Happy Earth Day! 

Excitement abounds in the Mahoning Valley as residents prepare to celebrate Earth Day. And while pandemic restrictions are still limiting many in-person events, nonetheless, plans are moving forward in creative  and imaginative ways. 

Although it is not listed as an official Earth Day event, The Child Care and Learning Center of New Middletown will host a virtual art show on April 16 with an environmental component. All of the artwork will be made with recovered material! For  information about the art show, visit the Child Care Center on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CCLCofNM/.

The Green Team will be busy throughout the entire month of April “Zooming” into schools with Earth Day presentations. In addition, schools will be offered the opportunity to participate in two special promotions. Students in grades k-12 can take part in the “Rethink Your Drink” campaign, which encourages students to choose refillable water bottles rather than drinking from a single-use container. This campaign will reward students who use refillable water bottles by entering their names into a drawing to win Earth-friendly prizes.  New this year, will be a promotion for preschool and kindergarten students to participate in the  “Earth Day Sidewalk Challenge.” This campaign will involve students getting outside to create artwork with an environmental theme, taking photographs of their creations and submitting them to the Green Team. The artwork will then be featured on the Green Team Facebook page and each participating school will be awarded an Earth-friendly prize. 

On April 21, the Youngstown Environmental Sustainability Society (YESS) plans to host a virtual event with guest speakers from local environmental agencies. On   April 22, “Sustaining Bliss”, Mahoning County’s  only zero-waste store, will conclude its month-long drawing for Earth-friendly prizes and will offer exciting promotions and giveaways for children and adults.

Whatever your plans are for Earth Day, I hope you take time to enjoy and appreciate the wonders of nature and all that the Earth provides.

                         ~ Kim Lewis 

Beyond The Bin

Learn to Compost With the Green Team

Did you know that nearly ¼ of the waste stream is composed of organic material that can easily be recycled? The process for recycling organics is called composting, and the Green Team is conducting a class to teach you all about it!  On Wednesday, April 28, the Green Team will host a lunch and learn compost seminar on Zoom beginning at 12:00 pm and lasting approximately 30 minutes. Preregistration is required and must be  completed by April 14. The cost for the seminar is $10.00 for Mahoning County residents and $40.00 for non-residents. The seminar will include a  training session with video instruction and open discussion. Registrants will receive a backyard compost bin, instructional booklet and trouble-shooting guide. If you would like to participate in this activity, please call the Green Team at 330.740.2060 and request a registration form. Reservations are limited and pre-registration is required.
 
 ~ Kim Lewis

Discover Your Library

Just because there are limited in-person activities at the library, doesn’t mean you should overlook this resource. In fact, The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County is revving up for the Summer Discovery Program and there are plenty of exciting activities planned.

This year’s Summer Discovery theme is titled “Imagine Your Story” and will include virtual performances by top notch entertainers, science programs by guest presenters, as well as community cooking courses, story time live, and family game nights presented by librarians. Simply speaking, there is something for everyone! 

Summer Discovery, which runs from June 1-July 31, will  offer perks to program participants who sign up for the experience. To learn more, visit the library’s website.

The Business of Recycling

The Green Team’s mission to divert material from local landfills involves many efforts and one that stands out and continues to grow is the “Business Paper Recycling Program.”  With paper- related products comprising up to 40% of the solid waste stream, this is an obvious and easy way to reduce waste in the  workplace. In addition to diverting this material from the landfill, recycling paper boasts a number of other conservation benefits. For example, did you know that for every ton of every paper recycled, you conserve 17 trees, cut pollution by 95% and save 7,000 gallons of water? As you can see, recycling paper is definitely worth the effort.

If your business is interested in the Green Team’s “Business Paper Recycling Program,” please contact us. We’re always eager to help businesses and the environment 

Environmental Quote

“In nature, there is  no waste; everything is connected to everything else; everything must go someplace; and there is no such thing as a free lunch.”

