Reduce, Re-use and Recycle your Holiday Waste



http://www.sxc.hu/profile/LotusHead

Did you know…

 “Approximately 33 million live Christmas trees are sold in North America every year…” (EPA)

“…the 2.65 billion Christmas cards sold each year in the U.S. could fill a football field 10 stories high…” (Use Less Stuff)

“About 40 percent of all battery sales occur during the holiday season…” (EPA)

 “Americans throw away 25% more trash in the Thanksgiving to New Year’s than any other time of year.  The extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage…” (Use Less Stuff)

These numbers are staggering, especially when you think of all that “stuff” heading to the landfill. This week’s blog is a collection of thoughts about how to reduce these numbers, courtesy of Cascadia staff and my good friend, the Internet:

http://public.fotki.com/kelvinkay/collection_of_beaut/xmasparty061.html

Reduce:  Bring your cloth grocery bags on your holiday shopping trips or ask for no bag if you can easily carry your purchases out without one. If you happen to forget your reusable shopping bag, ask for paper bags and then use them as wrapping paper.  Opting out of gift boxes provided by clothing stores is a great way to reduce the amount of cardboard used during the holidays.

Buy recycled-content Christmas cards, wrapping paper, and gifts.  If you’re in the market for batteries or battery-operated gadgets, buy rechargeable.  Even better, give the gift of a rechargeable-battery charger!

Save energy and increase the lifespan of your holiday lights by turning them off during the day.  If you are purchasing new lights, choose LED, they will conserve further energy and last longer too.

One of my many hobbies is sewing, and so I wrap presents in fabric from my fabric stash.  I either use pieces I don’t mind losing to a fellow "crafter", or I just simply ask for the fabric back.  The Sunday comics also serve as good wrapping material, as the ink doesn't smudge. 

Kate, a Cascadia Resource Specialist, brought up this good point about Christmas trees:

"Even though fake Christmas trees are reusable, they are often made of petroleum products and discarded after a few years (filling landfills with bulk that takes a long time to degrade). Getting a tree-cutting permit (usually $5 from the Forest Service) and making the trip to cut one from the forest is a better choice. Many of the forests in our area are overstocked with trees and reducing the amount of small trees now will help forest health in the long run. Also, live trees can be chipped and used as mulch in gardens or parks."

Learn where to harvest Christmas trees in Chelan County and good tree-cutting etiquette from the Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest Service. 



Malene Thyssen, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Malene

 Re-use:  Try not to destroy ribbons and wrapping paper- particularly on large packages or those with nice paper- so you can save and use the materials in subsequent years. 

Amanda, Cascadia’s Ed and Outreach Specialist, offers:

"The main way I re-use around Christmas is by “re-bagging.” I always keep Christmas gifts bags for use again next year. We keep a box in the closet full of Christmas bags that we get out every year  rather than buying new ones each time."

At Cascadia’s holiday party, Amanda’s white elephant gift was stolen from her (as part of the game), but she did hang on to the festive bag that it came in!

In addition to stashing away supplies for next year’s gift wrapping, there are plenty of fun, creative activities that incorporate recycled materials.  A lot are great for kids, and are a wonderful way to teach them a valuable lesson in recycling! 

Make ornaments, paper chain garlands, and gift tags out of old holiday cards and wrapping paper.

Christmas lights have that annoying habit of going into the box at the end of the season in working order, and being burned out when you take them out of the box the following year. Instead of throwing them out in a fit of frustration, get crafty!  (If you’re not so inclined, see the recycling section below for other ways to keep strings of lights out of the landfill). Use burned-out Christmas lights (and also regular light bulbs) to make ornaments. Researching this topic on the internet, I came across some really wonderful ideas for penguin, snowmen/women, and reindeer ornaments!  Make jewelry out of small Christmas lights. There are how-to articles about this online too.

If you’ve got the appropriate space, take your Christmas tree out to your yard and create some backyard bird habitat! Birds will appreciate the refuge that the downed tree provides, especially if you’ve got a birdfeeder nearby.  You can also partially submerge your tree in a backyard pond to enhance aquatic habitat.  If you have the means, grind it up and use the woodchips for mulch.

