Earth Month, Day #2: No More Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are everywhere. Just count how many you see whenever you are out in your car driving. I am willing to bet you see at least 5, maybe even 10. Watch this "mockumentary" on plastic bags. Being an nature lover, this gave me a good laugh. But it is also hauntingly true, seeing where all of these plastic bags end up most likely to stay forever.



Daniel and I are try as hard as we can to eliminate plastic bags from our everyday life. The easiest way to start was to invest in a few strong, lightweight, durable, easy to clean, and very easy to use bags. We logged onto one of my favorite "green" websites, Reuseit.Com to find the best bags for us. We settled on some dual handle bags made out of 98% recycled PET. Each one of these bags saves 10 plastic bottles from going into the landfill. The dual handle makes it easier to carry different sized loads, and they are great for all different kinds of shopping. These bags are so strong and durable that they can hold up to 1.5x the volume a typical plastic bag could hold. This was our choice of bag, but invest in whatever you feel fits your lifestyle the best. I would just recommend investing in bags that will last a very long time, as opposed to the free bags that are given out at different events. These bags work for a few months, maybe even a year, but eventually start to tear and will end up in the landfill anyways.

By reducing the use of plastic bags and switching to a more reuse lifestyle, we are reducing pollution and having a better impact on wildlife and their habitats, and moving away from a use and toss culture. Check out the "learn" pages on Reuseit.Com's website, include facts on how many plastic bags are used every minute (1 million) and how many pieces of floating plastic cover every one square mile of the ocean (46,000).

It may take a little bit to remember to bring your reusable bags to the store, but once you get in the habit it becomes second nature. If you happen to forget, always remember there are many ways you can reuse the plastic or paper bags the store gives out. Once you switch from plastic grocery bags to reusable ones, you can slowly start to make other changes. These changes could include using reusable produce bags (or not using produce bags at all). Happy (green) shopping!

[Photo from Reuseit.Com]

Happy Earth Month!

Earth Month is here. 30 days to celebrate the Earth and do something good for the planet (though, we should try to do something everyday)! How will you celebrate? Join me as I post a new tip, new green event, new resources every day this month, and go green! Start with small changes in your everyday behaviors like using cloth bags at the store, changing your light bulbs to energy efficient ones, and taking shorter showers. Once you are comfortable with these small changes, slowly work your way up to bigger ones. Every change you make towards a sustainable lifestyle, no matter how big or small, could have an impact on your health, your wallet and the environment.

Start Earth Month Off Right: Plant a Tree!

"I hear the wind among the trees
Playing the celestial symphonies;
I see the branches downward bent,
Like keys of some great instrument."
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I have always loved trees - climbing in them, swinging from their branches, hugging them, relaxing in their shade. Palm trees, oak trees, evergreens, maple trees, redwoods, any kind of tree, I have a great admiration and respect for. Trees provide shade, shelter, food, recreation, oxygen, resources and solace. I couldn't think of a better way to kick off Earth Month than by giving back and planting a tree. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is hosting a free tree giveaway this Friday, April 1. Check out at least one item from any of their locations and receive a free tree seedling as long as supplies last. The giveaway is sponsored by the Ohio Valley Forestry Fellowship and the Federated Garden Clubs of Cincinnati and Vicinity. Visit their program calendar for more details.



This is a 200+ year old oak tree I saw in Jacksonville, Florida. It's branches stretched so far they rested on the ground and came back up, looking like an entirely different tree.

Zoo Poo!

There's an exciting project happening at the Zoo - turning animal waste into rich, organic compost. Every week about 7-8 tons of waste including bedding, food scraps and animal waste from the main herbivore areas in the Zoo is taken to Marvin's Organic Gardens to be composted. A once a week pick up is made possible by the dedicated keepers, horticulture and maintenance staff whose jobs are to move the organic waste from one area of the park to a main collection bin in the back of the park. Nothing like transporting poo from one area to another!

Read more about the project on Cincinnati Zoo's Blog.

#5's are Staying Alive!

