Happy Holidays!

I would imagine I'm not alone when I say that this time of the year makes me a little nostalgic for my childhood.

My parents always made sure we had piles of gifts on Christmas morning. They must have shopped and hidden things away all year. The funny thing is, I don't have a single one of those gifts anymore. What I do have is memories.

I remember Mama playing the piano and singing at the nursing home while my brother, sister and I passed out candy canes and homemade cards to grandparents that weren't our own. I remember the ever changing stream of strangers that sat around our family dinner table for homecooked meals and an incredible array of fresh baked goodies that would put Betty Crocker to shame. I remember the smile on Daddy's face as he shook hands and hugged the necks of strangers while he passed out coats and blankets on street corners. I remember the smell of homemade chili and hot coffee served under bridges from a make shift kitchen in a converted school bus. I remember sorting through mountains of donated clothes with Mama and how much care she took sifting through the baby clothes to find several coordinating pieces that she would neatly fold and put in clear bags with a size written on it. "Every mama deserves something nice for their baby", she would say. The older I get, the more I recognize and appreciate the grace and dignity my parents offered to everyone they served. They weren't perfect parents or perfect people, but they taught us to serve, to care, and to give.

I hope this holiday season gives each of you the opportunity to create memories to treasure.

Intentional Giving

I shared a photo a while back of a mess I came across that truly stirred my inner Karen. There were 3 mattresses, a box spring, and a spilled box of books piled on the ground around a clothing donation bin that was clearly marked “Clothing and Shoe Donations”. This mess triggered me on multiple levels.

1. These were not clothes or shoes. Follow the rules people!

2. The bin keeps donations safe and dry until they are picked up. If it doesn’t fit IN the bin, don’t leave it!

3. This is an incredibly busy road through town. Is this the 1st impression we want to give visitors as they enter our lovely city?

4. The donation bin is placed with the property owner’s permission, not necessarily the shops that rent space there. Mountains of yuck in the parking lot doesn’t really scream “hey stop and do business with us! We promise it’s cleaner inside than in the parking lot.”

5. Books all over the ground. B.O.O.K.S. ALL OVER THE GROUND.

Am I beyond ridiculous? Maybe. There are so many good people in our community that just want to help each other. It’s the thing I love most about Ennis. But if we’re not intentional about how / when / where we donate, our good intentions can go astray. The weather ruined all of these items and they wound up in the landfill. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence. So to prevent that, there is a list of donation locations on the resource tab. If your item is too big to fit in a drop off bin, consider one of our locally operated thrift stores, ministries, or one of the many “free stuff” groups on Facebook.

To Recycle or not to recycle, that is the question

At least once a week we get the question “why doesn’t Ennis have a recycling program?”. So again…

The City of Ennis used to have a curbside recycling program. We got kicked out of the program by the MRF (material recovery facility) because too much regular old trashy trash was being mixed in with the recyclables. City of Ennis leaders are working out the plans for a sustainable recycling program as we speak. But since we’ve failed at this once already, don’t expect it to happen quickly. Our leadership wants to make sure it’s done right. Personally, I can appreciate that.

For those eco-minded community members who need to recycle right now, there is one lone recycle container at the public works facility at 500 W Lake Bardwell Dr. You do have to be a resident of Ennis to use it and it is only accessible during business hours. That’s not incredibly convenient. But since they have to fish trash bags, baby diapers, and other nonrecyclables out of it just about daily, a city employee must be present to accept your recyclables.

Now that I’ve said all of that, I can say this: recycling is not the answer. I felt the universe quiver with disgust when you read that. But before you close out your browser and march over to City Hall to demand that I be recycled, hear me out.

