• Use a bucket instead of the hose to wash your car. This makes sure you don’t miss any spots, and also avoids run-off water.
• Use a rain barrel instead of the hose. This water is untreated, so it’s better for your lawn, didn’t cost anything to treat it, and best of all, it’s free!

 Where can I get more information?

Check out the city of Kingston website (http://www.cityofkingston.ca/index.asp), or Kingston Hydro (http://www.kingstonhydro.com/).

The Join the Journey team members are touring around Kingston communities, equipped with some pretty neat water kits.  Ask for yours today!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Use your Green Bin to its full potential 

Check out our 2 minute segment on CKWS TV about this tip!

Why should I use my green bin? 

It's a simple habit that can make a real difference!

• Methane gas released by landfilled organics is 20 times as potent as carbon dioxide released during the composting process.
• When your organics become rich compost that can be used for agricultural and residential purposes. 
• You can divert space in landfills! 

What goes in my green bin?

Where does my Green Bin organic waste go?

Your organic waste is sent to the Norterra Organics Facility on Joyceville Road (just off the 401). Here it is processed using a Gore cover system to become valuable compost!

Where can I get even More Info?

Speak to the Join the Journey Team in the Kingston community, or check out the Join the Journey Facebook page (check out our photos from our Norterra Facility Tour to see how the process works). You can also visit these websites:

The City of Kingston http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/waste/greenbin/index.asp

Norterra Organics http://www.norterraorganics.com/index.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reduce Phantom Power

 Check out our 2 minute segment on CKWS TV about this tip!

What is Phantom Power?
Phantom Power is the electricity that is consumed by electronic equipment even when its turned off.
 

What electronics produce phantom power?
Any electronics what don't have a hard on/off switch that interrupts the electricity current.

• Electronics with an small LED light indicating that the device is plugged in. (Hair straightener, coffee maker, laptop charger and home entertainment systems).
• Any device that use a remote receives power at all times in order to receive and react to the remote signals (like your TV and DVD player).
• Other devices, such as your cell phone charger, do not have an off switch, and are therefore consuming power at all times, even when your cell isn't plugged in to charge.
• Electronics like your toaster, hair dryer and desk lamp without an LED light indicating they are plugged in, use a hard off switch and do not consume phantom power.

Why should I reduce my phantom power?
1. Its adding up to approximately 15% of your energy bill- you can save money!
2. This energy is being wasted
3. Phantom power is really simple to reduce :)
4. Conserve energy and help the environment

How can I reduce my phantom power?
1. Unplug your stuff when you're not using it
2. Plug your stuff into a power bar, put it in a convenient spot, and switch it off when you aren't using the stuff.
3. Consider using a timed power bar. Program it to turn off when you're at work during the day, or sleeping at night.

Where can I get even more info?
Check out www.powerpledge.ca/kingstonhydro for more information and to take the online power pledge for some free air miles!