Prime Time Early Learning Center

It’s a Prime Time to

Go Green Newsletter

DECEMBER 24, 2009 VOLUME 2

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

ONLINE RESOURCES

THE STORY OF STUFF

The Story of Stuff

FREECYCLE

Give and Get Stuff for Free

CRAIGSLIST

Western Slope Craigslist

It’s Easy to ‘Go Green’ During the Holidays

Christmas is a holiday noted for conspicuous consumption. Show your respect for

future generations by adopting some new holiday traditions this year. Going green

is an every-day commitment, but you can make a start during the holidays; it

makes good sense for you, your family, and your community. And don’t stop once

the holidays are over – why not make it a New Year’s resolution for 2010?

1. Buy Local Whenever Possible

It is good practice to get into the habit of buying locally. When you buy local

seasonal produce or buy from local artisans, you are saving on packaging and

transportation costs. In Norwood, Two Candles has an ongoing display of art and

gift items made by local artists. Or stop by Jen Dabal’s Lone Cone Consignments on

Main Street for a great selection of gently used items available for purchase. Make

an appointment to drop off some of your unwanted goods and be a part of recycling

quality goods locally. Clark’s Market features organic and whole foods all year

round, and they are sure feature special products during the holidays.

2. Real, Artificial or Live Christmas Tree?

There is some controversy about which is most environmentally correct, artificial

trees or real trees. But it is a sure bet that if you buy a living tree that you can

plant later, you have made the best environmental choice for the planet. If you opt

for a cut tree, you can visit the USFS office here in Norwood and take advantage of

the trees right in our own backyard. Make it a fun day for the entire family – and

perhaps a new holiday tradition. If you choose to cut a live tree, consider recycling

it for mulch rather than simply hauling it off to the dump.

3. Electronics Shopping

If you are buying electronic gifts to replace items in your home, make sure to

dispose of old electronic components and batteries responsibly. Prime Time has a

drop-off bin in its front entrance for recycling batteries, cell phones and toner

cartridges. Rather than simply throwing that unwanted VCR or television in the

trash, why not sell it at Lone Cone Consignments?

4. Start Co-mingled Recycling

San Miguel County makes it easy to recycle! You don’t have to sort glass, plastics

and aluminum cans. Just put them all into one container and drop it off at the

Norwood Waste Transfer Station. They also accept corrugated cardboard and

newsprint. Refer to the San Miguel County Recycling Guide for more information on

recycling in the region.

5. Practice Energy Awareness

Switch those old strings of Christmas lights to energy efficient LED lights. Although

they cost more up front, you will save up to 90% on your energy costs in the long

run. Good energy conservation practices can be used in other parts of your house,

as well. In your kitchen monitor your use of the oven and control how long you

leave your refrigerator door open. Consider hanging your clothes out on a line

instead of using your dryer. These may seem like insignificant changes, but wasted

energy adds up!

6. Save Money, Save Paper, Go Electronic

It’s never easy to get out all your holiday cards, and with the price of postage going

up every year, it can be very expensive. Save paper and your pocketbook by

uploading a family photo onto an electronic card and emailing it to your friends and

loved ones. Many options are out available on the web (including free ones);

Smilebox, Picasa, Shutterfly are just a few. For those folks that do not do email,

print out a few and send them via snail mail.

Green Committee News:

The Wright Stuff Green Committee made some headway in 2009 toward its goal of

greening up the Wright’s Mesa Center and its programs. Thanks to a spring bulbs

sale by Mandy White, several hundred dollars were raised to help Prime Time

teachers green up their classrooms. Preschool teacher Kristen Parrino used this

money to repaint her room using no-VOC paint.

Speaking of paint, you may have noticed the center’s front hallway has received a

fresh coat in a new, cheery shade of yellow. The same paint will be used to

brighten up the back hallway on a future date. Little to no fumes could be detected

thanks to our use of a low-VOC paint by Glidden (available at Home Depot).

The Green Committee continues to evaluate a healthier alternative to the

antibacterial hand soap found throughout the center. The toddler room has been

testing out CleanWell brand foaming soap, which contains no triclosan or other

chemical antibacterial agents. These chemicals are thought to harm the

environment and have been linked to allergies in children. Plain old soap and water

is best! See the latest edition of Telluride’s Shelter magazine for an article about

antibacterial cleaning agents written by Green Committee member and Prime Time

parent Jessica Newens.

Jessica has also been spearheading improvements to the food program at Prime

Time, specifically the breakfast program. Children are now offered homemade

waffles or pancakes and breakfast burritos as part of the weekly breakfast menu.

Efforts are being made to provide more nutritious, whole foods across the board,

from unsweetened organic apple sauce to pancake syrup that does not contain

high-fructose corn syrup. As the breakfast menu is finalized, we will begin focusing

on homemade snacks and rely less on processed food from the grocery store.

Volunteers are needed to help shop for and prepare food. Please let us know if

you’d like to pitch in.

Short List of Green Accomplishments to Date:

Future plans:

Green Wish List:

NO MORE IDLING PLEASE!

In 2010, The Wright Stuff will begin implementing a no-idling policy. For the safety,

health and well being of our kids, the environment and you, please do not leave

your vehicle running unattended. We ask that you turn off your vehicle before you

enter the school to drop off or pick up your child. Your cooperation is much

appreciated!

Green Committee Christmas Tree

Did you see our fabulous ‘Green’ Christmas tree at Two Candles during The Wright

Stuff’s Festival of Trees? Our modest little pinion tree was dressed up with all

things recycled and sustainable – a coffee filter angel, recycled holiday card

ornaments, spritz cookies, grocery bag gingerbread men, strung popcorn, LED

lights, and more. Thank you to all who contributed to the effort: Mandy White,

Jennifer Dinsmore, Jen Feeser, Gen Roach and Jessica Newens. Look for an even

more creative entry next year!

We welcome your comments and suggestions regarding our Wright Stuff Green

program. And we are always looking for new volunteers. Drop an email to Jessica

Newens at jessican2@mindspring.com or call her at 327-0338.

Here’s to a happy, healthy and green 2010!