Tucker brings 3 Rs message to Clearwater Human Needs Council
Amanda Tucker (pictured) of
Greener
Clearwater
County
is sharing the grassroots organization’s message to reduce, reuse and recycle as
part of their effort to improve the county through these 3 Rs.
She spoke to the Clearwater Human Needs Council April 22 and urged those in the audience to become more aware of what they can do to as individuals, businesses and families.
Reduce, reuse and recycle
She asked that people reduce what they buy, particularly watching the way products are packaged. Often there is more packaging than needed or types of packaging that could be easier to recycle if consumers asked for it. She also encouraged reusing items through toy swaps, clothing swaps and other means. Recycling is also a big help to the environment and to taxpayers.
Less trash, less money to move it
She said the county commissioners are supportive of more recycling at the transfer station because that will mean less trips to Missoula and less in the landfill. That will cost less money for the county and its taxpayers. At present, three loads per week are going out of Clearwater County.
Greener CC has been working with Lewis Clark Recyclers to put bins at the transfer station for newspaper, magazines and plastics. They also hope to work out a way to recycle glass by having it pulverized for use in asphalt. They are looking for grant funds to purchase the equipment. Pulverized glass is already being used in asphalt in some places in Washington.
They are also planning to have a bin to recycle athletic shoes. She said those can be used in gym floors and running tracks.
Redistribute household goods
Tucker said the group would also like to get a storage area where they can keep furniture and household goods that are donated for redistribution to those who may need them. Pastor Gary Beck said that the Seventh-day Adventist Church already has storage for such household furnishings and distributes them to those in need.
They are also working with grocery stores to stock items like recycling bins to make it easier for people to make changes in what they do with their refuse. Hayes Foods is stocking some of those products. Greener CC is selling grocery tote bags to raise money and help encourage their use instead of plastic bags.
Freecycle.org
A good place for a person to go online to list things which are no longer needed or wanted is www.freecycle.org. It’s also a great place to look for things that they do want. There is even a section particularly for people in the Orofino area.
Greener CC also has a web site with information about the 3 Rs and ideas for people at: http://gcc.nexo.com/. Tucker may be contacted at 476-5658.
“Greener CC is about educating people to be better consumers,” she said.