Earth Day Marks 41st Year

The first Earth Day came about in 1970 due to several environmental movements and timely legislation aimed at protecting our planet’s resources and giving us all a healthier environment.

Then 20 million Americans participated, and today in 2010 the mission of saving our planet is the same. According to the Saint Louis County Health Department, issues such as greenhouse gases, global climate change, deforestation and alternative energy sources are at the forefront. Earth Day is an opportunity for all of us to step it up and start good habits from day No. 1: April 22. On way to easily do that is to recycle. And, it seems as if Oakville is off to a good start.

In the fall of 2010, the Saint Louis County Health Department did a participation study on one route in the Oakville area (trash district 8). The route was followed for three weeks. A whopping 78 percent of the residents participated in the recycling program—meaning they put recycling at the curb at least once during the study. The average weekly participation was 61 percent.

Mary Patterson, supervisor of the waste division, solid waste management program, at the Saint Louis County Health Department, said that not all subdivisions are part of the county trash district program, so these numbers apply to more than half the households. 

“We do not get data from the haulers that serve the subdivisions that opted out of the program, however, all households have recycling as part of trash service and they all received the 64-gallon recycling cart from the county at no charge,” Patterson said.

One of the heaviest components of recycling, according to Patterson, is paper. 

“It certainly appears that many Oakville residents take their paper to schools for recycling, as it is a fundraiser,” she said. “In fact, has traditionally been one of the top paper recyclers in the St. Louis Region.”

Another way the health department is encouraging the community to help is to use alternative recipes for common household cleaners. Commercial household cleaners can be a source of toxins, and in some ways make-your-own cleaners may be even less expensive than commercial brands. Below are some alternative recipes. For more information, visit www.recyclesaintlouis.com.

1. Air freshener: Simmer cinnamon and cloves in water over the stove.

2. Basin, tub and tile cleaner: Mix 1⁄2 cup of baking soda with 2 to 3 tablespoons of liquid castile soap.

3. Disinfectant: Mix 1⁄4 cup of borax with 1⁄2 gallon of hot water.

4. Drain cleaner: First use a plunger. If this does not work, pour 1⁄2

cup of baking soda and 1⁄2 cup of vinegar into the drain. Let it set for several minutes, then pour 2 quarts of boiling water down the drain. [Caution: Never use this method if commercial drain cleaners have already been used on a clog.]

5. Fabric softener: Add 1 cup of vinegar or 1⁄4 cup of baking soda to the wash during its final rinse.

6. Floor cleaner: Mix 1⁄2 cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water.

7. Grease remover: Use borax on a damp cloth.

8. Household cleaner: Mix 1 teaspoon of liquid castile soap, 1

teaspoon of borax, and the juice from one lemon in 1 quart of warm water, or mix 1⁄4 cup of baking soda, 1⁄2 cup of borax, and 1⁄2 cup of vinegar in 1 gallon of warm water.

9. Mildew remover: Dissolve 1⁄2 cup of vinegar and 1⁄2 cup of borax in warm water. Apply using a sponge or spray bottle.

10. Toilet bowl cleaner: Pour 1⁄4 cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and drizzle with vinegar. Let sit for 1⁄2 hour. Scrub and flush. Add borax to eliminate stains.

11. Window cleaner: Add 2 teaspoons of vinegar to 1 quart of warm water or 2 tablespoons of borax to 3 cups of water. After using, rub the glass dry with newspaper to avoid streaking.

Note: Make sure that all homemade formulas are well-labeled and kept out of the reach of children.