Back to School Challenge: be an advocate for change

Whether you're the mother of a preschooler or a high schooler or taking a Spanish class at night, practice moderation and give voice to better world practices when it comes to school.

I found my son's supply list pretty standard, the usual notebooks (though I missed Whole Foods big sale on 100% recycled paper notebooks), scissors, glue sticks.

However, I was shocked when I read that it listed 4 dozen pencils. 48 pencils which add up to almost 1,000 pencils per classroom if every 2nd grade parent follows the list. I thought it was a misprint, but when I called, the school secretary confirmed the amount. Who decides on the list, I asked. Collectively all the teachers do, she informed me. Though I was tempted to make an angry phonecall about deforestation concerns, I used my better judgment and will wait for the dust to settle (I was a teacher myself once).

The only guess I can make on why a classroom would need this many pencils is that I think many of us still have the disposable "I can just buy another one" mindset. (But really, 960 pencils?) So I bought one box of 12 FSC certified pencils, along with the twelve we gathered from various junk drawers around the house, and hope that will last. Given the current economy and the current necessity to be more sustainable in America, this type of shift in consciousness must take place on a wide scale.

I urge you to make your voice of moderation and wise-buying heard at your son or daughter's school this year.

First, let me go off-topic for a confession: pre-Betty, pre-no buying pledge my attitude about sunglasses, goggles and other popular one season items was why buy expensive ones when I'm just going to lose them? (My reputation proceeds me) The draw of cheap stores like Old Navy and Walmart or Target can be difficult to pass up.

But it is amazing what can happen when you consciously set an intention in your life. This one-year no new purchase buying pledge has helped me shed my disposable mindset and embrace the finer art of "keep your things nice." I still have my sunglasses from last year. And I was pleasantly surprised that my kids have made it all three months, swim practices, and pool visits, and even an away trip to Grandma and Grandpa's community pool, and they still have their swim goggles, unbroken! When we purchased these in May I told them, "These are it, guys! Keep track of them." So we brainstormed together the best way to do that. They decided putting them back in the same place every time would do the trick. Still going strong. I feel like I'm also more careful with my things, knowing I'm not going to rush out to buy a new one (thus sending my jeans in for "denim therapy" see previous blog, which by the way came back. They are good as new!)

So this school year, be an advocate for moderation and better practices. Here are just a few ideas:

*Buy the recycled paper tissues for the class.
*Encourage reuse of school supplies.
*Bring cloth napkins in for the next class party.
*If you don't see a recycle bin within easy reach, volunteer to bring one in. (All County Schools have paper recycling, plastic 1s, 2s, cardboard, and aluminum)
*If you see excess, ask questions and share your desire to see a "less is more" attitude
*If your school is using all disposables for school lunches, question the principal and the head cafeteria director.

Best,
BWB

Two Green Eats...

The long range plan (can't say when because it depends on the other green - money) is for Betty to include a dining guide, but in the meantime I have to give a shout out to two local eateries: Sublime and Brix.

I stopped by Brix, a favorite cafe of mine, yesterday while the kids where at TaeKwonDo. Karen Laetare has been quietly green-conscious since opening her Marketplace on Route 53 eight years ago. When I spoke to her last summer she was continuing to research the lowest-impact containers for her new restaurant at Pantops. I wasn't able to chat with her yesterday about how much local foods she incorporates in her delicious recipes, but I do know she is ever-conscious of how to reduce waste in the running of her business. She provides mugs and napkins and a recycling option in the cafe (no disposable plasticware for in-house diners, which I love) and the take-home options are all eco-friendly. Compostable coffee cups and paper boxes (no Styrofoam here - not even for the soups).

I also ran into Geoff Robinson, part owner of Sublime All-Natural food and juice bar, on the Corner. Walking into their store is lesson in conscious eating. What impresses me most about this green eat is their complete mindfulness and consideration at every step of the way: delivering food from the Earth to you. They offer local cheese and local fruits from Henley's Orchard. If you haven't tried one of their delicious smoothies in a compostable cup, you have been missing out!

Geoff and I were chatting about the challenges of owning a total green eat (unfortunately they took a hit this Summer with the students gone). Their menu items may be higher cost but they are higher (more natural, more nutritional, more sustainable) quality and higher purpose.

When I saw Geoff he was picking, choosing, debating the best bread options for his customers. The inside scoop: this fall they are adding sandwiches to their ever-growing menu. (You heard it here first!) He was excited because he had just found a supplier of grass-fed beef from Crozet. I plan to interview him this fall to get more of the details of all the better world efforts of this local business.

In the meantime, find time to patronize one of these local green eats in the coming week. And be sure to tell them Betty sent you!

In-joy,
BWB

Call me picky, but Betty wants a better toilet paper

To celebrate the impending birth of my friend's baby, a bunch of us girls met at one of Charlottesville's favorite hot spots, Mas, in Belmont. It was a lovely night - great atmosphere, great food, great friends. But I couldn't help being a little bugged when I visited the ladies to find stacks and stacks of virgin-fiber toilet paper. Now I know this may seem picky to some of you, but my feeling is this: if we can't do the little things, then how are we going to do the big things? 100%recycled, non-bleached toilet paper is REALLY easy to come by and it's the very least we can do.

Here are some facts and tips for you and your favorite local business:

If each of us replaced one roll of virgin-fiber paper towels with 100 percent recycled paper towels, we could save 1.4 million trees! If we replaced just one package of virgin fiber napkins with 100 percent recycled ones, we could save 1 million trees. Just imagine the huge impact restaurants could have if they changed their practices to be healthier and more sustainable.

