by Calista Sprague

Our over-flowing landfills, depleted ozone layer, melting polar icecaps, growing list of endangered animals and ever decreasing oil supply are only a few of the concerns currently plaguing our planet.

For many years, organizations such as Keep America Beautiful, Greenpeace and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been educating the public about environmental issues and their possible solutions. Despite the familiarity of phrases such as “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” according to a statewide survey commissioned by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, only 58 percent of Georgians surveyed reported recycling regularly.

If we parents want to leave a healthy planet to our children, much work remains to be done. But the flood of information now available regarding the latest contaminants to air, water and land and their devastating ecological effects, added to the burgeoning list of environmental no-nos may leave some families feeling overwhelmed and at a loss of where to start.

If your family wants to become part of the solution, celebrate Earth Day, April 22, by implementing these five basic Earth-saving habits.

Recycle
If you live in Columbus, you’re in luck! We enjoy curbside recycling, a convenience shared by only 41 percent of Georgians, making it easy to throw our paper, glass, plastic and cans into a bin rather than in to the land-fill. If you don’t have a bin, call 311 from your home to request one. Be sure to rinse food containers thoroughly before disposal.

If you live outside Columbus, recycling can be done with only a modicum of effort. Separate your items and drop at the Goodwill Recycling Center at 515 10th Avenue or All-American Recycling Inc. at 1616 Murray Street in Columbus.

Visit valleyparent. com for a list of items accepted at each site.

Get Rid of Plastic Bags
Plastic shopping bags are petroleum products, made from oil, a nonrenewable energy source. The bags take decades to break down, And although they are recyclable, according to the EPA, only one percent of plastic bags were recycled in 2000.In addition to taking up valuable space in landfills, plastic shopping bags endanger wildlife, sea life in particular. The bags mimic jellyfish in the water, causing sea turtles and dolphins to die of entanglement, suffocation and ingestion.

Recycling helps (Bins are available at most grocery stores.), but switching to reusable cloth or canvas bags eliminates the problem altogether. Most shopping centers sell the reusable bags for only a dollar or two. Store them In your car so they are always handy.

Pull The Plug
It seems basic, But if you’re not using it, turn it off, and if you won’t use it again for a few hours, unplug it. Lights, TVs, computers and Other electronic devices use Fairly small Amounts of energy individually, but added together, push the electric meter significantly higher. Train your family to turn off what they are not using, and teach them that even when turned off, appliances, electronics and battery chargers waste electricity when plugged in.

Before bed, go through the House and pull the plug on toaster ovens, coffee makers, computers, lamps and cell phone chargers. The extra effort to plug something in each time you use it is off set by the energy Savings.

Adjust Your Thermostat
Let’s face it. We’re spoiled. We step from our centrally Heated and cooled homes to our heated and Cooled cars and our heated and cooled shopping centers and work places. Stop to think for a minute about the vast amount of resources required to keep our inside environments at optimal temperatures.

Current earth-friendly guidelines suggest Thermostats set at 68 degrees in the winter And 78 degrees in the summer. If your family balks, consider moving the thermostat just two degrees. You will substantially reduce your impact on the planet and make a small dent in your heating and cooling bills in the process.

In the Chattahoochee Valley, keeping cool In the summer costs us the most. Install ceiling fans to help make a higher thermostat Setting more palatable. Also, check to be sure your attic is properly insulated and ventilated. If your family already incorporates these earth-friendly habits, bravo! To learn how to take your green living to the next level, visit earthday.net, epa.org, or earth911.com.

Rethink Batteries
Batteries are convenient, but the chemicals they contain pose a great threat to the quality of our soil and water. We may not be able to do without them, but we can learn to use them and dispose of them more responsibly. Whenever possible, opt for the plug. Most elect ironic devices allow for alternative A/C power. If you’re near an outlet, save battery life by plugging in.

When battery use is unavoidable, consider reusable batteries. Rechargeables have improved dramatically in recent years, holding a stronger charge longer. And as an added bonus, rechargeable batteries, although more expensive on the front end, can save your family money in the long run. If you can’t bring yourself to make the switch, then invest in a battery tester. Too often several batteries get thrown out when only one or two need to be replaced.

Did you know that laptop batteries last longer when kept cool? Purchase a cooling pad if you plan to use your laptop on a soft surface. Also, cell phones use more battery power when signals are low, so waiting for better reception can prolong the life of your battery.

Batteries for laptops and cell phones should never be thrown a way. Companies who sell batteries usually offer recycling programs and may even offer discounts on new batteries when you bring in your old ones.

For more information on battery use, recycling and disposal, call Keep Columbus Beautiful 706-653-4008 or visit earth911.com.

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