Green Tips

Use these simple tips to make a positive impact on the environment:

1. Turn down the thermostat. Lowering it by just one degree can reduce heating energy costs by about four percent.
2. Replace your old, inefficient appliances with Energy Star qualified appliances and save energy and money.
3. Go through clothes and shoes periodically (every month or so) and donate items in good condition that you don't wear to a charitable organization.
4. Rather than using disposable paper towels, use rags, sponges, or towels to clean up messes or for cleaning.
5. Don't throw away old books; donate them to libraries or school programs.
6. Make it a habit to turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and utilize natural light when you can.
7. Stop paper bank statements - Why waste paper getting your bank statement mailed to you when you can just check it out online?
8. Plug electronics into a power strip, and turn off everything before bed with a single switch.
9. Bring a reusable water bottle with you when traveling or at work.
10. Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible. Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
11. Composting is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to reduce the amount of garbage your household produces. Through composting, yard waste such as leaves, grass clippings and food wastes such as vegetable scraps can be turned into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that reduces the need for commercial chemical fertilizers in home gardens.
12. Save money and energy. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water, instead of hot, using a detergent formulated for cold-water use.
13. Dry your clothes on a laundry line rather than throwing them in the dryer.
14. Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth. You'll conserve up to five gallons of water per day.
15. Run full dishwasher loads. You'll save up to 20 gallons of water per load, or 7,300 gallons a year.
16. Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs. They use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. They're more expensive than traditional light bulbs, but it only takes about 3 months to make up for the higher sticker price in energy savings.

Check-out these environmentally-friendly websites:  Inspiration Green and Earth 911

Q&A

We appreciate questions about Keep Yankton Beautiful and any related topics that concern our organization and its mission. Please contact us and we will address them as quickly as possible.

Is there anywhere in Yankton to recycle old flashlight batteries, camera batteries, AA and AAA and hearing aid batteries (all types even rechargable)?
Both Ace Hardware (north store and downtown) and Bomgaars Supply in Yankton take any rechargable batteries for recycling. Non-rechargable batteries are not collected at these sites.  Yankton hosts an annual Hazardous Household Waste Collection taking place Saturday, October 2nd, 2010...bring in your batteries, paint, flourescent bulbs....

Is there anywhere close to Yankton to take glass recyclables?
The closest location to take residential glass recyclables is Millenium Recycling in Sioux Falls. They offer a glass recycling bin that is available for 24 hour dropoff at 305 E. 50th Street North. They can be contacted at 605-336-1744 or at www.millenniumrecycling.com.

Is there anywhere to dispose of plastics higher than #1 and #2?
Again, the closest location to take residential plastics that are higher than #1 and #2 is Millenium Recycling in Sioux Falls. They take these plastics and have a recycling bin that is available for 24 hour dropoff.

Does your organization come and speak to groups about projects and events?
Yes, we would love to talk to your group or organization about what we do. Please contact us at info and we can arrange a speaking engagement.

Who do we contact at the city concerning recycling information?
The person to contact is Mary Robb with the City of Yankton Street Department at 605-668-5211. Information is also available here at the City of Yankton website.