Green resources and info

Posted Saturday, Sep. 22, 2007 Comments   (0) Print Share Share Reprints
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By TERESA McUSIC

Special to the Star-Telegram

Ready to take some steps toward going green? Here are some resources close to home to help you get started.

Carpooling

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority provides vans for van pooling and will link riders for carpooling. For those who go to that other county to work, Dallas Area Rapid Transit also has a van pooling program.

The T: 817-336-7433 or www.The-T.com/carpool.html

DART: 214-747-RIDE (7433) or www.dart.org/about/rideshare.asp

Other Web sites that help potential carpoolers find each other: www.erideshare.com, www.carpoolworld.com and www.dallas.craigslist.org

Home energy audits

Drafty homes and old appliances spell high electricity needs. Reliant Energy and TXU offer a self-audit program online. Fill out information about your home and appliances, and you'll get a list of suggestions for saving energy -- and money.

TXU: www.txu.com/waystosave

Reliant: www.reliant.com; click on "Energy Savings" at the bottom of the page.

Recycling

The North Texas Council of Governments has gathered information on recycling programs in 38 cities in the area and put iton one Web site. All of the programs, from curbside recycling pickup to where to take that broken computer, are listed by city. The site also has recycling information for businesses.

www.timetorecycle.com

Composting

  • Fort Worth Botanic Garden: A self-guided, outdoor demonstration area called the Compost Outpost features a dozen types of compost bins, frominexpensive, homemade designs to more elaborate ones that can be purchased at retail outlets. Signs explain the benefits of composting and how compost is made and used in the garden.

  • Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd. Go through the Botanic Garden’s main entrance on University Drive, turn left and proceed about 100 yards.

  • City of Fort Worth: Offers free mulch and compost year-round at the Rolling Hills soccer fields, 2525 Joe B. Rushing Road. Bring your own container and shovel.

  • City of Arlington: Offers a free booklet, the "Basics of Composting." Call Neighborhood Services at 817-459-6777.

    Arlington also offers a free class by the Arlington Master Composters. The two-hour class is held the first Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Veterans Park and the second Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the River Legacy Living Science Center.

    Staff writer Alyson Ward contributed to this report. Teresa McUsic’s column appears Fridays in the Business Section. She can be reached at Tmcusic@savvyconsumer.net

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