Since the 1950s, 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic has been produced. Over half of that has been produced in the last 15 years alone. A straw with our iced coffee, a plastic bag to carry our takeout, a wrapper on a candy bar: taken individually, each seems harmless. These modern conveniences are so ubiquitous—and …
Many of us who are concerned about the environment do as much as we can to take action in our own homes. To have a bigger impact, we can go beyond what we can accomplish in our own lives by investing in or donating to an environmental organization that is working on a larger scale. …
We are faced with a lot of social and environmental issues out there – so much so that it can often seem overwhelming, leaving us to wonder what we can do to help. Shifting our lifestyle and consumer choices is one way we can help address particular problems; getting politically active with our voices and …
Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there are many benefits to recycling, including reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators and conserving natural resources such as timber, water and minerals. However, in order to “Recycle Smarter” it’s important to understand …
According to the National Institutes of Health, 94% of natural resources used by Americans are non-renewable. Through recycling, we not only save these resources, we also save water and energy, create jobs, and sustain the world for future generations. Natural resources are being depleted and landfills are being filled at an increasing rate. Our current …
We are fortunate in our area to have access to abundant, clean water for household uses, agriculture and recreation, but that doesn’t mean we should take it for granted. We’re used to thinking of water shortages as a problem only in the West, but areas of the eastern U.S. are increasingly facing water shortages too, …
By: Ann Raridon This year, Sustainable Blacksburg started a new small grant program for community projects supporting our mission. Proposed projects in the areas of clean energy, smart growth and mobility, ecological integrity, social equity, or waste reduction are eligible for grants of up to $500. Last month, we were excited to make our first grant award to …
The Earth might seem like it has abundant water, but in fact less than 1 percent is available for human use. The rest is either salt water found in oceans, fresh water frozen in the polar ice caps, or too inaccessible for practical usage. While population and demand on freshwater resources are increasing, supply will …
As part of this week’s discussion on reducing food waste, we shared resources, tips, and tricks that you can try at home. Head over to these two articles we posted if you haven’t seen them already! Tips and Tools for Reducing Food Waste Local Resources for Reducing Food Waste Many Small Actions Can Lead to …
There are many ways we can divert food from the landfill and into the hands of those who need it most. Below are a few local organizations working on reducing food waste in our community. The Campus Kitchen The Campus Kitchen program is a partnership between VT Engage and Virginia Tech Dining Services. Campus Kitchen …
