Dear Eartha, What is climate equity? Take a few moments and imagine that you live somewhere else. Instead of mountains in your backyard, there’s block after block of buildings — row homes, high-rise buildings and skyscrapers in the distance. Concrete and asphalt replace local singletrack. A nearby highway is busy with traffic. A few miles away, […]
Dear Eartha, I have recently heard of extended producer responsibility in the world of recycling. What exactly does this mean? For the state of Colorado, extended producer responsibility is happening thanks to HB22-1355, a bill that requires companies selling packaging and printed paper into the state to fund and manage a coordinated statewide recycling system […]
Dear Eartha, A friend recently told me that environmental health is public health. We don’t have any power plants in Summit County, so how does that relate to me? Human health and environmental health are deeply interconnected, and as you noted, energy use is a great example of this. Even if we don’t all think […]
Dear Eartha, I saw signs at the recycling center that the scrap metal bins are being removed in a couple months — what’s the deal? What you saw was not a figment of your wintry imagination. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, changes are coming to the recycling drop-off centers in Frisco, Breckenridge and Silverthorne. The large […]
Dear Eartha, My garden and yard are looking spookier than any haunted house, and it’s not Halloween decorations. What’s a ghoul — I mean, gardener — to do with all these fallen leaves and a garden that’s downright ghostly? October has gifted us with some stunning days, so it’s no wonder that fall chores may […]
Dear Eartha, My neighbor had an irrigation assessment this summer and now he’s scheduling more work to improve his system in spring. Is the expense worth it? Is this really something I need to worry about in October? No matter if it’s over your yard or a nagging pain in your ankle, worrying can get […]
Dear Eartha, No tricks, how can we turn our Halloween holiday into a sustainable treat for the planet? Welcome to the ultimate guide for a spook-tacular sustainable Halloween! We’re diving into the how-tos of pumpkin composting, costume creativity, and candy choices that won’t scare the planet. Join me on this eco-friendly adventure, where sustainability meets fun, […]
Dear Eartha, I own a business in Frisco and recently learned about the universal recycling ordinance. I’m not sure how it applies to my business. What do I need to know? According the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Americans only recycle 32% of our waste. In Colorado, our statewide recycling rate is only 16%. Here Summit County, the recycling […]
Dear Eartha, I’m just one person, and climate change feels so big. What could I possibly do to help? I had a conversation with a friend recently during which she lamented that trying to fix the climate crisis feels like “trying to boil the ocean.” It’s big, it seems insurmountable and it’s discouraging. These are […]
Dear Eartha, Is it hotter than usual, or is it just me? It’s hot. As my colleagues and I sweated in a steamy office this week, I began to wonder if local temperatures were breaking any records. Then the Summit Daily News confirmed my suspicions — with highs pushing the mid-80s last week, we were darn close. […]
Dear Eartha, Why can’t we put glass in the recycling at my residence in Frisco? It’s not a problem at my home in Houston. Is there someplace nearby where I can recycle my glass? Having different rules for recycling from state to state, or city to city, can be confusing. The most important thing is […]
