In our modern, suburban world, going 100 percent green is unrealistic.
Going green can feel overwhelming, pricey and counterintuitive, for example, cleaning cloth diapers consumes water.
Green awareness in our community is rising, particularly from efforts of the and our schools.
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Fran Reid, Director of Environmental Planning, says the "Town of North Hempstead won the New York State Environmental Conservation Excellence award for its School Partnership Recycling program, and is introducing new green initiatives for residents and the schools.”
added that our school district “transitioned to all green cleaning agents and is a 100 percent green cleaning school.”
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As our schools encourage our children to become “lifelong recyclers,” how can ordinary parents implement green practices at home?
Start incorporating green practices with these three basics in mind: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Reduce - Less is More: Lessen your intake and use of everything - water, gas, food, energy, materials, etc. Carpool to school and out with friends. Consolidate car trips for chores. Use a garbage bowl (like Rachel Ray) for cooking scraps instead of paper towels. Fill one bowl with water to rinse off your silverware and dishes before loading the dishwasher.
Reid suggests residents start composting food waste, as it is "incredibly important to cut down on solid waste in part because trucking garbage miles away is not environmentally responsible." The town offers composting classes. Classes are conducted at Clark Gardens, and discounted compost bins are available for $50 (regularly $100+).
Recycle: Use the proper receptacles. Learn about recycling from your children. Gordon noted “we are a pilot district in recycling, and we have interwoven curriculum with beginning in the early primary grades, culminating with AP Environmental at Schrieber.”
Reid added the school recycling program includes the composting cooperative at Schrieber with the Tree Huggers group, electronic and pharmaceutical waste collection, the Weigh In program to reduce paper, and holds student art, video and poetry contests with themes like ‘re-fill not landfill’.
There are two new resident initiatives “New Paper Bins and Compostable Leaf Paper Bags” which Reid says, “the new paper bins are covered for any type of paper as many are unaware that wet paper cannot be re-used.” The Leaf Paper Bags are preffered over plastic. Paper Bins are $10. Leaf Paper Bags are $2 for 5. Both are available at 802 West Shore Road.
Research what can be recycled on the Town of North Hemptsead’s Recylcing Store.
Re-Use: Get creative on how else to use water bottles, old clothes, furniture, etc. Before tossing, try selling on Craig’s list, eBay or gather friends for a treasure trove party. Use popscicle sticks for craft projects. Learn to love leftovers. Pass down or donate clothes and toys in the bins by or at school drives. Salem students are making artistic items out of bottle caps, which are not recyclable. Reid is working to implement a bottle cap collection program in partnership with Estee Lauder to re-use in their packaging.
Other Tips:
Shop Local: Local produce can be found at the farmer’s market, food coop at and via the Golden Earthworm CSA.
Energy Use: Conduct an energy audit. Turn off the lights. Use ENERGY STAR compliant appliances and unplug when not in use.
Start small, do what you can and then do a bit more.
How does your family reduce, reuse and recycle?
Resources:
The Town of North Hempstead has extensive resources and information available on its website.
