Irvine: Keeping It Safe and Clean

The City of Irvine has many programs that show a commitment to a clean, safe environment. Today I am going to highlight two of these. The first, a free e-waste collection that is occurring this weekend, is open to Irvine businesses and residents; the second, an ongoing giveaway of four fluorescent light bulbs, is open to Irvine residents only. Both of these programs will help to contribute—directly and indirectly—to a healthy environment in Irvine and neighboring communities. So join in! Here’s how:

When: March 7 & 8 (Saturday and Sunday), 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
What: Free collection of computer monitors, cell phones, printers, VCRs, telephones,
answering machines, radios, TVs, and microwaves
Who: Open to Irvine residents and businesses
Where: Irvine Civic Center
Why: To keep toxic electronics out of landfills and waterway
Information on this event or recycling: 949/724-6459 (City of Irvine)

When: Ongoing
What: Giveaway of up to four fluorescent light bulbs
Who: Open to Irvine residents
Where: Any one of eight Irvine Community Centers

Bill Barber—4 Civic Center Plaza
Deerfield—55 Deerwood West
Heritage—14301 Yale Avenue
Las Lomas—10 Federation
Northwood—4531 Bryan Avenue
Turtle Rock—1 Sunnyhill Drive
University—1 Beech Tree Lane
Woodbury—130 Sanctuary

Hours for these Irvine community centers are: Mondays-Fridays, 9 am to 9 pm; Saturdays, 9 am to 10 pm; Sundays, 12 pm to 6 pm.

Why: To save resources, to save Irvine residents money, to maintain a healthy environment. As I quoted in a previous post: “Lighting accounts for close to 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill. Changing to CFLs costs little upfront and provides a quick return on investment.
If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an Energy Star-qualified CFL, it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 800,000 cars annually.”– EPA

Using CFLs can equal a financial savings for the individual homeowner. Although the CFLs cost more upfront, the cost of the monthly utility bill will be lower and result in a net savings.

Graphic Courtesy The City of Irvine website