Cold Christmas Heats Up City’s Idling Campaign

December 16, 2008

Winter has arrived in force for the Christmas season, and the City of Edmonton is reminding Edmontonians to celebrate a green Christmas by only idling vehicles long enough to warm them up.

Unnecessary idling wastes fuel and money and adds to greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution. By idling your vehicle less this holiday season, you’ll be giving a gift of health to the planet, your neighbours and your wallet.

City research shows that engines only need 30 seconds of idling to warm up enough to drive. Wheel bearings, steering, suspension, transmission and tires are only warmed when the vehicle is moving. It typically takes at least five kilometres of driving to warm up these components. Limit engine warm-up time to 30 seconds, and only use remote car-starters when temperatures drop below minus 10 degrees. Scrape your windows instead of heating them to remove the ice and snow. The less idling, the better for everyone.

Reducing idling is just one way citizens and businesses can celebrate a greener Christmas. Reduce, reuse and recycle this holiday season.

Save Energy

  • Use LED lights this holiday season. They use 90 per cent less electricity – five watts instead of 48 watts – and last up to 10 times longer than old incandescent lights strings. The City of Edmonton is using more than 9,000 LED lights at the Muttart Conservatory and in Sir Winston Churchill Square
  • Use a timer to limit light displays to less than six evening hours a day. Be sure to turn off your outdoor light displays when you’re not at home and when you go to bed.
  • Use garland instead of lights – it saves money and looks great.
  • Buy rechargeable batteries for battery operated gifts; thereby reducing hazardous waste.
  • Wear more layers to save money on your heating bill.

Reduce Waste

  • Instead of buying a material gift for a friend or family member, make a donation in the name of the recipient to his/her favourite charity.
  • Visit the Reuse Centre at 10004-103A Ave (in front of the CN Tower) to donate recyclables such as gift wrapping, or to purchase stocking stuffers and materials for arts and crafts. Please note: the Reuse Centre will be closed from December 21 until January 5 for renovations.
  • Buy gift cards so people can select exactly what they want.
  • Consider giving gift certificates for experiential gifts (i.e.: admissions to events, trips, etc).
  • Send personalized e-cards instead of Christmas cards. If you do choose paper cards, make sure they are from recycled paper.
  • Compost food scraps.
  • Avoid using disposable dishes and cutlery.

Travel Smart

  • Carpool with friends and family to and from holiday celebrations with a designated driver to save money and reduces emissions.
  • Use transit. Why sit in traffic, wrangle for parking and waste money on fuel when Edmonton’s transit system offers efficient transportation during the holidays?

Be Yard Smart

  • Instead of buying a plastic replica to avoid cutting down a healthy pine or spruce, consider purchasing a live Christmas tree this season. Potted trees are easily maintained until the spring thaw, when they can be planted outside, adding to Edmonton’s greenery and helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
  • If you can’t replant your Christmas tree, recycle it. Edmonton has a program for recycling Christmas trees into wood chips for landscaping.

Save Water

  • Turn your dishwasher on only when it is full.

Greening your holidays will help the City of Edmonton to achieve the goals of EcoVision Edmonton, Council's vision for an environmentally sustainable city.

For more information:

Nikki Booth

Title Public Information Officer
Telephone

780-496-3600
780-499-7307 (cell)
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