I think we all learn from bad storms that we can do more to be better prepared in the event that severe weather knocks out utilities to our homes for long periods of time. With storms like Katrina all anyone can do is get out of the way. But it seems like rain storms, ice storms and hurricanes are happening more and more. Here is a check list to help you prepare while the weather is good.
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If you’re like most Americans (including me) you do your own lawn. And, if you’re like most Americans (again, including me) you sometimes neglect the very thing that makes lawn care possible: The lawn mower.
Many of us are careful about taking care of our cars, but we completely fall apart when it comes to maintaining our lawn mowers. When we buy them new, we’re thrilled with how easy they start and the perfection with which they can keep the lawn trimmed. By the second season, however, they don’t start nearly so easily, and the lawn begins to look rough around the edges. By the third season, when the lawnmower fails to start at all, we inevitably junk the old one, and buy a new one. There are an estimated 90 million lawn mowers and other machines parked in garages and sheds around the country, and the average lifespan of these is a paltry three years or less. Yet no matter how mechanically inept you think you are, it’s possible with a minimum amount of effort to double the life of your yard equipment.
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By now, I can safely (and hopefully) say we are all avid recyclers. Or, at least we SHOULD be. We should be accustomed to putting milk cartons, paper towel tubes, and glass and plastic items in the RECYLE bin. But what about bigger and bulkier items like computers, cell phones, fax machines and stereos? Those items can all be recycled, too. In fact, it’s now the law in many states, including Illinois.
The “electronics recycling law” is meant to protect the environment from deadly toxins and heavy metals contained in those “old” products, while at the same time preventing the loss of component materials that can be re-used. Violating the law could result in a fine of $25 for a first offense — and $50 for subsequent offenses. About 33 million pounds of electronics were recycled in Illinois in 2010, but according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, a lot more probably was thrown away. Their goal is to keep up to 60 million pounds of electronics from landfills by 2013. This means YOU, as a responsible consumer, will have to make a little more of an effort to recycle TV sets, computers, cell phones, video recorders, and other electronics. Some stores will accept the equipment, others will recycle it for you when they deliver new items like TV sets or refrigerators. And, the best part is that most companies won’t charge you for recycling your old goods.
The best advice is to call ahead, ask specialty stores if they recycle or call your village or township office to ask where you can go to drop these items off, so they don’t end up sitting in a landfill. You can go to this website: www.illinoisrecycles.org for a list of drop off-locations!
Good luck and happy recycling!
