New School Year Brings Renewal of Old Eco Habits
By BETH TURNER
Tulsa Master Recyclers Association
FRESH FOODS: Vendors at Pearl Street Farmers Market display their fresh organic fruits and vegetables. You can also find local, organic meats at many locations. Find a farmers market close to you at pearlfarmersmarket.org.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent the past few years learning how to reduce waste and recycle more. If you’re even more like me, some of these eco-habits might be a bit like my workout plan: Remembering to do it, feeling great about myself, celebrating, forgetting for weeks, looking in the mirror and putting my running shoes back on.
The 2013-14 school season has me strapping my recycling running shoes back on, reorganizing and refocusing those ol’ eco-habits. I’ve got reusable shopping bags back in the car, and I’m excited about volunteering to recycle at upcoming events such as the Tulsa State Fair and the Route 66 Marathon. If you want to volunteer or are involved in an upcoming event and want help incorporating better recycling practices, contact Tulsa Master Recyclers Association through Facebook or by emailing tulsamra@yahoo.com.
Farmers’ Markets
As our summer season winds down, so do our farmer’s markets. Several fold up their tables in the next few weeks. For example, Broken Arrow closes Sept. 7 while Guthrie Green stays open until Oct. 27, so check out dates for one nearest you by logging on to pearlfarmersmarket.org. Farmer’s markets support local friends and families while these farmers provide us with fresh, organic foods.
Wild About Flowers
Keep an eye out for Tulsa Community Foundation’s pilot program called, “Wild About Tulsa.” Volunteers will get to prep flower beds and plant wildflowers across T-Town. Since the wildflowers will be native to our state, this project has the potential to save taxpayers a little green as these spaces cut down on the need for watering and mowing as they beautify our beautiful city. Information on how to volunteer will be released mid-September.
Green Networking
If you’d like to meet other people interested in a greener Tulsa, join SustainableTulsa’s First Thursdays. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month, those interested can enjoy lunch, a guest speaker and networking opportunities at Elote on 514 S. Boston. This event is free and open to all interested.
Want to network with businesses interested in going greener? Join Sustainable Tulsa’s B2B Case for Sustainability Series. Again, free and open to all, the next Business-to-Business event will be Nov. 21 at the B.S. Roberts Room on the -Tulsa campus. by emailing corey@sustainabletulsa.org.
America Recycles Day
Nov. 15 is America Recycles Day. How do you celebrate? My favorite celebration was in 2010 when Shikoba Recycling Owner Kristen McCormick taught Broken Arrow Green Team high schoolers a flash mob dance and they busted a move downtown Tulsa at lunchtime. (Remember how cool flash mobs were…for a flash?)
Eco-School
Send in your questions and solutions for greening up your child’s school experience. Lunchtime, clothing, papers…send in your advice or questions so we can learn together how to reduce, reuse and recycle throughout the school year. Follow me on twitter @TrashTalkTulsa or email bturner@gtrnews.com.
Updated 08-27-2013
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