Snapple Cap Eco Fact

"Every ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees."

That got me researching and examining recycled personal laser printer papers.

A tidbit from the "Get Involved" web page related to Armstrong Atlantic State University sort of slapped me up side the head:

"When buying printer paper, look for recycled paper with a high percentage of post-consumer content and the minimum of chlorine bleaching. Even recycled paper gobbles up a great deal of energy, water, and chemical resources in its processing."

I have been buying Recycled paper from Office Depot. But it's only 35% recycled materials. A fast web search showed that Mohawk recycled paper is from 100% recycled materials.

Then I ran across another sobering fact: "100% recycled copy and print paper use at least 50% post-consumer recycled content ". So 100% = 50%. Strange math! Read the labels carefully

Not only that ... most recycled paper is guaranteed to run on office copiers, laser printers, and inkjet printers. Only testing will tell if the paper curls too much in humid conditions (like summer in Hotlanta).

After more searching (I refuse to say "Bing-ing") I found acid-free 100% recycled paper processed without using chlorine. The paper has better recycled amount, is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), is available from a local business, and is an excellent price. Next time, I get the 100% recycled paper!

• Staples 100% FSC-certified recycled paper (currently only $7 per ream)

Looking with spiritual eyes

I was reading some posts at the Wonder of Creation blog and came across some great photos in the "Spiritual Values of Wilderness" article. The article is certainly excellent, but what actually stuck me was how I interpreted the "Yellowstone terraces" photo (below).

I carefully looked at the photo again, even considered a "retouch" for effect and personal use, rejected that idea as spoiling reality, then reflected on how a non-believer might see the same photo differently.

And therein lies the problem, I think. We Christians sometimes assume that everyone "thinks" like we do and that the truth of what we are saying must be "obvious". Not so. When we look with spiritual eyes, we see the world and the people in it differently.

Perhaps we could further God's work better by forcing ourselves to look at the world through the eyes of non-believers and then considering how best to "get through" to them.

Oh ... the photo of Yellowstone terraces? I immediately saw a cross in the photo, though it was really a tree stump combined with a shadow under a rock.

In the past, I have often stopped and quietly spoken thanks to God for a magnificent cloud formation or a beathtaking view of a valley. Is my associating the beauty of nature with God a plus or a weakness and "unreal"? I think it's a real plus. Would a non-believer? How can we get non-believers to see with spiritual eyes?

Eat green, save greenbacks

Wouldn't it be great if you could encourage restaurants that use less disposable plastics and also get a meal discount at the same time? Well, at a Decatur Dairy Queen yesterday I stumbled across a small slick handout from an Atlanta organization called "GreenPlate".

GreenPlate's primary focus is reducing use of disposable plastics by local restaurants and businesses by promoting better options. Why? Some facts from their handout:

• There's a huge area in the Pacific Ocean, twice the size of Texas, that has six times more plastic than plankton (marine life food).
• Fully 90% of marine trash is plastics.
• Land and local watersheds are the source of 80% of the plastic marine trash.
• Producing plastics uses 10% of U.S. oil.
• Most plastics ever made still exist today! They don't biodegrade.
• Plastic is now entering the food chain!

GreenPlate promotes sustainability by way of their "GreenPlate Specials" program for local restaurants and businesses. You get 50% off by using gift cards and coupons available through their web site.

GreenPlate actions include:

• Half-off gift cards
• Emailed specials
• e-Newsletters
• Alternatives to plastic water bottles
• Green art projects to educate through product designs
• Multi-media talks to groups

Some plastics-related sustainability actions we can take as individuals:

• Pick up plastic trash.
• Recycle plastic trash when possible.
• Say no to plastic bags.
• Patronize "green" restaurants that avoid plastics and styrofoam.
• Get the truth, then speak out!

Related links:

• GreenPlate
• Half-Off Green

We are God's agents of renewal

"The Whole Gospel", a recent article at the Wonder of Creation Blog, reminded me very much of the "Ecology of the Bible" study session we had that was titled "Jesus is coming – Plant a tree!" That study tied end-times and the environment.

