Rapid Transit Planning

Monday, July 26th, 2010

We’ve come a long way since the early years of the 20th century. Yet even back then, the Charlotte region depended on transit to carry the city into the future. Early trolley lines fostered the growth of neighborhoods rather than sprawling subdivisions, allowing communities such as Myers Park, Plaza-Midwood, Wilmore and Dilworth to flourish. In the more recent past, after careful study, extensive public input and thoughtful consideration, citizens of Mecklenburg County approved the half-cent sales tax in 1998 to support the vision outlined in the 2025 Integrated Transit/Land Use Plan.

Through the 2025 Integrated Transit/Land Use Plan, many improvements have been made including the enhancement of customer amenities, expanded bus routes, improved services and advancements in the rapid transit program and construction of the LYNX light rail line.

In 2006, the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) adopted the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan, furthering the vision outlined in the 2025 Integrated Transit/Land Use Plan. The 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan will help focus future growth along five primary transportation corridors, linking our area’s key centers of economic activity. In other words, transit is once again taking us into the future. (more…)

Smart, Environmentally Friendly Packaging Ideas

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

Did you know that packaging constitutes as much as one-third of the non-industrial waste stream, which is why 28 countries have laws designed to minimize that waste? Unfortunately, the U.S. is not among them, according to www.idealbite.com.

To ship your holidays gifts the smart way, consider these tips that will help reduce what ends up in our landfills:

  1. Instead of throwing away the shreds you get when using a paper shredder, use them to fill packages you send in the mail. It doesn’t cost anything, it can be recycled and it’s an environmentally safer product than Styrofoam.
  2. Save cash by reusing. Boxes can cost a few bucks each. Avoid buying new ones by reusing the ones sent to you.
  3. If you don’t have old boxes to reuse, insist on mailing boxes that use 10% to 30% recycled paper.
  4. Ship early to avoid shipping by air. Energy costs for sending a package for next day delivery are four times higher than the cost of ground shipping.
  5. Lighter means more energy-efficient (and cheaper), so make sure you’re using the right size box for the job.
  6. Consider using cornstarch packing peanuts. They are made from corn starch and dissolve in water leaving no toxic waste. Organic fill is static free, economical, fast and easy to use. Place them outside and they will either disappear when the birds take them to make their nests or they will melt in the next rainstorm.
  7. Use recycled plastic bubble wrap to cushion the contents of your package.
  8. Reuse plastic shopping bags or shredded newspaper and pack it around breakables.
  9. (more…)

NC Energy Efficient Appliance Replacement & Rebate Program

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

North Carolina Energy Efficient Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program. Currently, all rebate funds for this program have been reserved. However, you may still add your name to the waiting list. In the event additional funds become available, rebate applications will be processed in the order they are received. To add your name to the waiting list, complete the online application and follow the instructions listed on the confirmation page of the application. (more…)

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