Kris De Curtis http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christmas_tree_bauble.jpg

Recycle:  There are several companies on the web (search for “recycle Christmas lights”) that will take old strands of holiday lights and recycle the parts.  In exchange, they will send you a coupon you can use to buy new ones (brand-specific).

www.Earth911.com is a great resource for reducing, reusing, and recycling! Their database provides information on centers that accept all kinds of materials, from cardboard and glass to technology and industrial products.

In Chelan County, Dolco Packaging (1121 S Columbia Street, Wenatchee) is a 24-hour, free drop-off center that recycles Styrofoam.  Please note: not all Styrofoam is created equal.  You can call (509) 663-8541, or drop by and there may be signs up on site indicating which Styrofoam types they accept. 

Don’t let your tree go to waste!  That tree provided you with holiday cheer, and can now be put towards other good causes.  The Boy Scouts and the Chelan County Public Works' annual tree recycling program is also scheduled this year for Saturdays, December 31 and January 7 at four locations around Chelan County.  See their flyer for the details!

While some of these ideas might be a little too late for this year, there’s always next year!

For a great checklist of more ways to reduce your ecological footprint during the holidays, visit:

http://use-less-stuff.com/ULSDAY/42ways.html

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Charlie2301

If you have other ideas, please share them in the comment box below, we’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!

Your Friend in Conservation,
Julia

References:

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling-crafts/lightbulbs/index.shtml

http://www.epa.gov/osw/wycd/funfacts/winter.htm

http://pages.uoregon.edu/recycle/events_topics_holiday_text.htm

http://use-less-stuff.com/ULSDAY/42ways.html

http://greenliving.about.com/od/thegreenfamily/tp/green_christmas.htm

Staying Warm and Happy: Part Two

Winter Safety
 

The view west from Echo Ridge, Chelan Washington  (Photo by J. Leach).



It feels like just yesterday we were enjoying nice, mild fall weather here in central Washington, and now, with our first snowstorm behind us, winter is well on its way.  This week’s blog is devoted to ways that we can all stay safe this winter.

First off, it’s confusing trying to keep track of the different types of warnings that news programs broadcast (along with dramatic scenes of weather-caused chaos) to inform you about weather that is coming your way.  Here’s an explanation of the various winter weather terms (from NOAA's National Weather Service website):

  

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snow.jpg



WINTER STORM WATCH: Severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow and/or ice, are possible within the next day or two. Prepare now!



WINTER STORM WARNING: Severe winter conditions have begun or are about to begin in your area. Stay indoors!

 

BLIZZARD WARNING: Snow and strong winds will combine to produce a blinding snow (near zero visibility), deep drifts, and life-threatening wind chill.  Seek refuge immediately!

 

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY: conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. If caution is exercised, these situations should not become life- threatening. The greatest hazard is often to motorists.



FROST/FREEZE WARNING: Below freezing temperatures are expected and may cause significant damage to plants, crops, or fruit trees.

If you do venture out in stormy weather and have the misfortune of getting stuck in your vehicle…

(From http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/guides/winterstorms.html)

Stay in the vehicle. Do not leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards. You may become disoriented and lost in blowing and drifting snow. Display a trouble sign by hanging a brightly colored cloth on the radio antenna and raising the hood. Turn on the vehicle's engine for about 10 minutes each hour and run the heat to keep warm. Also, turn on the vehicle's dome light when the vehicle is running as an additional signal. Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and open a downwind window slightly for ventilation. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Do minor exercises to keep up circulation. Clap hands and move arms and legs occasionally. Try not to stay in one position for too long. If more than one person is in the vehicle, take turns sleeping. For warmth, huddle together. Use newspapers, maps, and even the removable car mats for added insulation. Avoid overexertion since cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a vehicle can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse. Be aware of symptoms of dehydration.

And make sure that when you do head outside– whether for snow-filled fun or just to run errands– to dress appropriately (because you just never know!)…

(From http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winterstorm/winterstorms.pdf)

Wear loose-fitting, light-weight, warm clothing in several layers. Trapped air insulates. Layers can be removed to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent, and hooded. Wear a hat. Half your body heat loss can be from the head. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Try to stay dry.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Field-with-snow-champ-enneige.jpg (photo by E. Boutet)

There is plenty you can do at the beginning of winter to be prepared:

• Be sure to have an emergency kit in your house AND in your car (and also check for kits at work, your child’s daycare, etc.).  For a list of kit supplies, and much more about winter preparedness, visit these websites:

http://www.ready.gov/winter

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/guides/winterstorms.html

• Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends or neighbors

•  Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk as more people tend to enjoy and/or depend on alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.

