News
Opinion
ENLARGE
We all love our blue lake and sky and have no desire to see that turn green — but let's keep it that way too. There is so much that everyone can do to help. Even young children can get into green projects to learn how to help our environment each day. Your age really doesn't matter — helping our environment is important for everyone.
We all know about simple ways to recycle, but what other things can we all do to start making a difference? You might be surprised at how simple some of the things are and what an impact they can have if everyone at Tahoe takes the time to do them. It takes only a few minutes to add one new way to save our environment into your daily routine.
Paper is everywhere. It comes in the mail, the kids bring it home from school and at work, desks are covered with papers. What can you do with it?
Kids can recycle papers from school at the end of each week. Or they can use them as scrap paper. Put a stop to annoying junk mail that is filling up your mail box by going online to www.directmail.com/directory/mail_preference/ and enter information on the free Do Not Mail List form. At work, save papers by not printing out e-mails, or by sending more e-mails. And of course instead of using paper or plastic grocery bags, use reusable cloth bags every time you shop, not just for groceries but in other stores as well.
Some items help save our environment as well as save on your grocery bill. Try replacing paper napkins with cloth napkins. Instead of paper towels for wiping hands, use cloth ones and for cleaning up spills, use rags or old towels. When planning a party, purchase environmentally friendly supplies.
And this includes planning a fundraiser. For example, last year's Xstream Clean was a zero-waste event. So was last year's annual Crab and Pasta Feed, sponsored by the Incline High School Boosters club, which is planning a second no-waste event this year.
“Last year we had two bags of garbage at the end of the event,” said Julie Higgins, one of the organizers of this year's event. “And we are hoping to cut it down more during this year's.”
Instead of using plastic wrap, plastic storage bags or foil to store leftovers or other food items, purchase reusable containers. The containers work great for taking lunch at school or work or even on picnics.
Here's a big item for the families of Tahoe. Disposable diapers take up 1 percent of America's landfills and take 500 years to decompose. Cotton diapers can be reused 100 times and decompose in one to six months. What can Tahoe families do about this? Use cloth diapers along with diaper covers made from 100 percent wool to hold in the moisture.
Recycle the toner cartridges for your printer. In 1995 recycled toner cartridges kept 21,000 tons of trash out of landfills. Ask when purchasing your toner where to recycle the old cartridge.
Buy products that are reusable too. Instead of disposable razors, purchase a metal one that can be used over and over. If you do use metal or foil pans for pies or roasting, use these pans over and over instead of using once and throwing out.
Be sure to donate items like clothing, appliances, outgrown toys and furniture. We have several options in our area with both thrift shops and consignment stores.
Cleaning supplies are another way to help our environment. Most of the supplies purchased are heavy duty and of course toxic. It is much better to use basic items such as vinegar and water along with rags.
“Use less toxic stuff and eliminate heavy duty cleaners,” said Madonna Dunbar, of Waste Not Incline Village General Improvement District's recycling program.
Waste Not will take most of the heavy duty cleaners you currently use and dispose of them for you. Check out Waste Not's website for items that can be disposed of free at www.ivgid.org/conservation/waste_not.
Of course it helps to make recycling easier for everyone too. Whether it is at the office or in your home recycle bins that are conveniently located are used. Have you noticed how easy it is to pick up your mail and leave the junk mail in the big bins at the post office? Keep a bin or box at your desk, have boxes for recycling toys, school papers and clothes inside a closet or storage area where they are convenient.
Now that you have a few ideas for projects, let's make Tahoe a zero waste community.
— Jean Eick is community editor of the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza; she can be reached for comment at jeick@tahoebonanza.com.
We all know about simple ways to recycle, but what other things can we all do to start making a difference? You might be surprised at how simple some of the things are and what an impact they can have if everyone at Tahoe takes the time to do them. It takes only a few minutes to add one new way to save our environment into your daily routine.
Paper is everywhere. It comes in the mail, the kids bring it home from school and at work, desks are covered with papers. What can you do with it?
Kids can recycle papers from school at the end of each week. Or they can use them as scrap paper. Put a stop to annoying junk mail that is filling up your mail box by going online to www.directmail.com/directory/mail_preference/ and enter information on the free Do Not Mail List form. At work, save papers by not printing out e-mails, or by sending more e-mails. And of course instead of using paper or plastic grocery bags, use reusable cloth bags every time you shop, not just for groceries but in other stores as well.