~ Barry Commoner  

Attention Spring Planters

Home-Safe-Home

Are you aware that Americans generate 1.6 million tons of household hazardous waste per year? It’s true. During its occupancy, the average home can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of household hazardous waste in the basement and the garage. This material, when improperly disposed of, can pose health risks for people and the environment. So, what can we do to combat this problem? The solution is simple. We can replace household hazardous waste with Earth-friendly alternatives. Here is a list of ideas to help you get started with this project.        
Instead of:

Instead of: Drain Cleaner  Use: ½ cup of baking soda followed by ½ cup of white vinegar. Wait a minute then flush with boiling  water


Instead of: Glass Cleaner  Use:1 part vinegar + 1 part water

Instead of: Air Freshener  Use: small dish of lemon juice, baking soda, or  essential oils

Instead of: Furniture Polish  Use: 1 part lemon juice to 2 parts mineral oil

Instead of: Toilet Bowl Cleaner  Use: baking soda or a pumice stone for really tough rust stains

Spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Spring Household Hazardous Waste Collection
The Green Team is once again providing an opportunity for collecting household hazardous material. On Saturday, May 18, The Household Hazardous Waste Collection will be held at the Canfield Fairgrounds from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. The collection hours listed below are designated by last name:

A-F 9:00 am-11:00 pm     G-N 11:00 am-1:00 pm          O-Z 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

The following HOUSEHOLD items will be accepted:
Thinners, Automotive Fluids, Pool Chemicals, Bleach , Antifreeze, Used Motor Oil, Solvents Poisons, Aerosol Cans, Propane Cylinders, Photo Chemicals, Stains, Lighter Fluid, Adhesive/Glue, Wood Preservatives, Greases, Roof Coatings, Car Batteries, Household Cleaners, Pesticides , Varnish, Gasoline, Oil Based & Spray Paint (5 gallon limit), Insecticides, Herbicides, Cylinder fluorescent bulbs, Acids

Latex paint will not be accepted. Dispose of Latex paint by hardening with sand or kitty litter and placing with regular household waste.
Also, please note that compact fluorescent light bulbs may be recycled at Home Depot or Lowes. If you have any questions regarding this special collection, please contact the Green Team. 

The Great American Clean Up

The Great American Cleanup is the country’s largest community improvement program that kicks off in more than 20,000 communities each spring.  This national program engages more than 5 million volunteers and participants who take action in their communities every year to create positive change and lasting impact. Did you know that individuals are much more likely to litter where littering already exists?  Let’s end this cycle together.     

Please consider becoming a part of the Great American Cleanup  and organize a “Clean Your Block Party” sharing in the responsibility to improve our communities. Preventing litter requires changing individual behavior.

If you would like to pick up litter in your community, please call the Green Team for supplies. In 2020, due to Covid 19, most clean-ups were suspended. However, in 2019 over 1500 dedicated volunteers participated in community clean-ups and collected 12.6 tons of litter. Hopefully 2021 will be another successful year.

No Drugs Down The Drain

12 Ways to Care for the Earth

1. Collect cans, glass, paper & plastic for recycling.
2. Pack a zero-waste lunch.
3. Plant a tree! Trees clean the air and provide wildlife habitat.
4. Save water. Take short showers.
5. Donate reusable items to charity.
6. Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth.
7. Reduce waste. Shop with a reusable tote bag.
8. Save energy. Turn off lights when you leave a room.
9. Save marine life. Pick up litter at the beach.
10. Reduce plastic consumption. Use a travel mug and refillable water bottle.
11. Never litter.
12. Be a friend to the Earth. Make every day Earth Day.

Safe the Rainforest With a Click

Help protect wildlife habitat by visiting The Rainforest Site and clicking on the green rectangle. This small gesture will cost you nothing  and will greatly benefit the environment. Visit https://therainforestsite.greatergood.com/clicktogive/trs/home and get started today!

