The Great Green Challenge

KARE 11 Great Green Challenge
Image Obtained from http://www.kare11.com/....
Copyright 2013 by KARE.  All Rights Reserved.
No Copyright Infringement Intended

The NBC affiliate in the Twin Cities area, KARE 11, launched an eleven-week initiative called the "Great Green Challenge" on February 5.  In weekly segments, meteorologist Laura Betker has been providing ideas for businesses to adopt simple and effective methods for reducing, reusing, and recycling.  

Six weeks into the challenge, there have been some excellent recommendations:

1)    Identifying someone to lead the charge, and for that person to establish partnership throughout the organization.

2)  Making sure that recyclable items such as beverage cans and bottles are actually recycled, and not simply thrown away.

3)  Not printing unnecessary documents, and using double-sided printing otherwise.

Laura Betker
Image Obtained from  http://www.kare11.com/....
Copyright 2012 by KARE.  All Rights Reserved.
No Copyright Infringement Intended.

4)  Confirming that the process is visible and accessible to everyone by providing a sufficient number of recycling bins.

5)  Donating and reusing unwanted items.

6)  Using (and washing) silverware for meals served during staff meetings instead of disposable plastic flatware.

I would encourage everyone to adapt and adopt these recommendations within our own homes as well.  In the apartment complex where I live, for example, we have placed a recycling bin in the clubhouse, and the 96-gallon containers at our central collection points have been replaced with four cubic foot bins.  No longer are people stacking recyclables in the driveway and running the risk of them scattering in the wind, nor are people just throwing up their hand and placing recyclables in with the trash.

For more information about KARE 11's Great Green Challenge, please go to this link:   http://www.kare11.com/news/greenchallenge/default.aspx.  They are working in partnership with a company called Rethink Recycling, about whom more can be found here:  http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/businesses/recycling-disposal-info.

Do you see opportunities for improvement in your own household or workplace's conservation efforts?  How will you take action to implement your observations?  Please feel free to share your comments below.

I will provide a recap of the Great Green Challenge at the end of the eleven-week period. Special thanks to Ms Betker and to KARE 11 for underscoring the importance of this matter.  Please join me in applauding the initiative.