One Planet to Love & Protect

That’s my Six Words for the Planet today, in honor of it being Earth Day! Even though everyday is Earth Day to me, I still get pretty darn excited this designated day.

Celebrating my 5th year of becoming more environmentally conscious and sharing the message with others, is a really big deal to me. It really was a tipping point, when I watched Oprah’s Earth Day program in 2007 and learned about green cleaning products, reusable grocery bags, energy reducing electrical strips and more.

My 5-year old, reusable grocery bags from Ecobags, are still be used on a daily basis. Other than needing an occasional washing, they are fully intact! Since, the average person uses 350 to 500 plastic bags a year, that’s one heck of a lot of plastic that we’ve kept out of the landfills!

We also recycle at my house, even though our local community doesn’t provide any curbside recycling options….YET! My husband has set aside an area in our garage, where we have our little home-made bins or reused containers, to separate cardboard, newspapers, plastic, tin, aluminum, etc. It requires an occasional trip to the local recycling center, but it REALLY is painless

Our family has also reduced our electrical energy consumption with Smart Saver Strips and compact florescent lighting (CFL). There is a lot of controversy over CFL’s and I believe that LED will eventually be safer and have more benefits.

Buying locally grown food is another way to help our Mother Earth. With such purchases, CO2 emissions are greatly reduced due to less transportation costs, etc.

The list is endless and not necessarily too expensive or inconvenient, to create eco-friendly habits that will be good for our planet. For more ideas, you can go to Earth911’s website, for some excellent ideas and information.

Remember, we only have One Planet to Love & Protect (for now) ~ Happy Earth Day !!

Modernization and chaotic lifestyles have seriously impacted the attitude of western civilization. We always want the most convenient and easiest way to complete any task. But, whatever is the most convenient isn’t always what’s best, when it comes to recycling.

The issue is the planet. You know, the one we live on, Earth? We only have one planet that humans can inhabit (at this point in time), and there are serious environmental issues plaguing it.

Although, society as a whole, has done much better over the last 10 years, we still have quite a ways to go. For example, the County that I live in does not offer curbside recycling. Therefore, the folks in my area, have to make a concerted effort to store and transport, their recyclables to a local recycling center. Also, the centers have varying business hours, and all of them don’t take all materials. Thus, one has to plan the room in their vehicle to transport the items, as well as the logistics of time and locations.

For our household, we’ve gone ahead and made recycling convenient, because it has become habit for us. Just like bathing and brushing our teeth, going to school or work, doing yard work, washing the car, washing our clothes, none of these are convenient. But, do we do they them regularly anyway? You bet!

Besides helping save the Earth, recycling can sometimes put a few extra coins in your pocket and it also helps provide jobs. Because, for every 10,000 tons of waste that is recycled, 36 jobs are created.

Not sure of where and what exactly, can and should be recycled in your area? Well, if you’re reading this blog post, then you have access to the internet. And here on the World Wide Web, we can search out almost anything. (Sometimes, more than we want to know.) Just use your favorite search engine to look up local resources. I’ve also listed below some websites that have some great info and may be able to direct you to the most convenient choices for recycling in your area.

You can make recycling convenient, by just making it a habit in your household and/or workplace. All it takes is a little extra effort and time. To me, our beautiful planet is definitely worth it. I hope you feel the same.

Earth 911 – Recycling 101

EPA – Reduce/Reuse/Recycle – Benefits to recycling and more

Earth 911 – Find recycling center locations

Keep America Beautiful – Info on waste reduction & recycling

Terracycle – Recycling traditionally non-recycled waste

RecyclingCenters.org – Recycling without curbside assistance

Carbon Fund – Calculate your carbon footprint

Compost – Composting 101

The Story of Stuff:

Program Recycles Flip Flops to Build Community Playgrounds

In an effort to further reduce waste, TerraCycle, Inc. and Old Navy are partnering in a month-long drive to collect used flip flops and recycle them into four public playgrounds around the country. The community is encouraged to participate by stopping by an Old Navy store to deposit used flip flops in designated collection bins. This is the first time a nationwide retailer has initiated a large-scale effort to collect and recycle flip flops. All Old Navy stores across the U.S. are participating from April 22, 2011 through May 21, 2011.

