4 Ways to Help the Planet
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot
By Adam Hale
In our busy world, considering every single environmental and economic concern when making decisions can be daunting. At The Watershed Project, we realize that it isn't possible for everyone to install solar panels on their roof or buy a hybrid vehicle. We also realize that there are many ways to help the planet, and some of the most important steps are small, everyday actions that you can take in your own home.
For many years we've heard about the importance of Recycling. Cities and government agencies throughout the country have made recycling increasingly easier and more widespread by offering curb-side pick up and sorting. Updated facilities allow many of us to toss all recyclables, glass, metal, paper and plastic into one bin -- making this "R" second nature.
Some regions have taken this curbside recycling even further by adding a green bin for compost, allowing our waste to Rot. Residents around the Bay can leave their yard waste and food scraps out on the streets to be taken to large composting facilities where they are mixed with other organic matter and turned into 'black gold' to be used on farms, in landscaping, and in gardens.
The remaining two "Rs," reducing and reusing, are perhaps the most important. Individuals must change their behavior to make reducing and reusing more widespread. In these tough economic times, changing our consumption patterns makes sense for both the environment and our wallets.
In The Watershed Project's 4R's program, our goal is to highlight actions and decisions that individuals can take to create healthier communities. It is important to remember that no matter our age, economic level, or available free time, we can all take small steps towards reducing our consumption of energy and natural resources. By taking time to examine the things we use on a daily basis we can come up with ways to take action to reduce the amount of energy we consume and the number of items that wind up in the landfill.
Energy use is a great place to start looking to reduce in your life. Many electronic devices draw power even if they aren't on - this is commonly called standby or vampire power. Devices with clocks, those that use remotes and even power adaptors (chargers) all draw some power - microwaves, TVs, DVD players, computers, stereos, cell phone and laptop chargers are just some of the examples. Plugging them into power strips and turning off the strip at night or when you are away can significantly reduce your power use, by as much as ten percent.
There are also one-time things that you can do to reduce your heat/power use including turning down your water heater from 140 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees or reducing your winter thermostat by one to three degrees.
Finally, think about how you and your family members transport food and drink to and from school and work each day. How many one-time use items can you count? Replacements for these items can include reusable water containers, real silverware, cloth napkins, and reusable storage containers.
More examples of low-cost ways to reduce your energy and petroleum consumption and dependence on
landfills can be found at the links below:
Energy Savers
US EPA Climate Change
Climate Action Tips
Ecology Center
Energy Guide
Energy Star
All Alameda County public schools are eligible for the 4R's minigrant program, an in-service training to jump-start your school's waste reduction program! If you are interested in applying to, contact Adam Hale at adam@thewatershedproject.org or 510-665-3539.
