Reduce, reuse, recycle for Earth Day
Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and local recycling agencies want everyone to help the environment. Officials with the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency say small actions could turn into eco-friendly habits year round. Our Brad Vivacqua reports.
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- We picked up some eco-friendly suggestions from OCRRA Public Information Officer Kristen Lawton. OCRRA has issued its three easy steps to Make Mother Earth proud.
The first, no matter where you live, it's important to reduce your waste. And for so many of us in the morning, we love to stop at our favorite coffee shop to get that cup of coffee but you're encouraged to use a travel mug, as opposed to a foam cup. You can also reduce your waste by bringing a reusable grocery bag to the store with you rather than using and throwing away several plastic bags.
And OCRRA encourages you to use recyclable batteries as opposed to using regular batteries that you have to eventually get rid of.
OCRRA officials say another step to help the environment would be to try a cleaning substitute for a few products that come in plastic bottles or cans. For example, rather than window cleaner, combine a cup of water and an eighth cup of vinegar to make your own. For toilet cleaner, try combining vinegar with baking soda. This way your cutting back on the number of plastic bottles and cans your disposing.
Finally, a third step you can follow to help the environment would be to look for local waste drop off events in your area. Here in Onondaga County you're encouraged to visit OCRRA's website where you can sign up online for a hazardous waste drop off event May 1st at the Ley Creek Transfer Station. Properly removing hazardous materials from your home is very important.
Officials say if everyone were to follow these three steps our environment could be a much better place.
"By taking just a few of these small actions on Earth Day you may be surprised they're not very difficult and you'll find that you'll continue them hopefully throughout the year and hopefully have a big impact on the environment," said Kristen Lawton with OCRRA.
If you'd like more information about recycling, reducing waste, or reusing materials just visit ocrra.org.
If you live outside of Onondaga County be sure to check with your local recycling agency.