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Going Green in Poweshiek County
New (and Easy) Adventures in Green Living
Green is a word on everyone’s lips right now. Whether you were inspired by Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” or your very expensive winter energy bills, many Iowans are looking for ways to become more eco-friendly. Going green can be easy if you choose just a few habits to change every week or month. Of course, it all depends on your personal choices and preferences. While I doubt most average people are running out to buy a new hybrid vehicle or attaching solar panels to their homes, everyone can use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or make an effort to recycle a little more.
So let’s start with 10 easy ways to go green in your own home.
- Stop using plastic bags when you visit the grocery store. Instead, bring your own reusable canvas bags. Many grocery stores now offer them for sale. South Central Iowa Solid Waste Agency is offering a limited amount of bags for free at the landfill and transfer station. (Also look for these free bags at local farmers’ markets.) Plastic bags are a huge problem in our society – did you know that it can take a thousand years for one plastic bag to break down once it enters the landfill?!
- Spring is right around the corner...why not start line drying your clothes? Dryers are notorious for sucking tons of energy.
- Buy a reusable filter pitcher instead of bottled water. Recent reports have shown that more than 40% of bottled water comes straight from the tap! By using a filter pitcher and a reusable bottle, you will save lots of plastic bottles from going to the landfill – not to mention your water will be safer.
- Do you use tons of chemicals in your spring cleaning, only to wind up coughing and feeling woozy? There are many great alternatives to harsh chemical cleaners that work great – and are better for the environment. Or you could even make your own cleaning products. For an all-purpose disinfectant and cleaner mix 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water and put it in a spray bottle. Be sure to test the solution on a small area first.
- Take advantage of your community recycling program. Review what items can and cannot be accepted. For example, many programs only take certain types of plastics. Find more information about recycling in Poweshiek County at www.sciswa.org.
- Be on the lookout for opportunities to buy recycled. When buying your favorite snacks, take a look at the package to see if it contains post-consumer recycled materials. By purchasing items packaged this way, you are creating a demand for items saved from the landfill.
- Use that dishwasher! Running your dishwasher uses less water than washing by hand. Make sure to load it up and run it only when it is completely full to get the most efficiency.
- Composting is a great way to add nutrient-rich soil to your garden while keeping many food scraps from going to the landfill. For more information on composting, check out our website.
- At your office, think twice before printing. If you can, print on both sides of paper, or use old one-sided prints for scratch paper.
- Share your new green knowledge with friends and family! By spreading the word, others may start to change their habits as well.
Now, my question to readers is this – what are you doing to go green? And what questions do you have as a result? I’m here to help – and to spread the word. Please write to me at aalley@sciswa.org or send a letter to Amber Alley, South Central Iowa Solid Waste Agency, 1736 Hwy T-17, Tracy, IA 50256. Your tip or question could be featured in the next column, and you’ll be helping others learn more about eco-friendly living.
