Volume 23 Issue 2
Spring ~ 2013
Free
Considering Garbage as a Hidden Resource By Michelle Cherrier,
the same amount of attention and care for cyclable and uncompostable garbage/rubbish/ recapture that we used for acquisition. Our waste, formerly known as trash. redirection of these used resources will be In my next report I will share useful tips, Garbage. Rubbish. Waste. Our state has ”division by four”: 1- glass, plastic, cans; hints, and advice about how you can accomreached its tipping point about what to do with 2- paper, cardboard, magazines; 3- organics plish “division by four” or “Resource Recapwaste and where to put it. And that is no pun (food waste), and; 4 – trash, the familiar unre- ture”. intended for our hard-working trash haulers! I’ve reported plenty about the new Act 148 law and deadline dates and timelines. But for us average citizens of Dummerston, these subjects are somewhat intangible. By Beverly Kenney We know our garbage is quite tangible (yes, KOA’s Kamp Green certification for enviKOA Publications Office we see it, touch it, smell it, and move it) and ronmentally friendly management practices now realize it is a recoverable and ultimately adopted on the campground. Those practices The Brattleboro North, Vermont KOA Camp- included the replacement of all traditional reusable resource. As the saying goes, “We are Vermont strong” and resourceful in every ground, owned and operated by Beverly and Er- fluorescent lighting on the campground with sense of the word. And I believe we will expe- nest Kenney, was one of three Kampgrounds of more energy efficient T8 lighting; adding light rience a successful evolution of our resource America facilities in North America recognized switch motion sensors to the campground’s opinions and habits, and it will be easier than recently for their leadership in KOA’s “Kamp game room, laundry, lounge, bathhouse and Green” environmental program. you think. closets; and adding more efficient lighting to In 2011, the Brattleboro KOA received Just consider: it is the nature of our human continued on page 9 brains to store and retrieve almost limitless information about the world around us. Every day we accomplish routine yet admirable feats of common sense organization. In our daily living spaces, our dressers and bureaus and closets are (generally) arranged so we can find our outer and under clothes, and shoes, coats, jackets and boots. The food and beverages in our refrigerators and freezers are placed so we know where to reach when we need something. Same with our silverware drawers, dishes and glasses in shelves and cabinets, and pots and pans. Our shops, utility closets and drawers, garages, cleaning tools, gardening implements, fishing tackle and ammo—they are all set up to be able to find and retrieve. We are successful in our organization because these are habits: a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition. Of course, it helps that we will use these items more than once. Now we are learning new habits about recovering the resources that are supposed to be used only once. We are learning to use see story, page 9 Dummerston supervisor to WSWMD
Brattleboro North KOA Honored For Environmental Efforts
Folktales Brought to Life by Writer Eshu Bumpus