Driving my new 2024 Hyundai Tucson Blue Hybrid car has increased my gas mileage by 10+mpg over my previous 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid and lessened my consumption of gasoline as well as decreased my emissions. April has been a good month for the environment and me.

Did you know that many tree trimming companies and municipalities provide FREE mulch? We just had our trees trimmed and the company left the wood chips for us to use in our gardens. They also said that anytime we need more, we can just call and they will deliver another load. Check out options by looking into tree trimming companies in your area or by checking with your municipality for public areas where free wood chips are available to pick up.

Happy Earth Day! What are you doing to celebrate today? This week I commit to taking in my e-waste to work where our building is holding an e-waste recycling event. I also plan to return used batteries to the library near my house, print out free shipping labels to return other clothing recycling items, and return my used cosmetics and toiletry containers to a store in the mall that will recycle them via TerraCycle. Let's keep it up and make every day Earth Day!

It's spring cleaning time! Many cities, towns, and counties have e-recycling and shredding events at their municipalities in May. Check yours to see if they participate or find one near you by Googling "E-Waste recycling events" in your town, county or state.

This is a great time to get rid of those old Christmas lights that don't work or that old TV, toaster, small appliance, and frayed charging cords that you didn't want to put in the trash. I can't wait to get rid of all my e-waste and feel good that it's not going into the trash!

Did you know your local Home Depot, Lowe's, Staples, library, and/or municipality may have drop off locations to dispose of all types of your used and dead batteries? Keep them out of the trash and landfills and recycle them today! https://www.call2recycle.org/

To all those who consume cosmetics, toiletries, and other similar hard to recycle mixed media containers...REJOICE! There are now more options that ever to recycle these items. Do like I do (for years now!) and bring your empty and clean containers to your local Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, L'Occitane, select Sephora and Ulta retail stores to dump in their container recycling receptacles! Some of these stores, like L'Occitane, will even give you a discount for bringing back their used brand name item for recycling. Win/Win! Here is one of many programs: https://www.sephora.com/beauty/pact-collective-recycling-program

Check out this video clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9tWPLaeNxE from the CBS Sunday Morning on 4/14/24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9tWPLaeNxEshow about recycling. Seeing more and more how recycling really doesn't do any good for a variety of reasons. Recycling is just a band-aid. What we need to do is STOP consuming plastics that can't be recycled. Bring those reusable bags. Change out your Tupperware to glass containers, bring your own reusable cutlery to work to eat your lunch. Big companies will only stop making plastics when WE tell them we don't want them anymore. It's up to US because this IS coming for our planet:

Happy Day 1 of Earth Month! What will you do this month, or going forward, that is a small change with a big impact on our environment? I'm always looking for new ideas.

Fascinating article I read suggesting that "When we lead healthier, more balanced lives, we may find it easier to act more consciously and take better care of our environment. Consider this yet another reason to try to be more mindful today and every day. Food for thought and for sustainability!

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/mindfulness-and-pro-environmental-behavior

Spring is the time to start thinking about lawn care! In addition to many villages and towns participating in "No Mow Months" to help bugs, bees, and other critters thrive, think about switching to organic lawn care. It's better for the environment, animals, and you! Just in time for those outdoor Easter egg hunts this weekend. Read more here on some organic "food" for thought? https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/lawn-care/organic-lawn-care-guide/