GREENWorks
Ideas for a Cleaner Environment
A publication of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Concord, NH (603) 271-3710

July 2010

Keeping Cool

Summer has arrived, meaning swimming, boating, barbeques, sunshine and summer heat. The summer weather can also bring increased energy use for keeping cool. No one wants their energy bills to rise with the temperature, and finding ways to stay cool without cranking up the air conditioner saves money – and is better for the environment.

If you need to know something about energy-efficient lighting and the thought of logging on to a search engine and trolling through copious amounts of websites and articles elicits an involuntary groan, the UNH Cooperative Extension may have what you're looking for - and Energy Answers hotline, 877-398-4769. The hotline expands the capacity of the program's toll-free Info Line in Manchester by staffing the existing lines with volunteers trained to answer energy-related questions or refer callers to experts and other outside resources who can.

Portsmouth, NH – The New Hampshire Coastal Protection Partnership will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day by hosting an eco-friendly workshop highlighting steps that local residents can take to reduce nitrogen pollution in the Great Bay Estuary right in their own backyard. Participants will get basic tips on how to install a rain garden at home. They will also learn how to make eco-friendly decisions about lawn fertilization.

Do you want to recycle but live in a condo or own a business that doesn’t have recycling pickup? Contact us at iRecycle@hotmail.com and we will come pickup your recycling for you. We are currently servicing the Nashua area, with additional surrounding communities soon to come.

Pickup will be on Saturday mornings. Weekly, semi-monthly or monthly programs are available. There is a $2 pickup fee + $1 for each container of recyclables. Trash bags or cardboard boxes are acceptable containers. Please have your containers available for pickup by 9 am on Saturday morning.

Lakes Region students from middle school through college transformed their trash into works of art for the Lakes Region Community College’s first ever recycled art contest and environmental showcase in November – and Belmont sixth-graders won the entire middle school division.
Students from local middle schools, high schools and LRCC college students were invited to exhibit their artwork and compete for prizes. The winner for the middle school division was Mrs. Charleston’s sixth grade class in Belmont, assisted by tech ed teacher Mr. Wernig and art teacher Mrs. Bengtson.