Dear Eartha, I’ve got a new baby at home, and he creates a lot of waste! I try to live as sustainably as possible, but how can I maintain this lifestyle without sacrificing the health and safety of my baby? Babies require a lot of stuff, and that stuff adds up. For parents who want […]
Dear Eartha, I keep hearing about Lake Powell being low. But, Dillon Reservoir looks full, it rained a bunch last week and it hasn’t been crazy hot. We’re OK here, right? As long as water flows from the taps in our homes, and Dillon Reservoir “looks” good, many of us don’t think about water. Yet, 99.9% […]
Dear Eartha, I hear people talking about reducing natural gas use, but I don’t understand why. If it’s “natural,” doesn’t that mean it’s good? What comes to mind when you think of the word “natural”? Maybe crisp mountain streams, fresh air, and clear skies. Certainly not air and water pollution or poor indoor air quality. […]
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 […]
