What to do with the Nasty Stuff?

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During spring cleaning time, we’ve all come across stuff with the toxic CAUTION label looming. It’s tempting to just throw it away. Problem is, dangerous reactions can happen when hazardous chemicals are combined—not to mention the effects of pollution on our land and sea creatures and, in turn, us humans. Just one quart of oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water. And here in Charlottesville, 70 percent of our rivers, lakes, streams do not meet federal and state water quality standards! Everything we flush, put down the sink or drain, on our lawns, ends up being treated and put back into our waterways.

According to Robbi Savage, Executive Director of the Rivanna Conservation Society, one of the most important ways to help is to properly dispose of prescriptions and household hazardous waste.

The city and county will continue Household Hazardous Waste disposal service this spring: for residents, Saturday, April 14 (I've heard they are STRICT with their hours: 9am-2pm). Amnesty collection days for Bulky Waste will follow on the Saturdays of April 21 (furniture/mattresses), May 5 (appliances), and May 12 (tires), which contain flame retardant, freon, and other chemicals unfit for regular trash cans. See rswa.avenue.org/household.htm for the list of items accepted.

CFL bulbs? HHW Day, Lowe’s, and Vanderlinde Recycling accept them.
Partially empty or full paint cans? Vanderlinde Recycling or the Ivy MUC (materials utilization center) location.

Nail Polish: EPA considers this a household hazardous waste. Bring it out to HHW Day.

Never mix used motor oil, antifreeze, gasoline, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, solvents or other potentially hazardous liquids together. Of course, never pour them into the ground or storm sewer.

As for prescription drugs: Most grocery store pharmacies now sell an 8 x 11 envelope ($2.99) to place leftover or out-of-date prescriptions. Or you can wait until National Take Back Prescription Day on April 28. Call ahead to see if your favorite pharmacy is participating. (Details at Environmental Return System: www.sharpsinc.com) To find Cville locations for 2012 take back day check the National Take Back Initiative on this WEBSITE

Hope that helps!
Betty

TAP into the global solution to safe water this weekend

Spring has sprung, y'all and it's time to be outside! Perfect time to enjoy a fresh glass of water and support Unicef's Tap Project right here in Charlottesville as a part of World Water Week. At the following 16 Charlottesville restaurants, pay just $1 for the glass of tap water you usually get for free. The money funds UNICEF drinking water projects around the globe.

Ariana Kebob, Aromas, Bang!, Blue Moon Diner, Bluegrass Grill, The College Inn, Eppie's, Fleurie, Horse & Hound Gastropub, Hotcakes, Ivy Inn, Orzo, Petit Pois, X Lounge, Zinc, and Zocalo.

This weekend is the second anniversary of the TAP Project, a nationwide event to bring awareness and solutions to safe, clean drinking water needed around the globe.

You know, the stuff you brushed your teeth with this morning and didn't even think twice about. Now I'm not pointing fingers here - I did the same. But it's a fact that here in America we take for granted fresh, clean water. So let Betty splash a little cold water on your face this morning...

Water Facts and Stats:

*Water-borne disease is the second highest cause of childhood death in the world – killing more than 4,100 children every day.

*UNICEF’s goal is to reduce the number of people without safe water and basic sanitation by 2015. Since 2007, the Tap Project has provided clean drinking water for more than 1 million children.

*Nearly 900 million people lack access to clean water…that’s the population of New York City multiplied more than 45 times over. With $1, UNICEF can provide a child with access to clean, safe water for 40 days, or 40 children with access to safe water for 1 day.

*All money raised via the Tap Project has gone toward UNICEF’s water, sanitation, and hygiene programs. Since 1990, UNICEF has helped 1.6 billion people gain access to clean water and sanitation.

*UNICEF works in more than 100 countries around the world to improve access to safe water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities, and to promote safe hygiene practices.

*A staggering 40% of the world’s population – more than 2.5 billion people – lack basic sanitation facilities.

*About one out of five people in sub-Saharan Africa rely on a clean drinking water source that is more than 30 minutes away.

*So I talked to Gwen Goodkin about how she became involved in Unicef's Tap Project, the exciting 16 restaurant participating this year in Charlottesville, and the important and tres easy thing for you to do: DONATE the money you would have spent on a drink and GET TAP WATER INSTEAD.



*Gwen is excited about the great publicity this year. She’s had help from Channel 29 TV Channel 29 TV, Chuck Baer of Black Baer Sealcoat (Ivy and Crozet folks, have you seen the billboard on Ivy Road - you know the one I'm talking about), and the folks at Lighthouse Studios Lighthouse for putting together an AMAZING PSA, and UnicefUnicef. I LOVE this woman! She gets things done. "All you need is a computer and laser printer and things just happen!" Betty loves positive thinking like this. Her 13-yr-old son (pictured above) has been a huge part of this year's campaign and commenced calling area restaurants while on vacation in Chicago!.

So your part is easy- here's all you do:

1) Take your and your friends and family and your LOCAL GREENBACKS out to a participating restaurant (the first pat on your back - way to keep your green here in the 'ville)
2) Tell them Better World Betty sent you (second pat on the back for supporting a local non-profit - thanks)
3) Then instead of having tap water (you usually have for FREE) or drinks, donate THAT money to the Tap Project! (third pat on the back for personally investing and taking action to solve the world's fresh water drinking problem! You rock.)

The Tap Project continues through next Saturday, March 27th. So you have all week!

Loving water, loving you!
BWB

P.S. From their website:

"What is the UNICEF Tap Project?

In 2007, the UNICEF Tap Project was born in New York City based on a simple concept: restaurants would ask their patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free, and all funds raised would support UNICEF’s efforts to bring clean and accessible water to millions of children around the world.

Growing from just 300 New York City restaurants in 2007 to thousands across the country today, the UNICEF Tap Project has quickly become a powerful national movement.

During World Water Week, March 21-27, 2010, the UNICEF Tap Project will once again raise awareness of the world water crisis and vital funds to help the millions of children it impacts daily. All funds raised support UNICEF's water, sanitation and hygiene programs, and the effort to bring clean and accessible water to millions of children around the world."