Make this coming year a little greener

Friday, December 13, 2002

Ahhh, the New Year! Time for us to start making those resolutions to slim down, shape up, and turn that gluteus maximus into a gluteus minimus. But while we’re lifting, pumping and sweating our way to buns of steel, we might also want to take notice of the bulge in our trash bag, another place where we Americans tend to be a little weighty, especially after the holidays. So this year, instead of the same ol’ resolutions, try a few “Re-Solutions” instead.

Re-cycle ? Get the flab out of the trash can and into the recycling bin. Changes at the new Boulder County Recycling Center have made it possible for many Boulder County municipalities and businesses to expand the list of materials accepted at the curb, at drop-off centers, and at the office. Make sure you’re taking advantage of the new programs and recycling everything that’s collected.
Become a frequent recycler at the many facilities that exist for everything from construction waste to yard waste. The Boulder County Household Hazardous Waste facility in Boulder will take your paints, household batteries, solvents, and other hazardous materials. Your tree limbs, yard waste, and Xmas trees can be dropped off at collection centers sponsored by most local communities. Used building materials can be donated or purchased at ReSource 2000, and the City of Boulder and Boulder County just opened a new clean wood waste center for construction and demolition waste. Finally, there’s the new Eco-Cycle/Boulder CHaRM center, which accepts computers, cell phones, books, plastic grocery and newspaper bags, and electronics. See ecocycle.org for a full list of centers and locations or call 303-444-6634. Think about recycling your food waste back into the soil by composting. It’s easy. Contact Eco-Cycle or the Boulder Energy Conservation Center (303-441-3278) for composting tips.

Re-duce ? Better than recycling is to avoid creating that unsightly waste in the first place by reducing the material we use. Avoid wasteful packaging and challenge manufacturers to give you their product in a less resource-intensive way. Lots of products include 1-800 comment line numbers; use them to voice your opinion! When you buy, consider the durability of the product. That mylar Baby New Year costume and the plastic “Welcome 2003” banner may be the hit of the party this year, but it’s next year’s landfill inhabitant.

Re-use ? Instead of buying disposable products that are convenient for the two minutes you use them, only to end up entombed in a landfill for generations to come, go for a waste free reuse alternative such as canvas grocery bags, a refillable coffee mug, and silverware instead of plasticware. Re-use opportunities abound in our area. Consider buying used tiles, wood fixtures, and lumber for your next construction project at ReSource 2000, a great playground for home renovators. If you need paint or some other household product, check out the used product give-away program on Wednesday afternoons at the Boulder County Household Hazardous Waste facility (5880 Butte Mill Rd., Boulder). Check out the many great stores in our area offering used furniture and clothing.

Re-fuse- Just say “no” to products that pose a threat to human health or the environment, like toxic household cleaners and paints, Styrofoam, over packaged materials, papers made with virgin fibers, and products containing mercury and other nasty chemicals manufacturers serve up for us to consume.

Re-think ? Ask yourself: do I really need this? Could I make a choice that is more environmentally friendly? Remember, the unnecessary stuff circulating in our society, including wasteful packaging and disposable goods, exists because enough people are buying it. Vote with your dollars and send a message to the manufacturer that you want something different.

If part of your New Year’s workout program was to do two-armed bicep curls while carrying your overloaded garbage bags to the curb, now you can burn those calories by composting in the back yard instead. Happy New Green Year!

Send your eco-questions to marti@ecocycle.org.