Bottles To The Sea

Searching for Opportunities

2009-11-21T21:43:00.000-08:00

Trash samples from around Charleston County are being sorted as part of the Charleston County Waste Composition Survey. The samples consist of 250 pounds of trash taken from throughout the county, that will be sorted into 30 categories so that the county can identify what is being discarded by county residents and how much can be recycled.

Electronic Clutter?

2009-11-12T05:38:00.000-08:00

Electronic Recycling Day in Charleston

November 14,from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tanger Outlets’ parking lot on the Tanger Outlet Blvd. side
Celebrate America Recycles Day!

Bring your old and unused electronics for recycling!
This event is for Charleston County residents only. No businesses or contractors.
For more info about recycling electronics and other items, call 720-7111.

Electronic items that
can be recycled:
• Adding machine • Cable box
• Calculator • Camcorder
• Clock • Computer
(including monitor,keyboard, mouse,hard drive,and laptops)
• Copy machine • DVD player
• Fax machine • Microwave
• Printer • Scanner
• Shredder • TV
• VCR • Remote control
• Video game console and accessories
• Telephone (including cell phones andcordless phones)
• Radio/stereo (including cassette players and CD players)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amberlrhea/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

3.36 miles

2009-10-01T19:05:00.000-07:00

I gave myself a new challenge this week. To ride my $35 Huffy (Play It Again Sports) to work for the next 30 days. I'm fortunate to live 3.36 miles from work and can hop on the West Ashley Greenway for a safe and scenic journey.

My reasons:

1. Get some exercise.
2. Clear my mind before and after work.
3. Enjoy the scenery. (I flushed out an Egret this morning.)
4. Save some money.

A friend, jokingly asked me if I was trying to reduce my carbon footprint. Honestly...No. I'm doing it for the selfish reasons above. But, not a bad idea. 2 days down...29 to go. Join me!

Ride your bike. It has many benefits.

1. It's good for your body.
2. It's good for your mind.
3. You get fresh air and a change of scenery.
4. You save yourself some $$$.

5. You'll reduce your carbon footprint.

Energy Consumption is Down

2009-09-07T18:27:00.000-07:00

I was driving home from work late the other night, turned on NPR, and heard "the demand for electricity continues to decline...for the first time since 1949."

Sure the majority of it has to with the recession. Less jobs, factory shutdowns, and folks taking staycations v/s vacations.

However, this recession has taught companies and everyday folks that being green saves money.

I know first hand about a company that came up with a waste reduction strategy this year. They "tweaked" an existing automated system to turn off power in unused spaces. Heating and air conditioning use was also a big part of their strategy. Instead of running the A/C or heat all night (when there is noone there). The system now goes into an energy conserving mode an hour after it's stores close. Then, shortly before the company's employee's arrive for the day...it's adjusted again. The same company even asks it's employee's to turn off all computer montiors at the end of the day.

We've learned many lessons the past year. Don't give out bad loans. Don't borrow more than you can pay. Put some cash in the bank. My favorite:

BEING GREEN = SAVING GREEN

Community Effort

2009-08-29T22:57:00.000-07:00

I had four interesting comments this week on my recycling effort.

1. "Stop trying to save the world, Ed" as I picked a few bottles out of a trashcan at work.

2. "I know this is not work related but...Do you know where I can get a recycle bin?"

3. "Save the Earth!" said sarcastically as I throw some bottles in the bin.

You get a story on #4........

My three boys (10,7,and 5) are a attending public Virtual Charter School school this year.

The focus in 2nd grade social studies last week was community. When asked: "How do you help your community?" Tyler drew a picture and explained how he helps put out "Recycle Signs."

We participate in a simple program with Charleston County. Every other week, we put out two "RECYCLE DAY IS TUESDAY" reminder signs. We place them at the two entrances of neighborhood. They look like small real estate signs that simply remind folks to take their recycles to the curb. Sounds simple enough eh? They have had a huge impact!

Charleston County's Recycle Manager John Foster, won 2 awards for the program this year. There are over 200 volunteers in the program. John has personally taken the time to meet all of the volunteers. Last year the Charleston Recycling program saw a 10% increase of materials. 2,000 TONS of material. Think about how many plastic bottles equal 2,000 TONS. This then then turns into $$$ for the local government and COMMUNITY. Not to mention the landfill space it saves.

Way to go Tyler Clapper and John Foster!

Check out: Charleston Wins Recycling Awards
for the details on Mr. Foster's work.

What are you doing to help your COMMUNITY? Tyler would like to know. So please leave a comment.

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

Rambling about Reusing

2009-08-22T19:01:00.001-07:00

I don't buy new furniture! I'll be honest. It's not because I'm a treehugger. It's because I have three young children. Ages 10, 7, and 5. All boys ! Life gets expensive for a family of FIVE. I just can't buy brand new stuff. PLUS..The kids like to spill food, spill drinks, draw on, stick their fingers in, pick at, pee on (they'd soak thru cloth diapers), and basically destroy perfectly good furniture. So, I don't buy new stuff! If you have dogs or cats you know what I'm talking about too!

Take the time to seek out used furniture. There's lots of great "stuff" out there. Recently, (because we are participating in a virtual school) we bought 2 desks for the kids. We found one on Craigslist and one at Goodwill. The one from Goodwill was an awesome find. It is an old sewing machine table that was recently sanded and varnished. It looks great! My wife's Aunt was kind enough to give us the table you see in the upper corner. It had some water stains and a broken leg. After a little love and my elbow grease....it looks outstanding!

