AlpineVistas Community Blog

Less than 20 percent of single use plastic water bottles make it to a recycle center.  Over 38 billion a year end up in landfills where they resist degrading.  These statistics alone are startling, but there’s more.  According to the Pacific Institute, producing bottles for American consumption in 2006 required an equivalent of more than 17 million barrels of oil, produced 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide, and used three liters of water for each one liter bottle.   More energy was required to transport bottles to their final destination.

Single use bottles are convenient and certainly have their place in our world, especially during emergency situations.   But if you frequently use bottled water consider other options for your daily water needs.

Tap Water is Good

Did you know that a surprising percentage of bottled water comes from regular tap water?  Generally the tap water in our area is very tasty and well regulated.  If you don’t like the taste, invest in a filter that attaches to your faucet.

Refrigerator Water

Using water directly from your fridge dispenser has several benefits.  First, the water is cool, eliminating the need to run a faucet to get cold water.  Second, many models come with filters so water drawn from this source is very tasty.  Third, using water from the dispenser eliminates the need for opening the fridge to get cool water from a pitcher.  The downside is the space doesn’t allow large bottles or pans to be filled from the dispenser.

Reuseable  Bottles

I’ve been using a reuseable plastic water bottle for a couple of years now.  When the BPA reports came out, I replaced the bottle I was using with a BPA free type.   It’s easy to fill, clean, carry, and holds up to lots of abuse.  A better choice might be stainless steel.  They are a little more expensive than plastic, but using stainless eliminates any worries about chemical contamination.  Some of the brands I have investigated include Camelbak, Klean Kanteen and SIGG.  All use either medical or food grade stainless steel and have lots of size, shape, and color selections.  Prices range from $15-$30.

Recycle

If you do use plastic bottles, make sure to always recycle.   PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastics are increasingly used in primary packaging by retailers and branded manufacturers for bottles and trays. Polyester fleece clothing and polyester filling for duvets, coats etc are frequently made from recycled PET bottles and polyester fiber is the largest single market for recycled PET bottles worldwide

Most of the time no one asks, “Paper or plastic”?  They just drop your purchases into a plastic bag and send you on your way.  Once home you either stash them in a cupboard or drawer, or toss them in the trash.  Judging by the side of the road lots of folks casually throw them out the window. 

Did you know?

·         380 billion plastic bags are used each year in the US according the EPA and most end up as litter – filling up landfills and littering the environment

·         Approximately 100,000 animals die each year from eating plastic they mistake for food.  Sadly, these bags remain intact and may be eaten by other animals, killing again.

·         It takes over 1000 years for a plastic bag to degrade – most bags are non-biodegradable

·         Petroleum is required to produce plastic bags – lots of it

The Whole Foods Market chain (all 270 stores) has stopped using plastic bags; San Francisco banned plastic bags last year unless they are bio-degradable; Modbury in Devon (a small town in the United Kingdom) became the first town in Europe to go “plastic shipping bag-free”.

An informal poll of friends, family, neighbors, and skiers/boarders on the chairlift, yielded a few interesting facts about the use (or non-use) of reusable bags.  It appears that Generation X’ers (born between 1965 and 1980) are doing the best job.  Are they more aware of what they are inheriting and want to do something about it?  They garnered an 8 on a scale of 1-10.  One Gen X’er has been using cloth for 10 years, helping to keep his parents on track.

The bulk of respondents were baby boomers.  Most of them have bags at home or in the car but forget to use them.  They get a 2 on the 1-10 scale and that’s being generous.  I say it’s time to put a stop to this behavior and start taking responsibility for this harmful problem.

Here are a few tips:

·         Buy some bags from your local market and faithfully keep them in your car (or better yet find bags around your home that need to be put to work – they don’t have to be fancy, just sturdy).

·         When you get in the car put the bags on your front seat, and make sure you have enough to handle all the items you plan on purchasing. 

·         If you forget to bring them into the store stop what you are doing and go back to the car and get them!  Remember, it takes 30 days to establish a new habit so you might have to do this more than once, but it will be worth it.  Trust me, you will feel much better about yourself.

·         Designate one of your bags for produce and stop using the store plastic.  Your peppers won’t be offended by sharing a re-usable bag with onions or carrots.

·         When you check out hand your bags to the clerk.  Some bags are better than others for loading groceries so help the clerk out with the bagging.  Bonus:  some markets give you a credit for each re-usable bag!

·         Encourage all your friends and family to make the switch.  It’s an incentive for you.  It would be embarrassing to be seen with plastic after converting others to a re-usable.

·         Find a small bag you can put in your purse or pocket for smaller shopping trips.  You can get wonderful nylon bags at sporting good stores that are perfect for this job.

·         And last, return the bags to your car as soon as you unload them.

Once you make the switch you’ll be amazed how much you like the change.  Reusable bags are sturdier, easier to carry, hold more, and don’t roll around in the back of your vehicle.   Try it, and remember one person can make a difference.

After an endless winter of terrific powder turns I was excited to pull the bike off the trainer and take a tour of the Morgan Valley.  The snowcapped mountains with a hint of green on the valley floor, mixed with the first scents of spring blooms really awaken the senses. Spinning along the rural roads reminded me of the importance of good bicycle safety and how more and more we all have to “share the road”.  Early spring riding presents its share of challenges since winter takes a big toll on our roads.  Chuck holes, sand and gravel, along with general litter make it difficult at times to ride on or near the road shoulder.