This is a great opportunity to clean out tattered and ugly flip flops and repurpose them. You’ll be keeping plastic and rubber out of the landfills and making a good excuse to go and buy some new ones!

The waste is collected through TerraCycle’s Brigade programs, which are free fundraisers that pay schools and non-profits for every piece of waste they collect and return. Check out TerraCycle’s website for a lot more information on what to recycle, where and how.

An excellent resource is your local domestic violence organization/shelter. Even though a cell phone’s provider service is discontinued, as long as the phone is in good working order and is charged up, it will still make emergency calls to 911.

Local organizations collect the unwanted cell phones, clear all the owner and call history information, and reissue the phones to those who are in need of a phone for possible emergency situations.

Many retail locations now accept cell phones and rechargeable batteries.  Home Depot, Sears, Lowe’s, Staples, just to name a few. You can also go to Call2Recycle’s website and search by your zip code for more locations.

Why should you recycle your old cell phones?

As stated on the RecycleMyCellPhone.org website; cell phones are potentially hazardous waste because they contain lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic. If thrown in the trash and sent to incinerators or landfills, environmental contamination can occur from combustion and leaching into soil and groundwater.

Please take the time to gather up the unwanted cell phones, PDA’s and such from your home or office and find recycler or worthy organization to donate them to.  Most  non-profit organizations will even provide a donation receipt that you can use for tax purposes.

Take that extra step and find eco-friendly ways to dispose of these and other discarded items this holiday season.

Watch the below video to see what some of those issues are and remember: “MAKE ‘EM SAFE, MAKE ‘EM LAST, TAKE ‘EM BACK“.

Pre-Apri 2007, I recycled aluminum cans & plastic bottles, pretty much for the cash (what little that was). I would also collect the previous day’s newspapers from my workplace and neighbor and recycle them, more for the principal of it, rather than the .01 or .02 cents per pound profit.

My very intelligent and witty husband, was not of like mind, in the recycling arena. He reluctantly rinsed his soda/beer cans, but insisted that this was “my project” and he was not participating in getting them to the recycler.

The newspaper recycling was even more of a sore subject with Ken. Considering, I didn’t accumulate much in newspaper, when I did recycle them, I would secure a whopping .38 cents to maybe .50 cents for my booty! Ken used to say to me, “If, you let me throw the newspapers away, I’ll give you the .38 cents myself.” Naturally, I was NOT humored by his “generous” offers.

Then, in April 2007,  I watched Oprah’s Earth Day show and became inspired to be more environmentally conscious, which included amping up my recycling habits. It was still a little touchy with Ken, but as time progressed and he become more educated about environmental issues, he was a more willing participant.

Then, in April of 2009, we purchased a home that was larger than the home we had been living in. With some of the new space in our garage area, I expressed to Ken that I would like to have a larger recycling area. As, I’m sure you might of guessed, that didn’t go over too well. There was some ongoing bantering for awhile, prior to our moving. But, lo and behold, once we got moved into our new home, my husband lined me (us) all up, with a recycling area in our garage!

As you can see from the pictures, there definitely isn’t anything fancy about this area. All the receptacles are used cardboard boxes or old plastic bins, etc. But, it’s my own little recycling area and it works!

The moral to my story is: Never give up, if  it’s the right thing to do, do it! And, keep on doing it! Eventually, those who are around you, will see the light and convert also.

Note: In case you’re wondering, the county that I reside in, currently does not have curbside recycling. I make a recycling run about every other week to our local recycler, Western Recycling in Fruitland, ID.

Independence Day is traditionally celebrated on the 4th of July. Along with the fireworks, barbeque’s, parties and such, there’s usually A LOT of garbage that accumulates.