• Make sure all your animals have access to a good supply of non-frozen drinking water, as dehydration is one of the main dangers to animals during the winter season.

commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Montreal_-_Plateau,_day_of_snow
_-_200312.jpg

Another way to be prepared for whatever nature might throw your way (regardless of the time of year), is to create a plan for what to do if family members get separated during a disaster.  One main component of a family disaster plan is choosing an emergency contact.  This should be someone who lives out-of-area, as local lines often get tied up during an emergency. A back-up emergency contact should also be chosen and all family members should know where and how to access that person’s contact information.

Find all the information you will need to create a plan in the Red Cross “Family Disaster Plan” publication.

A word from “Picture the Wenatchee”

photo by J. Leach

Ice can be a real safety hazard.  I’ve already taken a few good falls walking down my road this year!  As you deliberate on how to deal with icy conditions this winter, please consider this:

Rock salt and similar de-icing compounds can be very detrimental to the environment, our vehicles and bridges, our gardens and lawns, our pets, even us.  These compounds, when concentrated (as they are in de-icing agents) are toxic to plants (note the brown vegetation along the highways), and stick around in soils, hindering water-uptake in plants and soil-dwelling organisms.  They seep into waterways and cause issues for aquatic animals and plants. They can seep into our groundwater supplies.  Some can be corrosive to metal, and cause burns on skin and pet paws. And if you’ve got a dog (or a child for that matter) who likes to eat everything, ingested de-icing compounds can make them miserably sick.

So, what to do?!

The best thing, of course, is to not use de-icers at all!

o   Try to keep up with snowfall, and shovel or sweep paths and driveways clear before that snow compacts and turns to ice.

o   Break up ice manually.  It’s a great workout!

o   Use sand instead.  It won’t melt the ice, but will provide traction.  Be sure to sweep and dispose of it when it is no longer needed, as sand can accumulate pollutants that can be transferred to our waterways via runoff.

o   Invest in some attachable traction devices for your shoes.  And I use the word “invest” lightly; most of these products cost $20 and under, and work amazingly well!

If you do still decide to de-ice chemically…

o   Follow the manufacturer instructions and know the maximum amount to apply to avoid over-application (start slow, you may not need nearly the amount specified).

o   Choose a product with a mixture of chemicals to minimize the accumulation of any one compound.

o   Throw down a small amount of de-icer BEFORE a significant snow fall to help reduce the amount of product needed. 

o   Once the product loosens up the ice or snow pack, shovel the area so it won’t refreeze (the snowmelt will dilute the effectiveness of the chemicals if you just let it sit). Then keep the pavement dry so you won’t need to do another application.

o   On dry days, sweep up and dispose of loose salt and de-icer to prevent the excess being washed into nearby waterways.

o   Learn more about the products you are using. There’s some great information online. (You can start by looking at the “De-icer” references at the end of this post).

Changing your de-icing habits is another way to be a watershed steward! Visit our "Picture the Wenatchee" website to learn about other things you can do to improve water quality in your watershed!

And with that, have a safe AND happy winter!

Your Friend in Conservation,

Julia

 

References:

Winter Safety

http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/winter.html

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winter/index.shtml

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/guides/winterstorms.html

http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/code/family_disaster_plan.pdf

De-icer

http://www.greenlivingonline.com/article/alternatives-rock-salt

http://ag.udel.edu/ncc/jm-icemelt.html
http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/rock-salt-alternatives/

http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/gfcp/index.htm#icemelt

Staying Warm and Happy: Part One

Winterization

Winter on the Wenatchee River, Leavenworth, WA. (Photo by J. Leach)

This is only my second winter on the eastside, so I am still figuring out how to be properly prepared for the long stretch of snowy months.  Taking a little time in the fall to winterize your house and car might just make the difference between a cozy winter season and a rather miserable one (I learned that lesson last year)!  Plus, a few steps can save significant money and resources and, here at Cascadia, we are all for conservation!

