On Earth Day and every day, it’s easy to bring a little green into your life

Every year in April, Earth Day presents a great opportunity to educate yourself and your family about the values of green living and protecting the local environment. Whether you are looking to spend a day, week or month celebrating the blue and green planet we call home, these quick tips will help you bring a little green into your life.

1. Pick up litter. Head out into your neighborhood and pick up litter and debris scattered about the sidewalks and roadways. Removing litter helps create a cleaner Kentucky for everyone to enjoy. Take time to talk to your family about the importance of keeping streams and roadways clean to protect the waterways where litter eventually ends up.

2. Separate your recyclables. Designate a separate container in your home for collecting recyclable waste. When the container is full, take a trip over to the local recycling center to drop it off or contact your local solid waste coordinator to have it picked up. While recycling programs differ by county, items that are usually accepted include paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, steel food cans and aluminum soda cans.

3. Enjoy the great outdoors. Celebrate Earth Day outside where you can enjoy the environment you are helping to preserve. Playing a friendly game of basketball, taking a hike and hosting a family picnic not only encourages exercise and a healthy lifestyle, it reduces your energy consumption at home.

4. Pack a waste-free lunch. Reduce, reuse and recycle family lunches by utilizing reusable food containers and lunchboxes, composting leftover food and recycling beverage containers. If you are packing items that need to be kept cold, use a reusable ice pack. Make sure to only pack items that you can eat, reuse, recycle or compost.

5. Take shorter showers. Did you know conventional showerheads flow at an average of 5 gallons per minute? Low-flow showerheads, while more efficient, come in at an average of 2.5 gallons. Challenge your family to conserve water and energy by taking shorter showers. At the end of a day or week, whoever has the shortest shower time (while still getting clean, of course) is the winner.

Looking for other ways to celebrate Earth Day? Join us for our 30-day Instagram photo challenge.

CrystalBarnes

Originally from Southeastern Kentucky, Crystal Barnes graduated from Berea College with an English degree in 2013. There, she developed and fostered an interest in marketing and graphic design. In her free time, Crystal can be found binge watching Grey’s Anatomy, hanging out with the geese in her neighborhood or reading a book in the shade of a tree.

 

This article appeared in KY Forward on March 19, 2015.

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As March Madness unfolds, take time to celebrate Mother Earth as well

March is upon us. In Kentucky, that can only mean one thing – basketball. I’m a transplant from a state that cares a lot about hockey, baseball, football – pretty much everything but basketball (sorry, Timberwolves) – but I am part of the Big Blue Nation now.

When the Wildcat’s won the NCAA championship for the eighth time in 2012, University of Kentucky students weren’t the only ones celebrating. A Transylvania University student at the time, I noticed that my campus seemed to shift slightly south to take on State Street with the rest of Lexington. Basketball fan or not, I’m sure you were either there or you’ve seen the pictures: riot police, flaming couches, overturned cars…sounds fun, right?

In all seriousness, basketball season is a time that really brings Lexingtonians together. Many people see March Madness celebrations as essential to their identity as Kentuckians. Whether you plan to host viewing parties, catch the game at your favorite local restaurant or take to the streets after a win, there are ways to cheer on the Cats while being careful of unintended environmental consequences.

Snacks are a must when sports are involved. When you’re stocking up on munchies for you and your guests, remember that UK basketball is about celebrating Kentucky! What better way to show your support for the Commonwealth than buying local for your game day eats? The local beer and cheese selection in this state is amazing, not to mention the beer cheese; why would you waste an opportunity to enjoy these delicious items?

Speaking of waste, there are ways to avoid that this basketball season, too. If you go overboard on the snacks, send leftovers home with friends at the end of the night or add some to your lunchbox to take to work the next day. Food waste is a huge issue in the United States. Just because your eyes are bigger than your stomach doesn’t mean you have to be at fault.

Of course, food isn’t the only thing making its way into our landfills this basketball season; social gatherings mean trash of all kinds. Reduce packaging waste by buying in bulk when you can. Making your own chips and dip is another great way to cut back on packaging and a surefire way to impress your guests. It’s a lot easier than it sounds. There are tons of simple game day recipes that don’t require a whole lot of prep time, so don’t let worries of being in the kitchen during tip off keep you from giving it a try.

