Going Green: DC SmartBikes
DC is pioneering an automated bike rental system. DC SmartBikes is a GREAT way to get some exercise and stop polluting the air by riding a bike to work, dinner or around the city. SmartBike started last month with 120 blue and white bikes available for daily use, located at 10 different locations in the DC area, mainly near Metro stops. Want to cycle? SmartBike riders must be registered online or by phone to get their membership cards. After reserving a bike, only your card can unlock the bike assigned to you.
Because these items come from nearby sources it reduces the carbon emissions that are associated with more exotic items that have to be transported from distant locations. Lettuce, because of its quick germination time and rapid growth, is typically one of the first vegetables harvested locally each spring. Unfortunately, many consumers never get past the refreshing-but-watery iceberg head lettuce or the ubiquitous and familiar romaine for the classic Caesar. But so many other varieties exist - with a diversity to please almost anyone. 
Now that Christmas is over, we hope that Santa brought you that terrific new electronic item you were asking him for. But what do you do with last year's favorite electronic gadget??? Americans tossed out over 5.5 billion pounds of electronics-TVs, stereos, cell phones, and computers-in 2007, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Only about 12.5 percent of this waste was recovered for recycling. The result? Millions of pounds of chemicals and heavy metals ended up in the ground even though it's easier than ever to recycle electronics. The Consumer Electronics Association created 
and cooling expenses, the biggest chunk by far. Here are some TERRIFIC suggestions to help you stay warm this winter while also cutting energy costs and doing your part to help save the planet! 
There's a good reason every article on the environment sings the praises of compact flourescent bulbs (CFLs) and they're lining shelves of home centers. Installing one is the quieckest, easiest way to save energy- and money. So the next time an incandescent bulb burns out, replace it with a CFL. Unlike incandescents, CFLs convert most of the energy they use into light rather than hat. They sonsume about 75 percent less electricity and last up to 10 times longer (10,000 hours as opposed to 1,500). Though, remember most CFLs release a small amount of mercury if disposed of incorrectly. Check with various hardware stores for tips about disposing of used CFLs. 
GOOD FOR YOU: When you replace one 75-watt incandescent bulb with a 25-watt CFL you'll save up to $83 over the life of the bulb.