We had hoped to have this launched a bit earlier so we are combining this first issue for January and February. Enjoy!
January – “New Years Resolutions”
Commit to:
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
- Conserve natural resources
- Preserve natural treasures
Have you kept all your new resolutions so far? It’s not too late to add a few more. Resolving to help the earth, whether locally or globally is good for everyone. Little changes can have dramatic results when enough people commit to do their own part.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:
Reducing the amount of waste produced per person is where it all begins. You can begin by shopping with an eye for less packaging. All things being equal pick the product that will produce the least amount of waste (a.k.a. trash!). Then commit to call or email the other companies and let them know why you didn’t buy theirs. This is very effective as I have done this personally and seen packages shrink in size over time.
Reuse items by purchasing those that are not disposable. Opt for reusable plastic containers rather than plastic baggies, bring a refillable mug to work instead of using another Styrofoam cup each day (these may leach chemicals into your java!), and reuse paper towels that have dried your hands by storing them in a container under the sink (a large, empty coffee can works well) until needed to clean up spills and messes from kids and pets. Better yet, use cloth towels that can be washed and reused as much as possible.
Recycle items like tin and aluminum, paper, glass, and some plastics to reduce trash which helps by slowing down the rate at which we have to burn garbage or put it in landfills. That means more space and fresh air for everyone. Most importantly, recycling saves energy and reduces pollution. Did you know that recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run your TV for 3 hours?! Kennesaw has a fabulous recycling program. Email publicworks@kennesaw.ga.us to find out more. You can also find out where to recycle hazardous materials like paint and batteries at http://www.earth911.org/.
Conserve Natural Resources:
We all know about the drought our state is going through. Though we have enjoyed the blessings of snow and rain recently, don’t be fooled. We still have a long way to go to come out of it. Things we can each do include:
- Install water-efficient toilets – More water is used to flush toilets than any other source in the home – 45% being flushed away every day. Go to www.cobbcountyga.gov/ to find out more about retrofitting and rebates being offered by the county to upgrade to a low-flow toilets.
- Install low-flow shower heads to reduce consumption and take shorter showers.
- Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and shaving.
- Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when the loads are full. Newer dishwashers are energy efficient and will use less water than hand washing a sink full of dirty dishes.
- Repair any leaks promptly (even a tiny drip can waste hundreds of gallons a month!) and be on the lookout for water wasters. Report leaks to store or restaurant managers and ask to be notified when the repairs are done so they are accountable.
Preserve Natural Treasures:
One reason Kennesaw was named one of the “10 Best Towns for Families” is our greenspaces. We are blessed to have Kennesaw Mountain and its miles of trails. Preserving these areas to be enjoyed for generations to come is a high priority here.
Find out more about the Kennesaw Environmental Committee. You can join or just volunteer for special events. Meetings are the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the City Hall conference room.
Your eco-writer,
Lisa
No comments:
Post a Comment