GoingTrueGreen's Blog Postings - Going True Green

Dead Solar Panels

3/10/2020

solar, solar electric, solar panels, gallium, solar farms, photovoltaic, solar energy, recycle

Unusable Solar Panels: Recycle or Bury

Solar Panels have a life span of about 20 to 30 years. They help our environment in that time period by reducing the alternatives which would increase our carbon footprint. However, to prevent dark clouds from forming overhead due to the coming waste management issue with old solar panels that are decommissioned, we need a plan toward an efficient infrastructure to recycle up to tens of millions of solar panels.

America has over two million solar installations ranging from roof tops on homes and businesses to rack systems on the ground in solar farms. Many older systems are at the decommissioning stage. Currently, America does not have efficient solar panel recycling policies. The U.S. actually has no national policy.

Europe has policies for solar recycling programs because the Dual Systems laws, which have been in place for years have the manufacturers take back their products to recycle. In July of 2014, I wrote a GTG Blog post on this called:
eRecycling and eWaste. Here in the U.S. the homeowner is on their own, especially with older systems that do not have monitoring abilities in place to inform the contractor or homeowner when the solar panels need to undergo decommissioning.

Solar panels are 99% recyclable since they are made up of glass, aluminum, plastic, copper, lead, gallium, cadmium and silicon. However, the process to recycle solar panels is very involved. Dissembling all parts and separating some of them with melting, lasers, a solvent, cutting or a stream of electrons to selectively break apart components on a surface maybe necessary. Despite all that, great recycling opportunities are coming and an economic upside can come from recycling solar panels. Some estimates state that there will be a 15 Billion dollar business waiting for the new solar recycling industry by 2050.

The time to start is now, so we don't find ourselves burying dead solar panels in landfills.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Telomere, Telomeres, cold spring harbor, L.J. Williams, BBV publishing, living forever, romance novel, woman heroes, 2001

Grandpa's Wood Hangers

2/13/2020

FTC Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate Ad link below and GTG will be compensated if a purchase is made after clicking the link. Thank you.

hangers, wooden hangers, plastic, plastic hangers, waste, garbage, sustainable Living, going green, goingtruegreen, hangers, grandfathers, cotton, wool, garment district, reduce, reuse, recycle

70 Year Old Wood Hangers Still Working

I only had one grandfather in my life when growing up. I never knew my grandfather who was killed in an accident on a loading dock for a World War Two supply ship. The other day I thought of both of them as I reviewed my clothes in the closet. I have been Reducing and Reusing over the years and I make sure that a great deal of my clothes are made of 100% cotton or wool. See my previous GTG Blog post called:
All I Want for Christmas is Cotton and Wool

This time while going through my closet, I noticed something else I have been reusing: My grandfather's hangers made of wood. The grandfather, that I was fortunate to have in my life when young, was a tailor and worked in New York City's Garment District. When the Garment district started its transition and the demand for my grandfather's talent was replaced with overseas manufacturing, the company he worked for eventually went out of business. When he saw the company throwing away all the suit hangers, he took home as many as he could. These hangers were made in the 1950s and I am still using them. I inherited some of those hangers and I proudly use them instead of any plastic hanger made today which could never perform to the same caliber as my grandfather's hangers that he saved from a landfill.

waste, garbage, sustainable Living, going green, goingtruegreen, hangers, grandfathers, cotton, wool, garment district, reduce, reuse, recycle

Curbside Garbage That Is Not Garbage

Sure over the years one or two broke, but I improvised and fixed them. I took the time to think of a way to repair them and spent the time fixing them instead of subscribing to be a member of the "throw away" society. Many times I see items by the curb for garbage pickup that are still in good working order. So many people just don't take the time, 3 to 5 minutes in reality, to make a phone call for someone else to use the items they are throwing away. One phone call to your church, community center or one of the dozens of charities that will pickup items from furniture to dishes, takes but a few minutes and others will be so grateful.

I realize the many faults of my own, even with me having less clothes now, I still have more clothes than my grandfather did. I know, because I remember cleaning out his armoire after he passed-over. I donated his hand-made suits and clothes. However, I kept the wooden hangers he was using and added them to the few he had given me many years before.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

First Presentation For Earth Day's 50th Anniversary

1/21/2020

Since the middle of last year I have been talking with different organizations, schools, and universities, about presenting for this year's 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. My main purpose is to speak the truth about our multi-level and very complex environment. I wish to share data, stories and suggestions on how, we as Individuals, are the solutions to a better tomorrow.