A North Texas city employee who runs the recycling program for his city admitted in a public forum this week that 90% of the trash that is run through his recycling program winds up in the landfill. 90%! And another Keep Texas Beautiful affiliate informed us earlier this year at a training that their MRF had warehouses (warehouses with an S - multiple!) filled to the brim with recyclable trash that would likely end up in the landfill because there was nowhere to send it. So I’ll say that again: at this moment in history, recycling is not THE answer to our trash problem. In fact, at any moment in history, recycling should be the last resort before sending an item to the landfill. If we are truly concerned about the environment and the planet that we are leaving to future generations we have to think beyond recycling.

*WARNING* You may find some of the things you are about to read offensive or downright ridiculous depending on your level of commitment to sustainable living. It’s ok. We’re all working our way through this together and are all at different levels. There is always hope for humanity and the planet as long as we are open minded to change.

Questions to ask before adding an item to the recycle bin.

Can it be reused? Yes? Then reuse it.

Can it be reused but you have no use for it? No problem. Join your local Buy Nothing Project group. Someone may be looking for what you’re tossing. Trust me on this! You would be amazed at the things people will take off your hands.

Can it be reused but you don’t want to join a group? Bag it all up and donate it. There are multiple local organizations who will happily find a new home for your items and may even give you a tax-deductible receipt. See the donation locations on the resource tab.

Can it be repurposed? Get creative. Get crafty. When I was a a girl my Barbie dolls had an entire wardrobe made of popped scrunchies and torn dance tights.

Can it be composted? Create a backyard compost pile. Why buy compost when you can make it yourself?

Can it be repaired or restored? Old is the new new. And if you don’t know how to repair or restore it yourself, chances are there is someone in your circle that does.

The most important question you can ask should happen before you buy / receive an item in the first place: do I really need this? This is the hardest pill to swallow because we are such a consumer driven, convenience focused society. But come on, do I really need a grocery bag when I buy a single item? Not really. Do I need the plastic ware when I order takeout? No, I have forks at home. Do I need a straw for my drink at a restaurant? Sigh… no. I’m going to have to reapply my lipstick after dinner anyway. And if the restaurant passed inspection to open, the cups are sanitized between uses. Do I really need the latest greatest phone every year? Nah. My son said he isn’t going to fix my settings for me again anyway so I better stick with the one I have. Do I need a trendy new coat every single winter? Nope. In Texas, I’ll only get to wear it a few days a year anyway. Do I need that pair of shoes in every possible color? I felt the universe shiver again! I said NEED. Yes, I WANT that pair of sexy patent leather shoes with the round toe and chunky heels in every color possible. But no, I don’t NEED them. Sometimes the truth hurts.

If we truly care about the environment, we have to reevaluate our habits. Some habits we will probably not give up easily because of the sanitary or convenience factors, disposable diapers come to mind. But some habits we could change creating little to no hardship on ourselves at all. And those are the place to start! Begin with the simple things. We have to start somewhere and, as counterintuitive as it seems, recycling should be the last step, not the first.

It’s not my litter!

I took a few days off from work this week. I wish I could say I spent the days lounging about sipping coffee and reading a good book. But, no, I didn’t. I did housework. I swept and mopped the floors, polished the furniture, cleaned the dust from the ceiling fans and vent covers, did dishes and laundry, scrubbed the bathroom, scrubbed the kitchen, sorted through the pile of receipts and mail that had accumulated on the kitchen table, and tracked down that odor coming my from teen son’s bedroom. It seems like most of my days off are spent the same way. I’m not complaining though. My son and husband built this house for me with their own hands. Being a good steward of it is just one of the ways I honor their hard work and the blessing that is my home. And let’s be honest, if I don’t clean it - it won’t be cleaned. Especially while Notme lives with us.

I’ve never actually met Notme. But it seems like every time something gets broken or dirtied at our house, Notme was the culprit. Who knocked the houseplant over and didn’t sweep up the soil? Notme. Who dirtied every single cup in the house and didn’t bother to wash them? Notme. Who drank all but the last sip of milk and put the gallon back in the fridge? Notme. Who’s turn is to empty the trash? Notme.

