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Inside this issue- Compost Seminar
- Nursery Pot Re-
- cycling
- Nursery Pot Reuse
- Summer Reading
- Business Recycling
- Home-Safe-Home
- Medication Info.
- HHW Collection
- Litter Clean-ups
- Earth-friendly Tips
- Calendar of Events
- Scholarship Info
- A Word About Wipes
- Curbside Recycling Update
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 Chloe Lobby - Gr. 4
Holy Family School
South Ave. & McClurg
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Mahoning County Unveils WinnersThe Green Team is proud to announce the winners of the newly developed “Earth Day Billboard Contest.” This competition, which was open to students in grades four - eight, resulted in five hundred entries being submitted from nine schools, with winning artwork selected for each grade level. Keeping the “Earth Day” theme in mind, students were advised to focus their messages on the 3 R’s, environmental beautification, and litter prevention. The names of the winners, their creative designs, and locations of the billboards are:
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 SkyleeShay Gline - Gr. 5
Boardman Center Intrm.
SR 46 @ Willow Crest
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 Ella Cataldo - Gr. 6
Lowellville Elem.
SR 46 @ Willow Creek
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 Stella Zippay - Gr. 7
West Branch MS
SR 224 @ Taco Bell
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 Gabriella Memo - Gr. 8
Holy Family School
South Ave & Windham Ct.
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Billboards will be on display April 3 - May 6.
In addition to the artwork selected for billboards, other notable entries were received and will be featured on our Facebook page during Earth Week. This will give more people an opportunity to admire and appreciate the dedication and talent that was applied to this promotion. The Green Team would like to thank everyone who participated in this exciting project. Through our efforts, we are making the world a better place.
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Earth Day EventsExcitement abounds in the Valley as residents prepare to celebrate Earth Day. Beginning April 1 and ending April 23, Sustaining Bliss will be conducting a “Refill Not Landfill” campaign. During this promotion, residents who stop in the store for refills will be entered into a drawing to win Earth-friendly prizes. What a great idea!
On April 18, beginning at 7 pm, Jamey Emmert, Wildlife Communications Specialist for ODNR, will be delivering a presentation at Sebring Trinity Lutheran Church titled: Comeback Critters - Stories of Conservation Success. Anyone interested in protecting wildlife and the local environment, won’t want to miss this!
On April 20, YSU will host an Earth Day celebration in the Chestnut Room at Kilcawley Center featuring displays provided by local environmental groups. Beginning at 10 am and ending at 3 pm, visitors may peruse exhibits and pick up educational material about a variety of “green” programs. This event will truly have something for everyone.
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Learn to Compost with the Green TeamDid you know that over 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 Sunday, May 15, the Green Team will host a compost seminar at Trinity Lutheran Church located at the corner of 12th St. and Pine Lake Rd. in Sebring. The session will begin at 1:00 pm and last approximately one hour. 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. Preregistration is required. ~ Kim Lewis
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Attention Spring PlantersNursery pots can be recycled at Bending Oak Permaculture Farm in Youngstown or Rivers Bend Farm in Alliance. Nursery pots cannot be recycled in Green Team bins.
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Swim into Summer Fun at the LibraryHey kids! Join us this summer at Mahoning County libraries as we share a thought provoking book titled: Somebody Swallowed Stanley. This adventurous tale, written by Sarah Roberts and illustrated by Hanna Peck, contains a powerful message about plastic pollution and is told through the eyes of a plastic bag that gets swallowed by various marine animals before ending up inside a turtle that eventually gets rescued. After story time, children will decorate Earth-friendly tote bags to take home and will receive coloring books and recycling information to share with their parents.
This activity is recommended for children in grades Pre-K through 3. Refer to the library schedule at left for the location nearest you.
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Summer Reading Library Schedule June 20222 Campbell 10 am 3 Sebring 10 am 9 Tri-Lakes 11:30 am 9 East 11:30 am 15 Struthers 11:30 am 16 Springfield 11:30 am 17 Poland 10 am 21 Newport 11 am 22 Boardman 10 am 23 M. Kusalaba 11 am 24 Main 11 am 27 Canfield 10 am 29 Austintown 10 am
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The Business of RecyclingThe 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 approximately 25% 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 paper recycled, you conserve 17 trees, cut pollution by 95% and save 7,000 gallons of water? As you can see, recycling paper is is truly 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 become a bit more “green.”
