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Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
8505 Church Street (in Ridgefield) Crystal Lake, IL 60012 * 815-459-1132 |
"The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it." Psalm 24: 1
RCLPC is an
Earth Care Congregation
Green Guide Upcoming Activities
Green Living Tips
Green Drinks Networking
Recycling
Earth Care Team Announcements:
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2018-2019 McHenry County Green Guide
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Recycling
Earth Care Team is sharing with you with the permission of our friend and well-known recycler, Kay McKeen, slides she recently shared at McHenry County's monthly Green Drinks meeting. Kay offers many good suggestions for using less (Reducing), using what you have (Reusing), and saving money (Recycling). The slides are organized monthly to help you in Planning a Zero-Waste Year!
RECYCLE COOKING OIL
Consider recycling your cooking oil (especially that turkey fryer oil!) with a locally owned company Hopkins Grease Company where it is processed and recycled into yellow grease which is used in valuable products such as plastics, soaps, livestock feed, and alternative fuel. Call for drop off times, (847) 458-1010.
SAY NO TO PLASTIC STRAWS
Each day we use 500 million straws - enough disposable straws to fill over 46,400 large school buses per year? Just say no thank you to straws.
CAPS ON OR OFF?
Recycling industry officials say to leave the caps on bottles or containers to make sure they get through the recycling plant processes.
DID YOU KNOW?
Any cardboard or paper boxes that has food stuck to it (or grease stains) CANNOT be recycled anywhere.
Green Guide Upcoming Activities
Make a Difference Day
locations vary, fourth Saturday annually, 9am - Noon.
Environmental Defenders sponsored. www.mcdef.org
Green Living Tips
This tip brought to you by Global Stewards Sustainable Living Tips.
Find them at http://www.globalstewards.org
I came across a blog article recently on Global Stewards Blog which taken in all at once is a HUGE amount of information. So I've decided to share the blog post with you in 3 separate installments centered around the theme of Reduce, Recycle, and Re-use. Part 1 of the blog article focuses on REDUCING our consumption in order to live a lighter, green lifestyle. If you'd like to read the blog article in its entirety, click here (http://www.globalstewards.org/ecotips.htm)
REDUCE: The critical first step of waste prevention is often overshadowed by a focus on recycling. To help gain a greater awareness of the importance of the "Reduce" part of the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle mantra, and for a great overview of how raw materials and products move around the world, see the video The Story of Stuff (approx 21 mins): (https://youtu.be/9GorqroigqM) If you're looking for ways to reduce the amount of stuff you consume, here are some great ways you can get started:
- Go Zero Waste: The ultimate goal - learn how at https://zerowastehome.com/
- Simplify: Simplify your life as much as possible. Only keep belongings that you use/enjoy on a regular basis. By making the effort to reduce what you own, you will naturally purchase less/create less waste in the future.
- Reduce Purchases: In general, think before you buy any product - do you really need it? How did the production of this product impact the environment and what further impacts will there be with the disposal of the product (and associated packaging materials)? When you are thinking about buying something, try the 30-Day Rule -- wait 30 days after the first time you decide you want a product to really make your decision. This will eliminate impulse buying.
- Replace Disposables: Wherever possible, replace disposable products with reusable ones (i.e., razor, food storage, batteries, ink cartridges (buy refill ink), coffee filters, furnace or air conditioner filters, etc.).
- Buy Used: Buy used products whenever possible.
- Make Your Own: Whenever possible, make your own products to cut down on waste and control the materials used.
- Avoid Creating Trash: Avoid creating trash wherever possible: when ordering food, avoid receiving any unnecessary plastic utensils, straws, etc. (ask in advance), buy ice cream in a cone instead of a cup, don't accept "free" promotional products, buy products with the least amount of packaging, etc. Every little bit of trash avoided does make a difference!
- Shopping Bags: While shopping, if you only buy a few products skip the shopping bag. For larger purchases, bring your own. For a great movie on what happens to all those plastic bags, watch the Bag It! trailer (3 mins) here: (https://vimeo.com/5645718)
- Mug-to-Go: Carry a mug with you wherever you go for takeout beverages.
McHenry County Green Drinks Networking
Green Wednesdays
In McHenry County, the first Wednesday of each month is Green Wednesday! Time to gather to discuss environmental topics, plus reconnect with eco-friends and make new ones. Join us at Duke's Alehouse & Kitchen, 110 N Main Street in Crystal Lake. The event is upstairs at Duke's from 5-7pm. Head upstairs for info and inspiration, business and pleasure.
Come talk about "greening" the future with others. Additional parking is available at the train station.
Upcoming Green Drinks Topics:
Future Programs:
Check the weblink at greendrinks.org/ for additional information about upcoming green topics.
The McHenry County Green Drinks is apart of an international network of over 600 Green Drinks groups throughout the world.These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, and had moments of serendipity.
Prayer for the Earth
Most gracious God, we come before you to pray for the wellbeing of the planet. You alone know the full extent of the destruction we have wrought to your beautiful handiwork, and what needs to be done to remedy it. We pray for the people around the globe who suffer because of environmental damage. We pray for the defenseless creatures harmed or made extinct by our selfishness and ignorance. We pray for the oceans, air, mountains, plants, and soil, that life and health may again pulse in them. We pray that we humans have a change of heart and stop harming the planet. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us that we may have the passion and wisdom to work effectively to restore your creation. Guide us in our personal, church and community efforts. Give us strength to continue on with this work when it is difficult and requires sacrifice. Bless the Earth and all its life in every way. We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.