Dear Eartha, I left my Halloween pumpkin outside overnight, and now it’s turned into a gross, rotting mess – not the spooky vibe I was going for! I already compost my food scraps, but can I toss my pumpkin in the compost, too?Ah, yes, the true horrors of spooky season—decaying pumpkins. While we love a […]
Dear Eartha, I just started recycling this year. I thought plastic was recyclable but I got a note on my bin this summer saying that plastic cups and berry containers are trash. What’s the deal? From the moment we open our eyes until the time we turn in each evening, we’re faced with plastic in […]
Dear Eartha, I’m thinking about getting a more environmentally friendly vehicle that works with my Summit County lifestyle. I’m torn between a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric vehicle. What are the benefits of each? Living in the mountains adds a unique twist to choosing any vehicle. With winding roads, snowy winters, and trips through […]
Dear Eartha, I try really hard to stay up to date with the local recycling rules, but I am never quite sure what to do with my cereal boxes. Are they considered paper or carboard? I can see where the cereal box can lead to some second guessing. It’s thicker than most paper, but not […]
Dear Eartha, with football season kicking off this month, I am wondering what sustainable practices are taking place in the world of professional sports?The sports industry is no question a pillar of our nation’s entertainment and economy. Between four major sports (football, basketball, baseball and hockey), over $40 billion dollars are generated annually. The large […]
Dear Eartha, it felt like every day this summer I heard about another heat wave or record-breaking temperatures. As summer temperatures rise, how do we keep our community cool and safe? This summer has indeed been one for the history books, with July 2024 coming in as the hottest month ever recorded globally. And Colorado was […]
Dear Eartha, My coworker keeps throwing her e-cigarettes into our trash at work. I know they can’t go into regular recycling, but do they really go in the trash?When we talk about e-cigarettes and vapes, we’re really talking about the same thing. You might see someone pull a small electronic device from their pocket, breathe […]
Dear Eartha, I love my daily beauty routine, but I’m concerned about the waste and chemicals it produces. What steps can I take to make my skincare and makeup regimen more eco-friendly without compromising effectiveness? You’ve got that eco-chic spirit, and I love it! Who says you can’t save the planet while looking fabulous? With a […]
Dear Eartha, I need to buy some new clothes, but I have heard that a lot of clothing is made poorly and ends up in the landfill when we are done wearing them, even if donated. How can I avoid contributing to the problem?Clothing is such a complex topic. We all need new things from […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve been thinking about getting solar panels for my home, but I’m curious about how they’ll perform in Summit County’s long winters. If the snow covers them up, do they still work?Summit County gets an average of 245 days of sunshine a year, but we also get a lot of snow. Despite this […]
Dear Eartha, I read about some new recycling grant projects in a recent article. What exactly will these recycling projects do for our community? Is it too late to apply for a grant for my own recycling idea? The Summit Daily News recently announced five recycling projects recommended for funding through Strong Future. And, on July […]
