Dear Eartha, I want my town to ban plastic shopping bags. What can I do to make this happen? I love your enthusiasm! Before we demand change from local lawmakers, we need to understand what we’re working with. In the state of Colorado, and in 12 other states across the country, there exists a statute […]
Dear Eartha, I heard about the new rollback on water protection in the U.S. Can you help me understand what this means and if there’s anything we can do about it? Last Thursday the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans for a new definition of “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS. The plan is known […]
Dear Eartha, this new year, I would like my family to cut back on the amount of plastic we use. How can we reduce our plastic footprint? With the New Year just beginning, it is the perfect time to start thinking about how much plastic ends up in our landfills and waterways, and what more […]
Dear Eartha, I heard that January is National Radon Action Month. What is radon? What actions do I need to take? Not to be dramatic, but radon is a silent killer, and it could be lurking in your home. This colorless, odorless, tasteless gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the […]
Dear Eartha, It’s hard to get in the holiday spirit when climate change has got me feeling like a grinch. Do you have any good news to help me go into the New Year with a merrier outlook? Whatever your tradition, the holidays are about hope – hope for the New Year, hope for long […]
Dear Eartha, I love my Christmas tree and decorating with lights this time of year. What are their environmental impacts? Do I need to consider skipping some of my favorite holiday traditions? Don’t worry, there’s no need to nix your beloved tree or lights. Yet, it’s important to recognize that the season of joy brings […]
Dear Eartha, I bought new ski equipment this season, and now I don’t know what to do with my old stuff. How can I get rid of my skis responsibly? Great question! With so many outdoor enthusiasts in our community, we go through a lot of gear. Fortunately, we have a number of options here […]
Dear Eartha, I’m concerned about raccoons getting into my food scrap bin. How can I prevent that? Food scraps attracting wildlife is a legitimate concern in our area! Thanks to the 1A/Strong Future initiative that passed in November 2018, the Summit County Food Scrap Recycling program is now free to County residents. That means you can […]
Dear Eartha, I went to the 9Health Fair last month and saw a prescription drop-off box. Do I really need to seek these out? Can’t I just flush my old medications? – Gary, Silverthorne Gary, glad you made it to the 9Health Fair! It was a great event, and it just so happened to fall […]
Dear Eartha, My 10-year-old mattress has lost its bounce. I’m planning to replace it, but then what do I do? Does it end up in the landfill? –Sydney, Breckenridge Sydney, I’m happy to share news that will put a little spring in your step – if not your old mattress. As of this week, free […]
Dear Eartha, My family always carves pumpkins for Halloween but when the trick-or-treating is over, our pumpkins end up in the trash. Is there any other option for disposing of our spooky squash so we can make Halloween less wasteful? -Bridget, Breckenridge Thank you for your timely question, Bridget. With Halloween right around the corner, […]
