Dear Eartha, recent news about climate change has got me thinking about my role as a parent and how to teach my kids about environmental stewardship. How can Summit County youth learn more about climate change without being totally overwhelmed? As a parent, it can be daunting to hear alarming news about the unexpected pace of […]
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 […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve been striving to live more sustainably over the past few years and want to make a better effort at my business. What tips do you have for someone trying to bring sustainability into the workplace? While your efforts to live more sustainably at home are commendable, we’re very excited about your interest in […]
Dear Eartha, The kale I planted in my garden is going crazy, and there’s no way I can eat it all. There’s no issue with me composting it, right? Congrats on your successful high-altitude garden! Kale and other cool-season veggies thrive in our short mountain summers. So, if you’re up to your ears in leafy […]
Dear Eartha, I know that changes to the climate are real but they’re not really affecting my life. (I love this warmer weather!) What do I really have to lose? For many of us, we get up and go to work or school, talk with friends and family, and pursue our interests without feeling the […]
Dear Eartha, I’ve noticed that there is a new container at the drop-off centers for food and beverage cartons. How can I tell what is a recyclable carton? Do these cartons actually get recycled and what are they being used for? -Riley, Dillon Thanks for bringing your confusion to my attention. I’m delighted that locals can […]
Dear Eartha, My goal this year is to reduce my carbon footprint by driving less, but it’s not always easy. What tips do you have? The level of convenience that cars provide can deter us from considering other transportation options. If you have access to a personal vehicle your brain is probably on auto-pilot to […]
Dear Eartha, I recently bought compost from SCRAP for my flower beds. Is it safe to put in my herb garden, too? What’s the environmental benefit of using this instead of commercially bought compost? Double kudos to you – first for giving your flowers an added boost, and second for going local. The High Country Compost […]
Dear Eartha, I’m over winter. I can’t wait to get out to hammer some dirt. Is it OK if I hit the trails even if they’re muddy? The short answer is no. As much as we are all itching to hike and mountain bike now that the snow is melting, trekking or pedaling on muddy trails […]
Dear Eartha, Every winter the lower edge of my roof gets covered in a thick sheet of ice. Come spring, massive icicles form that are a pain to deal with, and result in large puddles around my yard. How should I deal with this ice buildup in the future? Despite their nostalgic wintery appearance, […]
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 […]
These grants are designed to help local entities and government agencies prevent and reduce waste. Recieve up to $70k to make your waste diversion projects a reality!
