Earth Day (April 22) is a time to celebrate the beauty of our environment and consider how we can protect it for future generations. While it serves as a meaningful reminder, lasting impacts comes from the choices we make each day. By incorporating mindful habits into our daily routines, we can all help to create a more sustainable future. Join us in embracing Earth Day as an everyday practice. Here are some easy ways to get inspired and take action.
Make small changes at home to reduce your energy and water use.
Making a few small changes can make a big difference in your monthly utility costs. Here are a few simple ways you can save energy, water, and lower your utility bill:
- Lower your thermostat at night and when you’re not at home. For every degree you reduce your thermostat setting, you can reduce the heating portion of your electrical usage by 2%.
- Keep your appliances operating efficiently. Clean lint out of refrigerator and freezer coils at least once per year. Refrigerator compartments should be between 35-40°F, freezer settings between 0-5 °F.
- Close south-, east-, and west-facing curtains during the day to keep out solar heat during the summer months.
- 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 per week.
- Don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth or shaving. Use a slow steady stream of water for washing your hands.
- When washing your car, fill a bucket with warm soapy water, wash with a sponge, and then use the hose for a quick final rinse. Do not let wash water enter the storm drain.
Take Advantage of Rebate Incentives
In cooperation with the Bonneville Power Administration, the City offers rebates that can lower the upfront cost on energy-saving home and business improvements.
- Rebates on energy-saving upgrades are available to Residential, Commercial and Industrial Customers. This includes residential heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, window and insulation upgrades, as well as commercial HVAC and lighting improvements.
- Rebates are also available for residential water conservation devices, including rain barrels, irrigation timers and high-efficiency toilets.
- Through the Free Weatherization Low-Income Program, the City provides 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.
- Stormwater Rebates are available for eligible new development or redevelopment projects that implement Low Impact Development (LID) techniques, including permeable pavement and rain gardens.
Request a FREE Device That’ll Help You Conserve
The City offers energy- and water-saving devices to residents completely free of charge. Visit our website to learn more or stop by City Hall during business hours to receive your free device, including:
- Low Flow Water Showerheads
- Faucet Aerators
- Toilet Tummies
- Electrical outlet and switch plate gaskets
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 Specialist at (360) 417-4693.
Plant A Free Street Tree In Your Neighborhood
You can help beautify our community by planting 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.
Over the last two years, residents have received over 300 free street trees. We look forward to the third year of this program. Stay tuned for updates and ways to get involved in the City Shade Street Tree Program in 2025!
Always 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. Remember to “Bag It and Trash It!”
Practice Natural Yard Care
You can use natural lawn care techniques to grow a beautiful yard, save time and conserve water, and keep our streams clean. Here are a few tips:
- Mulch it! Mulch conserves water, prevents weeds, and feeds the soil for healthier plants. Keep mulch at least an inch away from plant stems and avoid making “volcanoes” around your plants.
- Mow higher (1-2 inches) and leave the grass clippings. Soil organisms recycle grass clippings into free fertilizer, making lawns healthier.
- Use “natural organic” or “slow release” fertilizers. Remember, the best time to fertilize is in September when grass plants are building root reserves for the next year. If you want to fertilize in spring, wait until May when grass growth slows.
Spills Happen… Help Us Find Them!
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.
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 enjoy all the beauty our city and our region has to offer. Learn more about City parks and trails.
Participate in the Big Spring Spruce Up, May 3!
Individuals, families, services groups, and people of all ages are invited to join this year’s community cleanup in downtown Port Angeles. Volunteers will help with pulling weeds, collecting trash, power washing, and lots of other tasks that will beautify the area. The cleanup will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 3. Lunch will be served at noon. Advanced registration is encouraged. For more information, please visit: www.portangeleswaterfront.com/events
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. For more information on any of the City programs listed above, please stop by City Hall or contact us via email.