Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards < Back Knowing peak and off-peak hours Cut Costs as You Conserve Energy Did you know that the energy charge varies based on peak and off-peak hours during the day, and these fluctuations can impact the energy bill significantly? The energy is not typically charged at the same rate throughout the day. In many places, electricity providers implement time-of-use (TOU) pricing, where the cost of electricity varies based on the time of day and the level of demand on the energy grid. This pricing model is designed to encourage consumers to shift their energy usage to off-peak hours when the demand for electricity is lower and, in turn, helps balance the load on the grid. The three common pricing periods in time-of-use pricing are: Off-Peak Hours: Energy rates are the lowest during off-peak hours, which are usually late at night, early morning, and sometimes weekends when electricity demand is minimal. Mid-Peak Hours: Energy rates are higher during mid-peak hours, which generally fall during the daytime or early evening when there is moderate demand for electricity. Peak Hours: Energy rates are at their highest during peak hours, typically occurring during the late afternoon and early evening when energy demand is at its highest due to increased residential and commercial activities. ______________________________________________ *Please note that it may differ based on the region and the provider. For example, here are some energy-saving hours in New York City: Con Edison: During the summer, you should shift some energy use to off-peak hours, which are midnight to 8 AM or all day on weekends Central Hudson: Peak hours are 2 PM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday Smart Energy Plan: For some customers, the peak period is noon to 8 PM, and for others it's 2 PM to 10 PM On-peak winter hours: 5 PM to 8 PM, Monday through Friday (December - February) PSEG Long Island: Peak hours are from 4 PM until 8 PM weekdays Weekends and holidays: All day off-peak periods As you can see, you will need to contact your service provider or look at your bills to learn the peak and saver time of your area. You can also consider shifting some energy use to off-peak hours to avoid using large devices and appliances during the super-peak period, which is Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 PM. __________________________________________________ By charging different rates based on the time of day, utilities aim to incentivize consumers to use electricity during off-peak hours, thus reducing the strain on the grid during peak periods and promoting energy conservation. It's important for consumers to be aware of their electricity provider's pricing structure, as well as the specific times designated for off-peak, mid-peak, and peak hours. By understanding these rates, consumers can make informed decisions about when to use energy-intensive appliances to potentially save on their electricity bills. Some utility companies may also offer incentives or programs to encourage customers to shift their energy usage to off-peak times, further promoting energy efficiency and grid stability. Stay energy smart and save money! ←Previous Next→

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards < Back Honoring Mr. Alfie Date A man who knitted sweaters for penguins after oil spill Australia's oldest man at that point in time, who passed away at the age of 110 in 2016, had always enjoyed knitting since 1932. A few hours after being placed in a retirement home, he learned about Knits for Nature, a program that collects jumpers (sweaters)for little penguins (only about 33cm tall) that are suffering from oil spills in Phillip Island Nature Park in Australia. Mr. Alfie Date did not waste any time and chose to start knitting jumpers . These garments serve as a protective barrier, preventing the penguins from ingesting toxic oil while preening feathers until rescue staff can wash them clean. Besides the potential fatality from ingestion, the oil also harms their delicate feathers, leaving their skin exposed to cold temperatures. This distressing situation leaves the penguins feeling cold, burdened, and unable to swim or hunt for food. The jumpers serve as temporary relief and are eventually removed from the penguins once they are completely cleaned. Penguin Foundation Officer Lauren Barker told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in a 2019 interview. "Thankfully, 96 percent of them were successfully released, and penguin rehabilitation jumpers played quite a big part in that." Meanwhile, a dispute has arisen over the practice. In a blog boldly titled "Why Sweaters on Birds are Bad," posted on the website of the renowned California-based International Bird Rescue in October 2011, director Emeritus Jay Holcomb criticized the practice, arguing that the sweaters stress out the birds, hinder their ability to thermoregulate, and cause more damage by pressing the oil against the birds' skin. We have not yet found studies that validate either side of the claims if using a sweater as a temporary protection would be harmful to the bird or not. Sources: https://time.com/3706927/australia-penguin-sweaters/ https://penguinfoundation.org.au/ https://www.samaritanmag.com/animals/knitting-sweaters-oil-slicked-penguins-not-good-birds ←Previous Next→

