Citizen Connection Nov 2019Winter weather has arrived, but that doesn’t
mean your energy bill has to soar with colder
temperatures. Taking the simple actions listed
below can help you save energy and money
during the chilly months ahead.
• Audit it. The City offers a free home energy
audit to utility customers in good standing,
which can help to lower your electric bill. A
certified energy auditor will utilize
diagnostic tools to reveal thermal flaws in
your home.
• Service it. Remember to service your HVAC
system this fall, and replace filters at least
every three months.
• Use tech. When you’re home, stay warm
and cozy, and when you’re away, turn
the heat down. A programmable or smart
thermostat allows you to do this and save
energy.
• Heat smart. Change the direction of your
ceiling fan to rotate clockwise. Warm air
naturally rises, so doing this will recirculate
it downard.
• Light right. LED light bulbs save money by
using 75 percent less energy than standard
incandescent bulbs.
STAY WARM THIS WINTER WITHOUT
BREAKING THE BANK
• Lock it down. Locking your windows
creates a better seal between the window and
the weather stripping, which will help to keep
the cold air out. This can make a big
difference in your heating bill.
• Use the sun. During the day, open shades on
south-facing windows to allow sunlight to
naturally heat your home, and close all shades
at night to reduce the chill you may feel from
cold windows.
• Learn more. Visit www.sustainabledenton.com
for additional information about conservation
tips, workshops, energy-efficiency rebates, or
to request a free energy audit for your home
or small business.
CITIZEN CONNECTION
NOVEMBER 2019
CIT Y OF DENTON
WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR
YARD WASTE THIS FALL
As of Oct. 1, curbside yard waste collection is now
a subscription-based, opt-in service. Residents who
subscribe to the updated service have two
subscription options:
• They may place yard waste in paper kraft bags
and pay a $1 monthly fee,
• Or they can purchase a yard waste cart for a
one-time fee of $20 and pay a $0.50 monthly fee.
These two new subscription options have several
benefits, such as the reduction of waste generated by
the use of compostable paper bags instead of plastic,
and the ease of use that comes with a cart.
During these autumn months, you may have an
excess of yard waste, and by disposing of leaves, yard
trimmings, twigs, small branches, and even leftover
pumpkins in a yard waste cart or kraft bag, you can
reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill.
Instead, your waste will be sent to the City’s
Beneficial Reuse Division and be composted.
To opt-in to this service, call (940) 349-8700.
A publication of the City of Denton Public Communications Office
ADA/EOE/ADEA • TDD (800) 735-2989 • www.cityofdenton.com
Questions about the Denton Citizen Connection? Call (940) 349-8171.
THANKSGIVING – There will be no curbside trash, recycling, or yard waste collection, and the landfill
will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28. Thursday’s pickup will move to Friday.
CHRISTMAS – There will be no curbside trash, recycling, or yard waste collection, and the landfill will
be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 25. Wednesday’s pickup will move to Thursday; and Thursday’s pickup
will move to Friday. Tuesday, Dec. 24 pickup will stay the same.
NEW YEAR’S DAY – There will be no curbside trash, recycling, or yard waste collection and the
landfill will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Wednesday’s pickup will move to Thursday; and
Thursday’s pickup will move to Friday. Tuesday, Dec. 31 pickup will stay the same.
City of Denton administrative offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29;
Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25; and Wednesday, Jan. 1.
HOLIDAY COLLECTION SCHEDULE AND CLOSINGS
The holiday season is upon us, and this is the
perfect time to start incorporating new
sustainable practices into your daily life. These
practices will not only help you reduce waste, but
they can also help you choose items that can be
reused or recycled.
1. Buy Smart! When buying holiday decorations,
purchase items that can be reused each year.
By reusing, you can build up a great collection
of décor and also save money in the long run.
Buying smart also includes buying products that
consume less electricity. LED lights not only use
less electricity but also last longer.
2. Put waste in its place! Disposing waste
material properly is important. Check to see if you
are only recycling materials that are acceptable in
our recycling program. If you have too much to
fit in your recycling cart, you can request a
second one by calling (940) 349-8700, or take
items to one of the City’s convenient recycling
drop-off centers. Learn more by visiting
www.dentonrecycles.com.
3. Reduce! It’s important to look for everyday
ways we can reduce waste. This includes using a
reusable water bottle, taking your lunch to work,
and saying no to products like styrofoam.
START YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
EARLY WITH THESE 5 SUSTAINABLE LIVING TIPS
4. Volunteering! This is another great way to get
involved and do something meaningful to support
your community. There are tons of great
opportunities such as participating in a litter clean
up or serving meals at a local food pantry. Check
out www.servedenton.com to learn more!
5. Get Creative! Consider adding a personal
touch to your gifts this year by making your own.
If getting crafty isn’t for you, no problem. You can
also add a personal touch by purchasing unique
gifts from local stores or the Community Market.
Do you have a unique tradition that makes the
holidays a bit greener? Share it on
www.facebook.com/sustainabledenton.