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Greetings!
So Predictable: The Third "R" - Recycle
I hope everyone who has been reading my last two newsletters (highlighting the first and second "Rs" - reduce and reuse) understands that it is not my intention to give recycling a bad rap. It is so very important and we are UBER recyclers. Case in point, I sneak things of out of people's trash at parties and Mr. Green and I have been known to stop and pick up plastic and aluminum cans when we are on country roads. And since I admit to using one plastic drink container every day (it is not available for purchase in a glass container), if I am on the run (a rarity...) and take the bottle with me, I ALWAYS bring the bottle and cap home with me to make sure it ends up somewhere other than the landfill.
My intention in writing this newsletter about recycling is to: A) just remind you of the importance of recycling. If you aren't, please do. Need convincing? I can help but the bottom line is that we are running out of space on this planet of ours and that should matter to all of us. And B) I might be able to introduce you to a few new twists on recycling that may not be top of mind for you right now.
- Do you recycle your books AND magazines? I don't know about other States (yet!) but I do know this can turn into a true green win/win/win in Arizona. You can take your used books and magazines to Bookmans AND get credit that can be used to purchase other books and magazines (CDs and DVDs too). Save the landfill, buy other "stuff" with your store credit and save time and gas because you are already there recycling your own stuff. Downside anyone?
 Do you recycle ALL of your electronic equipment? I am not just talking about the big pieces like computers and printers. I am talking about the whole green "I just bought it but it's out of date" enchilada: cell phones, chargers of all kinds, old telephones, CD and DVD players, old TVs, calculators (remember those?)
Mrs. Green's two cents: There is a place you can take "them" that you can trust. It might take a little effort to find the right place for your items but in our city we are blessed with many choices: RISE Equipment Recycling Center is a favorite of mine. Domestic violence shelters can use the phones and other non-profits can often use old computers, etc. Just say NO to throwing it away. And be sure to ask about to whom they sell their waste. RISE has to ensure that everything they sell stays in the USA. - Do you recycle ALL of your old clothes, shoes, blankets, glasses, pots and pans, tools, dishes and so on and so forth? Not only does this make sense from a pro-Mother Earth point of view (any anti-Mother Earth misguided people out there?), if you take it to someplace like Goodwill, you get a receipt for tax purposes. In case you are not a Facebook person, this statistic I posted earlier this week will jar your preserves: Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona kept 19,006,543 pounds out of area landfills last year. That's up from 18.8 million last year! And that is just ONE Goodwill.
 Mrs. Green's personal invitation: Make a point of visiting your local Goodwill. Of course take anything you want to donate with you but once there, really take the time to look around. You'll find brand names such as J Crew, Tommy Bahama, LL Bean, Banana Republic, Gap, True Religion and yes - even Armani. Double dog dare you. - Does your business or the company you work for have a company-wide equipment recycling plan? If not, will you please start one or start the conversation? I am talking about office furniture - desks, file cabinets, chairs, bookcases, light fixtures, waste baskets, paint, yada yada. Just tell me your company doesn't throw any of the above away because it will make me sad.
Mrs. Green asks: have you NOT heard of Habitat for Humanity's HabiStore? OMG! In addition to all of the above that you might find for purchase at the HabiStore, you might also find toilets, patio furniture, sinks, bathtubs, screws, nuts, bolts, storm doors, tile, washers, dryers, lamps. You get the picture. Yes, think recycling and yes, visit a HabiStore near you some Saturday afternoon. - Miscellaneous - there always has to be a miscellaneous. I would say the best way to think about this category is: one man's trash, another man's treasure. Artists scour second hand stores, students furnish their apartments from places like Goodwill and HabiStore, people on fixed incomes and families facing huge challenges in these economic times might just have a washing machine because of you, or a warm pair of socks, or a gently used pair of shoes, or sheets for their beds. So take your miscellaneous goods somewhere!
Mrs. Green's very personal note: Yes, there is the halo effect one might feel about this category - donating your stuff to help "at-risk" populations, etc. But my truth? I love a good bargain! I love to buy quality things at second hand stores and I feel downright smart when I can get an entire set of NEW patio furniture from someplace like the HabiStore for pennies on the dollar. So I invite you to think outside the recycling bin and join the millions of us waking up, not throwing stuff away, and saving money AND the planet. Don't you just love that?
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Gardening Tips for Your Reading Pleasure!
Sea Of Green has posted a 5 step guide to plant propagation: starting from a seed or clone.
-- Brought to you by Sea of Green
We Are Approved in the iTunes Store - Instant Replay
In this fast-paced, dot.com, instant message, texting world of ours, you might have missed this exciting news from the last newsletter. Just in case you need reminding like I do, read on about our iTunes news.
We are official, have assigned categories, and Mrs. Green's radio shows are easily available for you to download on your favorite iAnything device. View the page. We would be thrilled if you would be moved to rate a few and consider writing a short review. We need you and really care what you think!
And please remind yourself to listen live every Saturday at 12:00 pm PST. Our guest line-up continues to be over the top fun, informative, and engaging.
