Goal For The Green

It is something we all have to do someday, – I’m talking about, we all have to die.  We hate to talk about it, much less, plan and prepare for it. In this economy, it’s hard to except the fact, that dying costs thousands of dollars. We wouldn’t want to take out a personal loan, just to afford to bury a loved one, but that, often times is the case.

The $11 billion, funeral industry has been looking at, what can be done to appeal to those, who want to go green and save green, when the end of life comes.  While, this is an industry that is slow to change, there are many cemeteries and funeral homes, that are now accommodating the desire, for green burials.

It really is nothing new.  We started Read the rest of this entry »

This  holiday season, is a tight time, for many families.  While, keeping in tradition, of giving and sharing with family and friends, keep in mind there are things you can do, and services you can offer, that can mean more, than any amount of money you spend. At the same time, in keeping with traditions, you can also take steps to reduce waste, save money and be creative, while making the holidays green and festive.

During the holidays, waste can and does,  increase with extra packaging, gift wrap, disposable dishes, leftover food, and more. The Christmas holiday, generates, more garbage in our landfills, than any other time of the year.

Did you know, that a variety of tips on reducing holiday waste, giving green gifts, and reducing energy consumption is available on the Department of Natural Resources website?

There, you will learn about using less packaging, Read the rest of this entry »

Editor’s Note:  I am bringing this post forward to my front page, because of its relevance and importance.  It is my hope and desire that you will make recycling, and your own personal waste management, a top priority.

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It is the third R in the term reduce, reuse, and recycle. It is the re-making of old materials into useful new products.  The goal of recycling is to reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials and energy usage, which then reduces green house gas emissions. By  recycling, we also lower the  amount of raw waste that would otherwise end up in our landfills. Recycling is the key component in waste management as we know it today.

The convenience of recycling at your curb-side now serves half of the U.S. population.  The top five most recycled items are paper, plastic, glass, aluminum and steel/tin cans.

In 2007, my area implemented the use of single stream recycling.  The company provides 65 to 94 gallon carts in which all materials are commingled.  This means that households no longer have to separate their materials into recycling bins.  Evidence has already proven that this method has increased the quantity of household recyclables.

My area also has a recycle depot.  I have not had garbage service for years, because of an altercation with the company.  I set up my own system in my garage.  It consists of two 32 gallon trash cans, one for plastic and one for trash,and 4 blue recylce bins for newspaper, magazines/junk mail, glass, and cans. We also have an area to break down and stack cardboard. When my children were still home we went to the dump every other Saturday.  Now, my husband goes once every 4-6 weeks, with one 32 gallon bag.  They know him at the dump, and the most they ever charge him is $3.00.  Many times they let him go for free because they know he is a disabled vet.  The average rate for disposal in my area is about $35 a month.  That’s a pretty good savings for not very much work.

Written in association with waste management experts