Several years ago when all the kids were still living at home, I came home to find that Notme had dropped a glob of pudding on the dining room floor. I don’t know why Notme didn’t clean it up. Disgusted and fed up, I decided that I absolutely was not cleaning it up. I made sure to point it out to every single family member every single time I saw someone walk passed it. And after several weeks of sweeping and mopping around a glob of pudding do you know what happened? I cleaned it up. Because if I didn’t do it, who would? And like it or not, that puddle of petrified pudding was a reflection on me as a mom and a wife.

It’s the same with litter in our community. It’s not MY litter. If you’re reading this, it’s probably not YOUR litter. But it is our community. Like it or not, trashy parks and streets are a reflection on all of us. And Notme is not going to clean it up. So how about if every time we see a piece of litter….. we just pick it up? Click here to check out or first video!

How You Doing?

I hope this post finds you healthy and well. I haven’t posted in a while because I just wasn’t sure what to write. It seems the entire planet is on edge lately. We are a country of raw nerves and no matter what is said, or not said, it sets off a trigger that creates ripples of negativity throughout the universe. As an empathic being, negative words aren’t just heard but they are felt. And so I find my logical, sensible mind battling my overly sensitive soul. I know to some of you that will sound like some kind of new age hooey. But others of you will know exactly what I mean. And it is to those of you that understand what it is to feel the heavy weight of the world’s hurt and rage trying to wrap itself around you like a wet blanket that I speak these words: just breathe. Inhale. Exhale. Again and again and again. One breath at a time, allow your spirit to settle. Just breathe.

Celebrate Earth Day 2020!

2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Here are 50 ways to celebrate!

1. Pledge to do your part to conserve water, energy, and to keep the air clean.

2. Adopt a highway.

3. Adopt a park.

4. Begin building a team now to participate in the Annual Lion Pride Fall Sweep, our fall clean up event.

5. Keep our public trails and green spaces clean. Don’t litter.

6. Do a weekly litter clean-up in your neighborhood. We will provide you with free supplies!

7. Tarp your load so loose trash cannot fly out of the bed of your truck.

8. If you smoke, keep roadsides clean by investing in a portable ashtray.

9. Use cloth towels in the kitchen and around the house.

10. Use a traditional coffee machine to make your morning brew.

11. Compost used coffee grounds to enrich the soil in your garden.

12. Ditch the single use coffee cups. Invest in a reusable coffee mug for the office.

13. Decline the straw and plastic ware when you order to-go.

14. Keep a set of cutlery at the office to use at lunch.

15. Get yourself a reusable water bottle.

16. Also consider getting a bidet attachment for your bathroom. It will save trees as well as the time you would have spent searching for toilet paper!

