Published: December 27, 2008 04:10 pm      

Happy green new year

Take a few simple steps to reduce your carbon footprint on the world

OK, everybody is talking about recycling. More and more of those blue and white bins are showing up in neighborhoods. You should recycle, but isn’t it just too much trouble to “go green”?

“It’s easier than you think,” said Sherrie Hunter, director of education for the Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority. “Once you start recycling, you begin to think differently about what you use and how you use it. I tell people to just start with one thing at a time and get used to that, then try something else.”

Going green begins with a mindset, Hunter said. “We all need to become better stewards of our world. Every step we take as individuals to save energy, to recycle or reuse items has a global impact. We all need to start thinking about what’s good for the whole Earth. What’s good for the Earth will ultimately be good for us as well,” Hunter said.

Saving energy begins with simple steps. Turn off your computer at night. Don’t turn on more lights than you need in the morning. Don’t leave the water running while you brush your teeth.

“Those are all little things, but when enough people practice those things, we wind up saving hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of energy,” she said.

A good place to begin? What about this newspaper you are reading? You don’t plan to throw it into a garbage bag, do you?

“Start recycling your newspapers. If there’s not a recycling bin in your neighborhood, let the Solid Waste Authority know, and we can make sure one is placed there,” Hunter said. “Start recycling your mail, magazines, boxes, cardboard, glass, aluminum and plastic.”

Hunter offered some other practical tips for having a happy Green New Year.

Take eco-friendly reusable bags to the store when you shop for groceries. Many grocery stores are now selling the bags, which are more durable than the flimsy plastic ones that wind up blowing all over the place and littering the landscape.

“Grocers will love you for it,” Hunter said. “The plastic ones they have to buy are costly, and customers complain about how flimsy they are.”

Hunter said we all need to walk more and drive less. “Use your legs instead of a vehicle when you’re traveling only a short distance. You’ll be keeping gas emissions out of the air and doing a big favor for your heart and your body at the same time,” she said.

Buy fresh, local fruits and vegetables when possible, Hunter said. “This is a way of getting really good vegetables, and you will be helping to support local farmers.”

Cut down on the number of harsh chemicals you use in your home, Hunter said.. For example, vinegar, water and newsprint for cleaning windows. “You get a streak-free shine, you’ve put the newsprint to good use, and you won’t be putting harmful chemicals down the drain.”

Use your own coffee mug at work instead of using foam, paper or plastic cups. “The fewer items we use that would have to be thrown away, the better,” she said.

Hunter said recycling cell phones, electronic items and computers not only promotes “going green,” but provides these useful items for people who may not be able to afford them at the original price. “Just make sure you have all information erased from your computer’s hard drive before donating it to The Salvation Army or some other organization that can put it to good use,” she said.

The following tips were provided by ECOBAGS® and more recycling information is available at www.ECOBAGS.com.

- Drink your water from the tap (filter when necessary) and carry a reusable, BPA-free bottle — this will cut down on your plastic waste and the water is better for you.

- Do your banking online and elect to receive e-statements — cut down on the time you spend opening mail and save some trees.

- Press “no” when asked at the gas pump or ATM if you’d like a receipt — there will be less trash in the car, and you can keep saving those trees.

- If you have the outdoor space, plant a garden. All natural flowers and vegetables are a great way to give “free gifts” and feel neighborly. They taste and look great, too! Use kitchen waste minus meat or bones to start a compost bin and produce your own nutrient-rich topsoil.

- Volunteer. There are dozens (sometimes hundreds) of local opportunities for you to help your community. If you don’t know where to go or what to do, you can always call your local town hall and ask! Volunteering is a great way to feel like a million bucks and who knows who you’ll meet.

- Get political — learn about local issues by starting conversations and asking questions; know the facts before you vote — make it count.

— E-mail: bdavis@register-herald.com