I recently spent a week visiting Tulum, Mexico, a small beach town on the Caribbean Sea. It’s famous for its well-preserved Mayan temples, crystalline underground pools, and long, uninterrupted stretches of white sand and turquoise waters. And at one point, all of that was probably true.
Today, the beaches (at least, the ones not swept daily by resort staff) are littered in a near never-ending stream of human-made debris. Plastic bottles, glass bottles, styrofoam blocks, unmatched flip-flops…discards from cruise ships, Caribbean islands, or who knows where.
It made me think of that classic saying: “One man’s trash is another man’s problem.” (Isn’t that how it goes?)
It was a good reminder of the mantra “Think globally. Act locally.” There are plenty of things that each of us can do to take collective responsibility for our own resources, and make the best use of them.
You can find reuse options for the things you already have (see Beth’s story below for a little inspiration). Or slow down for a second and learn why some things can be recycled and some can’t, to make sure that your leftover stuff ends up in the right place (ahem…plastic quiz!).
Of course, cutting down on the stuff you need to throw “away” on a daily basis will have the biggest impact. Choose a durable product over a throwaway one, or shop for products with minimal packaging.
Because the beaches of the world don’t decide what washes up on their shores. We do.
Thanks for reading,
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Jonny Finity
Marketing & Communications Manager
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You interact with hundreds, if not thousands, of plastic items every day. From your coffee machine to your car to your pillowcase, plastic is nearly impossible to avoid.
How much do you know about the world of plastics, and what to do with them when they reach the end of their lifespan?
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Finding happiness through yarn, plastic bags, and some creative reuse
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Beth’s collection of zippered plastic bags was getting out of control…until she discovered a creative solution that solved all of her problems.
Well, maybe a couple of her problems, anyway.
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Save 18% at Green Mountain Compost
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Act now: The prebuy sale ends this Friday, March 9th! Save 18% when you order two or more yards of bulk compost or raised bed mix. Buy it now, and get it later! Schedule pickup or delivery for anytime. Use code NEWS18 at checkout.
Sale valid only at Green Mountain Compost. Discount doesn’t apply to delivery fee.
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Got a question? Just ask our A-Z list! From donation & recycling options to the landfill (last resort), we can tell you what to do with just about anything.
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Makeover your Leftovers with Hannaford in South Burlington
Do you find yourself clearing the fridge or pantry of food that has developed a blue fuzz? Join Hannaford dietitian Brigitte Harton at the U-Mall Hannaford for a free class on Sunday, March 25 from 10am – 11am to learn how to give your leftovers a culinary makeover with easy-to-use tips and recipes.
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Vermont Organics Recycling Summit
On April 5th, the Compost Association of Vermont hosts VORS, a day-long program offering education, networking, and vendor outreach to bring together technical experts, regulators, community leaders and the general public to examine managing organic residuals as a resource.
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ReSource opens new retail location in Williston
On March 1, ReSource opened the doors of their new location on Harvest Lane in Williston. Find them in the old Goodwill store above Natural Provisions.
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Find us at Jr. Iron Chef VT
Join this statewide culinary competition on March 17th, organized by Vermont FEED. The event challenges teams of middle and high school students to create healthy, local dishes that inspire school meal programs. Join CSWD for an interactive composting activity, take a food waste challenge, and you might even walk away with a prize!
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Chef Webinar: Top Sources of Food Waste
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Thursday, March 15
LearnPath webinar for kitchen staff: Getting to the Bottom of Top Food Waste Sources. Learn more.Saturday, March 17
Monday, March 19
Sunday, March 25
10am – 11am: Learn to Makeover your Leftovers with Hannaford’s Registered Dietician. Learn more.
Wednesday, March 28
Thursday, April 5
Composting Association of Vermont hosts Vermont Organics Recycling Summit (VORS). Learn more.
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Know someone who would enjoy the Newsflash?
Forward it to a friend!
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The Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) is a municipality governed by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the 18 towns and cities of Chittenden County. It was created by the State of Vermont to manage the solid waste stream generated by the residents, businesses, and visitors of the county. Our primary focus is to use economically and environmentally sound methods to reduce and manage this stream.
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