17. Got broken items around your house? Fix them instead of throwing them in the trash.

18. Unsubscribe from junk mail.

19. Go paperless with your billing.

20. Check out books from your local library.

21. Use digital tickets for future flights, movies, and other events.

22. Read documents online instead of printing them.

23. If you must print, use both sides of the paper.

24. Use recycled paper whenever you can.

25. Recycle old electronics.

26. Take advantage of the many benefits of indoor plants.

27. Support songbirds by installing a bird feeder in your yard or outdoor space.

28. Want to take it a step further? Upcycle old materials into a bird house.

29. Start a garden.

30. Create edible landscaping.

31. Swap the invasive plants in your yard with native species that support pollinators.

32. If you have the time to maintain it, create a bee hotel.

33. Feed the bees! Leave room in your lawn for flowering weeds like dandelions and clovers.

34. Plant a tree.

35. Cook at home more often.

36. Compost your food waste.

37. Create less waste in the first place by making a list before you go shopping.

38. Switch to reusable bags. Keep them near your door or in your car so you don’t forget them.

39. Reusable bags don’t stop at totes! Invest in a pack of small cotton or mesh bags for produce.

40. Support local farmers whenever you can.

41. Use reusable silicone bags for on-the-go snacks.

42. Repurpose jars and other containers from your kitchen.

43. When you can, purchase items in bulk to reduce packaging.

44. Make your own cleaning products.

45. Shop second-hand.

46. Donate items that still have life left in them.

47. If it’s too worn to donate, repurpose old shirts and cloths as cleaning rags.

48. Shop eco-friendly brands.

49. Buy local whenever you can. Download Ennis Y’all for a list of Ennis shops.

50. Invite others to participate in these activities.

Recycling

Residents regularly approach our Mayor and City Manager concerning the absence of a curbside recycling program. It’s such a simple, uncomplicated baby step towards sustainability. Put your plastic, paper, glass, and metal trash items in a separate bin. That’s it! Why wouldn’t we do that?

Apparently it’s not that simple. Several years ago, curbside recycling was offered as part of our local trash service. Due to the continuous high percentage of contamination, the material recycling facility stopped accepting our materials. How embarrassing is it when the trash company refuses to take your trash?  

So what exactly can be placed in a typical curbside recycle bin? Thank you for asking!

Cardboard and paperboard boxes, metal cans (soup, soda, etc.), glass bottles and jars, paper, newspaper, catalogs, magazines, and plastic bottles (milk jugs, water bottles, etc.). All boxes should be flattened. Metal lids from bottles and jars can be placed loosely in the bin while plastic lids from plastic bottles should be replaced on the uncrushed bottles. And it’s very important to remember that these items must all be empty, clean, and dry. Yes, you are being asked to wash your trash.

Some items that are recyclable cannot be placed in a curbside bin, but must be taken to specific locations. This would include batteries, chains, electronics, light bulbs, plastic bags, shoes and clothing, shredded paper, Styrofoam, and copper wire, to name a few. (See our list of landfill aversion partners under the resource tab for locations.)

Some items that you may feel are recyclable are actually not, including ceramics, clam shells (like berries are sold in), construction materials (wood, metal, sheet-rock, etc.), drinking glasses, facial tissue and paper napkins, anything with food residue, paper coffee cups and water cones, garden hoses, hazardous material and their containers, most gift wrap and gift bags, propane tanks, window pane glass, and wire and plastic coat hangers, to name a few.

Is this starting to sound less simple and more complicated? And we haven’t even touched on the economics and politics of recyclables yet. We’ll leave that headache for another day. You’re welcome!

So what is an environmentally responsible person to do? First of all, don’t get discouraged. Eventually, we will have a recycle program again. And we will be sure to educate everyone on what can and cannot be accepted. But instead of trying to maneuver the roads of recycling, what if we just reduced the amount of waste we create in the first place? What if we reuse those glass jars instead of tossing them? What if we don’t print unnecessary copies of emails for our files? What if we bought a reusable water bottle? There are countless simple changes we could make to our everyday routine to reduce waste. Just pick one and take that first baby step.

The Endless R's of Sustainability

Once upon a time, we taught the 3 R’s of sustainability: reduce, reuse, recycle. Seemed simple enough, right? If you do an internet search of the “R’s of Sustainability” today, you’ll find up to fourteen R's! And if you search in another year, you’re liable to find another dozen on top of that. Let’s go over the definitions of the current R’s and then we’ll discuss each one in detail later on.

Reduce: to use less. This can mean reducing the number of items we own, reducing waste and non-recyclable trash, and / or reducing water and energy usage. Think of it as “living lightly.”

Reuse: to use again. This includes purchasing or sharing previously owned items. Furniture, cars, clothes, etc. can be purchased used to save not only money, but also to cut down on the waste created and energy consumption tied to manufacturing new items.

Recycle: to rework an existing item to create a new usable item.

Rot: more commonly known as composting, refers to the natural, biological breakdown of items such as food scraps, plant trimmings, and a huge range of paper products. Composting is nature’s way of putting what might be considered waste back into the system.