Each one of us, by living a more "sustainable life" will save a great deal of money, our health, energy, and our Earth without making any sacrifices! I know, because I practice what I preach. I have no electric bill and what I have done over the years within my own "budget of time and money" is not rocket science. I made no sacrifices. The facts, the trade secrets and encouraging support, is what the world needs. Each of us as an individual is the solution, not some government, corporation, political party, politician or celebrity. Yes, all of these entities have a role and can assist us in our goals, but only when they have the complete picture, all the facts and not just coffee or tea table chatter.

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Chapel Entrance to St. Anthony's HS

Nevertheless, I hope to be a positive contributing factor. I have three speaking engagements already confirmed. The first will be at St. Anthony's High School in Huntington. The administration approved my presentation last week and I will be speaking to 500 National Honor Society students. That date is February 5 and my Earth Day talk is scheduled for 5:45 to 7:00pm.

Just after Earth Day, on April 28, I am humbled to be invited back to speak in Rome at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum Institute of Science and Faith. I am currently in the process of finalizing additional presentations in both domestic and international venues for this important milestone. I will keep you posted on the dates and locations.
Thank you.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Tree Top Garbage

12/5/2019

Plastic Clouds, Bill Lauto, microscopic plastic, BPA, PS, oligomer, bisphenol A, molecular bond, pollution, plastics, petroleum, plastic islands, plastic in beer, plastic in air

Tree Top Garbage

Tree Top Garbage
by Bill Lauto

There it shall stay,
until it erodes away.
Let loose by humankind,
into our air & out of mind.
Innocently caught by a tree,
until it’s digested by you and me.

If the garbage is some kind of foam, plastic or any other very slow degradable product made by humankind, the key word or the upsetting word in the poem above is digested. Litter, such as plastic, is made from petroleum. The official name is polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. When organic material, such as grass or an apple, is exposed to the elements of nature or buried, bacteria breaks down the item into the original compounds that formed the organic element. This biodegradation process doesn't occur on plastic in the same way or period of time.

Studies have shown that UV light will break the molecular bonds holding plastic together so that item can break down into smaller pieces. And smaller and smaller and smaller pieces. Nevertheless, there are problems because buried plastic in landfills are in a place where the sun doesn't shine and when plastic does break down into smaller pieces, this is proving to be a very serious problem.

First let us review what we all know: Plastic is building up in our oceans, especially the Pacific ocean. Humankind's plastic shopping bags, water bottles, take out containers, soda bottles, product packages and six-pack plastic rings are bathing in sunlight as they float in our oceans and waterways. The UV rays will eventually break down that plastic into smaller pieces. Ten years ago, a study from Nihon University in Chiba, Japan, discovered that plastic in our oceans can start to degrade within one year. Thus, creating smaller and smaller pieces.

BREAKING PLASTIC DOWN INTO SMALLER PIECES IS BECOMING A MAJOR WORLD WIDE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM

These smaller pieces of plastic are not natural. They are made of bisphenol A (BPA) and PS oligomer. These are carcinogens and these toxic chemicals end up in the bellies of fish and perhaps evaporate into our air. So let us continue with that natural process of the rain cycle...
After Evaporation is Condensation and finally Precipitation, allowing these chemicals to settle on the land and crops. Animals eat the chemicals and humankind eats the fish, the animals and the crops!

I am now asking everyone who is perusing this GoingTrueGreen blog post to also revisit or read for the first time, these two previous posts:

Plastic Water, Air and Food (12/27/2017)

Plastic Clouds (03/19/2019)

As for all of us, may I suggest that we be extra mindful this time of year with the Christmas and holiday wrappings, boxes filled with shipping material and plastic waste.

GoingTrueGreen.com is teaching the complete picture for saving money, energy, our Earth and our health - Not teaching poetry.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

What Home Heating Fuel is More Efficient, Oil or Natural Gas?

9/24/2019

snow, winter, heat, heating system, oil heat, gas heat, oil, gas, natural gas, saving on heating bills, heating costs

Snow & Heating Costs Can Pile Up

With the 2019 winter heating season just around the corner for most of the United States, the title of this article is the most popular query I have been asked over the years about Heating Systems. Unfortunately the answer is not that simple and the answer depends on several variables.

If you ask someone who is associated with Oil heating in any way, shape, or form, the answer is Oil.

