CT Green Scene

Operation Trashdown: Green Makes a Great Gift

by Ilene Moyher

Green does make a great gift, but not the kind of green that has dollar signs! You can give a meaningful ‘green’ gift to everyone, especially the next generation--the gift of a cleaner planet. A big part of this is keeping the less trash/less waste mindset when shopping. Everyone can make choices that will help. Unsure about this? Click here to read or watch about where trash ends up.

Whether shopping online, at chain stores, or at local shops, think about what impact the product has on the environment, and make purchases based on what feels right to you:

What Do a Shoe, a Cell Phone and Paint Have in Common?

by Ilene Moyher

They’re all recyclable – and sometimes even for charity! It may be cash raised by turning in recyclable items, or in some cases, the items are repurposed or reused by those in need. There’s also the huge benefit of keeping these things out of landfills.

Here are just a few examples of organizations that creatively recycle typical and atypical items, and make it easy to participate:

Clothes, Shoes and More: “Over 85% of all clothing purchased in the USA ends up in our landfills instead of being recycled.” (Source Clothes4Souls.org)

• Clothes4Souls and Soles4Souls – These groups divert tons of clothing and shoes (new and gently used) from our landfills. Clothes4Souls and Soles4Souls give to people living in extreme poverty and support micro-business efforts to eradicate poverty.
• PlanetAid.org is another organization that collects clothes and shoes to help people worldwide. Look for one of their bins located in regions throughout the U.S.
• Refer to Socially & Environmentally Responsible Shoes for fun eco-friendly shoe news. Lots of great things are happening, and hopefully next on the plate of shoe manufacturers will be to establish less packaging (ever notice that shoes are heavily packed with non-recyclable, non-reusable filler?).

Operation Trashdown: Make Less Trash and Use Less Cash This Summer

by Ilene Moyher

Eating outside is one of the best summer rituals – whether it’s a backyard cookout, a day at the beach, or a picnic in the park. Using disposable utensils, plates and cups, and pre-wrapped single-serve food items may seem like a good idea. But consider a new way of thinking: Let generating less trash become as or more important than convenience. In the long run, it will pay off for everyone. Teach kids to aim for a waste-free, trash-free event by bringing reusable plates, cups and utensils (which can be easily rinsed off or put in the dishwasher when you get home). Not only will you create less trash and save valuable resources, you’ll save money. Those disposable items can be quite pricey!