RECYCLE! Did you know that many household items, including newsprint, aluminum cans and several plastic containers are included in the curbside recycling program? The cost of Saline's curbside recycling program is covered through the property taxes that you pay, so why not take full advantage of it? Recycle Ann Arbor's drop-off station, available to Saline residents, is just 7.5 miles from downtown Saline and they recycle many of the items that are not included in Saline's curbside program - for free! For more information on Recycle Ann Arbor and Saline's curbside recycling program, visit our FAQ page. Compact Fluorescent (CF) Light Bulbs use a fraction of the electricity of traditional incandescent light bulbs, and last much longer. Like other fluorescent bulbs, they do contain small amounts of mercury, and because of that need to be properly disposed of. They are completely safe to use, and there are many convenient places to drop off old bulbs so that they can be properly handled. Using CF bulbs not only makes sense for the environment, it makes sense for your wallet. Make the change today and start enjoying lower home energy costs as a reward for taking action to improve the environment! Drink the Water! The water that comes out of your tap in Saline is incredibly clean and safe, thanks to a state-of-the-art water treatment plant paid for by your tax dollars. Did you know that many name-brand bottled water products are bottled regionally from a local water source? In Southeast Michigan, that water source is the Detroit public water system, which comes from the Detroit River. The next time you pay $1 or more for 12 ounces of bottled Detroit tap water, think about how much cheaper it is to turn on your kitchen sink at home and drink Saline's clean, refreshing, crystal clear water. And you'll be doing the environment an added favor, since all of those plastic water bottles add up to a lot of unnecessary waste in our Michigan landfills. Make Your Lawn TRULY Green. Many common lawncare fertilizer products contain phosphorous, which in and of itself is not dangerous. The problem is that some of the phosphorous that is spread on your lawn when you use these products gets washed into the storm drain by rainwater, and ultimately ends up back into the Saline River and the River Raisin Watershed, leading to the growth of thick, slimy algae. This algae growth is very problematic for our waterways, and the fish and other organisms that live in them. Everyone likes a green lawn, but do the right thing for a green planet and buy only non-phosphorous fertilizers. Both the City of Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township have bans on phosphorous fertilizers, so retailers in those communities should carry a selection of phosphorous-free fertilizer products.       ©2008 City of Saline, Michigan