I grew up in the 1970s on sixty acres in rural Minnesota. Growing up on a farm had its perks: riding horses, swimming in ponds, fresh produce from our garden, and fresh eggs every day. It was also inconvenient. All of those things take a great deal of work on a constant basis. It was a major effort to go away for the weekend or for a family vacation. Who would be willing to tend the garden and the array of animals we had? Not too many people were stepping up for those tasks.
If you Googled my hometown today, you would see a sprawling suburban area with a large school district much like West Chester, Mason, and Liberty Township. I enjoy a very good life today. Everything is right here for me: retail, entertainment, hospitals, and more. I have it all at the tip of my fingers. I live a life of convenience.
Yet on the inside, I am a farm girl at heart. I love to nurture plants and plan new beds for our lot instead of growing grass. I have a rain garden to help the water sink into the earth instead of running into the sewer. I try to use earth-friendly solutions to pests. I compost and try not to waste anything. I like to know where my food is grown. Reduce, reuse, recycle has become my motto. It is not convenient. Here are a few things that I have learned recently:
- Did you know that our church recycling service does NOT recycle everything that can be recycled? The communion cups we use are recyclable, but not with the major recycling services in our area. Solo cups are recyclable somewhere, but not here. Many carry out dishes and food containers are not recyclable. Usually, only number 1 and 2 recyclables can actually be recycled.
- Light plastics like shopping bags and plastic wrapped around a case of drinks cannot be placed in the general recycling cans. These can be taken to some grocery stores and recycled there.
- The lids on some beverage bottles can be recycled, but most count as “trash” if placed in a recycling bin.
Because it is inconvenient, recycling is not a top priority for most of us. So what can we do to protect our environment? How do we remain aware of what we are buying and throwing away? How do we reduce our waste? Here are a few suggestions for you:
- Pay attention to what you are purchasing. Are you buying products that are in containers that can be recycled or are made with recycled materials?
- Place only recyclable materials into recycling bins. If there is too much “garbage” in with the recycling, the whole bin is tossed into the garbage. Liquids left in beverage containers are also considered garbage.
- Remember to wash or wipe out all food from tinfoil containers, bottles, cans, and jars before placing them in the recycling bin.
- Use a washable drink container for water and other beverages instead of using bottled beverages.
What can you do at Lord of Life to reduce, reuse, and recycle?
- Instead of paper cups, please use a real mug and place in the kitchenette sink when you are finished.
- When possible, use real plates, bowls, glasses, and silverware at your next meeting at church. We now have a conventional dishwasher in the kitchen as well as in the kitchenette.
- Coffee and tea grounds and their filters are compostable and are collected weekly at church. Look for the bins.
- Use the recycling bins provided throughout the building and follow the guidelines for what can be included.
- If you use a paper cup, please pour out liquids in a sink and place the cups in a recycling container. Please note that the lids to the cups are not recyclable.
The saying “Waste not, want not.” Is ringing in my head from my childhood. There are many ways that we can reduce our carbon footprint. What suggestions do you have for our church community to make a difference?
Caring for the Earth,
Ava Fiebig