How to be a good caretaker of Mother Earth

A.  Follow the Three Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle:

1. Recycle everything you can!
2. Buy only what you need, avoid use-once and throw-away products
3. Buy from environmentally conscience companies

In 50 years plastic use has doubled worldwide. Reports show that 8.3 billion tons of plastic has been manufactured since 1950. Currently only 9% of plastic is recycled, 12% is burned, leaving 79% in landfills and in the environment. 73% of beach litter is plastic, and according to the United Nations, ingested plastic kills an estimated 1 million marine birds and 100,000 marine animals each year.

B. How to reduce plastic use:

1. Don’t use plastic straws, buy a reusable metal straw.
2. Don’t buy or use Styrofoam cups or packing materials
3. Carry reusable refillable cup
4. Buy glass containers for food storage
5. E-cycle computers, monitors, keyboards, and other electronics
6. Keep your cell phone for years, instead of buying the newest greatest model.

C. How to conserve water and energy resources:

1. Monitor your thermostat at home to save money and resources
2. Turn off water while brushing your teeth
3. Catch shower water to water plants
4. Fill you sink with water to wash dishes; don’t just let it run down the drain
5. Load dishwashers and washing machines to capacity before washing
6. Car pool, ride your bike and walk more

D. How to preserve wildlife:

1. Avoid using chemicals in your house and your garden, even the smallest insect has worth and chemicals kill vital pollinators
2. Do not disturb wild animals or birds. Leave nesting sites, eggs, dens and animal babies alone.
3. Protect all fish, retrieve fishing hooks and fishing lines
4. Leave wild animals in the wild and don’t buy pets taken illegally from the wild
5. Protect plants by not picking wildflowers or trampling vegetation
6. Respect wild trees, avoid chopping tree bark or cutting trees

E.  Be aware of pollutants:

1. Keep rivers, lakes and waterways clean, remove all bottles, plastic and other pollutants
2. Toss trash in trash cans, don’t throw any trash on the ground anywhere
3. In natural area pack out your trash and dispose of properly
4. Dispose hazardous materials properly. Call your local Fire or Police Department to find out how.

If we all do it,  then little steps can make a huge difference!

Submitted by: Carlotta Lucas