Dear Eartha, I’m a Breckenridge resident, and I missed the pay-as-you-throw forums earlier this month. It sounds like I will pay less if I choose the smallest trash bin. Is that correct? Any tips to help me get there? I’ve got a family of four and I’m not sure if a smaller bin is realistic. You are […]
Dear Eartha, I love Earth Day. But it irks me when I see large fashion companies using this day of stewardship to sell cheap “Love Our Planet” t-shirts that require considerable amounts of energy and resources. What can I do? Your question calls to mind Thanksgiving: We state our gratitude on the holiday, but why […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve heard a lot about induction cooking, but can anything really be better than gas? What’s better than cooking with gas? How about breathing clean air? Americans, on average, spend 90% of their lives indoors. That may come as a surprise since so many Summit County folks don’t skew “average American” when it comes […]
Dear Eartha, with all the rain last summer and snow this winter, can we all breathe a sigh of relief around the Colorado River and not worry about conservation so much? While springtime in the mountains tends to look a little different — as in, it’s still snowing up here while flowers are popping up in […]
Dear Eartha, it’s time for spring cleaning. I’m inundated with old skis and snowboards. Can I donate these? What are my options? Spring has officially arrived, and, if you’re like me, you’ve got the itch to jumpstart your spring-cleaning projects and declutter your gear while transitioning to the new season. Funny enough, questions about donating […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve been looking for ways to bring my electricity bill down, and I keep hearing that my heat tape could be part of the problem. I’m tempted to turn it off, but isn’t heat tape necessary? You don’t have to look very far in Summit County to spot one of two things: a […]
Dear Eartha, Party for the Planet sold out before I could get tickets. Who won the Green Scene Awards this year? While I’m sad to hear that you (and so many others) missed out on the 34th annual Party for the Planet, I was thrilled to see an outpouring of community support for the environment. The […]
Dear Eartha, I want to become more environmentally responsible, but making major life changes feels overwhelming. How can a busy person get more involved without adding additional stress to their life? I get it – life can be pretty darn stressful, and the thought of adding more to your to-do list can be daunting. Thankfully there are […]
Dear Eartha, I know I should recycle used batteries but it seems like extra work. Does it matter if I throw them in the trash? Batteries power an abundance of our daily lives, from television remotes to mobile devices. Most contain a number of chemicals and no matter the type — car battery, cell phone […]
Dear Eartha, I keep seeing solar panels pop up on all my neighbors’ roofs. How do I figure out if solar is a good option for my home? Seems like you got some smart neighbors! Solar panels capture energy from the sun and convert it into clean, green electricity. This is a benefit to the planet […]
Dear Eartha, my monthly utility bills have gone through the roof the past few months. I’m not doing anything dramatically different, so why are my bills so much higher? Is there anything I can do to bring that cost down? I’ve been hearing this question A LOT lately. Chilly weather and a near doubling in […]