Make sure to recycle those cans and bottles when celebrating, and avoid disposable plates, cups and cutlery. Lots of websites have electronic brackets, so when challenging your friends and making your picks this year, skip the paper and fill it out on the website you’d be printing it from instead. And for those of you planning on storming campus in a few short weeks as basketball season comes to a close, remember that litter still counts – even during March Madness!

Most importantly, if you’re looking to get rid of a couch any time soon, donate it before it becomes a streetside fire hazard. Destruction of property is never sustainable, especially when what could’ve been reused ends up charred in a landfill. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore offers free pickup of large items, and your sofa will be put to good use.

1 macy

Macy Gould is the AmeriCorps VISTA member who serves as Bluegrass Greensource’s green jobs coordinator, working with educators to ensure that students are aware of and prepared for the variety of green career paths that await them after high school. Macy hails from Minneapolis but considers Lexington home. She recently graduated from Transylvania University. Outside of work, you could likely find Macy planning for her community radio show or taking a long walk downtown.

This article appeared in KY Forward on March 12, 2015.

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Salt great at keeping roads safe but can have negative impact on environment

I think it is safe to say that most people here in Kentucky are tired of the snow. When the huge piles of snow finally melt away, we should consider what is being left behind – road salt.

For those who have to hit the highways during or after a snow storm, road salt is a lifesaver. Salt does a great job of keeping roads safe.

But there is an environmental price to pay from using salt on roadways. When most people think about the effects, the negative ones that it can have on the environment are often overlooked. It is estimated that more 22 million tons of salt is dumped onto the roads each year. While salting the roads allows traffic to pass through more quickly, the negative effects can have a more lasting impact.

As salt begins to melt away with the snow, it builds up in stream and river water. The excess amount of salt in these bodies of water can cause our drinking water to have traces of salt. The excess buildup can cause the death of the species that live in those bodies of water.

Also, salt is a corrosive mineral, which means that it can cause damage to automobiles. Salt can cause certain parts of a car to rust, and while it may take time to impact the appearance of the car, it will eventually catch up. Rust can result in many problems when it comes to the working condition of the car. For example, rust can cause hydraulic brake system leaks, as well as damage to the subframe.

As cities start to understand all the negative effects of road salt, many places are starting to consider alternatives and best management practices. For example, if salt is placed on the roads before the storm hits, instead of after, this can limit the overall amount of salt used and allow for easier cleanup following the snowfall.

Additionally, substances such as beet juice, sugar cane, molasses and cheese brine have been added to the salt in hopes to reduce the chloride that has the potential to impact the environment. These alternatives can help to reduce the negative impacts the salt has on our environment.

alex miller

Alex Miller is the social media intern for Bluegrass Greensource. From Mt. Washington, sheis currently a student at the University of Kentucky. She is working toward a bachelor’s in environmental and sustainability studies, as well as in international studies.

 

This article appeared in KY Forward on March 5, 2015.

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New year is an opportunity to do new, better things; join GreenForce

Green Acres trash cleanup (Photo provided)Whether you reflect proudly on your many accomplishments in the past year or you can’t wait to turn a new page and look toward the future, the new calendar year is an opportunity to do new and better things.

Whether your resolution is to become healthier, learn a new skill or be happier, there is one you can do to help you get there: volunteer.

Volunteering in your community is the resolution that keeps on giving. You could say that volunteering is the perfect New Year’s resolution, because it brings so many great benefits. Volunteerism has countless benefits to the community, but it also benefits the health and happiness of individuals who commit to volunteering.

People who volunteer report physical, mental and emotional health benefits. “Doing Good is Good for You: 2013 Health and Volunteering Study” reveals key benefits of volunteering that make a positive impact on people’s health including feeling better mentally, physically and emotionally.

No matter how you decide to volunteer, you will also help create and support a healthier community. Whether you have an hour a week or an unlimited amount of time to commit, you need to get out in the community and volunteer. Often, the best way we can make the world a better place is by starting with our own neighborhood.

There are hundreds of places to volunteer all throughout Kentucky, so find an organization in your community that interests you. If you are ever interested in volunteering in the realm of environmental education, give Bluegrass Greensource a call. We have many different kinds of volunteer opportunities.

