• In 2001, Ireland consumed 1.2 billion plastic bags, or 316 per person. In order to change consumer behavior, a plastic bag consumption tax, or PlasTax, was introduced in 2002. It has reduced consumption by 90% so that approximately 18,000,000 liters of oil have been saved due to this reduced production and it has reduced litter. http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php
• Recycling: In 1999, recycling and composting activities prevented about 64 million tons of material from ending up in landfills and incinerators. Today, this country recycles 32.5 percent of its waste, a rate that has almost doubled during the past 15 years.
• While recycling has grown in general, recycling of specific materials has grown even more drastically: 52 percent of all paper, 31 percent of all plastic soft drink bottles, 45 percent of all aluminum beer and soft drink cans, 63 percent of all steel packaging, and 67 percent of all major appliances are now recycled. http://www.epa.gov/msw/recycle.htm

Your trash usually lasts a few days in your house, but how often do you consider the length of time it will spend in your local landfill? Here are some figures that should encourage you to recycle that cola can:

• Paper: 2-4 Weeks
• Banana Peel: 3-5 Weeks
• Wool Cap: 1 Year
• Cigarette Butt: 2-5 Years
• Disposable Diaper: 10-20 Years
• Hard Plastic Container: 20-30 Years
• Rubber Boot Sole: 50-80 Years
• Tin Can: 80-100 Years
• Aluminum Can: 200-400 Years
• Plastic 6-pack Holder: 450 Years
• Glass Bottles: Thousands of Years

What kinds of items can be recycled:

• Glass bottles and jars
• Empty aerosol cans
• Plastic bottled and jars
• Cardboard
• Aluminum cans, aluminum foil, aluminum foil trays
• Paper bags
• Shredded paper
• Newspaper
• Metal cans
• Phone books
• Paper or frozen food boxes
• Mail, magazines, catalogues
• Batteries
• Used Motor oil and filters
• Old Computers and cell phones

Earth 911 provides information about what and how different items can be recycled, curbside recycling help, and how to identify what items are made from recycled products. Need help finding where to recycle a certain item in your hometown? Use the Recycle Center Search box at the top of the page to find local recycling options. http://earth911.org/recycling/

Here is a quick and short Recycle Guide in table format to enhance your recycling experience and help keep God’s creation beautiful. http://www.obviously.com/recycle/guides/shortest.html

One of the most long lasting items in a landfill is plastic, but the science world has good news for our planet- biodegradable plastics. Learn more at http://www.greenplastics.com/

Buy your own biodegradable trash bags at drugstore.com http://www.drugstore.com/templates/brand/default.asp?brand=44918&aid=336064&aparam=biodegradable_trash_bags

Getting started on the three R’s, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, can be at little overwhelming. Here’s a website to help you out with a home waste reduction and prevention plan: http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/WPW/Home/

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE?
Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers, respects animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer, and supports and enhances rural communities. Some important characteristics of sustainable agriculture include: Conservation and preservation. What is taken out of the environment is put back in, so land and resources such as water, soil and air can be replenished and are available to future generations. The waste from sustainable farming stays within the farm’s ecosystem and cannot cause buildup or pollution. In addition, sustainable agriculture seeks to minimize transportation costs and fossil fuel use, and is as locally-based as possible. Biodiversity. Farms raise different types of plants and animals, which are rotated around the fields to enrich the soil and help prevent disease and pest outbreaks. Chemical pesticides are used minimally and only when necessary; many sustainable farms do not use any form of chemicals. Did you know the pesticides used to kill pests also kill the organisms that help keep carbon dioxide in the soil? Animal welfare. Animals are treated humanely and with respect, and are well cared for. They are permitted to carry out their natural behaviors, such as grazing, rooting or pecking, and are fed a natural diet appropriate for their species.

Economically viable. Farmers are paid a fair wage and are not dependent on subsidies from the government. Sustainable farmers help strengthen rural communities.

Socially just. Workers are treated fairly and paid competitive wages and benefits. They work in a safe environment and are offered proper living conditions and food.

The US Government’s definition of sustainable agriculture is as follows, “an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term, satisfy human food and fiber needs; enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends; make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls; sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.” (Public Law 101-624, Title XVI, Subtitle A, Section 1683) http://www.sustainabletable.org/intro/whatis/

Want to find sustainable farms, stores, or restaurants in or near your home? Search the eat well guide: http://www.eatwellguide.org/

Buying local is one way to support sustainable agriculture. Buying local products reduces “food miles.” What are food miles? They are the distance your food travels from the farm where it was grown, to the store in which you bought it. In the U.S., the average grocery store’s produce travels nearly 1,500 miles between the farm where it was grown and your local store. About 40% of our fruit is produced overseas and, even though broccoli is likely grown within 20 miles of the average American’s house, the broccoli we buy at the supermarket travels an average 1,800 miles to get there. Notably, 9% of our red meat comes from foreign countries, including locations as far away as Australia and New Zealand. A tremendous amount of fossil fuel is used to transport foods such long distances. Combustion of these fuels releases carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and other pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to global climate change, acid rain, smog and air pollution. Another great benefit of buying local comes in the food itself. Locally grown food has spent less time in-transit and is fresher (thus healthier because it has not spent days losing nutrients) than food that has traveled a long distance. Some even argue that locally grown products taste better. Taste and see for yourself!

Sustainabletable.org provides shopping guides and recipes for you to develop your sustainable table at home. Shopping guide: http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/guides/ Recipes: http://www.sustainabletable.org/kitchen/recipes/

FAIR TRADE:
Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the Global South. Fair trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

Fair trade advocates generally support the following principles and practices in trading relationships: Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers-

Fair trade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system.

Transparency and accountability-
Fair trade involves transparent management and commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully with trading partners.

Capacity building-
Fair trade is a means to develop producers’ independence. Fair trade relationships provide continuity, during which producers and their marketing organizations can improve their management skills and their access to new markets.

Payment of a fair price-
A fair price in the regional or local context is one that has been agreed through dialogue and participation. It covers not only the costs of production but enables production which is socially just and environmentally sound. It provides fair pay to the producers and takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work by women and men. Fairtraders ensure prompt payment to their partners and, whenever possible, help producers with access to pre-harvest or pre-production financing.

Gender equality-
Fair trade means that the work of women and men is properly valued and rewarded. Each person is always paid for their contribution to the production process and is empowered in their organizations, regardless of gender.

Working conditions-
Fair trade means a safe and healthy working environment for producers. The participation of children (if any) does not adversely affect their well-being, security, educational requirements and need for play and conforms to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as the law and norms in the local context.

Environmental protection-
Fair trade actively encourages better environmental practices and the application of responsible methods of production.

Learn more about fair trade products at http://www.fairtrade.net/home.html

Find out how you can get involved in the fair trade movement at home, school, or in the work place here: http://www.fairtradefederation.org/ht/d/sp/i/207/pid/207