With the recession going on, some folks are downsizing and looking to get some cash. Find deals on http://www.craigslist.com and http://www.ebay.com.

I had the opportunity to spend a morning helping Charleston Habitat for Humanity. What an awesome organization! Be sure to check out their ReStore on Meeting Street. I had a coworker tell me he bought some Ethan Allen furniture there.
http://www.charlestonhabitat.org/restore.html

Goodwill is hit and miss. My friend George Stankus stops by every day looking for a deal. www.goodwill.org

My wife has swapped kids clothing and different items thru "Freecycle." You're asked to give something up before you pick up. Basically, instead of throwing stuff out...folks will post what they have to give. Someone will respond..."I'll take that" and the person will leave it on their front porch for them.

If someone needs something and no one has posted. They'll ask "Does anyone have an extra bookcase?" and someone will respond. "Ya..come pick it up." You get the picture.

http://freecycle.org/

If you're thinking of replacing something that you've had for a while. Clean it, paint it, move it, give it new life, or donate it.

You'll save yourself a few bucks while your at it.

Leave only your footprints.

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

So Much To Save

2009-08-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.somuchtosave.org/

Check it out! Free Dave Matthews Band download.

Pledge to make a little more effort to recycle!

Nothing hard. Just another incentive.

FREE hit counter and Internet traffic statistics from freestats.com

Green bottles, Green Money, Green Earth

2009-08-10T22:45:00.000-07:00

I have fond memories of cashing in on glass bottles. My mother and I would take a box full of glass bottles to the the local Publix in Miami, Fl. Set them on the stainless steel counter. A few seconds later, coins would roll down the automatic change machine. Tall green ginger ale bottles seemed to have the biggest payout. My memory is a little fuzzy..but it seems like my Mom would let me have the change. I was only 7 and can remember wanting my folks to dring the soda bottles faster so that I could cash them in! (Btw- we are only talking Circa 1983) I don't remember hearing "It's important to do this so we take care of the Earth." from Mom. I just remember getting the coins from the change machine.

Would people litter less and take the time to recycle their plastic if we had a deposit? It may give them a couple bucks for some smokes? That would entice folks to recycle a few plastic bottles...wouldn't it?

I thought I came up with this brilliant idea. However, it's already in the works.

Check out... http://www.bottlebill.org/ I just found it tonight ! Anyone have deposits on plastic in their state? What's your thought?

Food or Plastic bag?

2009-06-19T22:15:00.000-07:00

I'm bummed out that I haven't been keeping up this blog. However, I've got some great news to share this week about my recycling program.

The recycle bin I've placed at work is now filling up on it's own! Until recently, I had been doing most of the work. I'd pick thru the trash (small wastebaskets under desks) and pull out the plastic bottles and aluminum cans. After about 3 days, I'd have a bin filled up. Now it fills up.... because everyone is either embarrassed that I go behind them or because it's the right thing to do. Regardless, I'm not doing all the work and there's less bottles on the way out to sea.

Got some local "plastic" news today from Sullivan's Island.

Check out this video.

http://clkurl.com/?rs633350

Leave nothing but your footprints.

Vitaminflowers

2009-05-20T21:52:00.000-07:00

I've already have MY sunflowers in the ground. I had some extra seed and some extra time last week. So I decided to start some sunflower seed for gifts this year. Only one problem, I didn't have any containers!

BUT...I always have plenty of plastic bottles in the recycle bin.

I've been looking for ways to reuse things around the house. Especially in my garden. To me, it seems dishonorable to go out and buy plastic "stuff" to grow things with.

Obviously, I just cut the tops off of the bottles. (Threw the tops in the recycle bin) Poked some holes in the bottom for drainage. Voila! Instant containers. I also used 2 Liter Coke bottles and a cookie container from the bakery of a grocery store.

Which ones will grow the tallest ? Vitamin Water or Coke ? VOTE NOW !

It's a start !

2009-05-18T22:50:00.000-07:00

Here I go...... blog blog bloggity blog!

Alright!

Last month I took a 3 day, 50 mile trip down the Congaree River. Http://www.congareeriverbluetrail.blogspot.com/ It was absolutely amazing! I spent 2 nights sleeping in the outdoors, lived without indoor plumbing, and paddled down a river with a friend of mine. We conquered the Congaree ! The birds we saw were incredible. The snakes and the gator tracks were a little frightening. The one fish (bass) I caught was magnificant.

However, the amount of plastic bottles I saw is still depressing me. I could always find 1 within my line of sight.

Now don't get me wrong here. I've lived and traveled in the Upstate, the Midlands, and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. This blue river trail is simply gorgeous. It is not a dump by any means. It is part of the National Park System! But, those convenient bottles you use every day. They're floating down the river...and out to sea. I saw them my entire trip.

We've all seen the pictures of poor little birds with plastic around their beaks. These pictures tear you up and also make you think the publisher is just trying to scare you a little. Right?

"They found one little bird....took it's sad picture and are making a big deal out of it."

C'mon! Y'all have thought it. I'm the treehugger here and I've thought it.

Seeing all the plastic bottles and bags along the shore of the Congaree was despairing.

So, I'm starting this blog to share some ideas, post some pictures, and maybe get more than just a handfull of folks to take an extra minute to Reduse, Reuse, and Recyle.