Planet Pals! Having palpitations in anticipation of the unofficial start of summer this weekend? The Corner is woozy with excitement, or it could just be this open jug of solvent. Oh, joke. The Green Corner uses environmentally friendly chemicals for all her household needs. And someday she hopes to pay someone else to do it…..
Much happening locally on the recycling front. The Monroe County Department of Environmental Services has expanded its recycling program and as of June 1, 2011 will except all plastics numbered 1 through 7. We used to take only plastics numbered 1 & 2. This is a huge leap and if you are a resident/or work in Monroe County (University of Rochester) you can now dispose of at work and home items such as aluminum foil, pots and pans, blister packaging, CD cases, as well as broken laundry baskets and recycling bins. Although I am perplexed as how one can really recycle a recycling bin. Thinking it out makes my head hurt, so let’s move on. Items that are not recyclable include prescription medication bottles, plastic bags, Styrofoam, and any container holding a hazardous chemical (where’s my jug of solvent?). Monroe County folks go here for more info: http://www.monroecounty.gov/des-residentialrecycling.php Residents of other counties/states, just check with your local environmental services department.
The NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has a terrific interactive website to assist you in doing good things for our humble, little, rotating sphere. Check ’em out: http://www.dec.ny.gov/dectv/dectv150.html
Finally, the Green Corner does not live on recycling alone. The University Facilities and Services world is a busy one, and we make safety a priority for all our staff in the performance of any task including driving safely. As a certified Defensive Driving instructor through the National Safety Council, I conduct classes for any of our staff who drive University vehicles. before this holiday weekend kicks off, I’d like to share with you some tips for the road: Always wear a safety belt and make sure all your passengers do too. Do not use a cell phone while driving. Hands free systems do not minimize your distraction. Research has shown that a person engaged in a phone conversation while driving is the same as one who is legally intoxicated. Texting is worse, so put that marvel of 21st technology away and only answer when you are pulled over/parked. Please slow down just a little, little bit. Remember the posted speed limit is not a guideline but the law. Adjust your mirrors properly; if you can see the side of your vehicle in your side mirrors just by glancing they are not adjusted properly. Move those mirrors out; they need to cover as much of the blind spots as possible. Please obey work zone safety postings. Our roads are in dire need of repair and the folks out there perform a dangerous task. Show ’em a little respect. Oh and if you see work zones this weekend, but you don’t see workers, you still must obey posted speed signs. Many highways are re-engineered and still pose a hazard even though the work may be a mile or so away. Going to a bar-b-que? Maybe having a cold one or two? Please don’t drink and drive. Stay focused on the road, okay. Our planet needs all the help it can get to survive. We need you and would miss you very, very much if you are not here to help. Drive defensively. Enjoy!