Category Archives: Tip of the Week

Before Cleanup Have people and pets leave the room. Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening a window or door to the outdoor environment. Shut off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system, if you have one. Collect materials … Read More

Unused and expired prescriptions and over the counter medications should never be flushed down the toilet.  Instead, please bring expired, unwanted, or unused medicines to the kiosk in the Newton Police Department (1321 Washington St., Newton). The safe disposal of medications will help reduce … Read More

Do you have an old refrigerator or freezer wasting energy? The sponsors of Mass Save® – Cape Light Compact, Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil – are offering no-cost pickup and removal plus a $50 rebate to residential electric customers who … Read More

First, look for coffee beans that are organically grown. Usually this means that coffee is produced without using artificial pesticides or herbicides. This ensures that pollution from wastewater and fertilizers is minimized and soil erosion is decreased because native forests are kept intact. … Read More

Alkaline Batteries Alkaline batteries made in the USA after 1994 do not contain mercury and are safe to dispose with trash. Duracell and Energizer stopped using mercury in 1984. Batteries with a green tree logo or the words “no added … Read More

Is liquid soap in plastic containers less environmentally friendly than using a bar of soap? The Sierra Club quotes Bill Chameides, professor emeritus and former dean of Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, “Liquid soap has a bigger environmental … Read More

An air conditioner’s filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases. Check … Read More