Inside this issue

YSU Recycling
Winter Magic
Composting Tips
Env. Quote
Holiday Trees
Valentine Gifts
World Water Day
Christmas Tree Recycling
E-Waste News

Be The Change

In 2022, be the change you want to see in the world. Become informed about environmental is-sues and take steps to improve your surroundings. For example, when you see litter marring the scenery, stop and pick it up. If you see litter regularly in a specific place, consider joining a group that participates in the Green Team’s Adopt-A-Spot Program. We’re always happy to support clean-up efforts by providing the necessary tools and service required for the project.

Of course, to reduce litter at its source, reduce overall consumption of material goods; especially single-use plastic. Single-use plastic has become such an environmental nightmare that many regions around the world are passing laws to re-move these products from businesses or at least curb their availability. If you live in a community that is implementing these changes, count your blessings. If not, please take it upon yourself to do the right thing and eliminate single-use plastics from your life.

It’s fitting to note that the health of our environment has a direct impact on our personal health. This is another area where positive changes can be made. For example, do you know where your food comes from and are you satisfied with the source? Have you read the research on sustainable farming practices and explored the idea of purchasing organic products? Are you up-to-date on Monterey Bay's Earth-friendly seafood list? There is a wealth of information on the internet that deals with these topics. It’s all at your finger-tips.

I hope that in 2022, you’ll be the change you want to see in the world. By doing so, you’ll make a world of difference.

~ Kim Lewis

OOPS!

In an effort to reduce contamination, Republic Services is continuing to distribute “OOPS” tags to curbside customers as part of an ongoing educational campaign. It is hoped that this effort will improve recycling and make the process more efficient. To learn more about this undertaking, call the Green Team at 330.740.2060.

YSU Gears Up For “Campus Race to Zero Waste”

Youngstown State University will be participating for the 17th year in the national “Campus Race to Zero Waste” (CRZW) competition, formerly known as RecycleMania, beginning January 31, 2022-March 26, 2022. In 2021, YSU earned a first-place finish in the state of Ohio against eight other schools and placed 10th overall in the competition.

CRZW is a friendly com-petition between colleges and universities across the US and Canada. Schools compete to see who can reduce, reuse, and recycle the most on-campus waste for coveted bragging rights – and a handcrafted recycled/repurposed trophy for the overall winner! YSU finished last year’s competition with a recycling rate of 55% by recovering approximately 170,000 pounds of recyclable material that was generated on campus!

To encourage more recycling, YSU uses CRZW to increase awareness. Prior to the pandemic, students were acknowledged and rewarded with an Earth-friendly prize when they were caught “green-handed” by YSU recycling staff. As with 2021, however, social distancing is still in practice, so all promotions are non-contact and promoted solely through YSU digital billboards.

Winter Magic in Your Own Backyard

During winter, I love to watch the birds at my backyard feeders. Cardinals, blue jays, chickadees and others provide an array of lovely color against a snowy background. This steady activity reminds me of how essential it is to feed birds when natural food is scarce.

Supporting wildlife programs and conveying this message to children is important. That is why during winter, Green Team educators regularly conduct classroom presentations encouraging children to get involved. We always begin by sharing a story that illustrates the message and follow up with an enrichment activity that allows students to create bird feeders for home.

I hope that you will open your hearts and support wildlife by feeding the birds this winter. It is truly a magical experience that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

~ Kim Lewis

Environmental Quote

You can’t have healthy people without a healthy planet and we will need to work together across all sectors to improve planetary health. I believe that human health and the environment are inextricably linked.”

~Sonali Sharma, Senior Director of Sustainability and Engagement,
Johnson & Johnson

Cold Weather Composting Tips

While its true that the decomposition process slows down during winter, this is no reason to abandon your compost pile. Just follow these helpful tips for winter composting:

Make sure that your backyard bin is located near your house. No one wants to walk far in knee-deep snow.
Don’t turn your pile when it’s really cold. Turning lets all that valuable heat out that fungus and bacteria need to survive.
Make sure that you add shredded newsprint or autumn leaves to your pile for a good source of carbon.? Don’t water your pile. Watering is unnecessary since the pile is mostly inactive.
Cut food scraps into smaller pieces. This will expedite the composting process.
Keep smiling. Soon it will be spring.