Ever wonder what to do with your #5 plastic tubs that aren’t currently accepted in curbside recycling programs? These plastics include containers used for yogurt, sour cream, cottage/cream cheese, margarine/butter, take-out and hummus. Preserve© created the program called Gimme 5 that gives consumers a solution to recycling those pesky #5 plastics. Drop your #5 plastics off in the Gimme 5 bins at any Whole Foods© location, or mail them directly to Preserve©. Once recycled, these #5 plastics are made into toothbrushes, razor handles, tableware and kitchenware. By recycling your #5 plastics, you are saving plastic from being added to the landfills, conserving energy and resources by reusing plastic to turn it into a new product and keeping it local by recycling in the United States, rather than sending plastics overseas. Gimme 5 bins will also accept used Brita® filters. Visit Preserve’s website to find out more information.

My husband and I recently moved a lot closer to the city center then we were previously. Now we are much closer to Whole Foods© and can easily drop off our #5 plastics there. A recent purchase of some beautiful lime green cups made by Preserve© from our favorite green general store, Park+Vine kept take out food containers out of the landfill. Start recycling those #5 plastics now!

Greening Your Getaway

Summer is the perfect time for a weekend getaway, or an even longer vacation. It is a great time to refresh, revisit with friends and reconnect with your inner self and explore the world. Many of us take a vacation with our family or our friends just to get away for a little bit. Why not do so in a green, eco-friendly way? Rejuvenate yourself while being kind to the planet. When you go on vacation, don’t send your green habits on vacation also. Check out these tips for greening your getaway.
• Getting from Here to There – Flying has the greatest environmental impact compared to trains and automobiles. When making arrangements, travel by land if possible and as an added bonus, land travel allows you to see where you’re going. If you do need to fly, combine trips and avoid stopovers and look into buying carbon offsets for your flight.
• Watch What You Pack – Pack light. The more you pack, the heavier your bag (or bags) and the more jet fuel will be used (not to mention extra charges for checked baggage). Before you leave, do a little research to find out what the weather will be like at your destination and pack accordingly. Not all countries/destinations have sophisticated waste management or recycling facilities. Avoid disposable items and substitute biodegradable products in your toiletries case.
• Home Goes on Vacation too – Before you leave, make a few changes at home to keep it safe, save energy and have a lower utility bill. Switch off all the lights, turn off and unplug electronics and appliances, turn down thermostat on your hot water heater and adequately adjust your home’s heating or cooling system. Suspend your newspaper subscription as well.
• Going Paperless – In this digital age, utilize the Internet as much as you can for booking accommodations, travel and tours. Use your public library, friends and family to gather more information on your destination, rather than gathering brochures from travel agencies or buying new guide books. Once you are at your destination, take free maps and brochures only as necessary.
• Eco-Accommodations – If you are able to, stay in places with specially designed vacation resorts, farm stays, and tours with green credentials and that are ecologically sustainable. Let housekeeping know you don’t need your sheets and towels changed every single day. Bring your own toiletries (those small free bottles waste a lot of packaging) and use reusable containers instead of travel size items. Turn of the A/C or heat when you leave the room, as well as the TV and lights, and unplug any appliances or chargers that aren’t in use.
• While You Stay – Travel with a reusable water bottle and/or coffee mug.
Walk to and from places, or use public transportation if it is available. It is greener, and cheaper. When you’re shopping for souvenirs, do so safely. Purchase items that don’t exploit or deplete local wildlife and flora. Support local crafts people instead of purchasing plastic or touristy items that are most likely imported.

Sources:
True Green Life in 100 Everyday Ways by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin
Ready, Set, Green by Graham Hill and Meaghan O’Neill

Backyard Compost Bin Sale!

One Day Only! The Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District will be conducting a backyard compost bin sale THIS Saturday, May 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at two locations:

Cincinnati State and Technical College
3520 Central Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45223
(enter off Ludlow Ave.)

Princeton High School
11080 Chester Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45246
(parking lot across from high school)

Available for sale will be The Earth Machine for $35 (retail value of $100); Compost Turners for $15 and Kitchen Scrap Pails for $7. The Earth Machine is easy, snap together assembly and can easily fit in any car for transport. It is made of recycled materials and has an 80 gallon capacity.

Expert composters will be on hand at both locations to answer any questions you might have about composting. The sale is available to Hamilton County residents only. First come, first served until quantities run out.

Composting is a GREAT way to go green and reduce your solid waste! Compost provides an excellent soil amendment for your garden and reduces your solid waste output by 30%!

Call the Hamilton County Yardwaste and Compost Hotline at 946-7755 or visit hamiltoncountyrecycles.org for more information.