If you ask someone who is associated with Gas heating in any way, shape, or form, the answer is Gas.

Both "someones" are leaving out important details and information so immediate justification for their fuel can be given.

The question now becomes:
Who is correct? Here is the TRUE answer:

Depending upon several different circumstances either answer can be correct...
The reason for this is because heating your home ALSO depends on what type of Heating Unit being used and HOW Heat is Delivered throughout your house. All Heating Systems consist of three (3) parts:
The type of Fuel used, the Heating Unit, and the Heat Delivery Method throughout the house.

The question now needed to be asked is:
What are the circumstances and how do we know what is the most efficient Fuel for us?

With OIL, the fact is more BTUs are produced by Oil as compared to Natural Gas, thus making Oil the more efficient FUEL at face value. HOWEVER, some Gas Heating Units offer the highest efficiency rates. Thus by using Gas as a Fuel in tandem with a higher efficiency Gas Heating Unit and a more efficient method of delivering the heat throughout the house, GAS becomes the more efficient FUEL.

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. This is an approximation for the amount of energy needed to heat up one pound
of water, one (1) additional degree in the Fahrenheit scale.

Let us start to break down the circumstances...

First thing to realize is that there are numerous steps to improving and making all the components contributing to heating the house far more efficient. Even if you finally do decide to get a new heating unit, gas or oil fired, all the additional steps must be looked at, considered, evaluated and implemented when necessary for maximum energy savings. Below are two questions from some of my clients:

I now use oil to heat my house, the heating unit is almost seven years old and I have gas in the house. Currently natural gas is cheaper than oil. Do I make the switch from oil to gas?

Whenever the above details are true, the answer is No. This is because the cost to switch (at least $5,000 to $7,000) probably will have a long payback period of 7 years or more. Additionally, over the years the cost for oil and gas will follow historical trends making one fuel more expensive than the other from one year to the next. Another expense will probably come into play if the way heat is "delivered" throughout the house needs to be upgraded to one of the more efficient methods. Now this action with save more on heating costs, but add additional years to the payback period. Thus upgrading the way heat is delivered throughout the house, such as changing from a Hot Water Baseboard delivery method to a Hot Water Radiant Floor Heating method, will wipe out the additional savings gained.

Rating the way heat is delivered throughout the house:

Pex, Pex tubing, radiant floor heat, snow, winter, heat, heating system, oil heat, gas heat, oil, gas, natural gas, saving on heating bills, heating costs

Radiant Floor Heat

Most efficient delivery method to send heat around your house:
Hot Water Radiant Floor Heat
(Today, PEX tubing - not copper pipes, would go down first in order to be under the floor. This is best installed with new construction or complete remodeling projects.)

baseboard heating, hot water base board, snow, winter, heat, heating system, oil heat, gas heat, oil, gas, natural gas, saving on heating bills, heating costs

Hot Water Baseboard

Second best delivery method to send heat around your house:
Hot Water Baseboard

Then comes methods such as:
Forced Hot Air; Hot Water Radiators; Steam Radiators / Steam Pipes; etc.
(The order of efficiency for these methods could alternate depending on other variables in the house, such as how well the house is insulated and / or the location of vents. {Facts on vent location is below})

Also please note these delivery methods of heat throughout the house become less efficient with additional variables.
For example: Forced Hot Air coming out of one set of vents on the wall where the vents are up by the ceilings. This (less expensive to install for a builder) "single room vent" with a dual function for delivering heat in the winter and AC cold air in the summer, has a much higher expense in energy cost for the homeowner due to a lower efficiency with delivering heat. The reason for this is because we have basic laws of physics that state Hot Air Rises. Why then would we place the vent that delivers heat to a room up by the ceiling and not down near the floor? Vents by the ceiling are only good for delivering Cold Air from a central AC system, because Cold Air Drops. Another law of physics. We all need two vents per room, one for heat by the floor and one for cold air at the ceiling.

Below is another question from a different client:

I have oil heat for my house and the boiler (heating unit) needs to be replaced. I have gas in the house for my gas stove and clothes dryer. Should I switch from oil to gas and will I save money on my heating bills?

The answer will be Yes, if all the answers to the following questions are YES...
- Do you have Hot Water Baseboard or Hot Water Radiant as the Heat Delivery method throughout the house?
- Can you get the new gas heating unit installed with a rebate, tax credit, or low interest loan?
- Is the new gas heating unit offering a high efficiency rating of at least 87%?