We often think of Heaven as detached from earth and many people mistakenly view the "new earth" as replacing this one or else being in some other location. But it's quite the opposite. The new creation at end time is a "making new", not replacing it. One day the curtain will be pulled back and the Godly dimension and current earth will be joined as the earth is made new – creation is renewed.

Meanwhile, it's our job to be God's agents of renewal. If we truly follow Christ, we must participate in that renewal in an ongoing manner. Ours is a wonderful creation radically spoiled by our own hands and awaiting redemption. Sitting back and doing nothing or allowing spoilers of creation to go unchecked is not really an option for the "complete" Christian. Jesus has no "Plan B". He's counting on us!

Use that rainwater!

For most of us, the rain that falls on our roof runs off into the ground or the sewer system. But if you’re motivated to save a little water and re-distribute it on your lawns or plants — or even use it for laundry, dishes or other interior needs — collecting rainwater from your gutters’ downspouts is a no-brainer.

Water supply from the sky

According to John C. Davis, writing in E – The Environmental Magazine, just about any homeowner can collect rainwater, since the roof and gutters do most of the work. An inch of rain falling on a 2,000-square-foot roof produces some 1,200 gallons of runoff, so you could collect enough to supply all the water needs of a family of four for about two weeks. Of course, most of us would only use rainwater to irrigate our lawn or garden, and there should be plenty to go around for doing that in all but the most drought stricken areas.

Why use rainwater?

• Plants and grass actually do better when fed rainwater instead of tap water, which is usually treated with softeners that actually inhibit plant growth.
• The lack of minerals in rainwater actually makes it more effective than tap water for shampooing or doing dishes.
• Using rainwater for plumbing uses can also extend the life of pipes and water heaters, since the salts added to tap water help corrode the pipes.
• Harvesting rainwater reduces the erosion, flooding, and pollution runoff associated with heavy rainfall.
• Using rainwater lessens the burden on public water supplies.

Due to these benefits, some states subsidize residential rainwater collection systems. One caution, though – If you plan to use rainwater for interior needs, set up a water purification system.

How to get started

Many varieties of rain barrel systems, starting at just $100, are available for home installation. A typical set-up is simply a rain barrel positioned under a gutter’s downspout. According to the EPA, a single 100 gallon rain barrel can save up to 1,300 gallons of utility-provided water during the high demand summer months.

If you are handy, you can make their own water harvesting systems, but buying one pre-made is a lot easier. Most nurseries and garden centers offer a range of choices (as well as advice). Websites such as Aquabarrel, Clean Air Gardening and Rainxchange also make it easy to order a system online.

Related links

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Aquabarrel
• Clean Air Gardening
• Rainxchange

Source: EarthTalk®, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at:www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php

Greener dinners out

Restaurants are starting to get on the "green" bandwagon. As customers get more interested in human impact on God's earth, eateries are slowly adjusting. This can be a selling point, even in today's tight economy.

Some restaurants have removed bottled water from their menus, offering filtered tap water instead. In our area, Feast has offered filtered water from the start. Bottled water doesn't just contribute to excessive plastic waste, it also costs us a thousand times more than tap water. Yet up to 40 percent of bottled water starts as tap water! Is it a coincidence that "Evian" is "naive" spelled backwards?

Ted's Montana Grill uses water-efficient toilets and flushless urinals, which seem a bit odd, yet work well. The chain also offers pressed paper straws and biodegradable take-out containers. Overall, the restaurant is 99% plastic-free. The eco-friendly aim is even documented on one of their web pages.

You can encourage restaurants by asking for filtered water. Remember ... turn down water if you really don't want any. You can also frequent those who show a concern for God's earth.

Infinite earth photos

The infinite photograph at National Geographic is composed of photos. Click on an area, and it expands to show other photos that made up the original. In turn, those photos are made up of other photos, and so on.

Tip: Double-click a single photo in a composite to see information about that photo. Single-click to zoom in and see other photos that make up the one in the yellow-bounded rectangle.

Enjoy ... appreciate God's earth.