Lights Out

The global initiative sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour, encourages everyone to turn off their lights on Saturday, March 27 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Light some candles and tune into your family while contemplating what little steps can be taken to reduce your household energy consumption.

Simple habits to adopt which reduce climate change can include turning off the lights in rooms when not in use, turning off water while brushing teeth, replacing energy hogging old appliances, turning down the thermostat, eliminating energy vampires by plugging appliances and electronics into power strips, switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), recycling, composting, and carpooling. Buying locally grown and produced foods can also help reduce the amount of fuel needed to ship food from faraway growing areas such as South America. Every little effort counts.

While turning off your home's lights for a mere hour may seem minor, consider last year's event which involved hundreds of millions of participants worldwide. Four-thousand cities in 87 countries turned off their lights in 2009 and saved millions of dollars in energy bills while raising awareness. Vote with your light switch, join this year's Earth Hour. For more information visit www.myearthhour.org.

Protect Your Identity and the Environment

Today correspondences are received instantly and electronically saving time and natural resources. Paper trails consist of emails, texts, and PDF attachments. In some instances, hard copy documents containing sensitive personal information are printed out and filed for legal purposes.

Depending on the type of paperwork, organizational experts suggest households and businesses retain hard copy files for 3-5 years. Over the years these files add up. It’s not safe to dispose of files into the curbside recycling bin or into the dumpster without shredding. Rather than burn out the motor on a small home office shredder and fill up the landfills, Atlantans are encouraged to bring their old files* and the entire family for a fun day of activities at the 4th annual Great Shredder Event.

This year’s festivities is Saturday, Feb. 6th from 10 am – 4 pm at the Gwinnett Stadium. Sponsored by CBS Atlanta News and Bank of America, the event will include food, prizes, raffle, and a chance to meet your favorite CBS Atlanta News celebrity. Ask your “Tough Question” on camera, to be filmed for a future newscast.

Last year’s event shredded over 200 tons of paper - equivalent to saving 3,400 trees, 76,000 gallons of oil, 600 cubic yards of landfill, 800,000 kilowatts of energy (equals enough energy to power 71 houses per year), 1.4 million gallons of water, and 12,000 pounds of air pollution.

Also accepted this year for safe recycling are select electronics: Computers, Computer monitors, Computer keyboards, Computer mice, Fax machines, Printers, Printer ink cartridges, Gaming consoles, DVD players & VCRs, Cell phones & cell batteries, and Stereo systems. Electronics not accepted at this event include: TV's, Microwaves, and Major appliances.

Donations of non-perishable food products will also be accepted by the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Items most needed are: Peanut Butter, Canned Tuna, Canned Beans, Canned Soups, Stews and Pastas, 100% Fruit Juice, Canned Fruits and Vegetables, Macaroni and Cheese Dinners, and Whole Grain, Low Sugar Cereals.

Protect your identity and the environment. Get into the spirit and bring your team down to the stadium a day before the Super Bowl for a day of fun and safe recycling.

*Shredding Restrictions: 5 boxes/trash bags per person. No metal or plastic attachments. No newspapers, magazines or phone books.