If your answers are NOT all YES, then consideration should also be given to a new more efficient oil heating unit, compare the numbers with payback times as well as look at all other elements connected to lowering overall operating costs for heating. For example: Insulation levels throughout the house and if hot water pipes are covered with insulated wrap.

WARNING - Please Note that sometimes we can get an incentive from our utility company for converting, when they also provide Natural Gas service, but in most cases they are only offering a new gas heating unit that provides 80% efficiency or less. A far cry from 87% and the better gas heating units that offer up to 95% efficiency.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

BPA Is Not Alphabet Soup

9/4/2019

CSPI, Center for Science in the Public Interest, BPA, BPAs, canned food, glass jars, food storage, plastic, wax paper, porcelain, toxins, microbial contamination, sustainability, living green, green living, going green, going true green

By now many people know about BPAs: Bisphenol-A, which is a chemical that has been in the lining of most cans holding food since the 1960s. The chemical prevents a faster break-down of the can's integrity and prevents microbial contamination of the food within a period of time. This chemical is also used in plastic bottles and in plastic storage containers for items like food.

So over the years consumers have become aware of the health risks that BPA can present, especially to fetuses, infants and young children. Some Health officials are concerned about the role that BPA may have in childhood brain development and behavior problems. Additionally, some studies on animals have shown a possible link between BPA exposure and an increased risk of cancer later in life. Complete evaluation of this data shows tests done on animals, not humankind. Nevertheless, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) had CSPI's nutritionist David Schardt stated: "We don't want to tell people not to eat canned beans or tomatoes, but at the same time, it makes sense for all parents, and especially pregnant and nursing women, to minimize the exposure of their kids' developing bodies and brains to BPA."

CSPI, Center for Science in the Public Interest, BPA, BPAs, canned food, glass jars, food storage, plastic, wax paper, porcelain, toxins, microbial contamination, sustainability, living green, green living, going green, going true green

CSPI, Center for Science in the Public Interest, BPA, BPAs, canned food, glass jars, food storage, plastic, wax paper, porcelain, toxins, microbial contamination, sustainability, living green, green living, going green, going true green

Glass Jar of Olives

Several products from different manufacturers now have BPA free packaging and that statement is made on the package. Products in Tetra Paks are more popular today and they are BPA free. Many soups now come in Tetra Paks and so do puree products.

Try to buy items such as Tuna, in glass jars and do the same with olives. Change over your plastic food storage containers to glass within your own budget of time and money. If you are unable to do so, then just wrap the left-over food in wax paper before placing in a plastic container. Wax paper, Glass and Porcelain do not leach toxins into our food. Avoid tomatoes or sauces in cans since they are highly acidic and aid in the leaching process of BPAs into the food. Just remember that most aluminum cans are lined with BPA and so are shiny thermal receipts from some gas station machines, ATMs, lottery or airline tickets, prescription labels, and cash registers.

Some additional information to keep in mind is that the Polycarbonate plastic with a recycling number "7" contains BPA and BPAF, which some studies claim to be worst. Also do not recycle receipts that might contain BPA and do not use a hand sanitizer after holding a receipt in question, because some reports showed that the absorption of BPA is increased with the use of hand sanitizer. Just use good old soap and water.

Now the complete evaluation of this data presents no evidence that we should have a panic attack because, once in a while, we had a tuna sandwich made at a diner that used tuna from a can. However, a serious effort should be made to avoid BPAs when expecting a child or feeding young children. A reasonable effort should be made for adults. In a short period of time, we will see safer food packaging across the market place as a steadfast transition takes hold.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Humankind's Contamination Of Water

8/28/2019

We are all to blame for the contamination of our water. Some may immediately believe that they do not fall into this category of guilt, but before we take that stand we should first answer the following questions:

Litter, Litterbugs, Litter Bugs, pollution, water pollution, contamination, water contamination, lead, lbuprofen, naproxen, anti-anxiety drugs, recharge, ground water, acid rain, toxic waste, landfills, gasoline, oil, laundry detergent

We are Infested with Litter Bugs and any litter washing into the street sewers, ends up in our waterways.

- Did we ever cause anything to go into a street sewer?

- Have we ever dropped one piece of litter anywhere?

- Have we ever used fertilizer on a lawn?

- Have we used the outdoor ground for a bathroom?

- Do we use manufactured cleaning chemicals?

- Do we use toilet paper that has a color?

- Have we washed and waxed a car?

