"The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it." Psalm 24: 1
earth Earth Care Seal

RCLPC is an
Earth Care Congregation

Green Guide Upcoming Activities
Green Living Tips
Green Drinks Networking
Recycling

Earth Care Team Announcements:

McHenry County Water Forum

Wednesday, September 11, 5:30pm - 8:00pm
McHenry County College Conference Center
Building B, 8900 US 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012


Blackhawk Presbytery Action for Climate
On June 4 Blackhawk Presbytery voted to endorse H.R. 763, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. This bipartisan bill has provisions to drive down carbon pollution and bring climate change under control, while encouraging technology innovation and protecting the poor from rising costs. The Earth Care Network of Blackhawk brought the proposal to the Presbytery in April, it was tabled for further study, then passed by a near-unanimous vote. May we be faithful stewards of God's good earth.
~ Earth Care Team

Related newspaper article: Local climate advocate gets Presbyterian endorsement of climate bill
climate change

2018-2019 McHenry County Green Guide
Pictures from Green Living Fair 2019
Pictures from Green Living Fair 2017
Pictures from Green Living Fair 2015
Pictures from Green Living Fair 2014

The Presbyterian Eco-Justice Journey blog has posted an update. Learn about opportunities and information for "faith-based environmental and sustainable living" education, advocacy and action to accompany you on your own justice journey.

Action Invitation from Earth Care Team:
July 19, 2019
By the end of the fiscal year, hundreds of scientific advisory committees including more than half of those at the Environmental Protection Agency will be dissolved. Climate scientists have been censored, their research ignored, and this executive order takes this attack on science a step further. This order will affect Illinois families as well. Not only would it potentially dissolve the Great Lakes advisory committee, but it would also close countless committees that help organize thousands of policy experts, scientists, and research used to drive federal decision-making and spending.

As people of faith, stewardship of God's creation requires us to stand up and speak out about this issue. This impairing our government's ability to govern by silencing scientists and dismantling hundreds of scientific advisory committees is wrong for the planet and dangerous. The science and facts should dictate the policymaking. Please contact your Congressional Representative and Senators and urge them to stand up for science and facts in decision-making and spending.

Recycling

McHenry County Department of Health and Elgin Recycling will be hosting
Single Day Residential Electronic Recycling Events

September 7, 2019, 8am - Noon
Grafton Township Road District, 10109 Vine St., Huntley

October 19, 2019, 8am - Noon
McHenry County College, 8900 US Route 14, Crystal Lake

Electronic Devices that will be accepted at both events:
  • Televisions & Computer Monitors (Fees Apply*)
  • Computers & Small Scale Servers
  • Printers, FAX Machines and Scanners
  • DVD Players, DVD Recorders and VCR's
  • Video Game Consoles
  • Digital Converter Boxes, Cable and Satellite Receivers
  • Electronic Keyboards, Electronic Mice and Portable Digital Music Players
*Fees for TVs and Monitors:
$15 for up to 20"
$25 for 21" and Larger
Credit cards and cash will be accepted onsite Limit of 7 electronic devices per participant.

Elgin Recycling is also open:
Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm,
Saturday 8am - 1pm at their location in Crystal Lake at 5114 E. Terra Cotta. (Across from Countryside Flower Shop).
They accept most anything that plugs into a wall outlet, too.

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.

Green Wednesdays

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:

Regenerative Agriculture: August 7
The next McHenry County Green Drinks networking event on Wednesday, August 7 5pm-7pm will feature John Bartman, a 5th generation McHenry County farmer. He will be speaking about Regenerative Agriculture and it's importance to the environment on a local and global level. Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming which aims to give back to the earth and leave it in a better place. It builds soil, increases biodiversity, improves water cycles and sequesters carbon.

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
Creator God, you make all things and weave them together in an intricate tapestry of life. Teach us to respect the fragile balance of life and to care for all the gifts of your creation. Guide by your wisdom those who have power and authority, that, by the decisions they make, life may be cherished and a good and fruitful Earth may continue to show your glory and sing your praises. Almighty God, you have called us to tend and keep the garden of your creation. Give us wisdom and reverence for all your plants and animals who share this planet with us and whose lives make possible our own. Help us to remember that they too love the sweetness of life and join with us in giving you praise.
--From the National Council of Churches Earth Day Sunday 2001