On August 4 th at 7:00pm, join the EAC and Stacy James for a rain garden workshop at the Normal Public Library. Stacy James has been employed by Prairie Rivers Network as Water Resources Scientist since April 2006. She contributes to Prairie Rivers’ mission to protect clean water throughout Illinois by working to reduce the amount of pollution entering streams and lakes from cities and agricultural fields. Before joining Prairie Rivers, she was a post-doc with the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center in Missouri, where she conducted research on the effects of water pollution on amphibians. She will be giving a presentation on the benefits and installation of rain gardens at the Normal Public Library’s Community Room on the lower level of the building. The presentation will be approximately 45 minutes long, and will describe the role of the rain garden in keeping streams and communities safe from flooding and pollution.
A rain garden is a landscaping feature that is both attractive and a way to absorb stormwater. Government studies have shown that up to 70% of the pollution in streams, rivers, and lakes is carried there by stormwater. Half of the pollution in this water comes from things we do in our yards and gardens. Rain that falls is supposed to soak into the ground, but oftentimes it heads down the street and into a storm drain, carrying pollution with it. By planting a rain garden, you are keeping rain water where it falls. This is a natural solution to stormwater pollution. You are not only helping protect rivers, streams, and lakes from pollution, but you get a beautiful garden to enjoy as well.
Note: Please use free public parking available near the Normal Public Library to save limited onsite parking for library patrons.
New Rules on Lithium Batteries
Recently, a new federal law concerning lithium and lithium ion batteries has been put into effect. All of these types of batteries must be taped on the ends or individually bagged before they are deposited for recycling. This is to prevent battery-related fires during transportation.
Lithium (Primary) Batteries
- Are small, dry-cell batteries, sealed and non-rechargeable
- Button cells, AA, AAA, 9-volt, small-cylinder, and custom size formats
- Commonly used in watches, cameras, handheld electronics, tire-pressure sensors, alarms, memory backup, high-temperature applications, pacemakers, and remote car locks
Lithium Ion Batteries
- Are small, dry-cell batteries, sealed and rechargeable
- Custom sizes in hard plastic cases, small-cylinder, and button cell format
- Commonly used in cell phones, laptop computers, power tools, hybrid automobiles, video cameras, and handheld electronics.
Please help the EAC comply with this new law by taping and bagging your Lithium and Lithium Ion batteries before you drop them off for recycling at Batteries Plus or Interstate All Battery Center.
Prescription Drug Disposal in McLean County
Prescription drug disposal is an idea that has come into question a great deal recently. Traditionally, people were told to dispose of their unwanted, unneeded, or expired medicines by flushing them down the toilet or tossing them in the trash. Not much thought was given to this method, until traces of pharmaceuticals were discovered in rivers and other bodies of water during the latest tests. If drugs are found in these bodies of water, then that could mean that our drinking water is contaminated with traces of antidepressants, antibiotics, and other medicines.
Prescription and nonprescription drugs that are not properly disposed of easily make their way into our water supply. Pills that are flushed down the toilet or liquid medicines that are dumped down the drain can kill helpful bacteria that live in septic tanks. These drugs also can pass through sewage treatment facilities without any chemical change, and show up in clean water supplies. If they are thrown out with the trash, drugs can make their way into the groundwater.
Currently, a movement is being made for safe drug disposal through pharmacies around the state. Recently, five pharmacies in McLean County have joined in on the prescription drug disposal program. Patients can bring their drugs to the locations during normal business hours, and are asked to black out their name, but leave the name of the drug visible. Controlled substances (strong painkillers like morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone), needles, syringes, and thermometers will not be accepted.
The following McLean County locations are accepting prescription drugs for proper disposal:
- Eastland Pharmacy in OSF Eastland Medical Plaza I, 1505 Eastland Drive in Bloomington
- Atrium Pharmacy at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, 1304 Franklin Avenue in Normal
- Merle Pharmacy, 203 E Locust Street in Bloomington
- Chenoa Pharmacy, 209 S Green Street in Chenoa
- Doc’s Drugs, 304 Sunset Drive in LeRoy
Home Depot's New CFL Recycling Program
Home Depot has recently launched a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) recycling program nationwide. All 1,973 Home Depot locations in the United States are participating. Normally, CFLs have to be handled through household hazardous waste procedures, and the nearest locations to the Bloomington-Normal community are in Naperville, Rockford, and downtown Chicago. Otherwise, people have to wait until local organizations, like the EAC, establish a household hazardous waste collection day to recycle their expired CFLs. The Home Depot can now take CFLs, which will hopefully keep a lot of them from ending up in landfills.
The nearest Home Depot location is on 795 Veteran’s Parkway, in Normal. You may drop off expired and unbroken CFLs at Home Depot in the electrical department during the store’s business hours. The bulbs are collected by Home Depot associates, and disposed of responsibly by an environmental management company.
