Andrew Commander

Overall our country is very wasteful.

American’s generally throw things away that they can’t sell at a garage sale, or we dont need anymore. We will recycle an occasional can or bottle, but only if the recycling is clearly labeled in a convienent location!

Some of the things that I think will change the “footprint” left by this nations generations are not very hard to accomplish.

• Taking local transportation, like buses or electric trains.

This can significantly reduce time spent driving and burning all of that gas! Plus you dont have to deal with all of that rush hour traffic each day.

• Recycling more of your recyclable items, and even composting when applicable.

Composted items can be turned into great ground soils!

• Turning the lights off when you leave a room.

This one tends to be overlooked, but all across America lights are being wasted on empty rooms, PLEASE turn the light off.

It will not only save you money, but saves energy for the next time you need the light.


• Hang your clothes on a clothing line, saving the energy that the dryer would have to use.

If more of the country can do these things in their daily lives, maybe it won’t be so hard to save our planet!

With all the talk of environmental, “going green”, and Eco-friendly these days, I am beginning to wonder when people will actually do something that matters.

Of all the possibilities in our daily lives, whether it be recycling, driving a hybrid car, or for me…composting, I think that the only way something will get done is if our country works together as a whole.

Every company it seems, is trying to drive this “Green Marketing” but who is really doing something positive for mother nature.

I happen to know that Google itself uses recycling and composting at the Boulder, CO office. One of the ways that the USA should change as a whole is to adopt recycling and composting mainstream. This could be a huge endeavor, but it would create jobs, something we are lacking for as a country right now.

The way that I try to make money in this green market is by managing a compost pile for a neighbor. She pays me to turn the compost, basically igniting the compost a few times per month. Every couple of months I pull out finished compost for her to plant with in her garden. All of the nice dark compost was created from her lawn clippings, leaves, and other food and gardening scraps.

I feel that I am doing more than the average American to try and reduce waste. But our planet won’t get better just because of me.

If more communities around the country had composting and recycling programs, I think that the trash reduction would be amazing! Our nation would be that much closer to being an Eco-friendly nation.