A Note from Jane
All events in this newsletter are dependent on how quickly and efficiently we are able to curb the spread of COVID-19. So please follow the advice of medical professionals to wash hands, practice social distancing and protect at-risk citizens.
Also, the Environmental Defense Fund offers these tips for coping with both climate and coronavirus anxiety.
Let’s stay physically and mentally healthy!
Jane HillerEducation Director, Sonoco Recycling
|
|
|
Earth Day Celebrations
On April 22, America will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Learn more about the history of Earth Day here.
|
|
The Environmental Education Association of SC (EEASC) had hoped to celebrate this big day with these two local businesses 14 Carrot Whole Foods Market and Black Rooster
who sell locally sourced foods and support environmental education.
We will look forward to rescheduling those celebrations post COVID-19.
--Jane
|
|
From the Community
1. Richland County announced some slight changes for trash and recycling during the COVID-19 outbreak. Details here: https://www.wistv.com/2020/03/25/richland-co-announces-changes-trash-collection-during-covid-outbreak/
2. Recently, the City of Columbia, Richland County and Lexington County partnered with Riverbanks Zoo to offer a community drop-off event for hard to recycle items. 766 drivers took the time to properly dispose of items that could otherwise pollute our environment. Way to go Midlands! (picture below)
|
|
3. Glass WRX SC, a glass recycling business, is slated to open in Beaufort, SC later this year. It will be seeking clean post-consumer and post-industrial glass for the innovative products it will manufacture. Unfortunately, glass placed in single-stream recycling bins is too contaminated for its process. So, we all need to do two things:
- help clean up single stream recycling by never putting anything smaller than the palm of your hand (shredded paper, loose caps, flatware, straws etc.) in a recycling bin.
- If possible, take your glass containers to a drop-off recycling center so they don’t get mixed with contaminating materials. Find a location here.
|
|
Upcycling
Several local eco artists were planning to display art at Columbia’s 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, which is now canceled. One of those artists, Kirkland Smith, is interviewed here.
|
|
Innovation
- According to the March issue of National Geographic titled “The End of Trash,” two-thirds of the natural resources humans take from the Earth and turn into products end up as trash. But fungi filaments that are being used to create compostable packaging and beer waste that can also become animal feed are examples of innovation that can help us break the cycle.
- Ford is trying to do its part to combat climate change by recycling old coffee waste from McDonalds into car parts. The waste will be diverted to a laboratory, where it will be engineered into bioplastics. Ford says the project will reduce food waste, make car parts lighter, use less petroleum, and lower CO2 emissions. Read the story here.
|
|
As always, we appreciate our readers sharing their favorite news:
- Will Prioleau shared this article from the Charleston City Paper announcing that proceeds from Julie Slonecki’s new EP, Consequence of Convenience, will benefit the Environmental Defense Fund.
|
|
|
2. Stacey Washington shared news that the South Carolina Energy Office is hoping to form a workforce group to create ideas for energy outreach aimed at the public and legislators. The group will meet once per month. Interested individuals should contact swashington@ors.sc.gov.
3. Harriette Edmonds from the Sandhills Children’s Garden Education Committee shared this video of the new meteorologist/gardener for channel 19.
|
|
Events in April
*Please note that some events listed below have been postponed or
canceled due to COVID-19.
APRIL 1 – MAY 28
Shoe Collection
For details email Laura@KeeptheMidlandsBeautiful.org
APRIL 3
Canceled: Baby Animal Shower
APRIL 3 - MAY 2
Tentative: Explore Congaree National Park during a free a 3-hour canoe tour on Cedar Creek
Dates and details here
Reservations here
APRIL 4
Canceled: SC Adopt-A-Stream Chemical and Bacteria Workshop
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
APRIL 18
Postponed: Congaree National Park Earth Day Event
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
APRIL 25
Canceled: Earth Day Five-0h!
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
April 25
Canceled: Lexington County Drop-Off Recycling Event at White Knoll High School
But Lexington County residents may bring up to five electronic items to the Edmund Landfill at no charge, Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Paper and household hazardous waste should be kept until the next event scheduled for August 29 th at Batesburg-Leesville High School. Questions? Contact: Traude Sander, Lexington County Recycling Coordinator, at (803) 785-3340 or tsander@lex-co.com.
APRIL 28-29
Tentative: SC Energy Office Boiler Course for Energy Managers
Contact: Stacey Washington, swashington@ors.sc.gov
PLAN AHEAD
MAY 9
Tentative: Richland Recycles Day Drop-Off Collection
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Jackie Hong, HongJ@rcgov.us
MAY 12
Tentative: SC Energy Office ASHRAE Building Resilience Course
Contact: Stacey Washington
JUNE 20
Canceled: The Great American Clean-Up |
|
|
|
|
|
