Install energy saving products

Replacing your five most-used standard bulbs (e.g. in areas that require more than three hours of light a day) with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) saves approximately $30 a year. CFLs use up to 75 per cent less energy than conventional bulbs and are built to last for at least five years.

For more information on CFLs and other energy efficient products, visit Energy Star - Canada.

Try an Airdrie-first solution - the bulb eater at the Eastside Recycling Depot. It helps you recycle your CFLs so that the mercury in them can be used in new light bulbs, rather than being disposed of in landfills.

Use your buying power to support

• Environmentally responsible businesses and products. Less packaging, more recycled material.
  
• Local shops and service providers.
  
• Visit Think Airdrie for more information.

Replace older, water-guzzling fixtures with new, water-saving models

Water-efficient fixtures are designed to use less water while maintaining the same level of performance as older fixtures. Retrofitting older, less efficient fixtures can help save water and save money on your utility bill - up to $100 a year on your water bill and reduce household water usage by up to 20 per cent.

Check out Airdrie's toilet replacement program for details on how to get a rebate on the purchase of a new water saving toilet.

Recycle and reuse

Recycling and reusing help reduce the amount of waste going to landfills and lessen the need to continually create new items out of raw materials that come from mines (e.g. aluminum cans), petroleum products (e.g. plastics) and trees (e.g. cardboard and paper). Recycle as much as possible through local programs and try reusable shopping bags and containers, instead of disposable ones.

See the Airdrie Quick Guide to Recycling for depot hours of operation and a list of items that can be recycled.

Try alternative transportation options to get to work or school

Use the bus, a carpool, your bike, or your own two feet to get to work or school, rather than driving in your car alone. Commuting using alternative modes like these, even a couple times a month, can help improve our air quality, save you money on fuel costs and reduce traffic congestion.

Airdrie Transit has local and Intercity Express (ICE) bus routes and schedules.

More help

Great online tools and calculators to help you identify an action game plan and find even more simple ways to have a positive impact:

Ecological footprint calculator for Calgary area

Earth Day Canada: EcoAction calculator

Sustainability at home: A toolkit - Decision-making help for your everyday choices

For further information, please contact Amanda Ginn, Sustainability Coordinator, at: amanda.ginn@airdrie.ca or 948-8800 ext. 8751.