Dear Eartha, I want a real Christmas tree but feel bad about cutting down a tree. As I learn the impact of fake trees, I wonder which is the better choice. To some, nothing is better than the sweet, piney smell of a fresh-cut tree with glimmering lights — LED, of course. For others, the […]
Dear Eartha, I’d love to get solar panels on my house, but I live in the woods and my roof is shaded most of the day. Are there any other options? Rooftop solar sure is sexy, but there are a variety of reasons why it might not be a good fit for everyone. So, if you […]
Dear Eartha, As a parent, I am worried about the impact climate change will have on my kids’ futures. How can I encourage my kids to be environmental stewards without totally overwhelming them? Although it can be scary to consider what a warming world might look like, we should nevertheless educate and prepare our kids […]
Dear Eartha, I am so confused by cartons. Egg cartons, ice cream cartons, juice boxes. What exactly is a carton? I feel your pain. My grandma calls cardboard boxes cartons, most juice boxes can be recycled as cartons, and foam egg cartons (yes, they unfortunately still exist) are 100% trash. When we talk about cartons in […]
Dear Eartha, Recently I noticed that some grocery stores offer aluminum water bottles in addition to plastic water bottles. Both are recyclable, does it really matter which one I buy? Despite many of us owning (and occasionally forgetting to bring) reusable bottles, consumption of bottled water is on the rise. In 2020, Americans consumed 15 billion gallons — […]
Dear Eartha, The leaves are turning and the days are getting shorter. I know the colder weather is coming, so how can I make sure my energy bills don’t skyrocket this winter? Fall is in the air! Pumpkin spice everything is back on menus and football is on the TV. I, too, find myself spending […]
Dear Eartha, I recently heard that there are tax credits for electric cars — is that true? Yep — it’s true! In fact, tax credits for electric cars have been offered by the federal government for over a decade. And during that time, the credit stayed the same — until this year. With the signing […]
Dear Eartha, My smartphone is getting slower and it’s only 2 years old! It seems unsustainable that my phone becomes a dinosaur every few years. What gives? Let’s face it, our digital devices and other electronic goods and appliances aren’t as durable as they used to be. It has become the norm that when our […]
Dear Eartha, I have some old paint and fertilizer in my garage. I think they’re recyclable in Summit County, but I don’t know where. Can you help? Both items you mention are considered household hazardous waste, leftover household products that can catch fire, react, explode or are considered corrosive or toxic. The waste also includes things […]
Dear Eartha, We’ve had some chilly nights recently and some of my friends have already turned the heat on in their homes. Do you have any low-cost suggestions for keeping my home warm this fall and winter? I’m starting to feel it in the air, too. Cooler nights and leaves changing color mean that winter […]
Dear Eartha, I heard that 30% to 40% percent of food in the United States is wasted. That’s a lot! What can I do to contribute less to the waste and make more sustainable choices at the supermarket? The sad truth is that you’re absolutely right. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic […]
