This summer I helped to coordinate the Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair. Over 12 days, 350,000 people came to learn about the environment and how to make it better. This really got me thinking about how it is possible that individual actions can add up to big change. This sounds cheesy, but it is true!
Here are some more simple things that you can do that add up to big change.
Recycle MORE, Minnesota: Simple actions make a big impact
Recycling is easy and lots of people do it, yet I often get asked, "Does recycling matter? Does it make a difference?" The answer is a resounding yes!"
At 43.2%, Minnesota has the second highest recycling rate in the nation behind only Oregon.
In 2003 recycling resulted in a net reduction of greenhouse gases of 1.5 million tons, this is equal to taking over 1 million cars off the road.
Minnesotans saved nearly $1.5 million in energy costs just by recycling their plastic in 2006.
The recycling industry in Minnesota employs approximately 20,000 Minnesotans.
Here's an list of easy ways you can recycle MORE in Minnesota. Some things may surprise you! Not all of these items can be put in your curbside bin. Please check with your county recycling coordinator to learn what can be left curbside and what needs to be brought elsewhere.
Recycle MORE paper
Magazines and books with hard covers removed.
Window envelopes and junk mail. No need to remove the window!
Cereal, pasta, rice and other boxboard containers. If the box holds food from your cupboard it can be recycled, if it goes in your fridge or freezer, it usually can't.
Don't forget the bathroom: Toilet paper rolls and tooth paste boxes are paper, too.
Electronics: In Minnesota it's the law to properly recycle old TVs and computer monitors.
Recycle more of those "oddball" items
Shoes: Minnesota-based Wipers Recycling recycles shoes into oil spill clean up kits.
Clothing: U'SAgain and Goodwill both recycle clothes that can't be resold.
Crayons: You can send in your unwanted, broken crayons to be recycled into new crazy crayons.
An extra challenge
Encourage others to recycle by visiting recycleMOREminnesota.org and using their toolkit. The toolkit contains fact sheets, ads, press releases and clip art to use in your community.
Days of our green lives: Community events and resources
Find inspiration and new friends at Minnesota Power Shift, an inter-generational, participatory conference on climate, energy, sustainable development, and social justice, October 3-5, Washburn High School (Minneapolis).
Learn about global warming and what you can do to make a difference by enjoying workshops, food, exhibits, music and films at the 2008 Linden Hills Park Good Energy Fair, October 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Minneapolis).
Recycle MORE household hazardous waste
Tell us: How do you live green?