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Three Things You Probably Didn't Know About Wells Fargo
Like many things in my life, I have a very personal reason for being a Wells Fargo customer for over 36 years - way before they were Wells Fargo. Someone believed in me, took a risk when no other bank would touch me, and the rest is history. I never forgot. Fast forward to the birth of Mrs. Green, and history kind of repeated itself. Wells Fargo took a chance on Mrs. Green AND they are one of the greenest banks in America. Funny how this stuff works.
Three things you might want to know about Wells Fargo (even though I could easily write TEN!)
- Wells Fargo offers all kinds of ways to go greener as a customer. They have SEVENTEEN (17) choices on their website including everything from online banking to envelope free ATMs to energy efficient mortgages.
- Wells Fargo has a top notch, professional, active Environmental Affairs team that knocks my green socks off. And I can personally attest to their assertion that they really do want to hear from you and that they really will get back to you. Case in point? Stephanie Rico from San Francisco has been a great source of information for me for quite some time.
- And last but certainly not least, in 2009 Wells Fargo was named as the greenest bank in America and the 13th greenest BUSINESS overall.
My last word? Yes, I love locally owned, community banks. As someone who has worn many hats the past 36 years both personally and professionally, Wells Fargo still feels like a community bank to me.
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Upcoming Shows
 September 3
Ask Umbra from Grist.org
Honestly? No words. Umbra is one of my heroes. Aside from being outrageous, she is extremely well-informed and passionate about preservation of the planet. I could be president of her fan club but that would be silly. Why so impressed at my end? Because Umbra makes YouTube videos and writes an advice column for Grist with antics and answers that I should be so blessed to be able to imitate. I will dig deeply to find out from whence they come. Whet your appetite and hear Umbra's view on saving water while flushing. My friend Ron might consider her crass but I doubt it. This show sponsored by Green Living Magazine.
 September 10
Dorothy Boone - The Nature Conservancy
I have been a supporter of and believer in The Nature Conservancy for more years than I care to reveal. It is very satisfying to me to be able to interview Dorothy and share on the show some of the magnificence of what this organization is and what it has contributed for over sixty years. Yes, sixty! The Nature Conversancy's tagline is: protecting nature, preserving life. You may not believe the magnitude and scope of their programs, their partnerships and their global impact. But you will have a better idea after you tune in. This show sponsored by the Fairfax Companies.
 September 17
Dale LeMonds - Aveda Institute
When I was searching for a company whose hair and make-up products would not harm me, whose corporate values were those I could respect, whose commitment to global environmental stewardship were a cut above the rest, it didn't take Mrs. Green long to seek out an Aveda salon. VerVe has been my salon of choice ever since. I am very excited to be able to interview Dale so that we can explore Aveda's vision in action and maybe even find out what they will be up to next! This show sponsored by Chapman Tucson.
 September 24
Kim Jordan - CEO of New Belgium Brewing
I think New Belgium might have been green BEFORE it was a color. We are FINALLY getting to interview their CEO so we can share with the world New Belgium's commitment to a sustainable planet from the inside out. Here's a sampling of their corporate culture statements: We believe, to be environmental stewards, we need to: 1. Lovingly care for the planet that sustains us. 2. Honor natural resources by closing the loops between waste and input (GREAT ONE - yes?) 3. Minimize the environmental impact of shipping of our beer. And the green beat goes on in their hearts. There is just no downside to being Mrs. Green. This show sponsored by Chapman Tucson.
 October 1
Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona - Debbie Rich & Kristen Culliney
Girl Scouting has been building girls of courage, confidence and leadership helping make our world a better place for almost 100 years. Some of our country's most outstanding women leaders were/are Girl Scouts. They teach girls about real connection - to each other, to their families, to their community and to the planet. Tune in to find out what national and local events are planned for Girl Scouts and how they engage the women leaders of tomorrow to think globally, act locally. This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies.
 October 8
Jason Tankersley - President and CEO of The Fairfax Companies
Jason is one of those people who walks the walk, who never stops thinking about ways to find solutions to global environmental challenges and who actually comes up with them. Under Jason's leadership, The Fairfax Companies is a well-respected leader in the construction waste industry, clearly demonstrating that it IS possible to implement sustainable business practices profitably. They continue to fulfill their mission to find or create markets for ALL waste disposal in construction and demolition landfills. Jason makes you want to talk about waste. Trust me and tune in to find out why. This show sponsored by Chapman Tucson.
 October 15
Colleen Crowninshield - Clean Cities Coalition
Colleen has been a regular on Mrs. Green from the start and knows more about alternative fuels, biodiesel and electric vehicles than I can articulate. Her program has won numerous national and local awards because of her team's commitment to making a difference. I will interview Colleen and one of her national partners about the Coalition, about its mission and its impact on the planet. We will make talking about diesel, ethanol and compressed natural gas vehicles fun and informative. Promise! This show sponsored by The Fairfax Companies. |
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Mrs. Green's World GREEN TALK RADIO Show
Please remember to tune in to Mrs. Green's World every Saturday at 12:00 pm PST, live streaming on the Internet.
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Mrs. Green welcomes your comments and feedback:
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