Plain Dealer reporter Michael Scott recently wrote about food waste composting in the Cleveland area. Area organizations and downtown businesses are composting food wastes, using local recyclers to turn the organic material into a soil-additive. Read the story here.
05/20/10

Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up on May 8
This year's first collection event to properly dispose of your old oil-based paint, pesticides, and other unwanted household chemicals will soon be here. The Spring Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up will take place on Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea. Residents of Cuyahoga County can dispose of oil-based paints, solvents, wood stains, sealers, turpentine, lawn and garden chemicals, automotive fluids, mercury, acids, car batteries, and more at this free event. For more information, and a list of acceptable items, check out the District's website.
05/06/10

Medicine Collection Events in NE Ohio
Operation: Medicine Cabinet will collect unwanted and outdated prescription medicine across Northeast Ohio on Saturday, May 8. Drugs will be collected by law enforcement officials from 9:00-2:00 at 42 locations in Cuyahoga, Holmes, Lorain, Medina and Wayne counties. They'll be incinerated at the ArcelorMittal steel mill in Cleveland. To find a drop-off site, go to www.drugawarenessandprevention.com or call (440) 250-9916.
05/06/10

Summer temperatures are not too far off, so it's a good time to check again for leaks. Eliminate extra air in rooms by turning on an exhaust fan or a window fan facing out. Turn the fans off and light a stick of natural incense. Watch the smoke stream near doors, windows and other places around your home where drafts can make their way in. If the smoke stream is not moving upwards, there is likely a leak. Seal leaks with an eco-friendly insulation foam or by weather-stripping the cracks.
03/25/10

Holidayleds.com extends light recycling program
Don't want to throw old strings of lights in the trash? Send them to holidayleds.com for recycling. Located in Jackson, MI, holidayleds.com will recycle the old lights and send you a coupon for 15% off your next purchase. Learn more here.
03/18/10

The Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District is sponsoring Recycle Your Computer Month during the month of April. Residents can recycle unwanted home computer equipment at local collection events sponsored by participating cites. Learn more and see a list of collection events here.
03/11/10

Have old electronics around the house? Check www.ohiodropoff.com for recycling locations around Ohio. Lake County residents can check the Lake County Solid Waste District's website for more recycling opportunities.
02/04/10

Use hot water in your dishwasher. An efficient dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand but to keep it functioning well, you'll need to use hot water. Though that sounds counterintuitive in terms of energy efficiency, it makes sense when you understand that the water heated to at least 125 degrees prevent detergent residue-a major cause of breakdowns. Also, opt for powdered detergents (you can make one yourself) instead of gels to prevent chlorine bleach from contaminating your dishwasher and the environment.
1/28/10

If your pledge is to walk or bike more and drive less, you'll relieve the environment of harmful greenhouse gases as well as reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Added bonus: This will nicely complement an exercise or diet resolution. Reducing your driving distance by just 15 miles per week will save 900 pounds of carbon emissions annually. Visit www.sierraclub.org to learn more.
01/07/10

Get Cozy
Home heating and cooling systems in the U.S. are responsible for releasing 150 million tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere every year. Heating and cooling your home accounts for up to 50 percent of your household's energy bills, and air leakage alone accounts for 10 percent or more. As much as 31 percent of heat loss from a house is from the ceiling, walls, and floor. Insulation material made from cellulose, fiberglass, foam, recycled paper, or straw can help keep a home cozy and comfortable year-round, minimizing the need for heaters in winter and air conditioners in summer, and reducing your annual heating and cooling costs by up to 30 percent. Visit www.energysavers.gov to find recommended amounts of home insulation for your climate zone.
12/23/09

To save more money Turn completely off the most costly electronic gadgets in your home Household appliances and electronics contribute to a majority of the expenses seen on monthly electric bills. What consumers may not know is a significant portion of that expense could be a result of items that are not even used. Common household appliances can add up to several dollars per month even when they are off.

To cut the amount of standby power used, unplug products that are not regularly used. Consumers can also attach several similar items, like computer equipment, to a power strip and turn it off while away. Items like cable boxes and Internet modems, which rely on standby power to send information, should be connected to a different circuit so the connection is not lost.

Consumers also can search for ENERGY STAR-rated products. These items use energy more efficiently.
12/17/09

The holiday season produces more than just good cheer. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, there is usually a 25 percent increase in the amount of trash disposed. Here are some simple suggestions for reducing your waste:

• Shop with a canvas or vinyl shopping bag.
• Recycle wrapping paper, greeting cards, tissue paper, and boxes.
• Buy recyclable batteries.
• Share, donate or compost leftover food.
• Buy a live Christmas tree and plant it in your yard.
• Host a green party. Use washable glassware, plates, and utensils and keep recycling containers handy for your guests; have guests bring items they no longer want to "re-gift" rather than throw away.

