Be The Change

Each year on December 31st at the stroke of midnight, people everywhere make New Year's resolutions. And despite good intentions, research suggests that only 8% of these resolutions will be realized and 50% will be ditched by the end of February. So, for 2023 instead of setting unachievable goals, try incorporating all or some of these Earth-friendly habits into your life. 

1. Use a refillable water bottle. Each year making water bottles used in the U.S. takes enough oil and energy to fuel 1.3 million cars. What a waste!
2. Remember your reusable tote. While  a majority of Americans agree that it is wise to shop with a reusable tote bags, many admit to leaving bag, many admit to leaving their bags in the car. When you consider the negative effects plastic bags have on wildlife and the environment, it makes perfect sense that shopping with your reusable tote should be a priority in the new year and beyond.
3. Pick up litter. It is so simple. If each Green Scene reader would pick up 1 piece of litter per day, it would add up to over 1 million pieces of litter per year.
4. Buy local. Reduce the  impact  that transportation takes on the environment by shopping for locally produced goods and services. 
5. Donate to save lives. There are many animal charities that can benefit from your generosity. If you are unable to make  a cash donation, most  charities have a wish list posted on their websites  that request new and used items.   
6. Consider Meatless Mondays. When you limit meat consumption you conserve water, reduce fuel dependence, and curb greenhouse gasses. Such great incentives!

So go ahead and do it.  By adopting some or all of these Earth-friendly habits into your life, you’ll make the world a healthier and happier place in the new year.

~ Kim Lewis

Know Before You Throw

It’s wonderful that many people participate in Green Team recycling programs,  but it’s important that everyone knows how to recycle correctly.  Putting the wrong material in the bins creates problems for material handlers and causes program costs to soar. So...know before you throw. Materials permitted in recycling bins are:

• Commingled fibers
• Glass bottles & jars
• Food & beverage cans
• Plastic bottles & jugs
• Cartons

Materials not permitted in recycling bins are:

• Plastic bags
• Styrofoam
• Plastic furniture / toys
• Food residue / liquids
• Clothes hangers
• Anything that tangles

For more information about this topic, please call us at 330-740-2060.    

Winter Deicing Advice

• Shovel snow before it turns to ice to limit the need for deicing  chemicals like salt.
• Shovel snow onto grassy areas. This will allow water to soak into the ground rather than overtax storm drains. 

• Control application of chemical deicers & avoid over application.
• Use salt substitutes that are less harmful to the environment including Calcium Chloride and Magnesium Chloride.  
• After snowmelt, sweep up residues to prevent products from washing into storm drains.     

Environmental Quote

“If love and peace can prevail on Earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature’s gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever.” 

  ~ Jimmy Carter

Cold Weather Composting Tips

What Happens to Holiday Trees?

For the past 30 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.

Expressions of Love

World Water Day

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

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