As a kid, I remember watching the Keep America Beautiful PSA, the now-famous commercial in which a Native American looks out over a scene of terrible pollution. When he turns his head back to face the camera, a single tear falls down his cheek. I believe that message helped plant a seed of conservation in me because I identified with it in many ways. My mom comes from Native American decent, and my dad was an Eagle Scout. We all enjoyed going camping together as a family and spending time in nature, so this man’s deep sadness at what was being done to Mother Earth’s amazing resources resonated within me.
April seems like the perfect time of the year to celebrate Earth Day here in Michigan because the hope and rebirth of spring is so abundantly apparent in nature, and the seasons are so pronounced that even city folks can see new life blooming. There are many things that each of us can do that will truly make a difference in the world through our choices and our actions to keep our space beautiful. The mantra is pretty simple and not unfamiliar: reduce, reuse, recycle.
Yet, doing these things is sometimes difficult. I think that Kermit the Frog had it right when he said it’s not easy being green. There are times when it might be easier to throw something away instead of taking the time to recycle it, or cheaper to buy more than we need. But it helps to think about the big picture. If each and every one of us made some small changes each day, it would begin to add up to make a noticeable difference over time.
In my neighborhood, curbside recycling has really helped to reduce the amount of trash from our household. Each week we fill the bin and over time I have noticed that more and more of my neighbors are doing the same.
When I met Ron Covert of Covert Shredding, he inspired me to step up my game and take my paper recycling to the next level. First I brought him several boxes of old papers, which greatly increased the number of empty drawers at home. Now, in my office, I keep two envelope boxes next to my garbage can to separate out paper trash. Pages that are clean on one side, I use to print internal documents and for making scrap note pads. I shred items with confidential information. Any other paper trash goes into the recycle bin each week. This process truly takes very little extra effort. I have also made an effort to purchase 100 percent post consumer recycled paper which saves energy, water, and landfill space and helps to create a market demand.
There are any number of things we can do such saving coffee grounds to use as compost or asking our favorite coffee shop to use biodegradable containers. Michigan Green Safe is a good source for these products, just ask John Chetcuti for utensils made from potatoes and cups made of corn. These innovative products keep Styrofoam containers out of our landfills. John is a man on a mission helping to convert local businesses into green businesses. It’s also a huge bonus that he helps to spread the word about Natural Awakenings magazine where ever he goes.
We are grateful for all our Natural Awakening supporters. This month we celebrate our first year anniversary, and you might notice that we have quite a few more listings in our Community Resource Guide starting on page 50. These fine individuals and businesses are just a few of our local and holistic community of practitioners, and I want to thank them most sincerely for sharing in my dream to get the healthy living, healthy planet message out to the Wayne County area and beyond.
If knowledge is power, the intention of Natural Awakenings is to spread our knowledge far and wide so that each of you, our readers, becomes empowered by the many ways that you can live a happier and healthier life. I want to do all that I can to help get the message out to all that are open and willing to receive it. Thanks to everyone who has helped us to reach this point. It has been quite a journey thus far, and I suspect that it’s just the beginning!
Feel good, live simply, and definitely, laugh more.