In fact, Bluegrass Greensource is launching a new volunteer program in 2015 called Bluegrass GreenForce. Joining the GreenForce is an opportunity for you to be trained on important environmental issues, lead stream cleanups and storm-drain stenciling events, collaborate with our education and outreach staff, educate the community at community events, and implement your own ideas for greening Central Kentucky.

If you are interested in volunteering with Bluegrass Greensource, email ashley@bggreensource.org or call 859-266-1572.

Ashley photo

Ashley Bryant Cheney is the green jobs coordinator for Bluegrass Greensource, connecting green businesses with a young workforce and preparing students for green careers in the Bluegrass. From Knoxville, she’s worked in volunteer and program management at various nonprofits. She has a bachelor’s in osychology from Carson-Newman University and a master’s in urban studies and community development from Eastern University.

This article appeared in KY Forward on January 8, 2015.

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Buying used toys is good for the pocketbook, good for the environment

The holiday shopping season is now in full swing. According to a recent American Research Group survey, the average American will end up spending around $861 on Christmas this year. Although this might be no big deal for some parents, for others it can cause a lot of stress.

One simple thing to do instead is buy used toys. Buying used toys is not only great for your pocketbook, but it’s also good for the environment.

Buying used toys when possible helps keep them out of the landfills. (Photo from Creative Commons)

Tiffany Smith, a mom living in Lexington, says, “I save so much money buying gently used toys for my 2-year-old son. He is always excited to play with something that is new to him. I find most of his toys at garage sales, secondhand kid stores and on Facebook parent pages.”

Yes, buying used products usually saves us money, but if that’s not a good enough reason to buy used toys let’s talk about the impacts on the environment. Purchasing toys from places such as Goodwill and Re-Kid in Lexington not only saves that perfectly functioning toy from ending up in the landfill, but it also cuts down on the amount of materials required to make new things.

Personally, the thing I dread most about toys is the amount of packaging used by manufactures to secure the toy in the box. The cardboard and plastic used in most toy packaging is also hard for children to open themselves, not to mention that most new toys require some assembly time.

“My husband also loves it when I bring home used toys because they are usually already put together,” adds Smith.

The American Occupational Therapy Association provides tips for selecting toys that will make the most of playtime, stimulate social, physical and cognitive development. Ask yourself:

  1. Is the toy is safe and age appropriate. If the suggested age is too young, the child will get bored quickly. Too old and the child may be frustrated and give up, or be exposed to small parts that could pose a safety risk.
  2. Can the toy by played with in more than one way?
  3. Does the toy appeal to several senses? Children’s attention is captured by colors, sounds, lights and textures? Look for toys that encourage them to push buttons, move parts, open doors, sort shapes.
  4. Can the toy be used in more than one place or position?
  5. Does the toy involve the use of both hands? This promotes motor skills development.
  6. Does the toy encourage thinking or solving problems? Board games and science kits are great for older kids. A jack-in-the-box is good for younger children.
  7. Does the toy necessitate communication and interaction? Dress up clothes, kitchen sets and play houses fit in this category.
  8. Is the toy worth the cost? How durable is it?

I hope this helps you wrap up your shopping (pun intended) by taking some of the stress off your wallet and the environment this holiday season.

emily casey

Emily Casey is an environmental educator at Bluegrass Greensource. She works primarily with elementary and middle school students. She has a bachelor’s education and environmental studies from the University of Vermont. Casey spends her free time exploring Lexington and spending time outdoors around the beautiful Bluegrass Region she now calls home.

This article appeared in KY Forward on December 18, 2014.

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A little clothing TLC can do a lot to keep ‘textile waste’ out of our landfills

Confession: I didn’t separate my laundry in college. I didn’t even realize the temperature of the water mattered until my roommate, whose mother had instilled good clothes-washing habits in her, scolded me for washing my jeans on a warm cycle. I could probably fake my way through sewing a button on a shirt, but it might not look very good or last very long. I am a product of my generation – a generation with an overwhelming lack of knowledge about clothing maintenance, according to a recent study by the University of Missouri department of Textile and Apparel Management.