Some items help save our environment as well as save on your grocery bill. Try replacing paper napkins with cloth napkins. Instead of paper towels for wiping hands, use cloth ones and for cleaning up spills, use rags or old towels. When planning a party, purchase environmentally friendly supplies.
And this includes planning a fundraiser. For example, last year's Xstream Clean was a zero-waste event. So was last year's annual Crab and Pasta Feed, sponsored by the Incline High School Boosters club, which is planning a second no-waste event this year.
“Last year we had two bags of garbage at the end of the event,” said Julie Higgins, one of the organizers of this year's event. “And we are hoping to cut it down more during this year's.”
Instead of using plastic wrap, plastic storage bags or foil to store leftovers or other food items, purchase reusable containers. The containers work great for taking lunch at school or work or even on picnics.
Here's a big item for the families of Tahoe. Disposable diapers take up 1 percent of America's landfills and take 500 years to decompose. Cotton diapers can be reused 100 times and decompose in one to six months. What can Tahoe families do about this? Use cloth diapers along with diaper covers made from 100 percent wool to hold in the moisture.
Recycle the toner cartridges for your printer. In 1995 recycled toner cartridges kept 21,000 tons of trash out of landfills. Ask when purchasing your toner where to recycle the old cartridge.
Buy products that are reusable too. Instead of disposable razors, purchase a metal one that can be used over and over. If you do use metal or foil pans for pies or roasting, use these pans over and over instead of using once and throwing out.
Be sure to donate items like clothing, appliances, outgrown toys and furniture. We have several options in our area with both thrift shops and consignment stores.
Cleaning supplies are another way to help our environment. Most of the supplies purchased are heavy duty and of course toxic. It is much better to use basic items such as vinegar and water along with rags.
“Use less toxic stuff and eliminate heavy duty cleaners,” said Madonna Dunbar, of Waste Not Incline Village General Improvement District's recycling program.
Waste Not will take most of the heavy duty cleaners you currently use and dispose of them for you. Check out Waste Not's website for items that can be disposed of free at www.ivgid.org/conservation/waste_not.
Of course it helps to make recycling easier for everyone too. Whether it is at the office or in your home recycle bins that are conveniently located are used. Have you noticed how easy it is to pick up your mail and leave the junk mail in the big bins at the post office? Keep a bin or box at your desk, have boxes for recycling toys, school papers and clothes inside a closet or storage area where they are convenient.
Now that you have a few ideas for projects, let's make Tahoe a zero waste community.
— Jean Eick is community editor of the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza; she can be reached for comment at jeick@tahoebonanza.com.
Where to purchase heavy-duty, contractor-grade blue bags for recycling:
Tahoe Supply Company, 872 Oriole Way
Spitzen Lumber, 1054 Tahoe Blvd.
Where to purchase smaller, thinner (lighter use) blue bags:
Raley's Supermarket, 930 Tahoe Blvd.
Ace Hardware, 910 Tahoe Blvd.
Village Market, 770 Mays Blvd.
Where to recycle clothes, toys, furniture, etc. in Incline:
Childrens Cabinet Thrift Shop, 797 Southwood Blvd.
Incline Exchange 873 Tahoe Blvd.
Sierra Bella Clothing Company, 8338 North Lake Blvd., Kings Beach
Presbyterian Womens Thrift Shop, 799 Southwood Blvd.
Interested in holding a Zero-Waste fundraiser? Call the IVGID Waste Not Hotline at (775) 832-1284.
Tahoe Supply Company, 872 Oriole Way
Spitzen Lumber, 1054 Tahoe Blvd.
Where to purchase smaller, thinner (lighter use) blue bags:
Raley's Supermarket, 930 Tahoe Blvd.
Ace Hardware, 910 Tahoe Blvd.
Village Market, 770 Mays Blvd.
Where to recycle clothes, toys, furniture, etc. in Incline:
Childrens Cabinet Thrift Shop, 797 Southwood Blvd.
Incline Exchange 873 Tahoe Blvd.
Sierra Bella Clothing Company, 8338 North Lake Blvd., Kings Beach
Presbyterian Womens Thrift Shop, 799 Southwood Blvd.
Interested in holding a Zero-Waste fundraiser? Call the IVGID Waste Not Hotline at (775) 832-1284.
