Todd County CES

Title:

Energy Conservation and Recycling

MAP:

Engaging Youth and Individuals in Discovery of Agriculture, Science, Technology and Natural Resources

Agents Involved:

Jill Harris

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes

Situation:

Although energy prices have been relatively low through most of for the past four or five years, energy still accounts or a significant portion of family budgets and agricultural production expenses. Energy production and use is considered to be a major factor in any discussion about climate change. The simplest way for most families to save money on energy is to reduce consumption. This may be accomplished is a variety of ways including buying more energy efficient vehicles, equipment, or appliances, driving less, turning down the thermostat during the heating season, adding more insulation and weatherproofing to the home, using more efficient light bulbs and identifying and stopping energy "pirates" (appliances that consumer electricity even when not in use).

Todd County has a relatively low rate of recycling. There are no commercial recyclers in the county, and there is little or no economic incentive to recycle most recyclable materials in this area. But there are some items such as farm chemical containers, rechargeable batteries and cell phones need to be recycled in every rural community. Small sealed lead acid (SSLA) batteries and Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cad) batteries contain toxic materials that shouldn’t go to a landfill. Plus, the cadmium in Ni-Cad batteries can be recovered for use in manufacturing more batteries, while the recovered nickel and iron can be used to make a variety of other products. Other batteries such as Nickel Metal Hydrides (Ni-MH) should need to be recycled because they contain extremely valuable Rare Earth elements that are critical for the manufacture of today’s electronic devices.  Empty farm chemical containers take up valuable landfill space when they aren't recycled.

Long-Term Outcomes:

--Homeowners will reduce unproductive energy consumption, beginning with using more efficient light bulbs. Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs are now widely used, and homeowners should now be moving toward more using LED bulbs.

--Homeowners will recycle more cell phones and rechargeable batteries; reducing the risk of environmental contamination, and preventing valuable resources such as Rare Earth elements from entering the waste stream.  Farmers will continue to recycle empty farm chemical jugs.

Intermediate Outcomes:

--Homeowners will begin to use (or increase the use of) energy efficient LED light bulbs (LEDs) or other devices to reduce unnecessary energy use.

--Homeowners will begin to recycle cell phones and rechargeable batteries.

--Farmers will begin recycle empty farm chemical jugs.

Initial Outcomes:

--Homeowners will learn about the energy efficiencies of LED light bulbs

--and/or homeowners will learn about the need for, and benefits of recycling; particularly of rechargeable batteries and cell phones.

--Farmers will be encouraged to recycle empty farm chemical jugs.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

--Homeowners will learn about the energy efficiency of LED light bulbs 

--and/or homeowners will learn about the need for, and benefits of recycling; particularly of rechargeable batteries and cell phones.

Indicator: Knowledge gained, opinions changed, aspirations heightened

Method: Surveys, clientele reports, and/or agent observations

Timeline: Annual

Intermediate Outcome:

--Homeowners will begin to use (or increase the use of) energy efficient light bulbs (especially LEDs) 

--Homeowners will begin to recycle cell phones and rechargeable batteries.

Indicator: Numbers energy saving technologies installed including CFL and LED bulbs

Method: Surveys and personal contacts

Timeline: Changes will be measured at the end of the POW cycle and at least once prior to the end of the cycle

Long-term Outcome:

--Homeowners will reduce unproductive energy consumption, beginning with using more efficient light bulbs such as Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs.

--Homeowners will recycle cell phones and rechargeable batteries; reducing the risk of environmental contamination, and preventing valuable resources such as Rare Earth elements from entering the waste stream.

Indicator: Savings calculations based upon the numbers of LED and CFL bulbs used

Method: Surveys and personal contacts

Timeline: Accumulative changes will be measured over the 4-year plan of work

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General population

Project or Activity: Educational class related to recyling

Content or Curriculum: FCS

Inputs: Agent time and program development funds (Harris)

Date: Program year