The EAC will soon launch a CFL recycling program with additional local drop-off locations; watch www.ecologyactioncenter.org for more information.
Agriculture + Conservation= Successful Farming
How to Save Gas
Fuels that are used to run motor vehicles, such as gasoline and diesel, are classified as fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are a non-renewable energy source, because they take millions of years to form and the reserves are being depleted much faster than new ones being formed. Until other alternative fuels are developed for wide-spread use, it is important to use fossil fuels more efficiently in our daily lives. Fuel economy is a concept of using gasoline and diesel fuels efficiently in motor vehicles. The idea of fuel economy goes hand in hand with the term “hypermiling”, which is defined as the process to get more gas mileage out of one’s car by making minor adjustments to car upkeep and driving habits. Basically, it is the idea of saving gas.
Saving gas is not only a way to save money, but is also good for the environment. Burning fossil fuels contributes to air pollution and global climate changes, so the less fuel burned the better. Here are some easy steps to start using fuel more efficiently.
- Be a sensible driver
Aggressive driving practices such as speeding, rapid acceleration, and heavy braking all waste gas. Not only is driving sensibly a way to conserve the gas in your tank, but it is a safer practice as well.
-Observe the speed limit
Gas mileage usually decreases significantly at speeds over 60 miles per hour. For each five miles per hour you drive over 60, it is like paying an additional thirty cents per gallon for your gas. And again, observing posted speed limit signs is not only fuel efficient, but safe as well.
-Lighten your load
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in the backseat and trunk of your car. Smaller vehicles are affected by excess weight more than larger ones; however, for each additional 100 pounds of junk in your car, your mileage per gallon is lowered 2%.
-Don’t idle
Idling means letting your car run out of gear or at a very slow speed without acceleration. While idling, your car is consuming gas, and is getting zero miles per gallon. Shut off the engine for long stops, like at the ATM or while running into the store or house.
-Make use of your cruise control
By setting your cruise control while you are driving on the highway, you will be guaranteed to maintain a constant and steady speed. This will ensure that you are not accelerating and braking liberally, which will in turn save you gas.
-Replace air filters in your engine
Replacing an old or clogged air filter can improve your car’s gas mileage up to 10%
-Plan smarter trips
Combining all of your errands into one trip not only saves time, but it is more fuel efficient as well. Choosing routes that are free of heavy traffic and have few traffic lights will ensure that you don’t have to stop and idle a lot. Planning your trip out before you go also helps avoid retracting your route, so you will be able to travel a shorter distance and save gas. If you are going to several places in the same area, park somewhere close to all of them and walk instead of drive between stops.
-Turn off the AC
Try not to use the air conditioner if you don’t have to. Park your car in the shade where available so that your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard when you use it. Also, turn off the AC the last five minutes of your drive so that it isn’t pumping up to the last second. The inside of your car should remain cool until your get to your destination.
-Be kind to your engine
Avoid prolonged “warming up” of your engine. Even on cold days, 30-45 seconds should be plenty of time. Revving the engine is a needless waste of fuel, so try not to do it. Lastly, accelerate slowly if you are in a dead stop. By only pushing the pedal down ¼ of the way at first, this allows the carburetor to function at peak efficiency.
-Buy gas wisely
Try to buy gasoline during cooler parts of the day when the gasoline is more dense, like in the morning or late evening. Because gas pumps charge according to volume, buying denser gas will get you more for your money. Avoid filling your tank to the top. Gas that sloshes out of the tank does you no good. If the nozzle is automatic, never fill past the first click of the nozzle.
-Don’t drive if you don’t have to
With rising gas prices, public transportation use is on the rise. The Twin Cities has a great bus system that is inexpensive and easy to navigate. Using public transportation saves you money on gas, but is also better for the environment. Children under kindergarten-age and seniors over 65 ride for free. For more information about the Bloomington-Normal Public Transit system, including fares and bus routes, visit their website, www.bnpts.com.
Storm drain Stenciling: Saturday, July 19, 9am-noon
As part of our ongoing stormwater education activities in Bloomington-Normal, EAC is stenciling storm drains throughout the community to help draw attention to ways to protect our local water supplies. If you are interested in helping out, contact EAC intern Matt Garmon at (708) 828-1448 or via email at mgarmon@ecologyactioncenter.org. Must be able to provide your own transportation to project location.
New wildflowers were planted last month around the EAC but with all the rain we have received we now need to catch up on weeding. Come help us make the EAC look its best. To volunteer, contact Michael Brown at mbrown@ecologyactioncenter.org or 454-3169. We are also looking for regular garden volunteers who can work independently.
All volunteers must be 16 years or older or be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian