—EDS WASTE SOLUTIONS—

Set an example by
preparing for the future…

Learning begins at home by families setting an example, and that’s certainly true when it comes to recycling. But adults in the over-40 set are likely to be learning from children when it comes to protecting the environment and leading more sustainable lifestyles.

The mountain community already has a reputation for being keenly aware of the need to make our environment sustainable—and has created numerous ways to make it easier —not just for those who’ve been recycling for years but also for those who are just catching on.

Habitat for Humanity’s ReSale shop in Bergen Park accepts many usable items that might end up in a landfill:  plumbing fixtures, appliances, doors and windows, light fixtures, and large furniture.

Many are into buying as well as selling their gently used clothing just because they’d rather recycle and reuse! Donate clothing (as well as small household items and gift items) to:

• EChO in the Evergreen North Center (will also take prom dresses and wedding gowns),

• Mountain Resource Center’s Thrift & Gift Shop near Staples in Conifer and

• Evergreen Animal Protective League Thrift Shop on Meadow Drive in Evergreen.

Area consignment shops accepting women’s apparel include:

• Aspen’s in downtown Evergreen,

• Crave in Bergen Park, and

• Haley’s Closet in the Aspen Park Village Center in Conifer. 

Children’s clothes are available at:

• Mountain Area Pregnancy Center and Mother’s Closet on Meadow Drive in Evergreen, and

• Twig’s in downtown Evergreen, which also resells uniforms needed at Rocky Mountain Academy.

Consider using cloth diapers for that new baby.  Baby Going Green in Kittredge offers that and more!

Sheets, blankets, pillows and sleeping bags can be donated to Evergreen Christian Outreach (EChO) or Jeffco Action Center (in Lakewood but serving mountainous Jefferson County as well) to help needy families setting up households and, in the case of sleeping bags, homeless people.

Other ideas: Donate used instruments to schools for students who can’t afford to purchase or rent them. Donate used sporting equipment to sport-specific leagues where it is given to kids who can’t afford to purchase. Donate used backpacks in good condition as well as calculators to Jeffco Action Center, EChO, Loaves and Fishes (Idaho Springs), and the Mountain Resource Center in Conifer.

Recharge your printer cartridges at Staples in Conifer. Fill aluminum or recyclable plastic water bottles with tap water. Send lunches in compostable paper bags or a thermal, re-usable lunch box. Buy lunch snacks in bulk and pack in re-usable plastic containers rather than plastic bags. Purchase school supplies that include environmentally friendly or recycled material such as recycled paper, non-toxic markers, soy-based printer ink, spiral notebooks made from recycled or recyclable plastic. Donate books to the Whale of a Book Sale (Jeffco Libraries) or Mountain Books in Conifer. Donate grocery bags (paper, plastic, cloth) to area food banks.

We only have one earth—let’s take care of it for the future generations.