Waterworks Blog
No potty talk here: Old toilets get new life underfoot
July 20, 2012An engineer in Bellinham, Washington, used crushed porcelain from recycled toilets in a sidewalk project. Now that’s what we call a “can”-do attitude. The Meador Kansas Ellis Trail project was recognized by the University of Washington for this innovation and a number of others, including the installation of low-energy LED streetlights and the use of…
This summer, keep your air conditioning inside
July 12, 2012With tax season well behind us, an audit is probably the last thing you want to think about. But here’s one that deserves serious consideration: a home energy audit. Unlike the IRS version, a home energy audit will help you go green while saving you green. During a home energy audit, a series of tests…
Fireflies give scientists a bright idea
June 26, 2012You’ve probably seen them already: Flashes of light dotting your backyard as the sun dips below the horizon. Fireflies are an almost ubiquitous part of Pennsylvania summers, so much so that they were named the official state insect in 1974. Also called a lightning bug, these itty-bitty beetles create their telltale light through a process called…
Close the loop: Recycle more than you trash
June 14, 2012Are you casting your lot in with a trashy crowd? As the world’s population continues to grow and our planet’s finite resources dwindle, it’s more important than ever to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Instead of adding to the waste stream, take a closer look at what’s going into your trash. The things that can be…
Starting off on the right foot for conservation
May 30, 2012One big step for NIKE, one bigger step for the environment: The sportswear and equipment company is apparently working with a Netherlands-based company to eliminate the use of water in textile dyeing. NIKE says its partnership with DyeCoo Textile Systems B.V., announced in early February, means the elimination not only of water in the dyeing…
It’s time to face the nation’s water infrastructure needs
May 17, 2012Communities across the country are being confronted with a daunting challenge: replacing the aging, underground pipes that carry drinking water while also expanding service to meet the needs of a growing population. Making the task even more formidable is the price tag, which is predicted to be at least $1 trillion over the next 25 years. During…
Get your garden growing with companions
April 16, 2012If you’re growing a garden this year, give your vegetables some company. Companion planting — also called “intercropping” — is an age-old practice in which plant varieties are arranged in ways that are mutually beneficial. It’s a method of all-natural gardening that helps conserve water, control pests, and even fertilize the soil. A perfect example…
Surge in Lyme disease predicted for region
March 23, 2012Spring sprang early this year, but if you’re itching to work in the yard and garden, take some precautions so that ticks don’t have you itching — or worse — instead. A news release from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, a nonprofit environmental education group in upstate New York, states that the “northeastern U.S….
Electronics Recycling & Document Shredding in Lower Macungie
March 15, 2012The Lower Macungie Township Environmental Advisory Council is hosting an Electronics Recycling event this Saturday, March 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There is NO CHARGE to drop off your used electronics for proper recycling. This collection will be held at the Lower Macungie Community Center, 3400 Brookside Road. The Community Center is on the…
A whole latte promise for old coffee grounds
March 2, 2012Talk about black gold: City College of New York scientists say they’ve discovered that carbonized coffee grounds can be a cost-effective tool for the elimination of sewer gas. It turns out that the caffeine in coffee also contains nitrogen, an ingredient that helps rev up its effectiveness when it’s used in filters that scrub toxins…