Environmental

Want to GO GREEN, but the current financial situation is holding you back? During these harsh economic times it makes even more sense to GO GREEN to reduce your bottom line.

"Going Green" means taking a host of environmental actions to reduce your carbon footprint. The county's new website, wwww.montgomerycountymd.gov/ GoGreen makes it easier for organizations, businesses and residents to learn more about the environment by putting links for available resources and information on one website.

For instance, if your organization generates hazardous waste you may be eligible to join the Montgomery County's ECOWISE program. This program is open to businesses and organizations that generate less than 220 lbs. of hazardous waste per month. The ECOWISE program saves qualified businesses and organizations over 75 percent of hazardous-waste disposal costs, and it is the only program of its kind in Maryland.

What are some of the other benefits of the program?

* No complicated paperwork or manifesting is required.
* No pre-registration fee
* No contractual obligation
* No minimum amount

Another initiative, The Waste Vegetable Oil program, offers restaurants an easy way to recycle waste cooking oil by matching them with people who use it as fuel or convert it to bio-diesel. This match/exchange program is entirely Web based and registered members may contact one another through the site. www.montgomerycountymd.gov/veggieoil

Residents also can GO GREEN. By visiting the county's Web site they can learn:

* how to make green household products for cleaning and other tasks
* where to dispose of broken fluorescent tubes and bulbs
* where to donate usable items
* where to discard their household hazardous waste
* how to repair or rent items needed

for only one occasion www.montgomerycountymd.gov/hazardouswaste click on Clean Ways.
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/useitagain.

By visiting www.montgomerycountymd. gov/GoGreen, everyone can find a full array of information to help them learn how to reduce their environmental impact. So log on and GO GREEN!