Last year two of my friends were forced off the road.  One escaped unharmed, the other was nearly run over and ended up in the emergency room.  Luckily her injuries were minor and her bike repairable.  Residents enjoy the scenic roadways of our rural communities and they are also a draw for visitors from throughout the Wasatch.  Cyclists, runners, and motor bikes share the roads with a myriad of vehicles throughout the warm weather months.  It’s critical that each user respect each other in order to keep everyone safe and injury free. 

Here are a few very important considerations:  

Cyclists:                Obey traffic laws.  Always ride with traffic, remember that stop means STOP (even in a pace line), and although two abreast is legal where lane width allows, single file is safer and much more courteous to vehicles trying to pass.  Ride as close to the road shoulder as possible. Use hand signals when turning right, left or changing lanes; never pass on the right; and always wear a helmet and bright colored clothing.

Walkers and       Run facing traffic (left side of the road) and wear bright colored reflective

Runners:              clothing.  Always yield the right-of-way to vehicles at unmarked intersections.  Use sidewalks and trails where they are available.

Motorcycles:      Avoid accelerating when a motorist is passing, use caution near driveways; be watchful of road hazards; ride in single file in the center of your lane.

Cars and trucks:                The law requires a minimum of three feet when passing a cyclist. If you are pulling a trailer or have mirrors that extend from your vehicle make sure you consider this when passing.  If you are driving a diesel truck try and avoid quick accelerations when passing a pedestrian or cyclist as the escaping exhaust creates a health and safety hazard.  Honking as a warning will startle a rider, reducing speed is a better option.

Something that shouldn’t share the road – LITTER!  Deposit all trash in proper receptacles – no

exceptions.

Replace turf with natural vegetation and wildflowers.

WATER, GO EASY

According to Utah’s Division of Water Resources, 67 percent of residential water consumption is for use outside.   Two good websites to check out are www.conservewater.utah.gov and www.eartheasy.com and here are a few quick tips:

·         Add a drip irrigation system; they are easy to install and not too expensive.  You’ll save time and money and your plants will grow better.

·         Reduce turf by switching to Xeriscape landscaping where possible.  To learn more about Xeriscape plants consider taking a class at a nearby botanical garden like Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City or the Ogden Botanical Gardens.

·         Think about lawn alternatives like creeping ground covers and ornamental grasses.  Strawberries are ideal, producing berries for home consumption and for wildlife.  They spread quickly, and recover well after a long, cold winter.  Succulents, especially sedum, seem to do very well in our dry, desert environment.

NATURAL LAWN CARE

Lawns are lovely and a great place to practice summersaults and play with the dog.  They also help cool our landscape and filter storm water.  Creating a healthier lawn using natural care techniques makes for a winning combination.

·         Test your soil and then work on improving it.

·         Aerate before adding soil amendments.

·         Mow often and leave the clippings on the lawn.

·         Water deep and in the early morning.

·         Keep pesticide and herbicide use to a minimum.

COMPOSTING

You can reduce a substantial amount of household and yard waste by composting and it’s easy, but first do your homework.  There are dozens of excellent websites that provide step-by-step instructions on composting.  A good one to check out is www.epa.gov.  This government site offers a how-to on what to compost, how to build outdoor and indoor bins, and how to use your compost.  Composting is like magic, you begin with scraps, clippings, and cuttings and end up with a rich mixture that feeds your plants and soil.

·         Compost fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, leaves, grass clippings, prunings, newspaper, dryer and vacuum lint and more.

·         Place your compost pile in a shady area and keep it moist.

·         Always layer the material and don’t make the layers too thick.

·         Turn every few weeks (or purchase an enclosed compost bin that has an enclosed tumbler system).

KEEPING COOL

Keeping your home cool during warmer months uses bundles of energy and costs you a ton of cash.  That energy use also emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and generates sulfur dioxide.  Think about using passive cooling options outside your home to naturally cool both your inside and outside living space.

·         Plant shade trees on south and west exposures.  Deciduous trees work the best as they shade your home in the summer, but allow needed sunlight in the winter.  As an additional benefit, you can use the fallen leaves to feed your compost pile in the fall!  Also consider creeping vines and shrubs along foundations.

·         Shade cloths are growing in popularity with a multitude of shapes, sizes and colors available.  They are easy to install and can be removed and stored easily during winter months.

GROW A VEGETABLE GARDEN

What better way to be green then to grow your own food!  It doesn’t take much space and you can enjoy fresh, organic delights from late spring through the first frost. 

·         If you have limited space try container gardens on the porch or patio.

·         Raised beds are easy to work with and you can control the soil.

·         Make sure your garden area gets lots of sun (at least 5 hours each day).

·         Plant what you like to eat.

·         Make sure what you plant will grow in our environment (consider growing times and temperature requirements before planting).

Mule Ear wildflowers with Ben Lomond peak in the background.

It has been a crazy spring so far with lots of rain.  It’s unusual for the Wasatch to get daily monsoon rains in May and August, that’s activity usually reserved for August.  It’s starting to interfer with my recreation! 

The good part about the rain is it makes pulling all those nasty yard weeds very easy. 

I did manage a hike yesterday and got some good pictures from the ridgeline of the south Skyline Trail, hopefully you will enjoy them.

Snowbasin from Trappers Loop summit.