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Ask Eartha: America Recycles Day

Dear Eartha, I just moved here for the season and my condo doesn’t have recycling. What’s up with that? Is there anything I can do with my recyclables? Kudos to you for caring about your new home and community! Also, great timing. Today is America Recycles Day. November 15 marks the day that the Environmental […]

ASK EARTHA: Beware of Greenwashing

Dear Eartha, I recently ordered laundry detergent sheets to reduce my plastic consumption, but the items arrived in a giant plastic envelope and the sheets were inside yet another plastic bag. It’s frustrating that a product claiming to be eco-friendly and plastic-free was not. What can I do?  Good-for-the-planet products seem to be everywhere. On one […]

ASK EARTHA: A Solution for Plastic Pollution

Dear Eartha, it seems impossible to not buy products covered in plastic packaging. It’s so frustrating because most of it is not recyclable. Is there a way out of this mess? Yes, plastic is everywhere. And it’s getting worse. As renewable energy gains momentum – decreasing the demand for fuel – the oil and gas industry […]

ASK EARTHA: Which is Best – Bottled or Tap Water

Dear Eartha, I often see people at the grocery store purchasing two or three cases of bottled water. Don’t we have good drinking water here in the county? What’s with all the unnecessary plastic?  In 2016, sales of bottled water surpassed soft drink sales in the United States. That year, the world was awakened to the […]

ASK EARTHA: Which is Best – Bottle or Tap Water?

Dear Eartha, I often see people at the grocery store purchasing two or three cases of bottled water. Don’t we have good drinking water here in the county? What’s with all the unnecessary plastic?  In 2016, sales of bottled water surpassed soft drink sales in the United States. That year, the world was awakened to the […]

ASK EARTHA: Berry Containers and Clam Shells

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, […]

ASK EARTHA: Our Plastic Problem

Dear Eartha, I’m frustrated so much of what we buy is plastic or wrapped in plastic, and I can’t even recycle it. How did we get here and aren’t things getting better? In trying to solve the problems of present, we sometimes forget that looking back can help us navigate a better path forward. That’s […]

ASK EARTHA: Plastic-Free July

Dear Eartha, I just learned it’s Plastic-free July. Between COVID guidelines and my takeout addiction, how can I reduce plastic use?    As you’ve heard, Plastic-free July is a global movement inspiring people across the planet to ditch single-use plastics for the entire month. It’s a challenge to consider your daily habits and continue on […]

ASK EARTHA: 5 Ways to Reduce Plastic at the Grocery Store

Dear Eartha, I try to avoid plastic when I go grocery shopping, but it seems practically impossible. What can I do? The grocery store can be stressful enough remembering COVID-19 precautions, dodging your chatty neighbor, and managing coupon expiration dates, not to mention reducing plastic waste. Right here in Summit County, for every 100 pounds […]