Austin Sierra Club

10/13/2023

The Inflation Reduction Act provides rebates that cover up to 100% of the costs of electric stoves, cooktops, ranges, and ovens—helping you save money and reduce harmful pollution with more energy-efficient electric stoves or ovens. These rebates are available to homeowners and renters but vary by state, so ask about rebates before your next kitchen update.

09/10/2023

The Inflation Reduction Act can help you save money on each load of laundry by providing rebates that can cover up to 100% of the costs of purchasing and installing a new electric heat pump clothes dryer.

Rebates vary by state and will be available to homeowners and renters, so ask for details when purchasing a new electric heat pump clothes dryer.

08/20/2023

The Inflation Reduction Act provides tax credits and rebates that cover up to 100% of the costs of a heat pump. A heat pump is a versatile, clean appliance that heats AND cools your home by transferring, rather than generating, heat. Installing a heat pump will help heat and cool your home more efficiently and effectively while saving you hundreds of dollars a year on energy bills.

08/14/2023

Wonderful victory for youth everywhere! A court ruled that a Montana law promoted activities that worsened climate change and damaged their state constitutional right to "clean air and clean water." Let's hope judges in the dozens of other court cases young people have filed with have the courage to do the same.

“This is a monumental decision," said a lawyer for the young plaintiffs, and could influence similar cases in other states.

08/07/2023

Clean water, clean air, open spaces with healthy lakes, rivers and forests; sources of energy that don’t pollute and never run out — all this should be the heritage we leave to future generations. Environment Texas researches the issues to educate the public and win tangible results for a greener future.

We're excited to present Luke Metzger, Executive Director of the Environment Texas Research & Policy Center at tomorrow's monthly meeting. It's free and open to the public!

More info here:https://www.sierraclub.org/texas/austin

08/04/2023

The Inflation Reduction Act provides tax credits and rebates for homeowners who use energy efficiency measures such as updated windows and doors and improved insulation and air sealing. Homes will be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, reducing utility bills by up to 20%. The new rebate programs will vary by state. Ask about rebates when considering home improvements.

Learn more here: https://ow.ly/jYlf50PrcE0

08/01/2023

07/30/2023

By 2050, more plastic will be in the oceans than fish (by weight). Let that sink in.

Some other facts:
♳ An estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste are currently in our oceans, with a further 33 billion pounds of plastic added yearly.
♴ Plastic has been found at 36,000 feet in the Mariana Trench; not even the deepest part of the ocean can escape contamination.
♵ Over 1 million marine organisms are killed yearly due to ocean plastic pollution.
♶ Animals who eat plastic often starve because it prevents them from properly swallowing food.

Here are some everyday plastic items that can easily be swapped to better the ocean and our future.

07/28/2023

Austin Resource Recovery trucks pick up recycling from over 200,000 homes and take it to a local Material Recovery Facility (MRF) for processing. From there, recyclables go through sorting equipment that groups them by different materials. Did you know the bales get sold to other businesses that make them into new products?

🍼 Plastic water bottles are recycled into other beverage bottles or can be used for polyester in clothing, carpet or backpacks.
🐄 Milk jugs are recycled into new bottles.
🌼 Detergent bottles are recycled into buckets, containers and flower pots.
🧴 Shampoo bottles are recycled into flooring.
🍨 Yogurt containers are recycled into bicycle racks and plant pots.
😎 Sunglasses are recycled into plastic lumber and auto parts.

Photo by John Anderson

07/23/2023

Microplastic beads are found in some cosmetics and personal care products. Animals and humans can ingest them with potential health effects, plus they can sneak into our waterways, cycling into groundwater that feeds plants and thus our food chain. What's the alternative?

07/21/2023

Ever wonder about the impact of your reusable bag? About 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide yearly, and the U.S. alone uses 100 billion! Most end up in the trash. Reusable shopping bags limit plastic waste in waterways and landfills. Do you have a fave reusable bag?🛍️

07/18/2023