I can’t think of a better way to show how much you value the natural resources that this beautiful county provides, than by putting some “green acts” into the day of Red, White & Blue. Here’s some practical and easy tips:

Don’t use disposable plates, cups, utensils:

Use your reusable dinnerware or ask your guests to bring their own, if you feel comfortable doing that. Just paper plates alone, even if they are biodegradable, can be damaging to the landfills. They usually have been manufactured with some types of chemicals, plastics or wax.

Recycle cans & bottles:

Even, if you can’t get the empties to a recyclers, odds are one of your guests can.

Don’t use individual bottled water containers:

You can purchase drinking water in numerous locations in larger containers. Serve your guests their water in those reusable cups that you decided to use this year!

Buy bulk foods for your party:

Reducing the number of containers that your food comes in, means less items going to the recyclers or landfill.

Happy Independence Day / 4th of July – Thank you to all who have served our country to provide our freedoms and liberties!

“The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”  – William James

Now, I’ve read, shared and pondered many a quote or words of wisdom, but this one actually kind of gut-punched me.  Probably, because I have recently been doing a lot of self-evaluation on where I am in my life and if I am on the path that is the right one for me.

I realize that are probably multitude of  “right paths”, for any given person. But, I have been asking myself if what I am currently doing, is making a difference. Am I spending my life well, when it comes to making some kind of difference on this planet?

In just over 3 years, my family and I have made several conscious changes in our habits and lifestyle, to try and reduce our carbon footprint. During this short journey, we’ve improved several of our recycling habits, purchasing habits, and other lifestyle changes. Pretty much all of them, thus far, have been relatively painless.

But, is that enough? Is what we’re doing making a difference? Will the environmentally conscious changes that we’ve made, outlast us?

I’m not sure how to answer this multi-faceted question yet. I’m going to ponder it awhile longer. Feel free to share your thoughts about what you’re doing to spend your life well.

Did you know that over 20 billion pounds of clothing ends up in our landfills every year? An estimated 1 in 10 clothing items gets bought, never worn, and simply thrown away?

The alternative to donate and/or consign clothing has taken on a life of it’s own more recently. Repurposing and reusing, previously owned clothing, is considered chic with environmental enthusiasts and many others.

True, there’s always been a market for used garments, but most typically the stereotypical shopper was buying used merchandise out of financial necessity. While that still holds true, more consumers are aware of the positive environmental impact of recycling and reusing, previously owned clothing.

A recent visit to Renewed Expressions Consignment Boutique in Meridian, Idaho was very educational and tickled my shopping urges. Up to this point, I primarily donated my unwanted threads or sold them in a yardsale. I had no idea that there are systems in place with stores, to accommodate this sustainable market.

I toured the store and then met with owner, Kathy Reitz. In visiting with Kathy, I quickly perceived that she is a very grounded person and businesswoman.

Kathy has a vision for her business of just over 3 years and over 3,500 consigners. She desires to be a good employer and an honest businesswoman with integrity. Her goals in the business are to make sure her consigners make money and merchandise is priced fairly.

When the consigned articles first hit the Renewed Expressions racks, most are priced at 20% of its retail value and are newer than 2 years old. Besides everything being very fairly priced, there are always the “Red Slash” (1/2 price) deals and even a $3.00 rack!

From prom dresses, to jewelry, to shoes & accessories, the selections are abundant, with name brand clothing in very good condition. The clothes are normally in price ranges based on the type of garment; i.e., Skirts from $8.99 to $14.99, Pants from $8.99 to $16.99 and Tops from $6.99 to $12.99. Additionally, the store is impeccably clean and the entire staff, very customer service focused.

Do yourself and the environment a BIG favor, by seeking out opportunities such as this, to give old clothes, a second life. It’s a Win-Win for everyone. There’s money to be made and  money to be saved. And, there’s lots of  upscale clothing that has escaped the landfills and is waiting to find a new home.

Renewed Expressions Consignment Boutique is currently located at 1835 W Cherry Lane in Meridian. Their phone is 208/855-2800. Hours are 10am to 6pm, Monday through Saturday. For more information, feel free to stop in or call the store. If, you’re interested in consigning with them, you will need to call first for an appointment.

Renewed Expressions

Helpful Staff

Accessories Galore

Lots of Pretty Jewelry