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Green Works Orlando Green Updates

November 2007

November 30
City Testing New BioFuel on City Vehicle

The City of Orlando will begin testing a new biofuel on one of its vehicles to demostrate the fuel’s potential. The trial will be carried out over the next several months and will include a comprehensive series of performance and tailpipe emissions tests. The fuel, created by H2Diesel, is created from domestically produced vegetable oils and animal fats. H2Diesel believes its proprietary biofuel will provide an environmentally superior and lower cost alternative to other more traditional biofuels.

“We are very glad to have H2Diesel as a partner in our ‘Green Works Orlando’ program,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “We believe H2Diesel’s 100 percent renewable biofuel can assist the City in our effort to move our entire fleet of vehicles to renewable fuels by 2012.”

Recycling Grant

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded Orlando a $44,000 matching grant for a Downtown recycling program. The City will develop a single-stream commercial recycling program in Downtown, where paper, bottles and other recyclable items are collected in one bin instead of having to be separated. The grant is a part of the State’s effort to promote recycling and conserve natural resources, and it allows the City to expand its recycling program while saving money. The model created by the Solid Waste Division will help other cities develop similar commercial recycling programs.

November 16
America Recycles Day

Thursday, November 15 was America Recycles Day, an effort to encourage Americans to recycle and buy recycled products. Recycling is an easy way to protect the environment. Besides reducing the amount of garbage that goes to our landfills, recycling reduces carbon emissions associated with mining natural resources and manufacturing products. Last year alone, the energy saved by recycling common household items such as aluminum cans and newspapers was equivalent to the amount of electricity 17.8 million Americans would use in one year.

The City of Orlando encourages its residents to take part in the City’s curbside recycling program, which includes newspaper, aluminum and steel cans, glass containers and plastic beverage bottles. Until February 15, yellow phone books may also be recycled with newspapers by residents with curbside recycling or at special dumpsters at fire stations 1-12 and at the Orlando Police Headquarters. For more information on the City’s recycling program or to request a recycling bin if you do not have one, visit Solid Waste online at the City’s website.

November 9
Ten Ways You Can Make a Difference

·  Leaving your car at home just two days a week will save 1,590 lbs. of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Keep your car well-maintained to maximize its fuel efficiency, safety and reliability.

·  Replacing your five most frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can save more than $65 a year in energy costs

·  Using a low flow shower head. A new showerhead will save up to $145 each year on electricity.

·  Stopping your leaky faucet. Fixing drips is a cost effective and easy way to save energy.

·  Using the right sized pot on stove burners can save about $36 annually for an electric range, or $18 for gas.

·  Disposing household hazardous waste safely.

·  Setting your water heater thermostat to 120 F or lower to save energy and money.

·  Reducing the amount of garbage you generate by looking for products that have less packaging. Buy recycled products. Reuse goods you don’t need by donating them.

·  Taking your own reusable bags to the grocery store and avoid having to choose between paper and plastic.

·  Planting a tree.

November 2
City Council Approves Partnership with Local Governments for Sustainability

On Monday, October 29, the City Council approved an agreement with Local Governments for Sustainability to become partners in the “Cities for Climate Protection Campaign”. ICLEI is an international membership association of local governments and national and regional government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development.

Joining this campaign requires that the City pledge to take a leadership role in reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions and promoting public awareness of the causes and impacts of global climate change. The City is making this commitment as part of the “Green Works Orlando” plan. For more information, visit cityoforlando.net/greenworks.