Goodbye bags

Here is Mark taking our plastic bags to Copps. We are still trying to not use plastic ( boy is that challenging).

What we are doing
-Bringing cloth bags with us to shop ( we are almost 100% with this)
-Reuse plastic bags for veggies and bulk grains (we have some cloth bags that we use for this)
-Don’t buy food in plastic bags when possible. (This is hard with bread, tortillas, frozen veggies)
-Recycle plastic bags: our closest place is Copps. Although there are 30 locations in Madison.

What is Madison recycling: grocery and retail bags, newspaper bags, water softener salt bags, outer bags from bread and other bags labeled 2 and 4. ( we can’t recycle meat and cheese bags)

What happens to the bags? They are sent to Trex, Inc which makes them into plastic lumber for decks, outdoor furniture and fencing.

More info at City of Madison recylcing

Thanks to Willy Street Coop Feb 2010 newsletter for making this information available and easy to understand (I love Willy St) PS you can shop on line now ( and get your food delivered)

My favorite way to recycle

Once every two years I cut my hair and donate it to Locks of Love. Here I am at Aveda before the big cut. I chose Aveda because of the great work they are doing with recycling. You can take them ALL of your bottle caps ( not just those from their products)



Here's my after look ( photo taken by my son Ben). The surprise...there is no charge for the hair cut if you are donating your hair. Go Aveda!

Action Packed Morning

This morning was a power action morning.

Here is what I took action on:

Farm to School Bill
I emailed thank yous to Senator Risser and Rep Berceau for sponsoring the Farm to School Bill (AB 746. There is a public hearing on this bill this Wed, but I have to work. More information on the bill? Want to tell your legislators to support?

Independant DNR: this is heating up. There will be a vote to over ride the Governor's veto this Tuesday, Feb 23. This is a big deal. If we want the DNR to support policy that is in line with science our best chance is to make sure the DNR is not a political appointee. This decision will have long term impact for Wisconsin's environment.
Want to know more? Want to contact your legislators?

Clean Energy
Russ Feingold is holding some listening sessions to see if there is support for a clean energy bill. Again, since I work I can't get there in person...so I emailed him to let him know I support his efforts. Want more information on this?

We have a reputation!

Our first arboretum work day, we had two families and we doubled the numbers of the work party. Yesterday, we had four families represented and we tripled the number of the work party. And the volunteer leader told us.."The Chippers were talking about you." (the chippers are the ones who come after us and put all the brush we cut into the chipper.) The chippers were talking about us because...we have the best piles. :)

Better Late than Never

I brought my camera to Conservation Lobby Day and took photos..and am just now putting together a thank you for both Risser and Berceau. Here is what I said

Dear Senator Risser:

Thank you for meeting with us on Conservation Lobby Day and for you continued leadership on conservation issues. I am proud to be represented by a legislator who is working to preserve and protect the natural resources of Wisconsin for the long term.

This thank you is being sent on behalf of the approximately 500 caring Wisconsin residents who took time off work or other commitments to spend the day at the capital to make sure the message is clear: Most Wisconsin residents care deeply about our environment.

Thank you again for your 100% conservation track record.

We're a one car family

We have talked about it for years. From an environmental perspective, it is the way to go. But it is hard to give up the convenience of two cars.

The discussion is over. Mark listed his car on Craig's list...it sold the same day. And we are officially a one car family.

Part of our family meeting will now be who needs to go where, when?

We will be car pooling, biking, busing and walking more than ever. And we are looking in Community Car.

Mark now rides his bike/buses to work ( a big commitment since he works in Middleton)

Most important environmental issue

It will be water...or so says Irena Salina in her documentary FLOW I am inclined to agree. I knew water was a concern...but this film certainly opened my eyes. And we tend to get a little complacent about fresh water...with the Great Lakes in our back yard. But like the frog in the slowly heating water...if we don't pay attention soon...

Action I will do
-Boycott Nestle You will learn more if you watch FLOW but the bottom line is some big companies are doing some unethical things with our water and they are making huge profits at our..and the environments' expense. Here is one example of what's happening in Michigan.
-Read up on the WI River Alliance ...see if I want to join
-Talk to my family about hosting a showing of FLOW at our house
-Continue to work with WI League of Conservation Voters..since two of the priorities this year are about protecting our water.

I want to end by saying although FLOW points out some big problems related to water...it also points to some positive things that are already being done. At the end I felt hopeful...but also with a sense of urgency to take action.

Photo Credit: flickr hypergurl