12 MONTH OF GREEN RESOLUTIONS

12 months of Green Resolutions
by JANE BOGNER
SUNDAY, December 30, 2007

New Year’s resolutions tend to fade away quickly so I have an easy way for you to maintain your green momentum. Grab a pair of scissors and cut out this column and attach it to your refrigerator. Here is my monthly list of ways to continue to be green.

January: Recycle Ewaste and join Freecycle(tm).
What to do with old computers, televisions and electronic gadgets? I have two easy solutions: recycle or Freecycle(tm).

Benicia High School is sponsoring an E-waste Recycling event on January 26 and 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This free drop-off for unwanted electronics will take place in their parking lot at 1101 Military West.

You can drop off your e-waste year-round at local Goodwill collection centers or at FRMC Recycling (a.k.a. Forklift Mobile) located at 1690 East 2nd Street #7 in Benicia (707 551-7072). Vallejo Garbage Service (VGS) will pick up televisions and computer monitors for a fee.

For other items, join your local Freecycle(tm) group at www.freecycle.org. You can offer usable items and members who want the items will contact you to arrange for pickup. We have a Vallejo/Benicia Group along with a Fairfield, Vacaville, and American Canyon group.

February: Eat close to home
There is a growing movement to eat food that is grown within 100 miles of home. We can shop at the local farmers’ market for produce and fish. For valentine gifts, check out local bakeries and our local candy maker Liled’s (1318 Tennessee Street). Liled’s will even fill your own pretty box with incredible chocolates.

March: Car pool and Local Transit
Check out Solano Commuters (www.solanolinks.com 1 800 53-KMUTE), ride the ferry or take the bus to BART. If you work in town, car pool with a coworker at least once this month. One less car on the road is all I ask.

April: Earth Day
Events will be held on April 19. Check www.recycle-guide.com for details.

May: Gardening Workshops
Attend a Water-Wise Gardening workshop in Vallejo or Benicia. VALCORE Recycling will also start its composting workshops.

June: Compost or Drip
Take the plunge and set up a backyard composting bin or install a drip watering system with a battery operated timer. Mulch around your thirsty plants to make your watering more effective.

July: Curbside Recycling
Recycle all you soda, water and beer containers and review what materials are accepted in our blue recycling toters. If an item is not on the list don’t include it as someone will have to sort it out at VGS’s recycling facility. Remember to put out your toters only when they are full. The City of Vallejo is offering Rewards for good recyclers, call 707 648-5346 for information.

August: Cancel Catalogs
Start now to get rid of the ton of holiday catalogs that will come later. You can call the 800 numbers on catalogs you received to ask that your name be removed or check out one of these web sites that will help you cancel catalogs: www.greendimes.com or www.catalogchoice.org.

September: Coastal Cleanup
Save Saturday, September 20, for this annual event and help us keep waterways, fish, and birds healthy.

October: Reusable Mug
If you are addicted to speciality coffee, invest in a couple of reusable mugs.

November: America Recycles Day
This annual event is on Saturday, November 15. It will remind you to think ahead to the day after Thanksgiving, the day I like to call Buy Nothing Day.

December: Green Shopping
Start off with buying and using cloth shopping bags. Buy items that are green, have a long life or can be easily recycled. Check our www.VALCORErecycling.org for last year’s A Sorted Affair for more shopping ideas.

Reminder: VGS yard waste area closing
As of January 13, the VGS public yard waste drop-off area will be closed permanently. For information call 552-3110.

VALCORE Recycling Board Secretary Jane Bogner's "A Sorted Affair" is published every other week in the Times-Herald, Community Outlook Section. For recycling information call her at 645-8258 or visit www.VALCORErecycling.org.