Earth Day! Jason Arsenault

Earth Day is a day to celebrate. The first Earth Day was April 22nd, 1970. It started because some forward-thinking individuals wanted to make changes for future generations. Instead of polluted rivers and air, the public has become aware (informed) of polluting factories, negligent companies and technology that cause oil spills, loss of wilderness and extinction of wildlife.

Of course, these terrible things are still happening. However, the community that will not tolerate this has been growing since the inception of Earth Day, over fifty years ago. When our children come home from school now, they know what renewable energy is and are familiar with terms like biomass. The future looks much brighter than it did in 1970 when Earth Day was a grassroots movement.

The Gallup Journey celebrates Earth Day with this month’s issue. You will find articles about solar, recycling, trash pick-up and outdoor activities. Experiencing Earth Day in Gallup, New Mexico is extremely different than experiencing it in a populated city surrounded by manufacturing and very few green spaces. So, celebrate the amazing place we live in by picking up some trash, doing some recycling, and getting outside to enjoy all that our Earth has to offer.

-Jpa

Do Something Earth-Friendly on Earth Day & Every Day!

By Linda Popelish and Betsy Windisch, McKinley Citizens’ Recycling Council

BACKYARD COMPOSTING

“Black Gold” from Waste

Composting is an easy, natural way to recycle organic materials like leaves and food waste. As these materials decay under the right conditions, they create compost, a nutrient-rich soil. Compost is like “black gold” to the Southwestern gardener who contends with sandy and clayey soil. When you compost at home, you will be returning nutrients directly back to the soil to support the “circle of life,” as nature intended.

You may ask, “Won’t organics compost in the landfill?” This misconception is common. Modern landfills are lined and covered over with dirt or another sealant. Waste materials are compacted. The oxygen so essential to the compost process is not present. Garbage studies have revealed 25-year-old hot dogs and other food in landfills, as well as 50-year-old newspapers that were still readable! (https://www.thoughtco.com/do-biodegradable-items-really-break-down-1204144).

Composting is win-win all around. You will be saving space in our regional landfill by composting your food and yard waste in your backyard. Local governments pay a tipping fee for each ton of waste they send to their regional Solid Waste Authority. With composting by residents, the city saves tax dollars. You save space in your herbie and have great soil to add to your garden or yard!

To learn more about making compost go to www.sodgod.com/composting Composting Basics for Beginners and / or sign-up for a virtual training with NMRC.

BACKYARD COMPOST VIRTUAL TRAININGS

The New Mexico Recycling Coalition is excited to host virtual Backyard Compost Trainings as part of a USDA Rural Utilities grant. This training will include a video demonstration and all of the information needed to start your own backyard compost system with food scraps and yard debris. Attendees will learn how to start their own backyard compost system, find resources to help teach others how to do the same and if they are a certified facility operator with the state of New Mexico, they can earn one continuing education unit towards their re-certification. Dates and times are as follows: • Thursday, April 8th Noon-1:00 pm • Wednesday, April 14th 10:00-11:00 am • Monday, April 19th 6:00-7:00 pm

Registration is required and numbers are limited! Register by going to https://www.recyclenewmexico.com/backyard-compost-registration/

This training will be a live Zoom call. You will need a tablet, computer or laptop with a video and Internet connection.

NMRC has a limited number of backyard starter kits for training attendees from eligible communities as defined by the USDA. Eligible communities are towns or cities with populations less than 10,000, unincorporated areas of the county that are 20 miles or greater from a big city and all New Mexico tribes and pueblos. The starter kits include either a black plastic compost