MAKE A PHONE CALL

 

Let your fingers do the walking...

 

BACKGROUND. This may be cheating a little bitit doesn't effect the environment directlybut when you get started on a project as important as this, it's good to know what assistance is available. As the head of one organization told us, "What's the use of getting people excited about saving cans and bottle for recycling, if they don't know where to take them.Ó

 

We think that's a good point, so we encourage you to do a little research on your own. Familiarize yourself with some of the subjects we'll be dealing with in the book, and check them out locally. You may be surprised at the diversity of services available. For example:

 

Call Your Local Electric Utility:

Check on availability of energy audits.

Ask about free information (conservation booklets, etc.)

 

Call Your Local Water Utility:

Check to see what water conservation devices (lowflow shower heads, faucet aerators, etc.), services, or information they offer.

 

Call your Local Recycling Center:

 

How do you find it? Look it up in the Yellow Pages; get the infor­

mation from your local city government; or call 12125052100

and ask the Environmental Defense Fund for assistance in locating

the nearest center.

 

Ask what materials they collect, whether they have curbside

pickups (and what days), or whether you need to bring the materi­

als in, where the nearest dropoff centers are, etc. (see pp. 6065).

 

Check out the Yellow pages; see what's listed under

 

¥ Recycling,

 

¥ Environmental agencies (or groups)

 

¥ Car Pool (or Van Pool)

 

¥ Diaper Services

 

¥ Heating Services

 

¥ Plumbing / Electrical Supplies, etc.