The following lists were adapted from:

• “Winter Storms and Extreme Cold.”  Ready.gov.  Federal Emergency Management Agency.  http://www.ready.gov/winter.
• “19 Easy Home Winterization Projects” The Daily Green.  2011.  http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/winterize-home-tips-energy-461008.

  YOUR CAR

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_car_under_snow_in_Norilsk.jpg

Keep your gas tank full, in
case you have to leave, and
also to prevent water from
getting in and freezing in
the tank and fuel lines.  In
addition, check or have a
mechanic check the
following items on your car:

  Antifreeze levels

  Battery and ignition system

  Brakes

  Exhaust system - check for leaks and crimped pipes. Carbon monoxide is deadly and hard to detect!

  Fuel and air filters

  Heater and defroster.

  Lights and flashing hazard lights

  Oil levels

  Thermostat

  Tires - make sure the tires have adequate tread. Consider snow tires if you live somewhere  particularly snowy/icy, and carry chains with you at all times.

  Windshield wiper equipment

      Note: It is important to fix engine leaks to for a car's health, but also for our lakes and streams!  Runoff still occurs in the winter, and is especially amplified during thaws, when all the pollutants that have been building up in the snow run all at once into our waterways.

  Another note:  Cars tend to get really dirty in the winter, with all the dirt, pollutants, and snow mixing on the roads.  If you do decide your car needs a clean-up, take it to a commercial carwash.   The water from a commercial car wash flows into the sewer system and is treated at a wastewater treatment plant before it enters local waterways. Plus, who wants to haul out a hose in the middle of winter?

  

    Sign up to receive car wash tokens and learn more about what you can do to improve water quality in Chelan County by visiting our "Picture the Wenatchee" campaign website: http://www.picturethewenatchee.com/!

YOUR HOUSE

• Poor insulation and drafts can waste 5-30 percent of your energy use.  Make sure your home is well insulated and that you have weather stripping around doors and windowsills to keep the warm air inside. 

• Consider installing energy efficient windows and glass doors.

Seem like an expensive project? Chelan County PUD has a Weatherization Incentives program! They offer cash incentives to customers who add insulation and install energy-efficient windows and glass doors.  According to their website, customers can receive as much as $2,500 back.  Not to mention the money saved on heating costs and benefits of other factors- like enjoying a draft-free house!

Two of our staff here at Cascadia are participating in this program this year.  One is just beginning the process:

"I was really looking forward to the improved heat retention in the house and a reduced heating bill. The diminished noise from outside traffic and improved the view of Lake Entiat were unexpected bonuses. Not to mention, I found the Chelan County PUD incentive program to be a very simple process and staff were extremely helpful."

My supervisor, Phylisha, has completed the process and received her rebate:

"I’m still in the process of getting new windows put in.  From what I understand, the windows need to go in first, then [I] apply to the PUD for the rebate.  The folks that put the windows in need to be on the approved PUD list, and the windows need to be E-Star energy efficient...All the windows should be in by January."

She also includes a warning about not forgetting to apply for your rebate:

"[The rebate deadline] was 90 days from project completion. I know this because of my procrastination, I nearly missed the deadline. I would have lost out on over $440!"

 For more information, visit http://chelanpud.org/Weatherization-Incentives.html

MORE FOR YOUR HOUSE:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Log_cabin_covered_in_snow.jpg

• Further decrease energy loss through windows by installing plastic window insulation kits (found at most home improvement stores). They’re easy to use, and do make a difference!

• For those of you who have a ceiling fan, look for a switch that will reverse the direction of the blades.  This will cause the fan to circulate warm air (because warm air rises, right?) back down to the “living space.”

• Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing.

• Learn how to shut off your water valves (in case a pipe bursts).   

• Hire a contractor to check the structural stability of your roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow or water, and make sure drains (on flat roofs) and gutters are clear of debris.

And with that, have an enjoyable winter!

Your Friend in Conservation,

Julia

Reflections on the Chumstick Riparian Restoration Project

IRMS 8th Graders: In their own words

This October, Cascadia and Icicle River Middle School (IRMS) teamed up to do a riparian clean-up and restoration project near Leavenworth, WA.  For all the details of this project, see our October post "Getting Youth Involved."

