Use reusable alternatives 

 such as sponges, cloth napkins 

 and towels for spills. 



If you don't have the yard 

 space for a compost pile, 

 try vermi-composting indoors 

 with worms. 



Earth Day Resolutions 



These days, our wastes and disposal choices reflect our lifestyles. 

 The 25th anniversary of Earth Day offers an opportunity to re-evaluate 

 them, to resolve to place less emphasis on convenience and more on 

 conservation. 



Some resolutions can guide this process. 



Buy in bulk or large sizes to reduce 

 the amount of product packaging 

 that you bring home. Use bulk 

 dispensers and your own reusable 

 containers. 



2. Avoid food sold in individual 

 servings. 



3. Substitute alternatives for toxic pest control 

 and cleaning products, which can present disposal problems. For instance, 

 substitute baking soda for tub and tile cleaners; exchange mineral oil and a 

 few drops of lemon juice for furniture polish. Avoid oven, drain and toilet 

 cleaners, metal polishes, chlorine bleach and spray pesticides. Instead, use 

 borax, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and salt. 



4. Reduce your use of plastic wraps and bags. Store food in plastic 

 containers. Recycle dry cleaning bags where you can. And avoid 

 degradable plastic bags — they don't degrade in landfills and they 

 contaminate efforts to recycle plastic bags. 



5 . Minimize your use of paper products. Try reusable alternatives such as 

 sponges, cloth napkins and towels for spills. 



6. Companies listen to consumers, so tell them what you think. Refuse to 

 buy a product you consider environmentally unfriendly and write or call 

 the manufacturer about your concerns. 



7. If you don't have the yard space for a compost 

 pile, try vermi-composting indoors with worms. 

 The state Office of Waste Reduction says 

 there's no smell. All you need is a sturdy 

 box, shredded newspaper bedding, a handful 

 of soil and a bunch of leaves. Add enough 

 water to keep the pile as moist as a wrung- 

 out sponge. Then, add about 2 pounds of 

 red worms (2 to 4 inches long) and start 

 feeding them kitchen wastes. In the end, 

 you'll have a rich black humus for your 

 plants. □ 



Helpful sources of information were 

 N.C. Office of Waste Reduction publica- 

 tions, EPA Journal, Waste Wise and 

 Rubbish! The Archaeology of Garbage. 



16 



MARCH/APRIL 1995 



