General | Page 49 | Do It Green! Minnesota

Annual World Population Balance Potluck Gathering

October 29, 2017

Come join other overpopulation activists for great food and stimulating discussion! Bring food to share. We’ll provide the beverages and table settings. RSVP for the potluck to help us plan and please let us know if you can help with any pre-event setup or post-event cleanup. To RSVP email info@worldpopulationbalance.org or cal 612-869-1640.

Overpopulation Film Festival

October 29, 2017

See the documentary, Critical Mass, plus a variety of short films addressing human numbers. Admission is free. Donations appreciated.

Hold the Phones: A Local Look at the Global Issue of Electronic Waste.

October 27, 2017

The University of Minnesota Sustainability Film Series presents Luen Hai: Decoding the Connection, a documentary that traces e-waste from Minnesota to China, filmed by students from St. John’s and St. Ben’s Extending the Link group. The screening will be followed by an expert panel discussing the implications and possibilities for reusing, repurposing, and dealing with…

Dogwood live-staking planting near the banks of Middle Creek

October 17, 2017

Enjoy a crisp fall morning on Saturday, November 18th at Middle Creek, a tributary of the Vermillion River in Farmington. From 9-11 AM, Volunteers will assist Friends of the Mississippi River and the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization with a unique planting project, live-staking. Live-staking is a process where stem cuttings are harvested from dormant trees and…

Cut and haul nuisance brush at Grey Cloud Dunes SNA

October 17, 2017

Grey Cloud Dunes SNA is one of those places you can hardly believe is in a metro area. Located in Cottage Grove, this highly protected Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) features two sandy terraces along the river. Join Friends of the Mississippi River staff and volunteers in the SNA on Saturday, November 4, from 9-11…

Green Tips

Start Backyard Composting

Did you know that the average Minnesota household throws 15 pounds of compostable materials into the trash every single week? Composting is an easy and simple way to have an immediate personal impact by diverting trash from the landfill or incinerator. Backyard composting takes leaves, grass clippings, veggie scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and tissue and turns them into valuable compost that reduces the amount of water and fertilizer required for your yard and garden, improves soil quality and supplies essential nutrients for plant growth.

Learn more!

Install a Solar Water Heater

Solar water heating is one of the least publicized but most cost-effective renewable energy options. According to Windy Dankoff of Conergy, solar water heaters capture six times more energy than solar electric at a third the cost.

Read our full article on Solar Water Heaters for more information.

Buy Green Office Supplies

“Green” doesn’t necessarily mean “good” when it comes to so-called green office supplies. To help your office green up, consider durability, natural resource and energy use, recycled content and recyclability, toxicity, biodegradability and packaging before you purchase supplies. You can also set up a reuse system for the supplies you already have. For more tips on green office products, check out this article.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

A programable thermostat can save $100 per year. Set it 2 degrees higher in summer and 2 degrees lower in winter for an additional money and energy savings.

Check out the Home Energy Checklist for more great ideas!

Green Your Laundry

Green laundry practices are good for the environment and for your wallet! Use cold water, wash only when clothes are dirty, line dry clothes year round, buy concentrated laundry detergent in refillable containers, use non-chlorine bleach, and purchase Energy Star appliances when possible.

Check out our full list of green laundry tips!

Buy Reusable for Parties, Picnics & Holidays

Purchase durable, long lasting reusable items for serving and eating food such as silverware, glasses, bowls, mugs, plates, and cloth napkins. When you choose reusable over disposable, even if it costs more up front, it will save money and be less wasteful. Think about the amount of trash you can keep out of the landfill or the incinerator by choosing to reuse!

Check out our article on How to Plan a Low Waste Event for more ideas!

Get Your Mayor Involved

More than 600 cities nationwide are not waiting for federal action on climate change—they are taking matters into their own hands. The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement is one way cities are reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and urging government to take action. Read more about the agreement here, plus learn what Minnesota’s government is doing about global warming.

Reduce Paper Waste at the Office

Office paper is highly recyclable, but reducing or preventing paper waste is even more cost effective than recycling. Some ideas for reducing office paper waste:

Double-sided copying and printing.
Reusing paper. Keep a collection box by the copy machine for bad copies so the second side can be reused.
Make use of electronic communication.
Use smaller cover sheets or eliminate the cover sheet all together.
Reuse items from old packaging.
Reuse materials in-house, through clients, customers and consumers.
Consider buying the most environmentally-friendly paper (100% post-consumer recycled) to stock in your printers, copiers and fax machines.

Check out our full article Green Your Office for more great ideas.

Host an Art Night

Looking for a new way to connect with your neighbors, get free life advice, and spark your creative juices? Consider hosting an art night at your house, complete with paints, modeling clay, colored pencils and art smocks. Get messy, be creative, and let the conversation flow. For inspiration and resources, check out this article.

Host a Clothing Swap

Swapping is a great way to eliminate waste and engage in reuse. Instead of throwing away items that you no longer want, you give them to someone who does, and instead of purchasing brand new items, you can reuse items you receive from others. Swapping can also be a way to provide items to people who cannot afford to purchase them, and it is a wonderful way to meet new people and build a sense of community.

Check out Swapping Made Easy for a full list of tips to hosting your own swap!

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet