GRP January 2011 Newsletter

CSI’s GRPs: Leading to Greener Buildings (Carleton, Ecorse & Meyers Co-ops) January 2011

Volume 1, Issue 4

CSI Support & Development Services and your co-op are committed to a greener planet. Three CSI buildings—including yours—received almost $2.5million in grant money to become greener, more energy efficient, healthier homes for the people who live and work there. Going green and staying green involves and benefits everyone.

Some Things to Expect this Month Carleton:  Most of the interior window work is complete. Damaged windows will be fixed this month. Exterior caulking will continue when the weather is appropriate.  Electrical work will begin any time in the apartments and is expected to last about two weeks.  Interior carpet installation and air handler work are pending HUD approval.  Most work at Carleton is complete!

Ecorse Manor:  Most exterior work will be completed by the end of this month. Window and siding installation is roughly 50% complete.  Apartment plumbing work will be completed any time.  Electrical work in the apartments will begin later this month.  Interior painting is expected to continue this month.  The refrigerator installation should begin next week.

We are still waiting for word from HUD on the change orders submitted and reported in last month’s GRP newsletter.

Meyers Plaza:  New refrigerators are on order. The green committee is looking for not-forprofit organizations to donate the 77 old refrigerators to.  A proper range hood was finally found and a sample is being installed.  Bathroom fans are on order and the installation is expected to begin any time.  Window and siding installation is expected to begin around mid-month.  Attic insulation is expected to begin next week.  We are still waiting for word from HUD on the change orders submitted and reported in last month’s GRP newsletter.  Green training for all members will be conducted by Pete Lillie on January 14 at Meyers Plaza. 

Follow the construction work on our Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/csisupport

“We must be the change we want to see in the world.”

Green Living Tips for Seniors Most seniors claim to live rather modestly and do not own or use gas-guzzling toys like many of their younger friends and relatives. However, even seniors living alone in an apartment can take actions that, collectively, will make a significant difference. Mahatma Gandhi said “We must be the change we want to see in the world.” In the same spirit, many simple every day actions are suggested that everyone can do to make a difference.

What Can You Do? First, focus daily on the 3Rs: REDUCE – REUSE – RECYCLE! In a nutshell, this means:  Reduce all waste, as much as is reasonable, by buying and consuming only what you really need and by not accumulating stuff.  Reuse whatever and whenever you can. (like plastic and paper bags from shopping, plastic containers your food comes in and newspaper).  Recycle as much as is possible.

Most seniors take prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines to maintain adequate health. If expired or unused drugs are collecting in the medicine cabinet, do not flush them down the toilet or toss them in the trash. Instead, take them to your pharmacy for proper disposal in an “environmentally sound way.” Otherwise, the drugs end up in our rivers and lakes.

To reduce food waste, buy only as much perishables (e.g. fruits/vegetables, bread/dairy products) as you can reasonably eat within one week. About a third of what we throw away and truck to landfills is spoiled food and food scraps.

Always try to buy foods and other products that come without excessive packaging; opt for those that don’t come with any! Decline extra plastic bags or bring your own earth-friendly cloth bag when shopping. If you’re buying something that comes in plastic, check the bottom for numbers (like #1 and #2) that tell you the plastics are recyclable.

Reduce the amount of paper you waste and eliminate junk mail (by opting out). These actions will collectively help to slow down the alarming rate of deforestation.

If you own a car, use it as little as possible. Instead of driving yourself, take public or shared transportation whenever possible. For short distances, use your feet and walk or use a bike for the sake of your own health and fitness and that of Mother Earth. When you do have to drive, drive smartly! That means no jackrabbit starts and aggressive driving; avoid excessive idling (more than 30 seconds), and slow down on the highway to save fuel and to arrive safely.

We love to toss water around like we’re H2O millionaires and we are the highest per capita water users in the world. Water is a life-giving liquid and it becomes precious when one considers that as much as one third of the world’s population does not have enough. Conserve water by taking a bath rather than a shower or by showering for less time; don’t let the tap run while brushing teeth; and report leaky or dripping taps and pipes. Remember: Although 70% of planet Earth is covered by water, only 2.5% of the world’s water is fresh water, in lakes and rivers – and only 0.007% of the world’s water is readily accessible for human use.