According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans generated about 250 million tons of garbage in 2006. While more than 30 percent of trash is recycled, most of it still ends up in landfills. But reusing items can be as simple as joining an e-mail list.
The Colorado Springs Freecycle Group is one of more than 4,300 around the world. It’s a way for people to get things they need, or give away what they no longer want, and give a little back in return.
One man’s trash is another’s treasure. Over 1,000 people in the Grand Junction area are trying to keep items out of landfills.
They started a website called “Grand Junction FreeCycle.” It’s a site that allows users to post items they no longer need but don’t want to throw away. When members like what they see, they can request the item and get it for free.
The Huron Valley Green Team would like to thank all of the individuals, families, businesses and organizations that came together to make the second annual Huron Valley Earth Day Festival a success. More than 1,500 people attended this year’s festival, which hosted more than 50 vendors promoting green practices, all-ages workshops, activities, 7 musical acts and dozens of giveaways. More than 1,000 White Pine (Michigan’s State Tree) seedlings were distributed and our programs were printed on plantable paper that bloom wild flowers.
Hundreds of people made green pledges for 2008, saying they would recycle more or use energy efficient light bulbs. Others said they would stop using plastic bags. Still others committed to using less energy and unplugging computers, appliances and electronics when not in use. Some pledged to eat more local and organic foods while others pledged to eat less meat and more green.
With apologies to Kermit — it’s actually pretty easy being green.
All it takes is a little extra effort and some ecological know-how, and your family can reduce the size of its “eco footprint” — that trendy term that is the measure of the amount of nature’s resources your family consumes in a given year.
Hanover - Several years ago, my husband pulled into our driveway with his pickup truck and said, “Honey, you’ve got to come with me to this yard sale. They’re giving everything away for free!”
We drove up the street, following the signs to the “Yard Free.” A family was moving out of state and downsizing from a large Colonial home to a condo. Rather than try to sell the items they didn’t need anymore, they were just giving them away. They probably figured that they could get rid of a lot more stuff that way. And I’m sure they did. We took home a patio umbrella, a lounge chair, a set of bowling balls in their own custom bag, a set of four outdoor chairs, and plenty more that I can’t recall at this point.
Thanks are due to Heather Cass, who in her “Good Morning” column, offered easy steps for reducing carbon footprints (Erie Times-News, April 14).
Some of these suggestions are new to me, and I will be following her advice. I also have a tip to share. The local branch of Freecycle, a national organization, encourages passing on old or unwanted items to anyone who has a use for them.
MILAN - From campers to bearded dragons, a former Milan couple has been making it easy for local residents to find good homes for their prized possessions.
Advertisement
Just over four years ago, Nancy Castleman and Marc Eisenson started the Hudson Valley Freecycle Network. The first large item they gave away from their Milan home was an outdoor playset their grandchildren had used.
That helps explain why Earth Day has become so big again, why products are all going “green” and why freecycle.org, an Internet community bulletin board where members offer items for free, has grown in five years from a dozen members in Tucson, Ariz., to a network of over 3,000 cities in 80 countries.
Deron Beal, the site’s founder, counts 4 million members, and growing by 20,000 to 50,000 members each week.
“People have many reasons for freecycling,” said Beal. “But the biggest reason is environmental — reusing and recycling instead of helping create more waste.”
FILL YOUR HOUSE WITH WHITE GOODS FOR FREE
Rather than buying a new fridge-freezer or sofa, look online for a serviceable second-hand model in your area.
According to Mark Dampier, from stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown, decent white goods and home furnishings are being given away at sites such as Freecycle (www.freecycle.org).
The website matches people who have things they want to get rid of with other people nearby who can use them. It’s cost-effective, and keeps usable items out of landfills. All you have to do is turn up and collect.
Another website called Freecycle.org lets you trade things for free. It’s an online message board that shows you what others in your community have, want and need. You set up a free account and let the trading begin!
So for Carrico, he says this is just the beginning of hunting down trash to turn into treasure.
Powered by WordPress