- Have we ever spilt gasoline or oil on the ground?

- What laundry detergent do we use?

Contaminated water and levels of toxins are more of a concern now then ever before. Below are the reasons:

We now know more about what is in our water than ever before. Today's technology and equipment sensitive enough to detect very low levels of compounds, and chemicals justifying concern on our part.

The following has been recently reported about toxins found in our water:

Traces of Ibuprofen, Naproxen, anti-epileptic and anti-anxiety drugs to name a few Pharmaceutical chemicals.
We have already been aware of what may be in old pipes, such as inorganics leaching from rust, copper or lead. In addition, build ups of organics can create an estuary-like environment supporting their life and the life of pathogens such as E.coli.

Unfortunately, things do not stop there:

- Our drinking water tables underground are becoming low (weak) as more and more people pump water out and they really DO NOT provide an equal amount of RECHARGE back into the ground.
- The more ground we pave over the more polluted the Recharge, if any.
- Our drinking water tables underground are also infiltrated day after day with:
* Acid Rain derived from air pollution
* Toxic Waste from land fills
* Chemical spills from Industry
* Salt water from oceans near our shores
* Gasoline from old leaking tanks at closed down gas stations
* Nitrates, Pesticides, and Fertilizers from farms
* Chlorine and Fluoride from Municipal Water Treatment
* Human waste from individual houses with Septic tanks

End result is that EPA has set up enforceable safety standards for us. So far about 90 standards have been set, but over 2,000 chemical compounds have been found in our water. We have a long way to go so we can all be swimming in clean water... Not drowning in polluted water.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Kids, Flooring, and Chemicals

8/14/2019

Going True Green, concerned mother, kids, laminated wood floor

A New Laminate Floor

Going True Green received an email from a concerned mother and member of GoingTrueGreen.com. She was looking for more information on a possible issue with her kids and a laminated wood floor.

Below is that email and our reply published with permission:

Dear GTG,
I heard in the news that laminate floors from various manufacturers have cancer causing agents. My laminate floor is from a family business local to me and is about 5 years old. My kids play on the floor several times a week. I have extra floor boards, should I have them checked?

Hi Maria,

Thank you for emailing us. Many items we buy have one or more chemicals in them, chemicals such as Formaldehyde which is a colorless poisonous gas synthesized by the oxidation of methanol and used as an antiseptic, disinfectant, histologic fixative, and general-purpose chemical reagent for laboratory applications. Some products we buy are worst than others.

I reviewed your concern with Mary, our team's Chemistry Scientist, and she informed me that while polyurethane stains and laminations applied to wood surfaces are highly toxic when in a liquid state, they are harmless once completely dried. She does not believe testing the extra floor boards is necessary at all. Nevertheless if you feel that you need to do so, because you perhaps know of a company that does this type of analysis at a reasonably price, then speak to them for their insight.

Either way, we suggest the following with new laminated floors and rugs that may have a high concentration of chemicals.

You will want to "Air Out" new wood floors and rugs for at least 3 weeks or so with windows and bedroom doors open. Keep the kids off the rug and newly installed wood floor until you did an "air out" and washed the new rug or floor at least once.

For newborns, try to install the rug or new wood floor in the bedroom at least 3 months before the baby is born. Do an "air out" and don't have the expecting mother spend long periods of time in that room when the new wood floor or rug is first installed.

With your situation, since you had the floor for about five years now, your floor has been "aired out" a long time ago and I would not worry. However, if you still have concerns, you should also speak with your pediatrician for additional insight.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Independence, Intelligence, Illumination

7/2/2019

Freedom, Independence, 4th of July, Independence Day, America, 1776, Earth, Environment, Energy, fireworks, statue of liberty, sustainable living, sustainability, saving energy, going green, going true green, log cabin, cabins, oil, gas, fossil fuels, trees, wood floor finish, wood floors, building, lumber jacks, lumberjacks, God, triple C person, environmental hero, Bill Lauto

Allow me to tell you a story about a young man I learned about, who set out to build a sustainable house with mindful principles that used materials and techniques respectful of conserving energy, natural resources and our Earth’s environment.

With great admiration I tell this story, but the admiration is for the lessons learned. The reason for this is because of the basics we all have. We are all given free will from God and as an individual we make choices. This 4th of July we are also reminded of our freedoms in the United States that allow us to make choices, the best choices are always respectful, responsible, under the law and with accountability. These are things that we should all do, not just try, and especially not place fault onto someone or something else for our failures. However, as an individual we need to work hard to obtain the two additional elements listed in this Blog’s title: Intelligence and Illumination.

