On April 22, Earth Day reminds us to appreciate our environment and consider ways we can protect it for future generations. While Earth Day comes just once a year, we can take daily actions to promote sustainability, celebrate and care for our planet.
Please join us in embracing Earth Day as an everyday practice. Below are ten simple actions you can take to make a big impact.
1. Reduce Your Energy and Water Consumption
Our community’s energy needs are growing and now, more than ever, it’s important that we use our power and water wisely. A few simple, low-cost ways to conserve energy and water at home include:
- Lowering your thermostat at night and when you are not at home. For every degree you reduce your thermostat setting, you can reduce the heating portion of your electrical usage by 2%.
- Replacing furnace and heat pump filters monthly during the heating season to keep them operating efficiently.
- Keeping lamps and television away from the thermostat. The heat they generate will cause your air conditioner to work harder.
- Switching to compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs, which use 60-75% less energy than regular bulbs. Replace bulbs in outdoor fixtures and high-use areas, such as the kitchen, first.
- Ensure water leaks are repaired. If your faucet is leaking at a rate of one drop per second, you can waste 75 gallons or more a week.
- Water your lawn during the evening or early morning hours to limit evaporation before the water has had a chance to soak into the roots of the grass, and avoid over-fertilizing, which will increase your lawn’s need for water.
2. Take Advantage of Conservation Rebates
In cooperation with the Bonneville Power Administration, the City provides a number of opportunities to save both energy and money in your home or business (click here to learn more).
- Rebates on energy-saving upgrades are available to Residential, Commercial and Industrial Customers. This includes residential heating systems, heat pump water heaters, window and insulation upgrades, as well as commercial HVAC and lighting improvements.
- Rebates are also available for water saving devices, including rain barrels for outdoor watering and low-flow toilets inside your home.
- Through the Free Weatherization Low-Income Program, the City offers increased incentives to qualifying homeowners and renters in City limits. This program offers free or reduced costs on upgrades to windows, insulation, ductless heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters.
The City also provides Green Infrastructure Rebates for retrofit and eligible new development or redevelopment projects that implement Low Impact Development (LID) techniques (Click here to learn more about Green Infrastructure Rebates and eligibility).
- Permeable Pavement - $1 per square foot, up to a maximum of $1,000
- Rain Gardens – up to $1,000 for materials to install a rain garden
3. Receive a Free Conservation Device
The City offers energy and water-saving devices to residents completely free of charge. This includes:
- Low Flow Water Showerheads
- Faucet Aerators
- Toilet Tummies
- Electrical outlet and switch plate gaskets
Click here to learn more or visit City Hall during business hours to receive your free, energy or water-saving device.
4. Work with Us to Find and Resolve Potential Pollution Issues
The City’s Pollution Prevention Assistance (PPA) Specialist offers free, hands-on assistance to help businesses find and resolve potential pollution issues. By working with our PPA Specialist, you can stay on top of regulatory changes, protect employee health, and reduce polluted stormwater runoff at its source.
This approach not only protects our water quality and standard of living, but also saves businesses money through conservation of resources, improved worker safety and satisfaction, reduced regulatory overhead, avoidance of spills and costly cleanups, reduced cost of waste treatment and disposal, and decreased liability. To learn more and request a technical assistance visit, please visit our website or contact the City PPA at (360) 417-4693.
5. Plant Free Street Trees
In 2023, the City of Port Angeles launched the “City Shade” Street Tree Program in partnership with community member Paul Forrest. This program is designed to increase the tree canopy in our community by planting trees in low, medium, and high-density residential neighborhoods.
Residents received 140 free trees during the program’s inaugural tree distribution event last fall. The next event will be held on October 19, 2024. Residents will be able to apply online to request up to four trees for planting in the City right-of-way (typically between the sidewalk and the curb). The application window will open July 22.
Those interested are also invited to become a program volunteer. Opportunities include helping out at the City Shade Nursery and during tree planting events. Visit our website to learn more.
6. Pick Up After Your Pet
When it rains, pet waste and the harmful bacteria it carries can flow directly into our precious waterways. To protect our rivers, streams and seas, we must always pick up after our pets and dispose of it properly (bag it and trash it). Pick up a free pet waste bag dispenser at City Hall while supplies last, and remember, “Doo” good to feel good.
7. Report Spills
You can help to protect our water quality by reporting suspicious drainage and spills. Please contact the City of Port Angeles’ Pollution Hotline if you see oil, paint, suds and sewage in our ditches, drains and waterways: (360) 417-4745.
8. Embrace Sustainable Transportation
Reduce your carbon footprint by utilizing public transportation, carpooling, biking or walking.
Clallam Transit has eliminated fares on most routes in 2024 to encourage ridership and provide transportation alternatives during high-traffic times on the Olympic Peninsula. Click here to learn more.
In addition, the City of Port Angeles is currently working to install a new multimodal connection from the Port Angeles’ waterfront to the Olympic National Park Visitors Center. Phase I of this project has been recently completed. Click here to learn more.
9. Enjoy the Outdoors
The City of Port Angeles offers 10.5 miles of trail and 300 acres of land, including numerous neighborhood parks, viewpoints, athletic fields and courts for you to explore. We encourage you to recreate responsibly and to enjoy all the beauty our City and our region has to offer. Learn more about City parks and trails.
10. Educate Others to Take Action
On Earth Day and every day, it’s important that we work together to protect our environment. Talk to your neighbors and loved ones about making meaningful changes. For those who are already making environmentally conscious decisions, we encourage you to lead the way.
It takes all of us to protect our planet. Together, we build a more sustainable future for the generations to come.
For more information on any of the City programs listed above, please stop by City Hall or contact us via email.