Last year on Earth Day, I proposed we make Earth Day more like New Years, at least in terms of the resolutions part. In other words, I thought every April we should make eco-focused resolutions for making the world a greener place.
I’m happy to say I have fulfilled all of my 5 Earth Day Resolutions — except for part of one. Here’s an update on where I stand.
1. Learn to compost
Check! My house came with a somewhat shoddily built compost bin in the backyard. I made it sturdier and started composting last spring. It’s amazing how much less trash I produced when I started composting. I highly recommend it.
2. Conquer the Twin Cities public transportation system
Half-check. This is the resolution I’ve fallen somewhat short of. Yes, I’ve taken the Light Rail, the Twin Cities train, a number of times. But I’m sad to say I’ve only ridden a bus once.
I blame part of this on the fact that I’ve been working from home most of the time. I started a new job this week, though, so I might take the bus to work. I plan to continue working toward this resolution this year.
photo credit: mjmonty
3. Learn how to repair my bike
Check! Peddles freshly installed and tube replaced, my bike was ready to ride last spring. I missed it during the winter and am so excited the weather’s nice enough for bike riding again. It’s a wonderful alternative to driving.
4. Recycle and compost more than I throw away
Check! If you had seen the 5 loads of recycling I took out last week, you would know I’ve upheld this one. One unforeseen challenge: home restoration garbage.
We’ve been working to restore our home to its 1925 splendor (read: removing plastic shower than drained to basement drain and caused mold) and while we try to reuse as much as possible, there are some things that aren’t worth saving — which means they end up in the trash.
5. Get my parents to start recycling
Check! This is the resolution I’m most proud of achieving because it was the furthest from my control. My parents live in a smallish city where recycling is not made easy. They have to load up the car with recycling and drive to the parking lot of the local Walmart, where there are giant recycling dumpsters set up. Seriously.
But, after some strategic nagging on my part over the holidays in January, they’ve started to do just that! I’m very proud of them. It’s definitely less convenient for them to recycle than it is for me to do the same.
How did your Earth Day resolutions pan out? Are you going to make new ones this year?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Recycling is the most futile effort ever. Products arent made to be recycled so most of their parts end up in the landfill anyways. Recycling only has an effect in places like germany where products are required to be built for recycling.
Composting and recycling are part of the daily functioning and work culture at our hotel. We try and instill it in all our employees and make our guests aware of it. This was a very informative article, quite a few tips that we could put to use.
@ Matt – I agree with you that more can be done in terms of recycling and making items that can be recycled, but I think it’s a little extreme to call it the most futile effort ever. Recycling is far better then just throwing items in the landfill.
I love the idea of making Earth Day Resolutions. I’m definitely inspired by this. Recycling more than you throw away is a great one. It is easy– all it takes it for someone not to be lazy. I refuse to pay for a larger trash can, so I make sure everything that can be recycled is–my recycling bin is about 3x the size of my trash bin!
These are great Earth Day resolutions! If everyone would change one thing in an effort to be more green we would notice a huge change. JetBlue has jumped on board with this idea and is asking people to pledge to do one thing that’s green, check it out at http://bit.ly/dCWtKD. Besides doing something good for the earth there’s even a chance you could win fabulous green prizes! Going green has never been so fun!
Stacy
The OTTG Team
With summer vacation almost here, I decided to start looking for a unique place to travel. Tired of the usual beach vacations, my husband and I decided that we would like to go somewhere new this year.
Not wanting to get our passports renewed, we wanted to stay in the US. And so our search began. Limiting our search to something we have never done before, we decided that we wanted to go make the outdoors a focus on this trip. Not the usual outdoors buffs, with any hiking experience or anything under our belt, we decided that a nature cruise type vacation was just what we needed.
We decided to go for an Alaska cruise. I researched a ton of boat companies in Alaska and we were set.
The company we chose is known for sustainable tourism, and after visiting, we know why. The scenery is stunning, and you will see a variety of wildlife, glaciers, and other things not found elsewhere in the US.
For anyone wanting to vacation somewhere unique this year, I highly recommend an Alaskan cruise. You truly won’t regret it.