What Happens to Holiday Trees?

For the past 29 years, the Green Team has provided a Christmas tree recycling program for Mahoning Valley residents. In spite of the artificial tree’s popularity, cut trees are still enjoyed by many people. Therefore, it is important to provide recycling opportunities for discarded trees so that they don’t end up in a landfill.

When you take your cut tree to one of our participating drop-off sites, you can
be sure that it will be recycled. When the program originated in 1992, trees were mulched at each collection site and used in community landscaping projects. Beginning in 2007, however, the program experienced a change. For the past 14 years we have been donating trees to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) for use as wildlife habitat. Through this partnership, over a million pounds of trees have been diverted from the waste stream and submerged in local lakes for fish structures.

If you are one of the persons still enjoying a cut Christmas tree during the holidays, please remember to recycle. A list of designated drop-off sites is printed at the bottom of this publication. Trees will be accepted until January 31.

ODNR staff place Christmas trees in area lakes for wildlife habitat.

Expressions of Love

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, many of you will be searching for the perfect gift. This year, in addition to expressing your love for that special some-one, why not express appreciation for the one who loves you unconditionally: Mother Nature.

You can save trees and support wildlife by sending your beloved an e-card from the World Wildlife Fund. Visit www.worldwildlife.org for options.

After you have selected a card, you’ll want to buy a gift. If chocolate is on your list, be sure that it is eco-friendly. The Rainforest Alliance and The Arbor Day Foundation both sell delicious shade-grown organic chocolates that are farmed using fair trade practices. Flowers should be selected in a similar fashion. For a list of florists that offer organic, fair-trade flowers, visit www.citrussleep.com/eco-friendly-living/top-fair-trade-organic-natural-flowers.

Finally, if your sweetheart likes bling, be sure to ask your jeweler about sustainably mined gemstones. Better yet, check out an estate sale or second-hand store and buy a vintage piece. You just might be surprised at the treasures you’ll find.

For a list of “green” Valentine’s Day
tips, check out www.earthshare.org

World Water Day

World Water Day, celebrated on March 22, is an international observance day. The intention is to inspire people around the world to learn more about water-related issues and to take action to make a difference. A wonderful way to observe this special day is to make changes in your life that incorporate water conservation measures. These measures include:

Only drinking water from a refillable container.
Turning off the water while you brush your teeth.
Running the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads.
Watering your lawn only when it needs it.
Capturing rainwater.
Keeping your plumbing in good repair.
Xeriscaping your yard.
Composting food & yard waste then applying the compost instead of using harsh fertilizers.
Taking short showers instead of baths.
Installing low flow fixtures

E-Waste News

If you received a new computer, TV or other electronic device for Christmas please remember to recycle your old unit. For a complete list of local electronic recycling facilities visit our website at www.greenteam.cc and refer to the recycling catalog. And remember: Always phone ahead for specific information about electronic and all recycling programs.

Post-Holiday Reminder

Between now and January 31, gift-wrap and greeting cards will be accepted at all Mahoning County drop-off sites and at the curb. Be sure that paper is loose or in a
brown paper bag. Plastic bags are not permitted in any of the Green Team bins. Cut trees will be accepted at the locations listed below:

Austintown Twp. Park - 6000 Kirk Rd.
Beloit Village Park-17910 5th St, Beloit
Berlin Twp. Bldg.- St. Rt. 224, Berlin Center
City of Campbell - Warhurst Rd. @ salt dome
Canfield Twp. Fire Station - 5007 Messerly Rd.
Craig Beach / Milton Twp. - 1979 Grandview, next to fire station
Ellsworth Twp. Fire Station.- St. Rt. 45, Ellsworth
Goshen Twp. Maintenance Garage - 12649 Seacrist Rd, Salem
Green Twp. Cemetery - Intersection of St. Rt. 165 & Beaver Creek Rd.
Jackson Twp. Admin. Bldg., 10613 Mahoning Ave, N. Jackson
Lowellville Village St. Dept.- 3 W. McGaffney Rd.
New Middletown / Springfield - 10720 Struthers Rd, at recycling center
Poland Twp. Rd. Dept.-7508 Clingan Rd.
Struthers City provides curbside pick-up
Youngstown - CCA Building (former South Library) 1771 Market St.

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