SUSTAINABILITY IN GALENA COUNTRY
The following includes information that can be useful in your efforts to “go green!”
Car chargers are readily available in the Galena area
Not sure if you are within 2 miles of an electric car charger? This list should help.
- Galena City Hall, 101 Green St., Galena, IL 61036
- Galena Brewing Company, 226 N. Commerce St., Galena, IL 61036
- Jail Hill Inn, 319 Meeker St., Galena, IL 61036
- Culver’s of Galena, 11371 Oldenburg Ln., Galena, IL 61036
- Goldmoor Inn, 9001 W. Sand Hill Rd., Galena, IL 61036
- Chestnut Mountain Resort, 8700 W. Chestnut Mountain Rd., Galena, IL 61036
Calculating your carbon footprint
There are several online resources for this, although some are focused on personal use. Still, you can find great information about how to reduce your CO2 and how it translates into pounds…and dollars!
Just how safe are your cleaning supplies?
The Environmental Working Group’s Web site provides information about how toxic cleaning products are and ratings for cleaning materials.
Click here to learn more.
Recipe for something better:
This recipe is for homemade laundry detergent c/o Annie Wiggins. According to Aldrich Guest House, it works just as well, if not better, than store-bought brands…and is 1/10th the price!
- 1/3 c. Fels-Naptha
- 1/2 c. Borax
- 1/2 c. Washing Soda
*All ingredients are available in your regular grocery store's laundry/cleaning section.
- Grate Fels-Naptha and place in a large pot.
- Add six c. water, heat, and stir until melted.
- Add Borax and Washing Soda. Heat and stir until dissolved and clear.
- Add four c. hot water and stir.
- Add an additional one gal. Plus six c. water. Heat until transparent, just before a simmer.
- Allow to rest for 24 hours.
- Store in a large bucket. Soap will be a ‘gloppy liquid.’ This is just how it should be.
- Use 1/2 c. per load.
Buying Renewable Energy through your local utility
Jo-Carroll Energy offers members of the cooperative the opportunity to support renewable energy, protect the environment, and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels through participation in one of the following two programs:
Evergreen Program
The Evergreen Program is a voluntary renewable energy “green power” program available through your local cooperative. Evergreen renewable energy comes from the wind, sun, and waste-to-energy sources such as landfill gas and livestock manure. If you join the program, you pay a small extra monthly charge to offset the additional cost of renewable generation in addition to your regular electric bill.
South View Solar Farm
Jo-Carroll Energy’s community solar project, South View Solar Farm, consists of 456 solar panels at the Elizabeth headquarters. Members can purchase subscriptions to the solar farm.
