Ferris wheels and funnel cakes, but no recycling

I made the four-hour drive to the mountains last weekend for the 2010 Mountain State Fair in Asheville, N.C.

The smell of fried funnel cakes, sweat and livestock filled the cool evening air.  As I sat down on a bench to people watch and finish off the last of my hand-squeezed lemonade, I noticed the only place for my plastic lemonade cup to make its final resting place was in the trash.  Each trashcan, which were all within fifteen feet of each other, was overflowing with plastic soda bottles and aluminum cans.

A total of 185, 323 people entered the fair's gates this year and enjoyed all it had to offer.  They drove from far and wide to ride ferris wheels and eat fried twinkies.  When examining the impact of those short two weeks of fun, the reality of the environmental impact becomes apparent.

Not a recycling bin in sight! (2010 NC Mountain State Fair)

People should enjoy the fair.  It only happens once a year, but this should also be an opportunity for the public to be educated in easy ways to be environmentally conscious.  Recycling bins or bags seems like a simple fix to reduce the toll taken on the environment during fair time.  If bins were placed next to trash cans, people could easily throw away their leftover cotton candy and recycle their Pepsi soda can.

A "green guide" to the fair, similar to what the Minnesota State Fair created, could also emphasize using public transportation to save gas, time, headaches and carbon emissions.  The Oregon State Fair even began collecting used fair-food grease to create bio diesel fuel.  It's large gatherings, like fairs, that provide the opportunity to educate the public.

Raleigh recycling goes high tech

As I went on my routine morning jog, I noticed that today was recycling pick-up day in the neighborhood.  Before you get upset and think I don't recycle, I live in an apartment complex that is not on the city's collection route (I have to take my recycling to some bins at the back of the parking lot). 

For more than 20 years Raleigh citizens have placed their recyclable materials on the curb in green bins no bigger than 18 gallons.  The city's recycling program received a modern face lift in July.  Over the next four years, Raleigh will be shifting to a new system in which recyclables will be collected the same way as trash.  In place of the small bins currently used for recycling, residents will get 95-gallon roll-out carts similar to their garbage cans.

Raleigh's new recycling carts.

The new, easier-to-manage bins will hopefully increase recycling participation.  I was amazed to find out that nationally, 77 percent of Americans recycle something in their homes, according to a Harris Poll.  Unfortunately, the number of those who say they recycle nothing at all is higher in the South.

The problem looks worse when comparing age groups.  About three in 10 respondents aged 18 to 30 (these are college-aged kids like myself) don't separate their glass, aluminum and paper from their garbage, compared with 19 percent of seniors aged 62 and older (my mammaw recycles more than you).

Things you can recycle in Raleigh.

So why aren't people my age recycling?  Among the anti-recyclers, one in six said they don't recycle because it's not available in their area; 12 percent felt it takes too much effort. Another 11 percent said recycling is just a bunch of hoopla and doesn't make a difference; 6 percent said they were too busy and 5 percent found recycling too difficult.

I'd like to think that 77 percent of Americans do recycle, but I find it hard to believe.  I would be willing to bet they don't recycle all of the time, and they probably don't recycle as many things as they could. Some people I work with say they recycle, but turn around and throw their plastic water bottle in the office trash can.

We must first change our attitudes and opinions on recycling, then our actions will follow.

Green miser guide to Raleigh

If you're new to the Raleigh area, here's a quick green guide to the city of oaks. 

Eat, drink, and be merry: 
Protein power. Opt for grass-fed, free range, organic, and local meat, milk, and eggs. Grass-fed beef is leaner, has more omega-3s, and tastes better than conventional beef.  Organic milk and eggs are also free from artificial hormones.

Eat out. We're in a big city. Dine out at an eco-friendly restaurant that serves local, organic food like Zely & Ritz Tapas Restaurant.  You have to try the sweet potato gnocchi.

I gotta have my coffee. Drink coffee and tea that tastes better and does good. Whether you want to brew your own cup of Larry's Beans or hang out at a local coffee shop like Global Village, just make sure it's fair trade and organic.

Global Village on Hillsborough Street.

Have some fun 
Go to the movies. Local colleges and universities often play documentary movies about the environment. Also, check out the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in the spring.

Do good. Lend a hand with a local nonprofit. Whether it's a green organization or not, you'll still be making an impact in your community.  I love volunteering at the SPCA of Wake County and the Salvation Army.

Shop 'til you drop. There are a ton of fair trade and local shops.  My favorite stop is Sugar Magnolia on Hillsborough Street.  Everything is fair trade, and it's all under $15.00!

Getting around

Bus stops are all over the city.

Catch the CAT.  Let's face it.  Driving in Raleigh is a hassle.  It seems like there's always a wreck on I-40.  Hopping on the city's CAT bus eliminates your time in the driver's seat.  Sit back, relax, and read a book while you cruise around the city.  You'll get in a lot of reading and save a lot of money.

Take a walk. It’s sunny out! When you search for an apartment, look for place that has walkable areas.  My apartment complex is located in a great neighborhood with sidewalks lining both sides of the street.  

Ride a bike. Raleigh residents love to bike and many streets around town now have bike lines. If you ride a bike, you'll save a lot of money and parking hassle.

A song of inspiration

First off, as you can see by my picture, I am not a Mister.  I just love those old Christmas claymation movies with Heat Miser and Snow Miser.  

He's out to make the planet greener! (The Year without a Santa Claus)

In fact, here's my rendition of their song:

I'm Mister Green Guru

I'm Mister Environment

I'm Mister Cares a Lot

I'm Mister Conscientious of the World

They call me Green Miser,

What ever I touch

Becomes sustainable in my clutch

I'm too much!

Joking aside, I plan to use this blog to show people on a budget and college students like myself, that being green is easy.