A Few Simple Resolutions

Around this time of year most of us make New Year’s Resolutions: reduce stress, lose weight, quit smoking, spend more time with family. These are all worthy goals and could take quite a bit of effort to accomplish. However, there are also some easy resolutions we can make to improve the environment. Small efforts can make our world a better place for all of us. Pick a few to try.

• Take some reusable grocery bags when you shop.
• Return used plastic grocery bags to the store.
• If you do throw away a grocery bag, cut the handles to prevent animal injury and those ugly “urban flowers” that hang in the trees for years.
• Cut all the links in plastic beverage holders to save animals from getting tangled.
• Use baking soda to clean hard surfaces instead of toxic chemicals like Ajax or Comet.
• Clean the toilet with a mixture of vinegar and borax instead of bleach.
• Avoid soaps and hand cleaners containing antibiotics.
• Cut down or eliminate fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. (This will save you money and effort.)
• Pick up litter when you can even if it is not yours.
• Teach your children the importance of not littering.
• Pick up the dog’s business.
• Refuse to buy your children turtles, gold fish or other reptiles. The kids will be bored in a few weeks and you are stuck taking care of them. Never throw any of these animals (especially the greenery) into a waterway. They are a huge problem in our lakes and streams. Call Cleveland Metroparks, 440-473-3370, for information on what to do with them.
• Drop fishing line pieces into a container with a lid before throwing away.
• Plant some bee and butterfly friendly flowers. (They can even grow in pots).

Helping to clean up the environment doesn't need to be complicated. By resolving to try a few changes, we can all make a difference. Happy New Year from the planet and all its creatures!