Going Green

I don't know if many/any of you know that I am passionate about recycling and composting, but I thought I would do a little blog about something I think is vital. The reason this topic came up is that I was sitting in the recovery room at work the other day talking to my co-worker, Ruth, and telling her how excited I was for my new ECOmposter from Costco to arrive in the mail. Anyways, Ruth started asking me if you just make dirt out of it and what you can put in it. We then had a wonderful conversation about what you can put in the composter, making dirt and the purchasing of earthworms. She thought that part was very gross! I love the feeling that recycling and composting gives me and how I feel that I'm giving back to the earth. Now that most areas are really focusing on reducing waste and increasing their recycling/composting programs there are numerous resources available. You can usually visit your local waste management website and find out the recycling/composting guidlines for your area. I know it's hard to recycle in rural areas as the programs and pick-up aren't always readily available, however you usually can compost fairly easily. You can buy composter's through many local hardware stores or you can build one yourself. Just do a quick search of the internet for compost containers. I was surprised at how much stuff I could compost and the items vary widely depending on what your goals are. If you want to make soil quickly you want to use items that are small and break down quickly. If you aren't in a rush you can broaden your compost item list. Here are just a few things you can compost:

*Yard trimmings (leaves, grass, plant trimmings, etc.) *Food scraps (fruit vegetables, bread, pasta, grains, meat, dairy, eggshells, coffee filters, tea bags and more). On this one be careful - if you don't want increased smell, rot, vermin and such leave out the meat and dairy products. *Food soiled paper (paper towels, napkins, greasy pizza boxes, shredded paper, etc.) Recycling is even broader, but some places do have restrictions depending on how much ability they have to sort their recycling.

For those of us living the Pacific NW, check out the waste management website for tons of information on what waste management is doing in your area. I must admit that I love it when the girls at work tell me that every time they go to throw something in the trash (at home or work) they hear my voice saying, "Remember to recycle!". It feels good to know that one person can make a difference in how we impact our earth and what we can do to make it healthier and better for generations to come. So think for just a second the next time you go to put those lovely food scraps, junk mail or milk carton in your trash bag and think of the impact it has on the earth and if you could do something to give back.

Genesis 2:15

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."