There seems to be no end to bad news about the state of our environment, but there is good news too. This bi-weekly Environmental Moment will highlight some good news and offer tips on how you can help reduce waste, energy, and use of plastics. May this instill hope for our future.
Good News: Tasmania, Australia has become 100% reliant on renewable energy.
Green Tip #7: Did you know “According to an August report from Sundale Research, people in the U.S. spent a total of $12.7 billion on gift wrap, including wrapping paper, tissue paper and gift bags, in 2017. What a waste. This is stuff designed to be torn into shreds and tossed away in less than 60 seconds.” (Huffpost 2018). Much of the wrapping paper we buy cannot be recycled (foil, glitter, plastic lined) and it takes resources (wood chips, water, energy, etc.) to produce the paper and then the roll is wrapped in plastic. The Haflich family has, for years, used newspaper to wrap birthday gifts and reusable, fabric gift bags and saved ribbon to wrap Christmas gifts. You can find many clever, sustainable wrapping options on-line.