That’s right, we Millennials have a serious problem when it comes to clothing care, and it’s a serious problem for our environment, too. The EPA reports that the U.S. generates about 25 billion pounds of textiles each year, and 85 percent of that ends up in our landfills. Much of this can be attributed to the lack of emphasis being placed on clothing care, repair and recycling to young people. Home economics classes are mostly a thing of the past, and many of us didn’t think to learn these basic skills via other avenues.

The good news is that now that this problem is being brought to light, we can do something about it. Taking the time to learn how to properly care for and responsibly dispose of clothes and accessories can save you the money and hassle of buying new things as often and can dramatically decrease the amount of post-consumer textile waste heading into our landfills each year. Here are a couple of easy ways to keep your things from becoming waste as long as possible:

When you can, spring for higher quality. We’ve all heard it a thousand times: They just don’t make things like they used to. Lots of clothes aren’t manufactured to last more than a season in order to keep costs down and fashion dynamic. This creates a lot of unnecessary waste that would be avoided if we all invested in long-lasting, classic pieces to make up our wardrobes. This may mean more money up front, but reduces future spending and means less being thrown away after just a few uses.

Read care instructions on your clothing’s labels. This one seems obvious, but many people simply don’t know how to wash their clothes. Ignoring the wash directions on one’s tags is a common millennial mistake that can be easily avoided, exponentially increasing the life of the item. If your sweater tells you it needs to be washed cold, it needs to be washed cold. Hand-washing doesn’t take that long, and the gentle cycle is a thing that your delicates appreciate. Your sheets are serious when they say, “tumble dry, low heat.” These things are important.

Learn sewing basics. If your favorite shirt gets a hole in it or last year’s winter jacket loses a button, don’t panic or feel the need to replace it right away; repair it! It may seem like a daunting task if you’ve never mended anything before, but many snags and tears are quite easy to fix. Lots of online tutorials exist to help beginners learning to sew, or ask a friend or family member to help you pick up this new and important skill.

Donate or recycle things when you are done with them. Just because you don’t have use for something doesn’t mean someone else doesn’t. Taking your clothes to a secondhand shop is the perfect way to give them new life, and there are a lot of nonprofits who can benefit from your donations. For example, The Hope Center takes donations of men’s clothing, and if you take things to Goodwill or the Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in the name of Greenhouse 17, they will provide families with vouchers to shop with. If something is irreparable or truly worn out beyond use, recycle it instead of tossing it in the trash. For more information on how to do this, check out the Council for Textile Recycling’s website.

 
1 macyMacy Gould is the AmeriCorps VISTA member who serves as Bluegrass Greensource’s green jobs coordinator, working with educators to ensure that students are aware of and prepared for the variety of green career paths that await them after high school. Macy is originally from Minneapolis but considers Lexington home and enjoys visiting her family in Colorado Springs. She recently graduated from Transylvania University. Outside of work, you could likely find Macy planning for her community radio show or taking a long walk downtown.

This article appeared in KY Forward on November 13, 2014.

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Conserving water is more about what you don’t ‘use’ instead of what you do

water

When people think about conserving water, they usually think about turning off the faucet while brushing their teeth or making sure the washing machine is full before running a load. The biggest waste of water, however, is the one few people give much thought to.

In the United States, one person will typically use between 80 and 100 gallons of water a day. It is the water that we are not “using” that is the real problem. A dripping faucet can lose up to 180 gallons and a leaky toilet can use 90,000 gallons of water in a month. A leak as small as an eighth of an inch can waste more than one-quarter of a million gallons of water in a three-month period and add more than $200 to your quarterly water and sewer charges.

Finding and fixing leaks is an easy way to save money and save water. You can avoid costly surprises on your water bill and conserve water by performing periodic leak checks in your home. Often you don’t know if you have a leak, especially if you have a problem with your underground water line or irrigation system. If you have an unusually high water bill, you may have a leak. But how can you tell?

Toilets are a common source of leaks. A quick check can be made by placing a few drops of food coloring into the tank after it has filled and quieted, and watching for its appearance in the bowl. If there is a leak, then color should appear within 15 to 30 minutes. Two common leak sites are at the overflow pipe and the flapper valve (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)

If your toilet still leaks after trying the repairs, or you do not feel comfortable doing the repairs yourself, you may need the assistance of a plumber or handyman. The cost to fix the leak will be covered by the money you will save in water and sewer charges.

