SASKATOON – According to SaskPower, the average Canadian household uses 12 trees worth of paper each year.
Every Canadian also uses 331 litres of water every day and can waste up to 800 litres of water each month if they let their tap drip instead of fixing it. As well, Canadians throw out 1,500 tonnes of steel and aluminum cans every day.
Bernie Bolen from SaskPower said people have more energy-consuming products than they did 20 years ago, so the energy efficiency of modern appliances is offset by the increase in use.
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Save money
But recycling and minor lifestyle adjustments can save the average family money and the environment.
Recycling paper can reduce the amount of energy needed to make new paper by up to 35 percent.
And not only is there a refund for recycling bottles and cans, but it uses one-third less electricity to use recycled glass than to make new glass, and one-tenth the energy for recycled aluminum.
Using hot water wisely is environment friendly, and costs less. SaskPower suggests families take short showers instead of baths, and install low-flow shower heads. Use warm or cold water for normal laundry and don’t use the washing machine or dishwasher until there is a full load. Also, fill the sink with just enough water rather than let the hot water run.
Ten percent of water heating costs can be shaved by setting the water heater to 55 – 60 C. And check for leaks in taps and pipes to prevent paying to heat the water that drips out.
Having the heater serviced once a year will ensure it runs efficiently, saving money instantly on heating costs and prolonging the life of the water heater.
For many farm families, recycling is more difficult because of the distances to recycling centres. Sask-Power suggests rural families save recyclable goods and make regular trips to the nearest centre when they have a large enough load to make the trip worthwhile.
Dial to deliver
In years to come, the recycling centre might come to them. James Hagglund from the Salvation Army recycling centre in Saskatoon said he hopes to set up a mobile recycling centre over the next few months. The centre will pick up recyclable material in rural communities.
The Reuse and Recycling Directory lists recycling programs across Saskatchewan and is available from the provincial government.
To order the directory or for more information phone 1-800-567-4224.
