Groups, individuals find ways to recycle, make a difference
'Going green' is a lifestyle choice more people are making
BY KELSEY PALMER
With landfills growing in abundance and gas prices expected

Briana Brown and her father, Clyde Brown, recycle used, discarded lumber donated by James Wood Construction and the Cherokee Civic Theatre to build bird houses. The new habitat will be added to Butler Park, a service project recently adopted by the Girl Scout troop. PHOTOS: SHEILAH O'HEANEY

to rise to $4 a gallon this summer, Earth Day took on added significance to Cherokee County residents this year.

Earth Day, April 22, is recognized in 175 counties around the globe and celebrated by half a billion people every year. It is honored for the first environmental movement in 1970 when 20 million Americans took to the streets with peaceful demonstrations in support of environmental awareness.

"Earth Day has never been more important than it is this year," said Lauren Gonzalez, a senior at Boston University. "Our oceans are being depleted at an alarming rate, and I'm worried for the future."

Miss Gonzalez, who is currently studying tropical ecology in Ecuador, says she would like to see everyone provide their own reusable bags when they shop at grocery stores. "Too many of these plastic bags end up in the ocean, and turtles try and eat them because they think they are jellyfish."

Members of l Girl Scout Troop #139 in Rusk display signs which were placed along the road leading to Butler Park in Rusk. The "Burma Shave" style displays encouraged others to reuse and recycle on Earth Day.

Assistant Girl Scout Troop Leader, Sheilah O'Heaney, has been recycling since grade school and tries to instill the same ideas in her troop.

"I want to be remembered for other things than using up all the possible resources in this world," Ms. O'Heaney said. "It's about creating this atmosphere that every little bit counts."

Mrs. O'Heaney grew up on North Fork, Long Island, the first county to ever ban phosphates. These include certain fertilizers and clothes and dishwashing detergents that damage local water resources.

Recently, larger corporations have recognized America's need to "go green." Because of this, environmentally friendly products, once rare and expensive, have become increasingly popular.

Last year, Wal-Mart headquarters announced its goal to sell more than 100 million compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in 2007 alone and it was met. As compared to incandescent light bulbs, CFLs use 75 percent less electricity, last 10 times longer and save buyers $30 over the life of each bulb. The energy saved as a result was equivalent to the energy needed to power 450,000 homes.

Former State District Judge John Robert Adamson says he and his wife have been recycling for more than 20 years. After being involved with an attempt to establish a countywide dump, Mr. Adamson became aware of waste disposal preparations and decided to do his small part in order to improve the community.

"There needs to be better regulations for our environment, not only to take care of our earth, but our people," Mr. Adamson said. "It needs to be an issue in our state and national policies as well."

When it comes to going green, Mrs. O'Heaney says the key is starting small.

"Pick one thing to do everyday that will benefit the environment. Those return envelopes in the mail that you're not going to use -- why not write your grocery lists on them?"

One thing to remember when attempting to go green is that all items thrown away once took energy in order to make and ship, and after being thrown away, will take more energy to recycle or dispose of. So through reducing, reusing and recycling, our future can look better than most make it out to be.

Simply reusing empty bottles of water by filling them with tap water, bringing cloth bags to carry home groceries instead of using plastic bags and writing on both sides of a sheet of paper can reduce the amount of waste overflowing landfills each year.

No matter how bad it is for the environment, there are instances when using nonrenewable resources is necessary. Yet, carpooling, turning the lights off before leaving the house and exchanging light bulbs with energy efficient CFLs can reduce carbon emissions that cause greenhouse gases.

Those who are already environmentally aware can go the extra mile by recycling. Dejamco Recycling, Inc. of Jacksonville accepts home wastes such as many types of plastics, paper, tin and aluminum. In order to get work or school involved, Ms. O'Heaney recommends setting up recycling bins in offices and cafeterias.

Every little bit counts when it comes to keeping East Texas beautiful, said Miss Gonzalez.