Operation Trashdown

by Ilene Moyher

In honor of Earth Day April 22, 2011, let’s embrace "Operation Trashdown" as a way to help create a cleaner earth. Everyone can help by adopting the ‘less trash’ mindset in their shopping and daily routines. Three basics are:

• Reuse or recycle more than you throw away
• Consider product packaging – amount of packaging and whether it’s made of recycled or recyclable materials
• When buying, make choices based on where items will end up (in a landfill? recycled? a treasured keepsake? long usage life?)

Did you know that 38 billion water bottles end up in landfills every year, enough to circle the earth 150 times, and each bottle takes hundreds of years to decompose!  Most towns and venues offer recycling for these, so it’s an easy way to make a difference. Better yet, use your own bottle and water and save money, too. You can find this fun fact on the Today Show with Kathie Lee & Hoda. Click the link to see the segment for more ways to easily become greener.

Opportunities to recycle are plentiful – from cans, bottles, plastics, and newspapers to electronics to food (composting is easy and rewarding). In the coming weeks, we’ll post specific tips and information related to recycling and reusing.

In the meantime, Earth Day events are happening throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts in the next week or two, many focused on recycling and reusing. Here’s a sampling of the enjoyable and educational events open to the public:

• CT Department of Environmental Protection
• Family Events Throughout CT
• Earth Day Celebrations at the Garbage Museum, Stratford, CT
• NBC CT Electronics Recycling Drive (or Google Electronics Recycling and your town name to find the most convenient time and location for you).
• MA Department of Environmental Protection
• Massachusetts Horticultural Society Events

Please share these tips with your email, Twitter and Facebook pals. The efforts you are already taking to be green complement the Operation Trashdown mindset, and by spreading this concept, we can create a cleaner planet for future generations.

Happy Earth Day!

Image courtesy of EarthDay2011.com.

Comments

[Alex Wenman]

we have recently started recycling a lot more than we used to. one great idea which seems to sway people more toward recycling is one thing we are doing, we collect cans such as coca-cola or beer and if you manage to get a ton in weight the government will give you £800 think this is only applicable in the UK though

[julia]

We should all be aware of our environment and the impact things such as emissions from car fumes and people not recycling is having on the earth.

[sara]

It is amazing just what you can recycle once you get going, I recycle almost everything including carrier bags and clothing. Out local supermarket has recycling facilities and it is so worthwhile.

[Helen]

I have recently started to recycle and was astonished by just how much waste was recyclable. Our rubbish bin now only has to be put out every two weeks where as before it was out every week and over flowing. Recycling is the way forward.

[Joanne]

I recently have been buying my meat and fish from the market, in order to cut down on the amount of packaging which is thrown into our bin. It is important that other people take this on board and help in being able to sustain and protect the environment in which we live.

[Kim]

You got it! Keep the conversation going!

[Lauren]

Well said! We could all use these ideas to help the earth.