Go Green this Spring!

Madison King, Intern

With this new spring season comes new potential to be environmentally friendly and to make more conservation based choices. When you think about switching from the old way of doing things to a more eco-friendly way, the first thing that comes to mind is that it’s more work. Fortunately this is not the case and shouldn’t stop you from helping protect the natural resources around you.  

1. One way to make a huge impact is to do some spring cleaning. Read Taylor’s article to learn more about decluttering and recycling. Once you have gotten rid of all the clutter, you can focus on scrubbing away the hard grime of winter. A lot of cleaning products can contain compounds that, when illegally disposed of, can harm our soil and water resources. These can be responsible for around 10 percent of toxic exposures reported to poison control centers and are difficult to dispose of properly. By switching from harsh products to more sustainable products, you can potentially help out the environment and keep out the harsh chemicals. Better yet consider buying locally to reduce the emissions used to get your cleaning products to you. Or to save even save more money, you can create your own sustainable cleaning products: 

For spray cleaner: Combine and store in a spray bottle 2 cups water 1/4 cup white vinegar; Consider adding 1/4 tsp. lavender oil for a pleasant scent. 
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For deodorizing cleaning: Mix one part vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle to clean countertops, floors, stovetops and other appliances. Scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains with a lemon that has been cut in half and sprinkled with baking soda on the flat side. Avoid cleaning windows, marble, glass stovetops, and wood with baking soda as it can be abrasive.  ​

2. So, how’s your New Year’s resolution going? As the four month mark draws near, many of us have admittedly slacked off on the fitness adventures we embarked on in January. Throw some spice back into your routine and get healthy for the environment’s sake. That’s right, we said it. Studies show that physically active individuals pay, on average, about $1,500 a year in medical costs compared to those that don’t exercise. Those prescriptions, medical exams and doctors visits all come with significant eco costs. American hospitals generate approximately 6,600 tons of waste daily . As much as 85 percent of that is non-hazardous solid waste, such as paper, cardboard, food waste, metal, glass and plastics, according to Practice Green Health. Worried about those hefty gym fees? instead find a jogging buddy, download yoga classes online, or get out that bike again and commute to work. 

3. Spring is all about getting outside, dusting off the grill, and having a good ‘ol fashioned cookout. Before diving into this one, we want to point out that we are not trying to step on any grill master's toes. The debate between charcoal and propane is a tough one: Which one produces more flavor? Which is cheaper, faster? And most importantly, which is more eco-friendly? We consulted a recent study by Environment Impact Assessment Review to answer this one. According to the study, “The overwhelming factors are that as a fuel, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is dramatically more efficient than charcoal in its production and considerably more efficient in cooking.” The two grilling methods were defined by their overall footprint, with charcoal using 998 kg of CO2, almost three times more than propane, which used only 349 kg. When purchasing a propane tank, make sure there is a trade-in option. Most retailers will let you bring in an empty tank in exchange for a decent discount on your next tank. 

4. Want the freshest, most affordable, organic vegetables possible with absolutely no food miles? Starting an at home garden is a great solution. It may seem like a lot of work, but the outcome will yield more than just fresh produce. Having a backyard garden reduces fuel usage associated with transport. But the best part: You can save money on groceries! The key to starting your own garden is picking the right spot, the best crops for your area and learning to maintain a healthy ecosystem. For more information about starting a garden, or questions about a current garden contact Andrew Fritz at andrew.fritz@hamiltoncounty.in.gov 

There are so many easy adjustments you can make to your everyday life to help protect our natural resources. Let us know in the comments below what you’re doing this spring! ​​