Vow to Drink Responsibly in 2018

   When the bottled water craze began in the 1970’s many people dismissed it as a passing fad. Water was available on tap. Who in the world would pay for such a commodity? Fast forward to today and observe how that “passing fad” has evolved  into a multi-billion dollar industry.  According to the website www.bottledwater.org  Americans pay an average of $1.57 for an eight ounce bottle of water and purchase more than a half billion bottles every week. This is a staggering amount.
   
   So... what kind of  impact does this obsession with bottled water have on the 
environment? Here are some interesting facts: 

• 40% of bottled water is tap water.
• Bottling and shipping water is the least energy efficient method ever used to supply water.
• Each year, making plastic water bottles used in the U.S. takes enough oil and energy to fuel a million cars. 
• Bottled water is now the  most popular beverage in the United States.
• 90% of the cost of bottled water is due to the bottle itself.
• Only 20% of water bottles are recycled. 

Earth-Day-to- Earth Placemat Contest

    Another exciting “Earth Day to Earth Day Placemat Contest” has arrived!  Students in grades one through eight in all Mahoning County public and private schools are encouraged to enter this year’s contest.  One winner from each grade will receive a $25 gift card from Dominion.

   To enter, a student must design a poster with a theme based upon the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, or Recycle) or an anti-litter theme.  They may be made with crayon, colored pencil, or markers on 8 and 1/2” by 11” paper or 11” by 17” paper, nothing larger. These are due at the Green Team office by 4:30 pm on Friday, March 16, 2018. 

   Placemats will be made from the winning posters, and laminated copies will be given to the winning artists at an awards’ ceremony at a Mahoning County Commissioners’ meeting in May.  If you have questions, call the Green Team at 330-740-2060.

Eating Clean & Green in 2018

If you’ve resolved to eating  healthier this year, you’ll probably be adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet. However, it is important to note that fruits and vegetables are not always grown in an Earth-friendly way. Most of the crops produced today contain harmful pesticides.

   To avoid eating food contaminated with pesticides, consumers should consider buying organic produce. This is especially important when it comes to particular crops that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) calls the “Dirty Dozen.” Compiled by using  data from the USDA, EWG found that the fruits & vegetables posted on the following list contained the highest amount of pesticide residue after cleansing. The list includes:  

• strawberries
• spinach
• nectarines
• apples
• peaches
• pears
• cherries
• grapes
• celery
• tomatoes
• sweet bell peppers
• potatoes

   Please keep this list in mind the next time you shop. You’ll be making healthier choices for you & the planet.

Winter Deicing Tips

Excess salt and other deicing chemicals can harm aquatic life in our streams and impact drinking water supplies. This winter, you can help by following these Earth-friendly snow removal    practices:

• 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. 

   If you must use deicing chemicals, follow these suggestions:

• Control application of chemical deicers and avoid overapplication.
• 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. 

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