Dear Eartha, Each year my family cuts down our own Christmas tree, but we are never sure what to do with it after the Holidays. What is the best way to dispose of our tree in the new year? Nothing says Christmas like the smell of a freshly cut pine tree. Some of my best […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve been noticing the strides our residents are making towards sustainability, but what about our businesses? From glass recycling and selling eco-friendly products to the adoption of LEDs and low flow toilets, businesses are doing their bit – big or small – to maintain the beauty of Summit County, just like our residents […]
Dear Eartha, My sister recycles berry containers at her house on the Front Range. Why aren’t they accepted in Summit County? The short answer is that berry containers are not accepted for recycling in Summit County because they wouldn’t actually get recycled. They’d get mixed with #1 plastic bottles and rather than melting down during […]
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 […]