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards < Back How to keep dill and cilantro fresh in a fridge!! How to keep dill and cilantro fresh in a fridge!! In our experiment, eco-mesh bags did not preserve vegetable freshness as effectively as we had hoped. This raised the question: how can we keep produce fresh without relying on single-use plastic bags? To explore alternatives, we compared dill stored in a mason jar to dill stored in a plastic bag over a two-week period, changing the water daily. The water in the jar was changed once or twice a day to prevent contamination. The results were striking: the dill stored in the plastic bag wilted and turned yellow, while the dill in the mason jar remained fresh and even appeared to grow slightly. #ctdp #connectingthedotsproject #kanahutchens #connectingthedots #environment #eco #sustainability #ctdp #veggies #vegetables #fruits #fridge #cooling #freshfood #freshproduce #produce #grocery #inflation #Sustainability #sustainable #conservation #EcoFriendly ←Previous Next→

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards Home Our Mission Recycling Publications & Awards Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy Forum Report Finds "Toxic" Chemicals Present in 80% of Receipts from Major Store Chains Most receipts are printed on thermal paper, which contains chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA) or Bisphenol S (BPS). These chemicals can be harmful to the environment if released during the recycling process. Additionally, many receipts are coated with a layer of plastic or contain other non-recyclable elements, making them unsuitable for traditional recycling methods. If receipts are mixed with other recyclable materials like paper or cardboard, they can contaminate the recycling stream, making it difficult to recycle the entire batch. Therefore, You should not put receipts in the recycle bin mainly due to their composition and potential contamination. On the other hand, there are recyclable and compostable receipts, but they are far less common and popular as the thermal paper receipts that most stores use because of the high costs. The EPN's estimate of 80% thermal paper usage in receipts in the USA is based on a survey of businesses in the retail, food service, and hospitality industries. The survey found that 83% of businesses in these industries used thermal paper receipts in 2018. As a result, it is best to dispose of receipts properly in regular waste bins instead of the recycle bin. However, if you want to be more environmentally conscious, consider opting for digital receipts whenever possible, as they help reduce paper waste and the associated environmental impact. Sources: https://recyclecoach.com/.../the-problem-with-recycling.../ https://www.cbsnews.com/.../bpa-receipts-major-store.../ ←Previous Next→

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards < Back Underneath those patched rags (Boro) resides a heart of golden brocade. My mother taught me a Japanese proverb, "Underneath those patched rags (Boro) resides a heart of golden brocade." (襤褸は着てるが心は錦) The word, "Boro" is a traditional textile practice originating from impoverished rural Japan, particularly among peasants and farmers dating back to the early 1600s. Boro refers to textiles that are worn out, no longer usable, and garments that are old, torn, or patched. Boro textiles were born out of the practical need to extend the lifespan of fabrics and garments in an era where new textiles were not easily attainable for many people. During that era, garments were never discarded; instead, they were recycled persistently across generations. Through layering, stitching, and patching, individuals would mend and reinforce their clothing and other textiles. People employed a traditional stitching technique known as "Sashiko" on linen garments, both to preserve warmth and enhance durability. Over time, these mended and patched areas accumulated, creating the distinctive aesthetic that defines Boro. It is intricately interwoven with family history and memories, gaining indescribable beauty and significance. ** The pictures are vintage boro kimonos and a modern jacket with upcycled-boro garment. ←Previous Next→

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards < Back Power of refusing The power of saying "NO" made this family a multi-millionaire!! $255K to $37M in 45 years!! The Zammit family's home in Australia is located in The Ponds, a suburb near Quakers Hill, about 40km northwest of Sydney, Australia. The family moved into the home on a 1.99 hectare block in 1978. Allegedly, the estimated value of the property then was AUD $400,000 (USD $255,000). At the time, the area was mostly farmland (see the video below). However, over the years, the area has been developed into a suburb with thousands of new homes. The Zammit family has refused to sell the home despite numerous offers from developers. The Zammit family's home is now the only one left standing in the middle of the development. The home has been currently valued at $50 million AUD (USD $37.5 million). The family has said that they are not interested in selling the home because it is full of memories for them. They also believe that it is important to preserve some of the old character of the area. ←Previous Next→

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards < Back Potential Health Risks This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Previous Next

Home Our Mission Recycling Plastics Air Water Land Lifestyles Economy & Politics Media & Awards < Back Microplastics Found In Human Bodies This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Previous Next

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