Here are some green tips from Betty's friends at Treehugger.com:

*Process Chlorine Free (PCF) is a great choice, this process does not use not bleach with chlorine or its derivatives. Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) is the best choice—this is pulp that has never been bleached with chlorine or its derivatives.

*Purchase paper towels made of 100 percent recycled materials.

*Look for paper products that contain a minimum of 90 percent post-consumer waste.

*Choose unbleached paper towels (TCF) -totally chlorine-free. If those are unavailable, opt for process chlorine free (PCF) next, or elemental chlorine free (ECF) as a last choice.

*Choose paper towels and napkins that have no added pigments, inks or dyes (say goodbye to that floral printed border).

*Select packaging with minimal environmental impact, such as that made of recycled and recyclable materials; imprinted with safe inks; and containing no toxic metals, dyes or inks.

*Seek items having the largest amount of product to minimize packaging, for example, high-capacity hardwound roll towels have 800 feet or more.

*Look for paper towels that are wound on a 100 percent recycled core.

For recommended brands try: http://www.nrdc.org/land/forests/gtissue.asp

Pass it on...
BWB

Twice is Nice, Three Times Even Better

My two boys and I dropped off the clothing donations from Betty's picnic to Twice is Nice thrift shop this week on Preston Avenue.

If you don't know about this shop, I highly recommend stopping in. Carolyn Ettinger just spent the last few months spiffing it up - cleaning, reorganizing, and adding to the space. My boys and I were delighted to find one cowboy/snap-on shirt (think Lyle Lovett), jet-fighter pj's (my youngest had to leave the store in them), a long-sleeve "dog" shirt (NWT), and another fall shirt, all in great shape for: 15 dollars! How is that for a back-to-school bargain.

Twice is nice because the store helps your pocketbook and that of a stellar, community non-profit JABA (Jefferson Area Board of Aging). Quoting from their website: "Our mission is to promote, establish and preserve sustainable communities for healthy aging that benefit individuals and families of all ages."

Betty loves it three times because shopping here, rather than popular stores like Old Navy and Gap, help the planet by reducing consumption through conserving natural resources and reusing goods.

Best,
BWB

Cville's Best New Local Website: Betty, of course!

OK. So that's not a category in Cville Weekly's Best, but if it were* wouldn't you vote for Betty?

Who helps you find local green builders/architects/gardeners for your renovations or new projects?
Who helps you find a new home for your couch or computer?
Who gives you the inside scoop on the best consignment shops in the 'ville?
Who tells you about environmental events in and around town?
Who connects you to local organizations that are working for the better, greener world we all want to see?
Who is working in the Earth kitchen cooking up more ways to make green living easier for you?
And who loves you no matter where you are on the path towards greenness?

Who's got your back when it comes to green?

Bottom line. Betty does.
BWB

*note to self: bend Frank's ear re: new Cville Best category!

Look for the lessons, learn and let it go

Years ago I cut this out of a magazine and today as I was feng-shuing the cluttered refrigerator (and even the piles on top) I found these words that continue to inspire.

They are from a woman in Illinois named Jody about the most important thing she was taught growing up: "My father showed me - with true strength, courage, and integrity - the importance of letting go of past pain and regret. Whatever struggles I faced, he taught me that hanging on to resentment, guilt, grudges, or any negative emotion is destructive to body, mind and spirit. Most important, it consumes energy better spent on living. Dad's message: "Look for the lessons, learn, and let it go."

I think those of us who find ourselves beating ourselves up over our most recent environmental infraction -- forgetting to bring my to-go silverware, driving an extra 10 miles to take my exercise class from Susan, because I love her so much! forgetting to turn off the computer overnight, wondering if I should ditch my compact van for the new Honday fcxClarity, noticing that I hastily bought organic applease on the way home from work, but forgot to read the fine print about coming from South America! -- need to remember those words.

Betty values all those changes that make a difference, it's true, but she also values forgiveness and acceptance when it comes to healing the planet. Look for the lessons, learn, do better next time, and let go. It's not about being Perfect World Pollyannas. Perfection is the enemy of good (thank you, Rich, for reminding me of that one sometimes). Betty is about being and doing better. Are you doing something today that you didn't do yesterday?

Step by step. That's what will make a better world.

BWB

Fall Collections announced!

I'm not talking about the latest fall fashions, my green friends, I am talking about the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority's fall line-up for special collections of hazardous and bulky waste at the Ivy Muck (Material Utilization Center).

Sept 19: small-business hazardous waste (pre-register and pay a fee)
Sept 20: household hazardous waste like paint, chemicals like pesticides, liquid flammables, hazardous cleaning chemicals, etc.
Sept 27: furniture and mattresses (this should be your last resort, of course, after surfing Betty's hard-to-recycle-item tool to see if you can find a good home locally)
Oct 4: appliances (I was sad to find a few appliances dumped near the Rivanna River in the County recently - please dispose of these properly)
Oct 11: tires (On the same trip I counted 16 tires on a recent 5 mile stretch of the Rivanna - the next Betty green team event might be a river cleanup!)

The city and the county are also sponsoring "amnesty days" for residents to dispose of bulky items at no cost. (more to come on that)

This event is for Charlottesville city and Albemarle County residents and will be posted on the Betty events page very soon! There is a 25 gallon limit

Bruce Edmonds at 434-906-0763 can answer any questions concerning HHW.

Rid your life of bulky, bad schtuff this fall!
Best,
BWB