4 minute read
A Good Steward
We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children … you may have heard this Native American proverb, and as we see videos of glaciers melting, beaches eroding and cities flooding, it’s become less abstract. Here are some ways you can be a good steward of Mother Earth.
It’s estimated that each American produces 4.4 pounds of trash daily … that adds up to 250 million tons of trash per year.* That’s a lot of trash. So, what can you and your family do to combat this? Say it with me: reduce, reuse and recycle. While it takes a bit more thought, Lennie Massanelli, Little Rock’s recycling and sustainability educator, said it’s easier than you think. “The City of Little Rock offers curbside recycling for every single-family home and townhome,” she said. She also shared practical advice to help families in their efforts to care for the environment. “While we do not offer recycling for some plastic items such as clamshells and some yogurt containers, Styrofoam and glass, No. 1 and 2 plastics such as water and milk jugs are recyclable. One way to avoid these nonrecyclable items is to take your own to-go containers to restaurants. And when buying groceries, avoid single-serving items. Purchase items in bulk.” The city also recycles aluminum, steel and tin cans. “Think wet pet food, soda and soup cans, and you don’t even have to peel labels off. Just make sure they’re clean,” she added.
Little Rock also recycles boxes, newspapers, pasteboard boxes (like cereal and frozen food boxes), as well as junk mail, paperback books, magazines and catalogs. She cautioned, “However, don’t put them in plastic bags.” Speaking of plastic bags, is paper better than plastic? “Unfortunately, no. Paper bags create a greater carbon footprint. So, while they degrade faster, they’re more costly to the environment. I recommend using reusable bags for shopping, gift-giving and packing lunches.”
“Purchase reusable sandwich bags and straws,” Massanelli suggested. “And don’t purchase single-use bottles such as sodas, water and sports drinks.” “Another thing people don’t often think about as waste is food,” she said. The EPA estimates that 41 million tons of food waste were generated in 2017 alone, and that only 6.3 percent was composted. If the idea of a compost bin seems a bit much, Massanelli recommends contacting The Urban Food Loop for assistance. “They’ll collect your family’s food scraps and compost them; you can either donate the compost or use it for your flower or produce garden.” Are you a new parent? You may be surprised by the amount of waste someone so adorable and tiny can produce. Massanelli suggests, again, avoiding single servings of food and food pouches. “Purchase baby food in jars, and reuse the jars.” Consider making your own baby food—it doesn’t require special equipment—or reuse the jars to create a windowsill herb or succulent garden, to transport condiments for a picnic, to store homemade body scrubs or to organize drawers. Additionally, you may wish to consider using cloth diapers. While there’s no diaper service in central Arkansas, cloth diapers and all the accessories—liners, adorably designed covers and fasteners and more—are available online. “When shopping for gifts, consider toys that inspire the imagination; for instance, purchase art supplies, or a gift certificate for an experience or an activity. Or make a batch of homemade Play-Doh and give it along with the recipe and cookie cutters,” she suggested. Purchase items at a resale shop or a store that benefits a nonprofit organization. “Making a purchase like this gives toys a second life while giving to others.” Donate your children’s clothes or consign them. Massanelli said, “Thrift stores and vintage shops often have really great deals. Our city also has several upscale resale shops that sell high-quality name brands. Challenge your child to put together an outfit or to see who can get the most items for $20. If you decide to consign items, you can then use the money toward other clothing purchases.” If you must buy something new, she suggested you look for items with less packaging, and when buying items that use batteries, include rechargeable batteries. For more information about how to care for our planet, log on to 50waystohelp.com. If you’d like to organize an Earth Day activity, log on to earthday.org.
A Few Easy Yet Practical Ways To Reduce Waste
Ditch the flushable wipes. While they are flushable, they may take years to break down. The immediate drawback: They can still clog your pipes and sewer lines.
Use wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets because … you guessed it, most dryer sheets are not biodegradable.
Use refillable water bottles, and take a favorite refillable mug to work or to your favorite coffee shop when you “refuel.”
Save energy and cut costs by: turning off the lights in unoccupied rooms; turning off your computer and monitor when you’re not using them; and unplugging your chargers when your phone, tablets and other items are charged.
Save energy by washing your clothes in cold water.
Conserve water and energy. Turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth. This can save up to eight gallons of water per person each day.
Also, take showers versus baths and take shorter showers—turn on your favorite song and use it as a timer. Save the trees! Switch to paperless billing. Speaking of trees … think twice before printing, and if you must print, use both sides of the paper. Be sure to recycle your work waste!
Save time, energy and money by running multiple errands at once. Carpool to work, or work from home when possible, and consider video conferencing versus making business trips.