Your water meter can also indicate whether you have a leak. Challenge the family to not use any water for two hours. During that time, check the water meter. If the dial moves at all, check all the faucets, spigots, sinks, etc., for any signs of a leak. If you find a leaky faucet or a drip under the sink, fix these leaks ASAP.

Kentucky American Water also offers leak detection information through their Leak Detection Guide found here.

If you don’t see any leaks, you might have a bigger problem underground or in your walls.

Some signs of underground leaks include:

• Unusually wet spots in landscaped areas and/or water pooling on the ground surface

• An area that is green, moldy, soft or mossy surrounded by drier conditions

• A notable drop in water pressure/ flow volume

• A sudden problem with rusty water, dirt or air in the water supply (there are other causes for this besides a leak)

• Heaving or cracking of paved areas

• Sinkholes or potholes

• Uneven floor grade or leaning of a structure

• Unexplained sudden increase in water use, consistently high water use or water use that has been climbing at a fairly steady rate for several billing cycles.

If you suspect a leak, you may need to hire a professional leak detection company to pinpoint its exact location and a contractor to perform the repairs.

If you do not have any leaks, there are a couple of steps you can take to prevent leaks from forming due to cold weather. Disconnect your water hose before freezing weather hits. Until warm weather arrives again, your best home plumbing practice is to disconnect, wrap up and pack away your garden hose. Leaving a hose outside in winter can cause water left inside to freeze and expand, freezing your faucets and connecting pipes as well.

Also, make sure to close and drain shut-off valves leading outdoors. If you have interior shut-off valves leading to outdoor faucets, close them and drain the water from outside lines. Any water that remains in the lines and freezes could cause major damage.

Water is a precious resource, and fixing leaks in our homes is a major step toward conserving water and saving money. Even though our water sources in Kentucky can replenish themselves through precipitation, our changing climate, growing population and ever-increasing thirst for water threaten these supplies. So, go fix those leaks!

(Graphic from EPA.gov)

This article appeared in KY Forward on October 30, 2014.

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Keep your Halloween green by taking these simple earth-friendly steps

October is finally here and with it comes cooler weather, pumpkin everything and the favorite holiday of every sugar-crazed 6-year-old (or 6-year-old at at heart): Halloween. Honestly, who doesn’t love Halloween?

All that aside, Halloween is another one of those days when our choices can cause lots of long-lasting problems for the environment. Most candy is wrapped in a non-recyclable mix of materials that end up heading straight for the landfill or, if we’re not careful, littering our neighborhoods.

Specialty costumes typically don’t have another purpose and find themselves hanging in a closet, unused, year after year. Pumpkin carvings, and eventually the works of art themselves, often end up being thrown in the trash without a second thought as to how they could otherwise be used.

You can avoid these and other environmental pitfalls by keeping the following tips in mind this Hallow(gr)een.

Be creative (aka green) when choosing a costume. Before purchasing a new outfit to wear, check out your closet to see if you can make your own costume this year. Thrift stores are another great place to start the hunt for the perfect costume. If that doesn’t work out, try organizing a costume swap with friends and family; you never know what’s hiding in someone else’s closet that could be exactly what you need.

Keep your celebration local. Take the kids trick-or-treating in your own neighborhood, carpool to the pumpkin patch or bike to this year’s office Halloween party. There are plenty of ways to reduce your transportation footprint this Halloween season.

Hand out responsible treats. Most traditional candy wrappers aren’t recyclable, so you may have to be creative to green this part of the trick-or-treating experience. Look for candy in paper wrappers, and limit your output to one piece per child. Alternatives to candy – stickers, temporary tattoos and small toys – can be fun too, just make sure to pick products with limited packaging and plastic usage. You could even include printed instructions for ways to upcycle candy wrappers to get as much use out of them as possible and keep them out of the landfill. Lots of tutorials exist online for jewelry, pencil cases, even things such as belts and shoes. Encourage kids to be creative!

Use the whole pumpkin. Look up recipes that involve fresh pumpkin filling so that all those carving remnants don’t go to waste; try salting and roasting the seeds for an autumn snack. After Halloween, when those beautiful carved pumpkins start to shrivel up, don’t just toss them in the trash. Instead, add them to your compost pile for rich spring soil.

