I have to thank my husband for his patience with all my off-the-wall concerns for the little things that plague this planet. Case in point are those pesky stickers that are on bananas, tomatoes, peaches, onions, etc. They are totally non-biodegradable plastic and never decompose in our composting bins. It’s a standing joke at composting classes that my tomatoes grow with their own stickers, even though the sticker usually says pear or avocado.

Recently, The Dublin-San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) wastewater treatment plant started a campaign to get rid of these pesky stickers. You see, the DSRSD uses recycled water to operate sprinklers that irrigate schoolyards, parks, roadway medians, and golf courses in the TriValley. The sprinkler heads were clogging up. Upon investigation, they found that these pesky stickers were the culprits. The stickers floated right through their filtration systems. They have installed more screens to catch the stickers but workers have to vacuum these screens several times a day.

The cities of Dublin, San Ramon and Pleasanton are now asking residents not to put these stickers down their garbage disposal. They have created a contest to see which city can collect the most stickers. Contest cards are available for residents to cover with stickers and enter for prizes. In October, the winning mayor will supervise the losing mayors who will be cleaning the screens that catch the produce stickers.

The Discovery Channel's Planet Green is gearing up for a 13-part series called E-topia. Actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio’s company will chronicle the eco-friendly rebuilding of Greensburg, Kansas, which was decimated by a fierce tornado in May.

Planet Green's show will follow state and local officials in their quest to create an ecologically, and economically sustainable locale and encourage the storm's victims to return to their homes.

Sometimes we think that we are alone with our garbage crisis. In a recent travel section there was an alert for traveling to Naples Italy. It seems that the locals have turned to burning garbage creating potentially hazardous air pollution. The problem stems from the local landfill closing and several thousands tons of garbage accumulating with nowhere to put it. A proposed dump site has been blocked by concerned citizens.

Before you decide about your next adventure, you may want to check out The International Ecotourism Society (www.ecotourism.org). They have guidelines for environmentally friendly traveling and links to resources that will make your travel footprint more green.

Lonely Planet has a new book called Code Green that concentrates on Responsible Tourism. They encourage travelers to get connected with people and nature and list 100 destinations that have Responsible Travel Credentials. I borrowed Code Green from our local library.

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