Dear Eartha, I recently heard that there are tax credits for electric cars — is that true? Yep — it’s true! In fact, tax credits for electric cars have been offered by the federal government for over a decade. And during that time, the credit stayed the same — until this year. With the signing […]
Dear Eartha, My smartphone is getting slower and it’s only 2 years old! It seems unsustainable that my phone becomes a dinosaur every few years. What gives? Let’s face it, our digital devices and other electronic goods and appliances aren’t as durable as they used to be. It has become the norm that when our […]
Dear Eartha, I have some old paint and fertilizer in my garage. I think they’re recyclable in Summit County, but I don’t know where. Can you help? Both items you mention are considered household hazardous waste, leftover household products that can catch fire, react, explode or are considered corrosive or toxic. The waste also includes things […]
Dear Eartha, We’ve had some chilly nights recently and some of my friends have already turned the heat on in their homes. Do you have any low-cost suggestions for keeping my home warm this fall and winter? I’m starting to feel it in the air, too. Cooler nights and leaves changing color mean that winter […]
Dear Eartha, I heard that 30% to 40% percent of food in the United States is wasted. That’s a lot! What can I do to contribute less to the waste and make more sustainable choices at the supermarket? The sad truth is that you’re absolutely right. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic […]
Dear Eartha, even with all the rain, my neighbor’s sprinklers are running every day. It drives me crazy. Is there anything I can do? It’s downright discouraging to see sprinklers running in the rain, especially since we’re still in a drought. Yep, despite the deluge. Just last week, federal officials gave Western states more time to negotiate water […]
I am looking to reduce my family’s carbon footprint, but with an active family, we do a lot of laundry. How can I make my laundry routine more eco-friendly? You are not alone in the ever-daunting full laundry basket. According to Treehugger, over 35 billion loads of laundry are done annually in North America, using approximately […]
Dear Eartha, I am concerned about climate change, but I also love to travel. Do I need to give up flying to protect the planet? Flygskam – it’s a newly coined Swedish word for “flight shame,” which is a movement that started trending a few years ago in Europe. Folks concerned about climate change decided […]
Dear Eartha, I have never planted my own veggie garden before, but I took the leap this year! Growing my own veggies already brings me so much joy and now my lettuce is growing like crazy. Is there anything I can do with my extras? Hats off to you for taking your first dive into […]
Unbeknownst to many, when uneaten food, vegetable peelings or any organic material is left to rot, it releases methane — a greenhouse gas even more potent than carbon dioxide. This gas is a leading contributor to climate change. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that each year, food waste in the U.S. alone produces 170 million metric tons […]
Dear Eartha, I know insulation is something you need in your house to keep you warm. But if I’m being honest, I don’t even know what it looks like. What exactly is this stuff and why is it so important? “I absolutely love my insulation!” is not something you hear too often. Despite not having […]
