Eco-Living 1 Week Challenge April 7 – 13, 2019

Inspired by so many environmental concerns – let’s do something positive for the environment in 2019.

Purpose: We are encouraging the community to take extraordinary efforts in reducing their energy and waste for seven days. We can prove individual efforts can collectively make a difference in our environment and this will serve as an individual benchmark for future possibilities and goals. Our efforts locally can change conditions globally.   

Objectives: Cultivate creative solutions to reduce, reuse and recycle while in your home and workplace.

Entering Criteria: Area residents of Northern VA, MD and DC.

Judging Criteria and How to Win: Submit a short summery on what you accomplished and provide photographic images of your efforts. Selection will be based on the most effective way to innovate while tackling the common problems in our day-to-day lives, as it pertains to waste and energy. Submission Deadline is April 17th to #2019EcoLiving on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) or Email: Mellenie@truly-life.com

Panel of Judges: Bon Vivant (eco-dine), Greener Cleaner (eco-dry clean), Maid to Clean (eco-clean), Mom’s Organic Market (eco-food), Juniper Eco Salon (eco-hair), Truly-Life (eco-skin)

Award Winners Announced: Earth Day April 22, 2019

• First Place Award: Sweet Get Away in Del Ray Weekend Stay for Two, Certificate to Bon Vivant, Certificate to Greener Cleaner, Certificate to Maid to Clean
• Second Place Award: Adult Spa Camp for Four, Certificate to Bon Vivant, Certificate to Greener Cleaner, Certificate to Maid to Clean
• Third Place Award: Art of Smudging Class for Two, Certificate to Bon Vivant, Certificate to Greener Cleaner, Certificate to Maid to Clean

Ideas to help you get started:

Electricity: Lower your electrical needs. If you live in an urban area, you could just allow the street lights to light your house at night with minimal additional lights. Place your television and other electronics on a power strip and turn it off when you are out of town. The same is true in the kitchen – the microwave, coffee maker, and other devices don’t need to use electricity to show the time while you are on vacation for weeks.

Plastic: Take time to properly dispose of plastics. Plastic shopping bags and plastic films on bread, newspapers, and toilet paper can all be gathered in a bag and recycled at most large grocery stores.  Alexandria and many other cities do not accept plastic bags in their recycling, so please stop bagging your recycling because it will go straight into the trash. Save heavier plastic bags – such as zip locks, chip bags, frozen food bags, and candy wrappers – and take them to an area “Mom’s” grocery store for recycling. For plastic containers, use regular recycling program pickup. 

Glass: The glass repurpose program is launching soon in Alexandria and Fairfax County. To ensure your glass is not just thrown away, take it to Mom’s grocery store for recycling. Or rinse and store at your home until the city program begins.

Paper: Use a paper bag to capture small paper quantities, you can even staple the bag shut for recycle pick-up.

Cardboard: Remove Styrofoam and any plastic – break down boxes and stack for pick-up.

Compost: Collect all food scraps except meat and bones for city compost program at the farmers markets, compost in your yard, or take it to Mom’s. Mom’s will accept meat and bones in their compost. If you’re considering using your garden for compost, you won’t regret it. Leaf, grass clippings, shredded paper can all be great assets in garden soil especially with the high levels of clay in our area. If you don’t want to spend money on a large tumbler you can use a 5-gallon bucket with a lid to collect material in the winter. In the Spring, dig several small holes in your garden and bury the material. Place at least 5 inches of packed soil on top to avoid any potential dig ups from wildlife or pets. Need a free bucket – email Mellenie@truly-life.com while supplies last.

Search #2019EcoLiving on social media for more ideas.