Green lighting

Ways to cut costs and save energy

Starting in July, the U.S. Department of Energy has new regulations to upgrade old, inefficient, mercury-laden fluorescent light bulbs. About 500 million of the lights, called T12, need to be replaced

Green houses

How to make your home greener, save money and improve your health

Homeowners can’t escape to-do lists – weekend chores, long-term DIY projects, or even plans and designs for building a dream home from the ground up. A growing number of homeowners are add

Recycling opportunities grow

Better yet, don’t buy it in the first place

Abby Walden believes that before Springfield residents start to consider recycling their trash, they should first be aware of the goods they are purchasing.“Products that cannot be reused, you s

Feeding the soil builds sustainable lawns

Spraying chemical fertilizers and pesticides on lawns is like giving kids junk food, says landscape designer Cathy Bilow. They’ll be invigorated for a while, but eventually they’ll crash a

Community gardens for a healthier city

Once-blighted properties now grow food

In eras past, gardens were ubiquitous in America. During both world wars, gardens were wielded like a weapon, with millions of “Victory Gardens” planted in both private and public spaces a

Plant rhubarb for decades of desserts

Some of my favorite spring vegetables include lettuce, spinach, asparagus and rhubarb.One of my favorite spring desserts is a slice of warm rhubarb pie with ice cream. Rhubarb, Rheum rhabarbarum, is a

Earth Day and garden event calendar

Be green – help keep the earth healthy.

ONGOINGOversized Items DisposalCity homeowners can schedule a free home pickup of items such as mattresses, furniture or appliances. Call Allied Waste, 522-7797. Residents limited to one free pickup o

Light your fire the eco-friendly way

A roaring fireplace is one of winter’s most enduring images

What warms the hearth may not always be good for the environment – here’s a look at eco-friendly fireplace options.It may look pretty, but according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Ag

A roadmap to kitchen remodeling

Follow these steps to avoid the trouble spots and end up with the kitchen of your dreams

Ensure a happy and successful kitchen remodel by planning ahead, researching features and keeping expectations in check. 1. Take time to planPlanning is a critical step in any remodeling project, and

Renew your home with solar and wind

Now is the time to invest in renewables

If you’re considering adding solar energy to your home, now may be a good time to do it. Solar panel prices are low because demand slumped after the financial crisis of 2008, when the renewables