Dear Eartha, I recently joined the Food Scrap Program and it made me realize how much food I’m wasting. Is it a big deal since my leftovers end up as compost? Nice work keeping your food scraps out of the landfill! For most people, it is normal to discard old leftovers or that expired cheese […]
Dear Eartha, my garden is growing like crazy this summer! I don’t think I will be able to eat all of my veggies. Is there something I can do with the extras? There is only so much fresh spinach one person can use and freeze! Now that you’ve realized you won’t be able to eat […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve been hearing some rumblings about new construction codes in the county. As a local Realtor, what should I know about these updated codes? Will these changes improve the energy efficiency of new homes? With a new set of codes in effect across the community, sustainable construction has certainly taken a step forward. […]
Dear Eartha, I just learned it’s Plastic-free July. Between COVID guidelines and my takeout addiction, how can I reduce plastic use? As you’ve heard, Plastic-free July is a global movement inspiring people across the planet to ditch single-use plastics for the entire month. It’s a challenge to consider your daily habits and continue on […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve heard recently about the link between environmental issues and social justice. I don’t fully understand the connection, can you explain? If you’ve ever seen photos of a climate change rally, you might have noticed signs that say things like, “Climate justice is social justice,” or “Environmental justice for all.” Though the connections […]
Dear Eartha, I saw an ad in the paper advertising free home energy assessments. I’ve been thinking of signing up because my energy bills are so high. What can I expect from the process? As dedicated readers know, I’m all about conservation. And I especially love energy efficiency because it’s not only good for the […]
Dear Eartha, I try to avoid plastic when I go grocery shopping, but it seems practically impossible. What can I do? The grocery store can be stressful enough remembering COVID-19 precautions, dodging your chatty neighbor, and managing coupon expiration dates, not to mention reducing plastic waste. Right here in Summit County, for every 100 pounds […]
Dear Eartha, my friends just remodeled their bathroom and upgraded to a low-flow toilet. Does that really have an impact? On average in the United States, water from the tap, toilet, dishwasher, and other appliances adds up to about 138 gallons per household per day. That’s roughly 60 gallons per person per day, and it’s […]
Dear Eartha, I was at the Frisco Recycling Center recently and noticed bubble wrap and plastic bags in one of the plastic recycling containers. Are these items accepted? The short answer to your question is no – neither plastic bags nor bubble wrap are accepted at the local recycling centers. If left at the recycling […]
Dear Eartha, my neighbor just installed solar panels on her house. I’ve been thinking about solar too, but don’t know where to start. Do you have any ideas? As John Krasinski – you might know him as Jim from “The Office” – has weekly reminded his YouTube audience, despite the weirdness we’re all living through, […]
Dear Eartha, my neighbors are already watering their lawns. I don’t want to waste water, but I don’t want to grow a field of rocks and weeds either. Do you have advice? As lawns come back to life, local water use slowly creeps up then explodes in the summertime. The worst part? The Environmental Protection […]
