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Apr 21, 2008 11:38 am US/Mountain
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Denver Restaurant Focuses On Renewable Technology
DENVER (CBS4) ―
The Mercury Cafe on the edge of downtown Denver may not look eco-friendly on the outside, but its setting an example of a business working to save the environment through renewable energy sources and unique facilities.
One of the most unusually items is the toilet in the bathroom. There is a faucet on top of the toilet tank. When someone flushes, clean water comes in to wash a person's hands. The excess water then goes through a drain and fills up the tank.
"So water's precious and if we can use it once before we flush the toilet that's a little bit of savings," said Marilyn Megenity, owner of the Mercury Cafe.
On the roof of the restaurant, there are a set of Denver's first urban windmills. They crank out 800 watts of electricity.
"The turbine system costs $20,000, but will pay for itself in about 7 years," said Megenity.
Eighteen solar panels on the roof produce another 3,000 watts of power.
The solar panels and windmills provide 25 percent or more of the cafe's overall power.
"If it's a windy, sunny day, and we're closed we are creating more power than we use and turning the meter backward," Megenity said.
The cafe hopes to add more windmills and eventually be off the power grid completely.
Megenity believes the extra cost of the equipment is worth it. She said the bottom line mentality of most businesses probably prevents more from doing the same thing.
"I think it's just a culture, one that businesses are taught, bottom line, bottom line, don't spend any money you don't have to," said Megenity.
Additional ResourcesUpload video clips or photos on YouReport that show how you (or someone you know) is changing your life in hopes of preserving the earth's resources. CBS4 will consider your ideas and include some in upcoming newscasts.
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