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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
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Home-Safe-HomeAre 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. At right is a list of ideas to help you get started with this project.
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 Glass Cleaner - Use 1 part vinegar + 1 part water
Air Freshener - Use small dish of lemon juice, baking soda, or essential oils
Furniture Polish - Use 1 part lemon juice to 2 parts mineral oil
Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Use baking soda or a pumice stone for really tough rust stains
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No Drugs Down the DrainYou can drop off unwanted prescriptions at the following permanent locations: - Austintown PD
- Beaver Twp. PD
- Boardman PD
- Canfield PD
- Goshen Twp. PD
- Lowellville City Hall
- MC Sheriff’s Office
- Milton Twp. PD
- New Middletown PD
- Poland Gov’t. Center
- Sebring PD
- Springfield Twp. PD
- Struthers City Hall
- YSU PD
Please be aware that sharps and liquid medication are not accepted. For more information visit www.DrugFreeMahoningCounty.org
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Spring Household Hazardous Waste CollectionThe Green Team is once again providing an opportunity for collecting household hazardous material. On Saturday, May 14, 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.
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The Great American CleanupThe 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 2021 over 500 dedicated volunteers participated in community clean-ups and collected multiple bags of litter. Hopefully 2022 will be another successful year.
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Members of the WBHS Environmental Club and members of the Sebring HS Ecology Club picked up litter in their communities during the 2021 Great American Cleanup.
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12 Ways to Care for the Earth- Collect cans, glass, paper & plastic for recycling.
- Pack a zero-waste lunch.
- Plant a tree! Trees clean the air and provide wildlife habitat.
- Save water. Take short showers.
- Donate reusable items to charity.
- Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth.
- Reduce waste. Shop with a reusable tote bag.
- Save energy. Turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Save marine life. Pick up litter at the beach.
- Reduce plastic consumption. Use a travel mug and refillable water bottle.
- Never litter.
- Be a friend to the Earth. Make every day Earth Day.
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Save the Rainforest with a ClickHelp 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!
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April 20224 - Earth Day Program for Pocket Pets 4-H 16 - Drop off material for Angels for Animals Garage Sale 18 - Drop off material for Angels for Animals Garage Sale - ODNR Presentation in Sebring 20 - YSU Earth Day 22- Angels for Animals Garage Sale begins - Earth Day Celebration at Damascus Elem. School 23 - Angels for Animals Garage Sale continues - Earth Day drawing at Sustaining Bliss 24 - Earth Day @ Sebring Trinity Lutheran Church - Angels for Animals Garage Sale ends 27 - Earth Day Program at Marian Living Center 29 - Arbor Day 30 - DEA Drug Take - Back Day May & June at a glance: May 14 - HHW Collection @ Canfield Fairgrounds JUNE 4 - Struthers Appliance Drive 25 - Canfield Twp. Appliance Drive For calendar updates, visit our website at www.greenteam.cc or follow us on Facebook
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Scholarship OpportunityThe 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 Jim Jerek at [email protected] or sent by USPS to OALPRP Scholarship c/o Mahoning County SWMD 345 Oak Hill Ave. , Suite 330, Youngstown, OH 44502. Forms sent by postal mail should be postmarked by April 15.
Any questions or assistance regarding scholarship applications may be directed to Kim Lewis, Nicholas DeMart, or Jim Jerek at the Green Team.
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40th Annual Millcreek MetroParks Earth Day CleanupOn April 23, more than 150 scouts and volunteers are expected to scour Mill Creek MetroParks in recognition of Earth Day to remove a buildup of litter and debris. However, even with this type of turnout expected, more helping hands are always appreciated. If you would like to participate in this activity, contact Mike Kupec, Mill Creek Earth Day Cleanup Chairman for the Boy Scouts at [email protected]
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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.
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A Word About WipesBaby 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 2 years, Ginnetti has regularly encouraged people to throw wipes away and not flush them in 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.
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Contamination ConcernsIn an effort to reduce contamination, Republic Services is continuing to distribute “OOPS” tags to curbside customers as part of an ongoing educational campaign. If you would like more information call us at 330.740.2060.
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For further information about recycling and other solid waste management programs, visit our website at www.greenteam.cc or follow us on facebook
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