WHAT'S YOUR GREEN FACTOR?

That's what we like to hear.
After all, even the tiniest things add up when it comes to waste.
(Did you know 20 million Hershey's kisses are wrapped in foil each day?)
For more recycling information, visit swaco.org.

Now's a great time to start.
Did you know that each year, the typical family consumes 182 gallons of carbonated drinks and 104 gallons of milk? That's a lot of containers you could be recycling.
To find the nearest drop-off box for free recycling, visit swaco.org.
Or, if you're a Columbus resident and prefer curbside service, visit http://rumpkerecycling.com/residential/curbside.aspx.

It's actually easy–and free in central Ohio.
To find the nearest drop-off location for free recycling, visit swaco.org.
Or, if you're a Columbus resident and prefer curbside service, visit http://rumpkerecycling.com/residential/curbside.aspx.

It seems like the logical thing to do. But actually, putting these things in the trash increases the risk they'll contaminate our local water and air. It's better for the environment to take hazardous wastes to a waste disposal site–and now we have a permanent location for doing this in Franklin County. To learn more, visit swaco.org.

That's the best way to do it. And did you know we now have a permanent hazardous waste disposal site in Franklin County? To learn more, visit swaco.org.

Now that we have a permanent hazardous waste disposal site in Franklin County, it's easy. There you can drop off fluorescent light bulbs, paint, household cleaners, and more. To learn more, visit swaco.org.

It's a common misunderstanding that paper bags are the best option for the environment. But they actually take three times as much energy to produce as plastic bags. What's more, they use large amounts of water, and generate significant air pollution. Consider switching to reusable grocery bags. (Most grocery stores sell these–and they're pretty inexpensive.)

In the U.S., petroleum-based plastic bags consume about 12 million barrels of oil annually. And most are not recycled. What's more, they take 450 years to biodegrade. Consider switching to reusable grocery bags. (Most grocery stores sell these–and they're pretty inexpensive.)

That's fantastic. The average person uses 350 bags each year. (Good for you for not being one of them.)

Great answer. Tap water is healthy, accessible, and inexpensive–5 gallons costs just a few pennies. Consider buying a reusable water bottle and take Columbus' good, clean water with you everywhere you go.

Switch to tap. It's perfectly safe. In fact, it's required to meet stricter federal and local standards for chemical contaminants than bottled water. Not to mention, a 20-ounce bottle of water costs about $1. That same dollar buys 33 gallons of tap water.

Lighting accounts for close to 20 percent of the average home's electric bill. CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than regular light bulbs, and last up to 10 times longer. Which means that while they cost a bit more up front, they provide a quick return on your investment.

CFLs contain an incredibly small amount of mercury (5 milligrams, just enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pin), and it's sealed in glass tubing. By comparison, an older thermostat contains about 500 milligrams of mercury. To learn more, visit EnergyStar.gov. To learn how to safely dispose of CFLs, visit swaco.org.

That's smart. To save even more energy and money, replace your most-used light bulbs first. The most-used fixtures in a home are usually the kitchen ceiling lights, the living or family room table and floor lamps, and an outdoor porch or post lamp.

As in, really turn them off–not left in standby mode? Remember that if you can see the red light, it's not really off. Use a power strip and surge protector so you can completely power down.

Electronics left in standby mode are responsible for 5 percent of energy use in the U.S. That adds up to about $4 billion each year. Use a power strip and surge protector so you can completely power down.

Then you're doing your part to protect our air quality. Our air quality decreases as ozone and particulate matter pollution levels increase.

If you're going to drive instead of using public transportation, drive smart. Try to carpool, and combine errands on each trip. Don't let your engine idle unnecessarily, and don't make jackrabbit starts. Keep your tires inflated, and maintain your car. Also, just slow down. Driving 60 miles per hour instead of 70, you will go 4 miles farther per gallon of gas.

Who knew washing your car could contribute to water pollution? When you wash your car on the driveway or street, soapy water drains into the sewer–and straight into our streams and rivers. Instead, take your car to a commercial wash, or wash your car on the grass or gravel. Also be sure to use a non-toxic detergent.

Good for you. If you're taking your car to a commercial wash, or washing it on the grass or gravel, you're helping to protect our streams from soap water pollution.

Then you've probably realized you can reduce water consumption–and still have a good looking lawn–by planting native, hardy plants and grasses. And even if your lawn goes brown for a while, it'll improve when the rain returns. Call 645-3111 to request your free rain gauge so you can keep track of the moisture your lawn receives.

Did you know that lawns only require one inch of water per week in the summer months? Call 645-3111 to request your free rain gauge so you can keep track of the moisture your lawn receives. And when you do water your lawn, make sure you're not also watering your driveway or street. (They don't need it.) Finally, remember to water in the early mornings, and skip windy days.

Planting just one tree has the same cooling effect on the environment as five air conditioners. So why not plant another? Plus, it can also reduce your heating and cooling bills. It's a win-win.

When it comes to improving our environment, trees work overtime. They reduce pollution by removing dust from the air, they suck in harmful greenhouse gases, and each tree releases 40 gallons of water into the atmosphere each day–which has the same cooling effect as five air conditioners. To learn more, visit http://epa.gov/heatisland/mitigation/trees.htm.