Help clean up. When taking your kids trick-or-treating, bring an extra bag to pick up trash you may see on the way. Organizing an early November litter cleanup in your neighborhood is another way to keep those candy wrappers off the streets; you could ask an area coffee shop to donate warm beverages to encourage people to come help out even if it’s cold.

 
1 macyMacy Gould is the AmeriCorps VISTA member who serves as Bluegrass Greensource’s green jobs coordinator, working with educators to ensure that students are aware of and prepared for the variety of green career paths that await them after high school. Macy is originally from Minneapolis but considers Lexington home and enjoys visiting her family in Colorado Springs. She recently graduated from Transylvania University. Outside of work, you could likely find Macy planning for her community radio show or taking a long walk downtown.

This article appeared in KY Forward on October 9, 2014.

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Ready, set, go with the 2015 LiveGreenLexington Green Business Challenge

Lexington professionals, listen up: if you’re interested in becoming more sustainable, you love saving money on your utility bills, and you have a little bit of a competitive streak, this one’s for you! The 2015 LiveGreenLexington Green Business Challenge is now underway, and it’s anyone’s game to win.

The launch party is tonight, Oct. 2, at the Carnegie Center for Literacy in Lexington from 5-7 p.m. Join us to represent your business and find out more about the challenge. You’ll also have a chance to meet our partners, network with peers, register to compete if you haven’t already, and enjoy light refreshments.

The challenge is a sustainability competition for Lexington’s business community. It uses practical activities – from energy conservation to transportation, and everything in between – to help you set and achieve your sustainability goals and have a little fun while you do it.

Whether you’re just starting out, or you’re already as green as can be, the challenge has something to offer your business – it provides structure and direction, lets you brag on the things you’re already doing, and encourages you to keep improving all year long. And with more than 100 activities to choose from, it’s flexible enough to meet any organization’s needs and budget.

The challenge is free and available to any Lexington business or organization, and it comes with plenty of perks, thanks to support from Elite Partners Office Depot, Graybar, and Klausing Group.

Challenge participants can take advantage of free energy and lighting assessments, free landscaping assessments, free waste audits, and exclusive training opportunities on topics ranging from green purchasing to water quality best management practices.

Head over to LexGreenBizChallenge.com to find out more about this great opportunity and register while you’re there. Competition runs through June 30, and registration is open until Feb. 1. If you sign up early, you’ve got more time to earn those points.

 
1 bethBeth Oleson is an outreach specialist for Bluegrass Greensource, working primarily with Lexington businesses to help build a more sustainable community. A Lexington native, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marine science and environmental studies from the University of South Carolina before returning home to the Bluegrass to pursue non-profit work. When she’s not busy with Greensource, Beth’s other passion is animal rescue and welfare.

This article appeared in KY Forward on October 3, 2014.

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Bluegrass Greensource uses Walmart grant to promote school recycling in three counties

Walmart has given Bluegrass Greensource a $50,000 grant to help promote more recycling and waste reduction in schools in three Kentucky counties – Boyle, Clark and Madison.

The program has existed for a number of years in six other counties – Anderson, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, and Mercer – and been responsible, according to Bluegrass Greensource, for improved student state test scores, an increase in the rate of recycling, and significant financial savings. Fayette County schools estimated they saved $50,000 on their waste removal budget through the pilot program. Another county reports a 40 percent reduction in their landfill-bound waste.

Priorities for the program include increasing student understanding for the need to reduce waste and increase recycling. This is to be achieved, according to Greensource, by working with classrooms, cafeterias, custodians, and administrators on five elements including waste audits; provision of recycling equipment and materials; offering age-specific hands-on activities aligned with Common Core; providing a Manual for Waste Reduction; and helping schools apply for mini-grants to implement school-specific waste reduction initiatives.

Conkwright Elementary in Clark County will host an official launch of this year’s program on Tuesday, Sept. 30, during which students will participate in a school-wide waste audit and complete recycling lessons. Present at the launch will be the mayor of Winchester, the Clark County judge executive, the school superintendent, representatives from participating schools, the Clark County solid waste coordinator, and representatives from Winchester Municipal Utilities.

This post appeared in KY Forward on September 29, 2014.

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