Celebrate Earth Day each and every day.

Byline: Recycling by Pete Chism For The Register-Guard

LANE COUNTY residents are invited to the third annual City of Eugene Earth Day Celebration.

On Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Earth Day activities will include information from a variety of local organizations and live music. The event will take place in downtown Eugene. The celebration and parking in the Parcade are free.

The first Earth Day - the brainchild of writer and activist John McConnell - was proclaimed by the city of San Francisco and celebrated March 21, 1970. Part of event's significance is that it is marked by people from many nations, backgrounds, races and religions.

Despite all our differences, we share one similarity: We all are dependent on the Earth's resources for survival.

Unfortunately, working together to preserve those shared resources seems almost impossible. Common sense tells us that conserving limited resources, protecting water supplies and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is in everyone's interest.

Yet, how do we look to the future when there will be no future unless we survive today, this week and next month? We decry the destruction of the our forests, but if any of us were faced with the choice of cutting trees to feed our families or protecting the forest, the only real question becomes, "Which chainsaw?" In such a paradox, we do what we can to survive. We know individual actions alone are insignificant, but collectively, they make all the difference.

Perhaps we volunteer to help clean up illegal dumps, plant trees or support recycling programs. We start by buying products made from recycled materials because that creates a market for the materials we collect. We avoid the use of pesticides in favor of safer products and processes. We support local charities and nonprofits that do the work we believe make a difference.

We lessen the weight of our footprint on the Earth by reducing the amount of resources we use. We reuse materials when we can and avoid buying items we don't really need. Perhaps we raise a garden and compost organic materials from our yards such as grass clippings, branches and leaves as a substitute for commercial fertilizers.

If we live in the city of Eugene, we take advantage of our recycling hauler's yard debris program. All of us benefit when we keep materials out of the landfill.

The next time we buy a vehicle, we select one not only for its looks, but on the basis of the mileage it gets. Less gas consumption conserves fossil fuels and reduces emissions. Or we cut out fossil fuels from our daily routine when we bike to work or school.

When we mow our lawns, we leave the grass clippings on the ground; they are a good source of nitrogen and break down quickly.

When we are clean our apartment, house or garage, we can use materials that replace many hazardous products. For example, liquid soap, borax, vinegar and water make a great all-purpose cleaner. Call Lane County Special Waste at 682-3899 for this and other recipes.

When we wash the car or truck, we can use biodegradable soap, so what flows into the street and the storm drain doesn't foul our creeks and rivers.

Earth Day is a reminder that when we act individually, teach our children our values and set positive examples for others, we begin to act collectively to contribute to the overall health of the Earth. Who else is going to do it?

For more information on the history of Earth Day, visit the official site of International Earth Day at www.earthsite.org.

Pete Chism is a waste reduction specialist with Lane County Waste Management. This column is provided by Lane County Recycling.

CAPTION(S):

Pete Chism Waste Reduction Specialist Lane County Waste Management [e-mail] 541/682-4339 (fax)541/682-2353