Dear Eartha, I heard a rumor that certain types of lightbulbs are going to be banned soon. What gives? You heard right! Starting in 2023, incandescent lightbulbs will be banned in the United States. And it is for good reason because not all lightbulbs work as efficiently as others. While all lightbulbs share the same function — […]
Dear Eartha, I have a bunch of clothing that isn’t in good enough shape to be donated but I don’t want to send it to the landfill. Are there options to recycle my ratty old clothes? It’s that time of year when we look at our closets and get motivated to do some clearing out. […]
Dear Eartha, I thought I was a great recycler, but I found out recently that I might be putting items in my recycling bin that don’t belong there. Why is recycling in Summit County so confusing? Recycling shouldn’t be so confusing. But it is, thanks to years of the plastic industry tricking us into thinking everything is recyclable. So let’s start […]
Dear Eartha, I just had an energy assessment done, which got me really excited about completing energy efficiency projects for my home. But now I’m having trouble getting anyone scheduled to come to do the work. Why is it so hard to line up contractors for these types of projects? The demand for energy efficiency […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve been a patient High Country gardener and haven’t yet planted my vegetable garden, or my annuals. While I’m waiting, I’ve been thinking of adding compost to the beds. Is it really worth it, or is fertilizer enough? I applaud your self-control! Multiple weeks of 60 and 70-degree weather send many gardeners’ minds […]
Dear Eartha, I was surprised to learn I could recycle my mattresses for free in Summit County. What other hard-to-recycle items around my home should I know about? It may be surprising to find out there are quite a few items around your home that shouldn’t be tossed into the trash. Some items can be […]
Dear Eartha, I know that to fight climate change, we all need to use less gas and less energy. But do I have to give up my creature comforts? How can I find some balance? This is an important question to consider in the wake of yet more discouraging news from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate […]
Dear Eartha, I’d love to help my workplace become more sustainable, but I don’t have a lot of time and it seems overwhelming. What do you recommend? Commercial buildings have a pretty big resource footprint. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, businesses across the country account for 18% of total energy […]
Dear Eartha, as much as I’m ready to enjoy warmer weather and summer activities, I’m still hoping for spring snowstorms knowing our state needs all of the moisture it can get. How is Colorado’s water situation right now? We Coloradans are lucky. We are a headwater state, meaning our rivers start high in the Rocky […]
Dear Eartha, I’m running out of time to decide what to do for Earth Day! Do you have any ideas? Not to worry! Earth day is only a few days away, and now is a great time to start thinking about what you want to do to give back to the environment and the place […]
Dear Eartha, I’m planning a home remodel this spring, and I want to make sure I’m considering energy efficiency, too. Do you have any advice to help my project be the best it can be? ‘Tis the season for home improvement projects! The warm months are a great time to plan and complete that work […]
