Five Easy Ways to Conserve and Recycle

1. Mind the pump. Combine as many stops as possible into a run. As of July 31, the futures price of a barrel of oil had surged to $78.21 with no signs of abating, which will translate into increased fuel costs. Hybrid gas/electric compact cars and small-frame SUVs have become commonplace, but development of such trucks that would serve signshops’ needs have been lagging. For diesel users, fuel formulations that emit less sulfur (a pollutant) triggered a substantial increase in pump prices last year (see ST, June 2006, page 104).

2. Investigate “green” energy alternatives. Many utility companies offer energy-efficient alternatives. For instance, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) offers the Greenergy® program, which gives customers the opportunity to purchase 50 or 100% of their energy from renewable resources such as solar, biomass or wind. According to Mike Zannakis, SMUD’s director, such resources comprise about 21% of its energy supply. Commercial program enrollees pay an extra cent per kilowatt hour.

3. Recycle scrap or used materials. If your signmaking generates scrap metal or other readily reusable material, contact a recycler or scrap dealer to keep it out of the waste stream. Scrap substrate material can be repurposed by donating to nonprofit organizations or churches’ graphic needs. Even old signs can become useful, or even innovative. Vinyl billboards capably serve as makeshift roof covers after natural disasters have exacted their toll, and a Rotterdam nightclub designer used recycled real-estate signs to create the walls.

4. Don’t just pay your bills; pay attention to them. Changing the thermostat to 78° during the summer or 68° during the winter can trim your utility bill while requiring fewer kwH or BTUs. To save on water consumption, repair leaky faucets promptly and plant trees on the west and the south sides of the building to provide shade from the harshest sun angles while allowing sunlight through in colder months. For a more comprehensive list, visit www.sierrapacific.com/conservation/business/conservation_tips.cfm.

5. Dispose waste responsibly. Several signshop-related products, such as luminous tubing and electronics, require specific handling procedures and shouldn’t be destined for the landfill. Contact your local waste-disposal or recycling company for proper instructions.