We can constantly complain and criticize, thus never increasing our intelligence and realization of a complete picture or we can work together on one team to find a real solution. We must stop wasting time, money, energy and intelligence to think of ways to hurt one another and start working together to help one another. If you only go looking for a problem, then you will never be part of the solution. The choice belongs to each one of us and how we stand tall to defend this fact each and every day.

So with that in mind, let us get back to our story…

For various reasons this young man went out to build a log cabin house for his family and office. First he used local materials, such as dead lodgepole pine trees. This reduced costs for transportation. Lumberjacks chopped the trees down and horses were used to drag the logs to the work site for his house. The use of oil and gas was avoided and so were loud noises. The trees were then peeled by hand to again save on the use of fossil fuels.

Alas, after all was said and done, our young environmental hero paused as he looked upon the barren area of the forest where they chopped down all the dead trees. While solving issues to save the world, he realized that he did harm to the world.

Dead trees also have a purpose in nature. When they rot and fall to the ground, they provide shelter for animals, they decompose to provide enriched nutrients for the barren and depleted soil. Bears, deers, sapsuckers, pine martens and so on, are all with a loss. Our hero did place seedlings on the landscape, but he realized that those seedlings were not equivalent to what he took.

For every environmentally friendly action he took, there was a consequence that added to his frustrations. This project was to be a “win, win” for him and the environment, but reality told a different story which he realized and acknowledged.

Another example is the nontoxic all natural wood finish he used on his wooden floors. Extracts of rosemary and orange peel within the finish were safe, but the drying process took a month and a half. The answer was to use electric fans to speed up the drying time and no worries because the electricity was generated by dams; but the dams kill salmon. These two different actions for finishing wood floors had the following facts to compare:
- Polyurethane finish is harmful to apply, but safe after dry
- Polyurethane finish cost 60% lower than the naturally safe brand and dries within a week

The lessons learned tell us that we do not have all the answers. We do not know everything, Nature does, but we don’t. This is why we must all work together on one team, one country. If any one person claims to know what is best for everyone else, she/he is either an elitist fool or Anakin Skywalker about to become Darth Vader.

For me, I know that I don’t have all the answers. I do know that I am a team player hoping to inspire all Americans to work for a better tomorrow together.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Jesus, Upper Room, Easter, L. J. Williams, Shroud of Turin, Jesus' Shroud, resurrection, Jesus the Christ

Goodreads, Jesus, Upper Room, Easter, L. J. Williams, Shroud of Turin, Jesus' Shroud, resurrection, Jesus the Christ

Roadside Litter

6/10/2019

litter, litterbugs, pollution, garbage, water bottles, plastic,

We are Infested with Litter Bugs

When will this type of littering stop? One of the largest areas where litter accumulates is a street corner by a red light or stop sign. Especially the street corners at the end of a highway's Off Ramp.

We have an infestation of Litter Bugs and they seem to have an urge to void themselves of all unwanted items after a drive on a highway by tossing them out the car window. From cigarette butts to water bottles and cups we see them piling up and clogging sewer grates.

cigarettes, cigarette butts, litter, litterbugs, pollution, garbage, water bottles, plastic

Cigarette Butt Litter

What these Litter Bugs don't realize is that everything you throw out your car window, even a piece of dental floss, will eventually find its way down the sewer and into our water ways. That means our rivers and oceans. If anyone has gone swimming and a long brownish-gray string came across your face, that is not seaweed, that was someone's used dental floss. More drastic is the fact that fish eat what is in the oceans that we polluted and we eat fish. We are our worst enemy.

Now, since I do not wish to "Be A Triple C" person, that is someone who Constantly Complains and Criticizes. I will also present solutions, because a Triple C person never accomplishes anything and they never help to find solutions or solve a problem. Sadly the majority of our politicians are Triple C people.

Nevertheless, we the individual are the solution and what we need to talk about with our townships is the installation of cameras at the various street corners that have a large volume of litter. The cameras should be relatively easy to move from one location to another when deemed appropriate and should be used to catch people tossing anything out their car windows. License plate numbers will be recorded and a summons mailed to the owner of the car. This money can then be used to clean the litter and our oceans. All without raising taxes.

Don't Be A Triple C and don't be a Litter Bug.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!