News to host recycling event

MOUNT VERNON — On Saturday, the Mount Vernon News, along with SBC Recycling, will once again do its part to help Ohio “go green.”

Area residents can bring in old newspapers and magazines to the News loading dock off of Gay Street from 8 a.m. to noon. Those who complete and clip a coupon which has appeared in the News and Shoppers’ Mart for the past several weeks, can also start or continue a one-month subscription to the News.

Accepted items are newspapers and magazines. Employees from the News will volunteer their time on Saturday morning to assist people with the collection, and will also accept their coupons for subscriptions.

In addition to recycling newspapers, magazines, office paper, glass bottles and aluminum cans, there are other ways an individual can help the environment, and maybe save some money in the process. Residents are encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible.

The following tips come from National Geographic’s Green Guide for Everyday Living and the Global Stewards Web site.

•Reduce paper usage. Cut back on paper waste by switching to e-billing. More and more companies are offering paperless billing options. Contact the companies that send you a bill each month and ask them what options are in place to keep the paper out of your mailbox.

•Eat local. In North America, fruits and vegetables travel an average of 1,500 miles before reaching the dinner table. Visit local farmers markets and look for Ohio-grown products in the grocery store. Buying local not only saves energy used to ship produce, but also preserves flavor and nutrients.

•Reduce packaging waste. Packaging makes up a third of all garbage tossed in the United States. Cut back on single-serving foods and beverages. Instead, buy items in bulk and portion them out into reusable containers. Tone down the take-out. Cooking just one more dinner and packing just one more lunch a week will have a big impact on unnecessary waste and will save you money. Buy household items, such as detergent and cleaning supplies, in concentrated forms so you get more product per package. Whenever possible, look for packaging made from recycled materials, and always check the plastic code to make sure the package is recyclable.

•Reuse items such as wrapping paper, bows, plastic bags, rubber bands and twist ties.

•Conserve energy. Replace incandescent light bulbs with “soft white” compact fluorescent lightbulbs. Do a home energy audit and make sure windows are sealed properly. Insulate the water heater. Tune up your automobile and drive conservatively.

•Use a waterless car wash product.

•Use cloth napkins and towels instead of paper.

•Make note pads from pre-used paper.

•Purchase rechargeable batteries.

Spending some time thinking about creative ways to reduce, reuse and recycle is good for the environment and good for the individual.