Earth DayTop 10

encounter individually wrapped items? If it’s the gas station, try to pay at the pump instead of going inside. If it’s the grocery store, research some homemade alternatives or alternate whole foods that can be bought in bulk. If it’s the work vending machine, put a ban on it. Challenge yourself to lay off the wrapped goodness for four days out of five each week.

#2 – Drink out of reusables

Say you’re stopping for coffee every weekday. Think about how many cups, lids and sleeves you’d save by bringing your own mug, even if you only remembered it half the time?

Stick a mug in your car. Grab a few extras to have around in case one is in the dishwasher.

You can apply the same theory to water bottles. Do you buy it by the case? Are you going through other single-use beverage containers? Aluminum can clinking around in the back seat?

Try to switch it up! Get a reusable straw cup to fill up at the tap. Use ice cubes or flavorings to mix things up. It’s a great way to ditch the clutter and reduce gobs of waste.

#3 – Take a month off from shopping

OK, groceries and gasoline might be an exception, but what about clothes, furniture, etc.? See if you can skip it for a whole month. Or, if you NEED something, go used. Seek out secondhand stores, reuse centers, online reuse pages and classified ads, or phone a friend. There are so many perfectly good items out there just waiting for you to show them some love.

As an added bonus, these items are usually available at a reduced cost or even free. WLSSD has reuse options available at both the Household Hazardous Waste Facility and the Materials Recovery Center.

Check out WLSSD.com for more information!

#4 – Keep your food scraps out of your trash can

Food is filled with juicy nutrients that can be put to better use. Have you been meaning to start a backyard compost pile for years? Now is the time!

Duluth is chock-full of resources for composting. Ask a friend or neighbor with a glittering pile in their yard. Attend a gardening event and chat with the Master Composters or visit WLSSD. com.

If you don’t have the space or the interest in composting yourself, WLSSD will do it for you! They have drop sites located throughout the community that are eagerly awaiting your leftovers, peelings and pizza crusts.

Anything that is or was edible can be dropped off in the WLSSD dumpsters.

They’ll take it from there. It gets mixed with ground-up yard waste and composted to make gardens even greener!

#5 – Host a waste-free event

Spring is a flurry of graduation parties, baby showers, weddings and reunions. Instead of heaps of black trash bags piled with cups and plates, take your festivities to greener pastures.

Use rented or reusable serveware if it’s in the budget. If not, try compostable goods. WLSSD can set you up with bins to collect your materials on-site. Just scoop up your goodies at the end of the night and drop them at their food waste dropsite.

#6 – Shore up on your recycling facts

WLSSD gets questions daily about what is and is not recyclable. They know it can be confusing.

First, keep it simple. Try not to get too bogged down in the details.

Second, hop on your waste hauler’s website and read through their recycling information.

Still have questions? Call them or give WLSSD a shout. They’re happy to walk you through it.

#7 – Eliminate the paper in your life

Can you believe junk mail is still a thing? Some of it is unavoidable, but many businesses have paperless options. Monitor your mail for a month and see what you can get rid of. You can also try switching to dry erase boards for notes, lists and calendars. At work, stick with double sided printing, email and *gasp* in-person communication.

#8 – Do a neighborhood cleanup

We talked about the dark tales of seasons past that are revealed when the snow melts. Take a few hours on a Saturday morning with the family and do some trash pickup. Start with your yard and maybe try to hit a few side streets or your local park.

Others might take your lead and come out and help! It does wonders for the neighborhood and our morale.

#9 – Dig deeper into the world of reusables

When you’re ready, there are some really fun options that you can take advantage of at home.

How about switching to reusable napkins? You could get a colorful array, or stick with a standard batch. Work them into the laundry rotation a few times a week — done!

Are you using vinyl shower curtains? Maybe try a fabric version. Throw it in the washer every month or so and be done with that sharp smell of vinyl every time you hit the shower.

This one might be a bit tougher, but you could even consider weaning yourself off paper towels. Try using dish towels for a week or so and see if you can manage it. The fact is, cloth towels work better anyway!

#10 – Last but not least, remind yourself why this is all so important

Take a walk along the lake. Go play with the kids in the park. Breathe that fresh spring air and take in the outside world. Spend time talking with your family and friends about why it’s important for all of us to keep taking steps in the right direction.

Even if it’s just one step at a time, it all makes a difference! D

By Kelsey Roseth

This is one of the most challenging things Kim Sequin has ever done.

The Proctor resident, whose 16-year-old son, Jaxson, was diagnosed with autism (or autism spectrum disorder) in 2006 when he was just 3 years old, is participating in the Partners in Policymaking leadership training program for adults with disabilities and parents of children with developmental disabilities.

“I am presenting [at the Minnesota State Capitol on Disability Advocacy Day] and am terrified of doing it,” Seguin said. “It’s a huge step out of my comfort zone to do such a thing.”