Going Green: Reducing Our Carbon Footprint
A footprint is what we leave behind as we walk. A carbon footprint is the CO2 (carbon dioxide) we leave behind from our lifestyle. The more fossil fuel energy we consume, the bigger our footprint.
Metal Recycling
Aluminum: In the 6 months preceding February 2008, Buncombe County’s Department of Facilities Management recycled over 2500 lbs of building related aluminum (fan blades, shelving supports, signs and construction scrap). It takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum into new aluminum products than to produce it from raw materials.
Aluminum can recycling is known as "closed loop recycling". This means that it uses 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum to make more drink cans. 11.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity are saved in one year by aluminum can recycling. This is enough energy to light Pittsburg for 6 years.
Steel: Steel is the most recycled material in the US. In the 8 months prior to February 2008 Buncombe County’s Department of Facilities Management recycled over 12 tons of steel. It takes 60% less energy to produce new steel products using recycled steel.
Steel and aluminum have an endless life cycle. They lose none of their physical qualities when recycled.
Recycling metals such as steel, aluminum and copper not only help reduce our carbon footprint but also benefit taxpayers because the money received by the County for recycling these materials is returned to revenue which help fund our facilities and programs.
Paper Recycling
35 to 40% of our landfill is made up of paper. By keeping that paper out of the landfill we save landfill space and reduce methane gas production. Methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to about 9% of total greenhouse gas production.
Buncombe County Government, in partnership with a local recycler, has started recycling all mixed paper used by County departments.
It takes 40% less energy for a "paper mill" to use recycled paper to make paper products. However a "recycling mill" may use more fossil fuel. Recycling does not save trees that would otherwise be cut, but reduces pollution associated with paper mills (water pollution by 34% and air pollution by 74%).
Lighting
Much of the lighting in county buildings is fluorescent, but some fluorescent lights are more efficient than others. Buncombe County’s Department of Facilities Management has been retrofitting the County’s older fluorescent fixtures with newer more efficient models.
In addition, where incandescent light bulbs are used, new more efficient CFL bulbs are being installed as replacements.
CFL(Compact Fluorescent Lamps) use up to 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs and last 10 times longer. Each CFL prevents more than 450 lbs of green house gas emissions over its lifetime. That is the equivalent of not burning 210 lbs of coal.
The County has also been replacing many of its incandescently lit exit signs with more efficient LED lit signs.
Parking lot lighting is electronically controlled to reduce burn time.
Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is key to energy savings. Efficient running Heating Ventalation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems bring the greatest savings. Facilities managment clean filters, grease pumps and motors and properly tentioned belts; all of which return utility dollars to the County and help reduce the amount of energy we use.
Building Materials
Preventative maintenance is key to energy savings. Efficient running heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems bring the greatest savings. County Facilities Management makes sure that all filters are cleaned, pumps and motors are properly greased and tuned; all of which return utility dollars to the County and help reduce the amount of energy we use.
Fleet Services
The County uses "Reflective Roof Systems" wherever possible. Reflective roofs use a white reflective material rather than the traditional black tar. This material can reduce cooling costs by up to 30% and reduce our energy usage at the same time.
All glass replacement is done with high-efficiency thermo-pane glass with automated environmental controls.
Recycling
You can drop off all of these items for recycling at the Buncombe County Landfill and Transfer Station at no charge:
- Lead-acid batteries
- Newspaper and brown paper bags
- Office paper and mail
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Commingled Recycleable Containers including #1 - #7 plastic bottles
- Clear, green and brown glass bottles and jars
- Steel Cans
- Yard Waste
- Motor Oils
- Tires
- White goods including stoves, refridgerators, air conditioners, freezers, and all metals
- Empty, triple-rinsed pesticide containers
- Empty propane tanks (20lb, gas grill type only)
- Cut, bare real Christmas trees (remove stands, decorations, lights and tinsel)
- Detergent and shampoo bottles
Compact Flourecent Lightbulb (CFL) Recycling
Buncombe County's CFL recycing program benefits residents by making it possible to recycle spent bulbs in a simple, safe and environmentally friendly way. Recycling centers are located at all fire stations in the County. For more information, check out the CFL recycling page.
(Source: Energy Information Administration, Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2001)
www.greencounties.org
www.carbonfootprint.com
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