Orofino Chamber
of Commerce
Greener
Clearwater County’s Amanda Tucker addresses Chamber
By Ronda Nelson
With Orofino’s first Earth Day Festival coming up April 26, Amanda Tucker of Greener Clearwater County was on hand to address the Orofino Chamber of Commerce April 16. She shared the vision of GCC and details of the festival.
GCC is a grassroots organization dedicated to keeping Clearwater County beautiful by encouraging people to employ the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Their focus is sustainability, and education is their chief tool.
To reduce, use less, buy less and if you must buy, aim for post consumer packaging and products.
Clothing swaps, toy swaps, donations to charity and yard sales are just a few of the ways a family can reuse items.
As a last resort, recycle. The transfer station will have bins available by April 26, and citizens are encouraged to utilize them.
When challenged as to whether people will bother without the convenience of curbside pickup, Tucker pointed out that a number of people take recyclables to Lewiston and Moscow. For those people the new bins present a wonderful convenience. For newcomers to recycling, it is simply a matter of seeing the benefits and changing habits accordingly.
In the long term, recycling could greatly reduce the amount of garbage currently being sent to Missoula on a weekly basis, thus providing substantial reduction in costs.
The transfer station will receive plastics one and two, tin, aluminum, waste paper, cardboard and newspaper. At present, no glass will be received.
The average American is responsible for nearly five pounds of trash a day. Recycling one aluminum can saves the energy needed to run a television for three hours. Americans use 2.5 million plastic water bottles per hour. It takes over 7,000 years for one bottle to decompose. These are just a few of the facts shared by Tucker.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Tucker cited this statement by anthropologist Margaret Mead as inspiration for individuals to make small changes for long term difference.
Earth Day festivities will take place at the Orofino City Park Apr. 26 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Activities include at least 13 booths that offer information on sustainability and recycling issues. Recycling demon-strations will be held and kids will have the opportunity to participate in a toy swap and coloring contest.
GCC will have a soft taco booth, bake sale and canvas grocery bags available for sale. Proceeds will fund ongoing education efforts.
Live music will be provided by The Red Eye Gravy Band, Fiddlin’ Big Al and Clearwater Harmony throughout the afternoon.
Community Clean Up
The Chamber will clean up Heritage Plaza during Community Clean Up April 26.
Surf’s Up
The chamber auction, “Surf’s Up,” takes place May 2 at 6 p.m., at the Lodge at River’s Edge. Tickets are $25 or 2/$45. Executive Director Burnham showed the complimentary glass that each ticket buyer will receive, as well as a number of items for the auction.