Dear Eartha, I just started recycling this year. I thought plastic was recyclable but I got a note on my bin this summer saying that plastic cups and berry containers are trash. What’s the deal? From the moment we open our eyes until the time we turn in each evening, we’re faced with plastic in […]
Dear Eartha, My coworker keeps throwing her e-cigarettes into our trash at work. I know they can’t go into regular recycling, but do they really go in the trash?When we talk about e-cigarettes and vapes, we’re really talking about the same thing. You might see someone pull a small electronic device from their pocket, breathe […]
Dear Eartha, I read about some new recycling grant projects in a recent article. What exactly will these recycling projects do for our community? Is it too late to apply for a grant for my own recycling idea? The Summit Daily News recently announced five recycling projects recommended for funding through Strong Future. And, on July […]
Dear Eartha, I heard about some recycling grants through High Country Conservation Center and I have some ideas to get recycling started at my condo. How do the grants work?You heard right, funding is available for recycling projects in your homeowner’s association, neighborhood, school, business, or nonprofit. If you’re thinking about applying, consider going beyond […]
Dear Eartha, what is a circular economy? Are there any local examples? Great question, as this is a term that I hope we all hear more about in the future. Factors such as climate change, population growth, unsustainable lifestyles and dwindling resources are pressuring global economies to evolve. One such evolution is that circular economies […]
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, 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, 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 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 […]