12/10/09

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a non-profit organization that turns your old cell phones into useable minutes of prepaid calling cards for U.S. soldiers stationed overseas. Visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.
11/19/09

Celebrate America Recycles Day at the Zoo
On November 15, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., the Zoo will celebrate America Recycles Day (ARD) with special activities to raise awareness of recycling and buying recycled products. The Zoo's Resource Management Committee will be sponsoring a computer and electronic recycling station, and visitors are encouraged to bring other recyclables to the Zoo that day including aluminum cans, newspapers, magazines, and inkjet and toner cartridges. Document shredding and recycling also will be offered at no charge. For more information, log onto the zoo's web site.
11/05/09

Target and CVS Begin Plastic Bag Programs
Target recently announced plans to give customers a 5-cent discount for every reusable bag they use to pack purchases. CVS plans to give participating CVS customers a $1 cash bonus on their CVS cards for every four times they buy something without using a plastic bag. The Target program will begin Nov. 1; the CVS program will roll out over the next three weeks and requires customers who want to participate to buy a 99-cent tag to be scanned with their CVS card.
10/29/09

Furniture dusting and polishing the green way: Most commercial polishes and dusting solutions use petroleum distillates which produce a smell that can produce irritability, bad moods, and depression. Replace your polish with one you make yourself that is 1/4 cup vinegar and a few drops of olive oil or jojoba. For a green dusting solution use 10 drops of pure lemon oil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a few drops or olive oil or jojoba. A recycled flannel cloth dipped in the mixture works the best!
10/22/09

Make your tailgating party go green! Make tailgating recipes ahead of time and eliminate the need for a grill. If grilling is necessary to propane as it burns cleaner than charcoal. Bring a trash bag (made from recycled plastic) to gather bottles and cans for recycling after the game. Use reusable glasses, dishes and silverware; throw it all in the cooler when you're done and give it a wash when you get home!
10/15/09

The Cleveland Furniture Bank (CFB) needs all kinds of gently used furniture and mattresses. The Furniture Bank picks up donated items in Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Geauga, Medina and Summit Counties. Call 216-459-2265 ext. 101, to schedule a pick up or visit www.clevelandfurniturebank.org.

For other county collections:

• Geauga/Trumbull County: (330) 675-2673; www.startrecycling.com
• Lake County: (440) 350-2582; http://www.lakecountyohio.gov/swd
• Lorain County: (440) 329-5440; http://www.loraincounty.us/solidwaste.aspx
• Medina County: (330) 769-1273; http://www.recyclemedinacounty.com/index.html
• Portage County: (330) 678-8808; http://www.co.portage.oh.us/solidwaste/
• Summit County: (330) 374-0383; http://www.saswma.org

10/8/09

Switch to natural laundry detergents and softeners. Wash clothes in cold water. Use eco-friendly dryer sheets. Chlorine-free unbleached paper sheets are not only recyclable but can also be thrown into your compost bin.
8/27/09

Cuyahoga County will recycle computers in August; check www.cuyahogaswd.org for locations.

On Saturday, August 15, from 9 am-noon, Summit County will offer free paper shredding. Check www.saswma.org for details.
7/30/09

Before you head out for an eco-shopping spree, check the labels to see what they really mean:
Eco-Label Center
Whole Foods Organic Foods information
Labeling and Program Delivery Division of the USDA
7/23/09

Practice reduce, reuse, recycle as you plan for the coming new school year: buy only what you need; utilize last year's school supplies; look for recycled-content supplies. Check out the "Green Teen Survival Guide" for more information on sustainable shopping.
7/16/09

Habitat ReStores are retail outlets where quality, used and surplus building materials are sold at a fraction of normal prices. Proceeds fund the construction of Habitat houses within the community. To donate or purchase from ReStores, visit their website.
7/9/09

Cuyahoga County is collecting phone books for recycling through September; find collection sites at www.cuyahogaswd.org. Lake County's collection is during July and September. Collection sites are posted at www.lakecountyohio.gov/swd.
7/2/09

Eating fresh, locally grown fruit as opposed to imported fruits shipped from far-off places keeps you eating in season and more in harmony with your environment and climate. Fruit, used as part of your healthy lifestyle, has many nutritional qualities for your body.
6/25/09

This year for Father's Day, buy your father's favorite fruit, vegetables, and other garden plants and plant a garden for him! This will not only reduce your father's grocery bill but it will provide fresh produce all summer.
6/18/09

The Tuesday Midtown Fresh Stop at Trinity is up and growing, with more than 50 shareholders so far. The atmosphere is exciting, and sometimes includes recipe-sharing and sample-tasting! You can volunteer to become a part of this excitement, either from 1:30- 3:30 p.m. for the central distribution sorting of produce, or from 4:00-6:30 p.m. for the pick-up on the porch of the Commons. If you would like to help, please talk with Rich Horton or Steve Loger at 216-774-0409 or via email. We could use the help!
6/11/09