Everything appeared to go well and the kids seemed to have a good time, but I have been eager to know what bits of knowledge the students retained or how they truly felt about the project.  This week, I was able to swing by the school and pick up the envelope containing a stack of student reflections.  The variety of responses- thoughtful, insightful, entertaining- were wonderful to read, and I thought they should be shared. So, without further ado: 

Reflections...

On riparian areas and their function:

"I learned that Riparian was a habitat near water."

"By growing trees the creek will have more shade.  When the water is colder there is more oxygen for the fish.  I learned that what I just said is called a riparian habitat."

"I learned that if there is more roots in the soil there would be less of a chance of erosion.  So that’s why we took out the blackberries and put in more plants...  Also I learned if the water is colder it produces more oxygen for the fish to breathe."

"I learned that having the right habitat is very important because if you don’t many things can go wrong.  For example, it there aren’t the right plants there that are tall with deep roots, the river won’t get shaded and the roots won’t hold the dirt down."

"I also learned that there’s a lot of value to a riparian environment, fishes enjoy it, you can have fun, and [it’s] a good way to relieve stress."

"Helping the ecosystem was fun because it was “hands on” science."

"I also learned that teamwork, friendship, and care and respect for nature will help not only the environment (as in the creek and such), but give wild animals a home, whether they are 600 lbs. elk, or 16 oz. fish, they need us, and we need them."

On pollution and cleaning up:

"I really loved the restoration project because it felt good to help clean up the environment.  Also it felt good when [we] crossed the creek, got really dirty, and pulled out two tires."

"We had to go in the stream and take rocks out to help the stream flow better.  And that was hard work.  I was the muscle man so I had to take out all of the big rocks."

"I also learned that there is a lot of pollution in the most unexpected places..."

"I learned that grass is heavy.  And we needed to get all the garbage out of the water so the fish will come back."

"One memory from there that I’ll keep forever would have to be when… I found a huge piece of machinery in the ground.  It took like twenty minutes just to get it out of the ground, even with six other people helping me."

"…I learned that even though we can’t always see it, and we don’t really realize it, there was pollution there, and how to quickly remove it."

On Himalayan blackberry:

"I learned that blackberry bushes have one big root but not many small ones.  Blackberry bushes don’t prevent erosion so we had to take the bushes out and plant different plants with smaller (but a numerous amount) roots."

"...I learned about just how overtaking they are.  The stuff was everywhere on the hillside and it was pokey and very stringy too." 

On planting and proper planting technique:

"I thought it was super fun cleaning up, but planting was more fun because we really helped the hill from eroding.  We also planted some trees and bushes that poked me, but it was all worth it." 

"I enjoyed planting the trees because when they grow and [I] see them I’ll be like I planted one of those trees!"

"…my group planted 7 trees and that made a big difference because we will have more wild life." 

"I learned that the hole you dig for a plant has to be twice as wide as the roots and just as deep as them.  I enjoyed planting plants because I can’t wait to see them in a year or so."

"If you put too much dirt or soil on top of the plant, the plant will die because its roots will grow to the surface and not into the ground."

"...I thought it was dig a hole and put [a plant] in it… With the little [plants] you have to protect them from other animals, like deer.  I learned now how to plant really well.  I can do this at home and plant a lot."

"I enjoyed planting the plants and found it interesting the materials used to keep them in the ground.  Everything was biodegradable."

And other thoughts and wisdom:

 "I like working in the wilderness helping make a change in the habitat.  I hope someday the salmon will be able to swim freely in the stream."

(It's happening! Check out the video of salmon in Chumstick Creek!)

"…I learned that that’s kind of what I want to be when I’m

 older."

"I learned to check where the bank ends before I got too close to the creek.  Once I fell in the creek, I learned not to go back."

"I personally really enjoy working outside as opposed to writing papers in class all day."

  "The ladies there were real nice and gave us hot cocoa..."

"In all, it was a great trip, a few unfortunate people fell in the creek, but a good time was had by all."

Thanks again to the IRMS 8th graders for all your great contributions! 

And thank you for reading!

Your Friend in conservation,
Julia