April 2021

17 - *Drop off material for Angels for Animals Garage Sale
18 - *Drop off material for Angels for Animals Garage Sale
21 - *YSU Earth Day
22 - *Earth Day Sustaining Bliss
22 - *YSU Tree Dedication 
23 - *Angels for Animals Garage Sale begins
24 - *DEA Drug Take -Back Day
24 - *Angels for Animals Garage Sale
25 - * Earth Day @ Sebring Trinity Lutheran Church
25 - *Angels for Animals Garage Sale ends
30 - *Arbor Day

May 2021

June 2021 

Scholarship Opportunity

The Ohio Association of Litter Prevention and Recycling Professionals (OALPRP) is offering a $1,000.00 scholarship to a deserving student from Ohio. To qualify for the scholarship, a student must:

• Plan to enroll or currently be enrolled at an accredited Ohio college, university, or technical school.
• Have declared or plan to declare a major relating to environmental sciences or  environmental education.
• Reside in Ohio.

OALPRP scholarship forms may be downloaded at www.oalprp.org or obtained by contacting the Green Team at 330-740-2060. Deadline for submission is April 15, 2021.

Completed forms can be e-mailed to Scholarship Chair Katrina Carpenter at [email protected]
or sent by USPS to OALPRP Scholarship c/o Perry County Waste Reduction & Recycling, PO Box 621, New Lexington, OH 43764. Forms sent by postal mail should be postmarked by April 15. 

Any questions or assistance regarding scholarship applications may be directed to Kim Lewis at the Green Team.

What On Earth Can You Do With

• Lids from Pringles cans? - donate them to the Green Team Education Department
• Plastic grocery bags? - recycle them at a retail outlet
• Empty gift cards? - mail them to the Green Team
• Motor oil?  - recycle it at an auto parts store
• Leftover latex paint? - harden it with kitty litter and place in house-hold trash
• Packaging material? - contact a UPS or FedEx Store
• CFL’s? - recycle at Home Depot or Lowe’s
• An old American flag? - retire it at the Veterans Service Commission
• Ink jet cartridges? - contact Staples or Empties 4 Cash
• Household batteries? - recycle them at any MC Library
• Eyeglasses? - contact a local Lions Club
• Other unique material? - Call the Green Team at 330.740.2060 for options.

The YSU Legacy Forests Program is hosting a tree dedication ceremony on Earth Day, April 22. This project is being conducted to increase awareness about the importance of trees in the fight against climate change. The ceremony will begin at 2:00 pm and take place on the west side of Tod Hall. The public is invited; Covid precautions will be in place.

Earth Day Activities Online

Visit the following websites for Earth Day games and activities you can enjoy with your children.

1. www.lifewire.com/free-online-earth-day-games-1356768
2. www.legendsoflearning.com/earth-day-games/
3. www.crazy4computers.net/earth-day.html
4. www.primarygames.com/holidays/earth_day/earthday
5. www.plt.org/educator-tips/earth-day-activities/
6. www.pinterest.com/pin/205547170474667251/
7. www.earthday.org/more-digital-resources/
8. www.internet4classrooms.com/links_grades_kindergarten
   
   

A Word About Wipes

Baby wipes, disinfecting wipes, personal hygiene wipes, wet wipes, flushable wipes. These products have become increasingly popular in the war against COVID-19, but consumers need to realize that it is dangerous to flush these products down the toilet. Flushing a wipe is just like flushing a piece of cloth. It clogs sewer systems,  damages equipment and may lead to basements flooding. According to information posted by Mahoning County Engineer Pat Ginnetti, Mahoning County has 40,000 customers in the sanitary sewer system. During the past year, Ginnetti has regularly encouraged people to throw wipes away and not flush them down the toilet. This simply makes sense.

If you’re using any type of wipe, please act responsibly and throw it away. Wipes flushed down the toilet will only lead to problems. 

Contamination Concerns

In an effort to reduce contamination, Republic Services is continuing its distribution of  “OOPS” tags to curbside customers as part of an educational campaign. If you would like more information about this topic, call us at 330.740.2060.

As always, The Mahoning County Green Team is committed to serving the recycling and waste reduction needs of the public.

For further information about recycling and other  solid waste management programs, visit our website at 
www.greenteam.cc    
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