Replant: to plant again. Trees native to our ecosystem, home gardens, and community gardens can be extremely beneficial, both for your wallet and the environment.

Respect: to advocate for sustainable living, we should have respect for the choices of others in our community. There should be no shaming as to how a person chooses to lead their life. Instead, we should strive to provide individuals with resources and create a welcoming feeling that fosters their desire to take sustainable actions.

Refuse: to decline to accept items or materials that we don’t truly need. Examples include refusing a plastic bag at the store for a single item or saying “No, thank you” when offered freebies at events.

Replenish: to regenerate where our actions actually serve to increase the supply of clean and useful resources rather than reducing them. When you use wood-chips on your landscape, you replenish the soil. When you capture rainwater, you create a supply of water that would have made its way into the storm-drain otherwise.

Rethink: sustainability is much more than a set of actions or even a change of lifestyle, it’s also a state of mind or way of thinking. By rethinking or changing our state of mind, we can inspire creativity in others and redirect ourselves towards our goals.

Repair: to extend the life of an item by fixing it rather than replacing it.

Reinvent: to use new methods or actions that make possible sustainable living. Solar power is an example of reinventing our fuel source and energy distribution paradigm.

Recover: to capture and use materials that are byproducts of other processes, especially in the process of recycling.

Responsibility: to acknowledge that our actions affect the planet, whether they are positive or negative.

Restore: to fix or heal something that has been damaged. For instance, the Ellis County Indian Trail Master Naturalists remove invasive plants from Kachina Prairie so that native plants can thrive.

Baby Steps

Why would we name this blog Baby Steps? Thank you for asking.

The more I try to be earth friendly, the more I come to realize that I can’t do it! I have a dozen reusable grocery bags that I rarely remember to take with me to the store. I buy individually wrapped snacks instead of making my own. When I clean out my refrigerator I always find half eaten burgers and stale fries that have gone to waste. And, truth be told, I should never be allowed to buy bananas because they will inevitably go bad and wind up in the trash.

I do love the planet. I do want to be “green”. I do want to be a good steward. But I also want to drive a car to work and eat fast food. So how do I reconcile my tree-hugging, earth loving self with my material girl upbringing? By taking baby steps.

If something sits untouched in our house long enough to gather dust, I can have it. That’s the rule. I think it’s fair. If I have to clean it, I get to do whatever I want with it. So two years ago I confiscated the nice stainless steel insulated cup the husband had received for Father’s Day after it sat untouched on the kitchen table for several weeks. What an awesome invention! My coffee stayed hot for hours and my water stayed cold all day.

With my newfound cup in hand, I decided to stop using disposable cups. I don’t drink many sodas but I do drink coffee every morning. Saturday is the only day I make coffee at home to sip from one of my happy cups, which means there are 313 days per year that I am out and about in desperate need of caffeine. I would like to say I have been 100% successful but that would not be true. There have been days when I have forgotten my cup. And of course there have been times when it wasn’t allowed entrance to the movies or the fair. But I’m pretty confident that I have eliminated 95% of the disposable cups from my life. That’s approximately 298 disposable cups per year that are not added to the landfill.

Are my 298 cups per year going to save the planet? Probably not. But it is what I can do. It’s a baby step. Now that I have mastered this step, I can move on to another. And if each you reading this begin taking your own baby step today, then we will begin to see progress. So what baby step can you take?

Welcome!

Welcome to Baby Steps, the blog about anything and everything related to sustainability.

Biodegradable, carbon footprint, carbon neutral, carbon offsetting, deforestation, e-waste, reduce, reuse, recycle, re-purpose, refuse, rethink, sustainability, waste management, waste reduction…

In a world where it seems there are more buzzwords than there are bees, how do we keep our good intentions from being lost in all the noise? Join us as we wade through the waves of information… one baby step at a time.