Conservation Facts
Did You Know?
We are consuming our resources at a rapid pace. Conservation not only sustains our resources, it also saves money and is good for the environment. The Ontario Government has published a guide “Ontario Conserves”, which can be found on their website at www.ontarioconserves.gov.on.ca. The guide includes money saving tips on how to reduce energy use, conserve water, keep our air clean, and keep waste out of our landfills.
Here are a few conservation facts found in this guide:
- If every house replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an energy saving bulb, it would save 130 kWh per year and reduce air emissions by up to 120 kg.
- The old inefficient fridge running in the basement consumes twice as much energy as a new Energy Star qualified fridge. The difference could reduce pollution and greenhouse gases by as much as 600 kg.
- In a year, the normal clothes dryer uses 900 kWh of electricity, which creates 840 kg of air pollution and greenhouse gases. Just think, if you hang a quarter of your laundry to dry you could reduce emissions by 210 kg.
- If each home cut its energy use by 6%, it would reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by just over 1 tonne – meeting the federal government’s One-Tonne Challenge.
- One hour using a gas-powered 3.5 horsepower lawnmower produces the same amount of air pollution as a car driven for 550 kilometres.
- Don’t idle, 1 minute uses more fuel than restarting your car engine.
- One poorly tuned car can emit as much pollution as 20 properly tuned cars.
- In 2002, Ontario sent approximately 10 million tonnes of garbage to disposal. One tonne is equivalent to the weight of a small car.
- It would take about 1 million years for a glass bottle to break down by natural processes.
- Leaking toilets, valves and faucets can waste more than 500 litres of water a day.
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