Dear Eartha, As the pandemic continues, I’m having a hard time staying motivated in my sustainable habits. It seems like we are just even further from tackling the issues of waste and our changing climate than ever before. I could use some motivation! Let me be your conservation cheerleader! Yes, the pandemic has impacted the environment […]
Dear Eartha, I’m a local Summit County Builder with decades of experience building in the mountains. I’ve heard some rumblings about the new sustainable code in effect and would like to know what I should expect before I pull my first construction permit this year. With a new set of construction codes in effect across the […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve been hearing about big changes in environmental policy now that President Biden has taken office. What are the most important things to know? It’s been just two weeks since President Biden took the oath of office, and already we’ve seen a rush of environmental action coming for the White House. And while this […]
Dear Eartha, the amount of dog poop I see around town and on our trails is concerning. Is it bad for the environment when our dogs do their business and it’s not picked up? We have all seen or smelled the landmines that our dogs leave behind when it’s time for them to go. The impact […]
Dear Eartha, it feels like nothing went right in 2020. What environmental success stories can I reflect on to brighten my mood heading into the New Year? There is no denying, 2020 was a tough year. However, while the news was often flooded with anxiety-ridden headlines, there is still a lot to celebrate. In the […]
Dear Eartha, my neighbor is on our HOA board and said they’re thinking of dropping our recycling program because it’s such a mess. There was a ton of trash in our recycling over the holidays, but I’m not sure if it’s the people who live here or visitors. Is there anything we can do to […]
Dear Eartha, Every year, I make a New Year’s resolution to adopt one new habit to make my life more sustainable. A friend called me a hypocrite, because no matter what I do, I’ll still have an environmental impact. His comment bummed me out. What can one person really do, anyway? “Bah-humbug,” I say to your […]
Dear Eartha, My gas stove is on its last leg. When I was looking for replacements, I read that gas appliances can cause poor air quality. I love cooking with gas, but is it healthier to cook with an electric stove? With the average American spending nearly 90 percent of their time indoors – maybe […]
Dear Eartha, holiday cards from friends and family are already lining my shelves. Can I recycle cards? What about wrapping paper? When it’s time to dispose of our worn-out holiday decorations, it can be difficult to know whether they go in recycling or trash. But don’t get discouraged. With a few simple steps you can […]
Dear Eartha, I have a bunch of electronics on my Black Friday shopping list, and I am wondering what I should do with my old ones? Although Black Friday may look a little different this year because of Covid-19, it is not going to stop millions of Americans from spending on the biggest shopping holiday. […]
Dear Eartha, could you help settle a friendly bet? I thought berry containers were trash, but my husband swears they are fine in our home recycling bin (where we mix paper, cans and plastic). Who’s right?With apologies to your husband – I hope he owes you a nice dinner! – you are correct. Berry containers, […]
