Environmental Issues in Sedgwick County
Have you switched to compact fluorescent bulbs yet? Replace the five most-often-used lights in your house with compact fluorescent light bulbs. They last up to 10 times longer than a regular light bulb and reduce electricity consumption by nearly 75%.
Plastic Bags Get the Boot
Did you know plastic bags require billions of barrels of oil to produce and break down into toxic material? They are fatal to wildlife, they contaminate our soil and waterways, and they cost more to recycle than to produce new. So what do we do?
It's time to cut the plastic and switch to reusable bags, which can be purchased at many retail and online stores. Reusable bags have come a long way in a short time. Large canvass bags are available for heavy items, transparent vegetable bags are a perfect substitute, and nylon bags that fold away into 3" pouches fit into any car's glove box! Just search for reusable bags online and you're bound to find an abundance of variations that will suit your needs. Click here for more easy ways to make a difference in our environment.
Ozone
Ground-level ozone is a man-made pollutant formed from a chemical reaction between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. More than half of all ozone-forming pollutants are caused by everyday actions, such as driving, painting, refueling, and using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
Prolonged exposure to ground-level ozone can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and lungs leading to inflammation, chest pains, and difficulty breathing. Ground-level ozone damages vegetation and reduces crop production. In Sedgwick County, the highest levels of ozone typically occur from May to September.
Sedgwick County is close to exceeding the safe ozone level recommended by the EPA. Click here for more information about ozone in Sedgwick County.
No-spill gas cans
Have you accidentally spilled gasoline when filling the tank on a mower, edger, or chainsaw? These spills can contaminate our water and soil. The vapors from these spills release the chemicals that form ozone. Now, no-spill gas cans are available at local merchants. Purchase these cans instead, and remember to recycle or dispose of your old can - don't keep using it and don't give it to someone else!
The following local merchants carry no-spill gas cans:
Atwoods of Derby
333 W Red Powell Drive
Derby, KS
Big Tool Store
4640 E 63rd Street South
Derby, KS
Goddard Ace Hardware
19894 W Kellogg, Suite C
Goddard, KS
TMC Ace Hardware
5204 N Maize Road
Maize, KS
Williams Ace Hardware
6230 E Central
Wichita, KS
Woodard Mercantile
4100 N Maize Road
Maize, KS
Do you know of other stores that carry these? Contact Environmental
Resources at 660-7200.
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