Midtown Freshstop, a type of community supported agriculture organized by City Fresh, opens its tables of locally grown produce at Trinity on Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. through September 29. Shares may be purchased one week in advance at $24 for a family share (3-4 people) and $12 for a single share (1-2 people). Persons on limited income according the WIC guidelines can purchase their shares at half price and pay on the day of pick-up with Ohio Direct Card. If you haven't already reserved your share, stop by any Tuesday and pay for the share for the following Tuesday. For questions call City Fresh's voice mail at (216) 771-3630 ext. 392; or e-mail midtownfreshstop@gmail.com.
6/4/09

"A Local Apple a Day Keeps Global Warming Away." Next time you reach for those leafy greens or bunch of grapes at the grocery story, check out where they came from and how far they had to travel to get to you. Big trucks and cargo ships increase the carbon footprint of all this shipped in food, plus it is no where near as fresh, tasty or nutritious as local grown food. Support your local farmer's market, or even better become a shareholder of the Midtown Freshstop. Check us out this Tuesday, June 2nd from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. right under the Prospect Avenue portico entrance to Trinity Commons.
5/27/09

Bring your own container. According to the Clean Air Council, packaging accounts for almost 1/3 of the waste generated in the United States. Reduce your trash footprint by bringing your own reusable container to the coffee shop or cafe. When shopping, buy in bulk, opt for products with minimal packaging, and bring reusable shopping bags. Remember, there is no 'away' in which to throw things!
5/21/09

"Reduce" is the most important part of the environmental 3-R's. One way that you can reduce the use of paper napkins at home is to use cloth napkins. Paper napkins are not recyclable themselves so they just end up in the landfill. All members of the family will enjoy having a special napkin ring to hold their napkin for the week...and then just throw them in the washer for fresh clean ones next week.
5/14/09

For Mothers' Day, do something to support local food...buy Mom some herbs for the windowsill or patio planter, or a nice bush tomato plant for a fresh supply of tasty homegrown tomatoes this summer. Better yet, buy a share in the Midtown Fresh Stop community supported agriculture at Trinity Cathedral and have fresh locally grown produce every week starting June 2nd. New shareholder signup starts this Sunday at Trinity at $24/week for a family share (3-4 people) and $12/lweek for a single share (1-2 people).
5/7/09

What do you do with all those batteries when they wear out? First, switch to rechargeable batteries wherever possible. Second, while regular alkaline batteries contain a number of heavy metals that can enter the waste stream, there is no universally available recycling process at this time. They do not pose a health or major environmental risk and so can be disposed of in your regular trash. Remember, though, it is best to convert to rechargeable batteries and then recycle them when they finally wear out!
4/30/09

Purchasing locally grown foods is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and improve your health. Check out Trinity's MidTown Fresh Stop that will provide fresh produce weekly beginning June 2 from farms within a 50-mile radius. The stop will be operated by the Trinity Green Team and the YWCA of Cleveland. Pick up information in the Promenade or talk with Rich Horton or Ben Borns about volunteering some time.
4/23/09

Celebrate Earth Day, April 22nd, and be a part of LightsOut Ohio by taking advantage of natural daylight. Turn off or dim electric lighting when adequate sunlight is available to illuminate interior space. Ensure that outdoor lighting is off during daytime hours. And why not do it every day?
4/16/09

April is computer recycling month in Cuyahoga County and a number of surrounding counties. If you have unused or old computer equipment, you can recycle them right in your own community. For a list of times and places for Cuyahoga County communities go to www.cuyahogaswd.org. Go to the following websites to find out when your county/community is doing computer recycling:
Lake County-www.lakecountyohio.gov/swd/
Summit County - www.saswma.org
Lorain County - www.loraincounty.us/solidwaste.aspx
Geauga-Trumbull Counties - www.startrecycling.com
Medina County, call 330-769-1273, ext. 101
4/9/09

Your Light Switch is your Vote: Vote Earth
Saturday, March 28, 8:30 - 9:30 pm
This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world's first global election, between Earth and global warming. For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote - Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. World Wildlife Fund is urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009. More information at: www.earthhour.org/about/
3/26/09

Turn electrical appliances off at the wall, rather than leaving them on standby.
3/19/09

Take a bag with you when you go shopping.
3/11/09

When cooking on the stove, match the size of the pan to the size of the burner. If the pan is smaller than the burner, 40% of the electricity is wasted.
3/5/09

Bring in any printer cartridge for recycling, except Epson. These cartridges provide income for the Trinity Community Garden providing fresh produce for Trinity's A Place At the Table program for the homeless. Recycling box will be in the Promenade next to the Green Team Table.
2/19/09

Replace at least one light bulb in your house with a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) and reduce global warming CO2 by a half-ton over life of bulb! Recycle burned out CFL's in the Green Team's CFL recycling box in the Promenade.
2/12/09