North Goes Green

Archive for January, 2010

Thinking about going Green in 2010 can be daunting at times. Questions that might arise are: How much are you willing to change your habits? Is it hard? Do I have time to go Green?

You Can do it! I am not 100% “Green” but I try to do what I can. I began many years ago and I changed a little bit each month until it became habit and it became easier. I first set up an easy to manage recycling station. Two large white plastic trash bins for plastic recycling and 2 large tubs for paper. I also set up a 2nd wastebasket in each room for recycling paper and one in my car. Begin slowly. Don’t panic.

Shredded documents can go into your recycling, clean paper waste (like Subway wrappers (the outer ones) can be put into your recycling, the toothpaste tube cardboard boxes, paper cups you might use in your bathroom and some plastic cups (check the number on the bottom) are all things that can be recycled. In the kids room- when you put their new clothes away the paper tags can all be recycled. In your bedroom you can recycle tags from clothes, old magazines you are done reading, old torn books that can no longer be donated all can go into your recycling in. In your office- the old phone books can be recycled. Empty ink cartridges and old cell phones can be recycled right here at North!

In your kitchen- grocery receipts, anything cardboard, plastic containers rinsed and cleaned, frozen food packaging can all be recycled. Check out our recycling links page to see what our town allows your to recycle. You’d be surprised how much you can take from each room of your house and put into recycling each week rather than put into the trash and our landfills. I am proud to say that after many years we are down to one yellow Somerset trash bag per week in our house. We are a family of five and its sometimes a challenge. But now the kids ask “does this go in the White bin (for plastics) the purple bin (for paper) or the trash can Mom?” Sometimes there are plastic containers left on my counter and an extra stack of paper or two for me to go through but its worth it. Even at Christmas time we separated all the cardboard packaging that came with the kids toys and were able to put all of that in the recycle bin.  It’s worth the effort- but give yourself a break- try to change just 10-20% per month and you’ll be there in no time!

Same goes for “Greening” your food. Change slowly. With finicky eaters in my house I had to change slowly and sometimes we still battle over it but we try and we are making a dent. Good luck and if you have any Green Tips you’d like to share please email us! We’d love to hear it and share those tips with others!

Check out Eekoworld from PBS Kids. Click on our Weekly Tips page for the link! Kids can learn about our enviroment, air and water, recycling and more!

Remember that recycling is important and we can recycle a lot of things! Bring gently used books to the Reading Night at North on January 22nd and swap a book! (remember to register for program by Tuesday January 19th!) Save your paper trash from your car in a small paper bag (we all have one from a drive thru or for sending in school lunch) and recycle at the end of the week! Be sure to save any empty plastic bottles from milk or juice if you or your kids drink in the car- rinse when you get home and recycle them too! It takes a few minutes but its worth it!

The Capri Sun Program has ended. Thanks to all who participated! Our goal was to get money to get some recycle bins into the school for plastic and cardboard recycling. We are working with the Superintendent to get this done!  Thanks to all of you!