I was greatly inspired by reading reflections from Dayna Mosier, a fellow environmentalist living in Austin, Texas,  who just happens to be my sister.  With her permission, I’m adapting her essay into a series of postings.  This week we begin with Part I:

One sea of ugliness in the midst of a Costa Rican beach of paradise

“I’m flying down the beach.  A young couple from Germany and Jaime, our guide, and I are the only other people within sight.  Volcán, my gorgeous chocolate horse, gently glides me quickly … Continue Reading

Signaling a special welcome to pedestrians and cyclists

Business owners, ever notice how many shoppers are strolling about on foot? Perhaps you’re in a community like mine where one may often spot a steady stream of bicycles trekking down the main thoroughfares or nearby connector streets.  With a few simple steps your business can gain a reputation for being a friend to these walking and cycling customers:

1) Install a bicycle rack prominently in front of  your store (or place one in back and display eye-catching signage directing customers … Continue Reading

Perhaps it's time to rethink our choice of beverage containers

The next time your business is serving some delicious food or drinks at an event or mixer, try to picture the garbage slowly piling up.  Own or manage a restaurant?  Try to visualize the “take out” or “doggie bag” waste that your customer has to dispose of after leaving your dining facility.  Now, imagine the same scenario and this time the discarded waste is recycled or safely biodegrades into the ground. Contact us for an economical solution to … Continue Reading

Gets the job done at an affordable price

Have you given any thought to how much waste is generated at your business or workplace? A place to start is to walk your facility and do a waste audit.  Begin by asking yourself these simple questions, “What types and volumes of waste is this facility generating?  How are you currently handling your waste stream?  How much of your waste are you recycling?  Do you have adequate recycling containers with proper signage?  Are you familiar with the various facilities in … Continue Reading

An example of attractive landscaping that doesn't require constant watering

In my previous posting, I highlighted El Paso’s proactive water-conservation measures noted in a recent article authored by Juan Carlos Llorca “Texas city rips up grass in effort to save water” found in the El Paso Times and commented upon by Hill Country Alliance on September 22, 2011.

After focusing on El Paso’s progressive efforts, the writer forsees the possibilities of El Paso’s strict water conservation plan being mimicked by even more Texas cities as the … Continue Reading

An example of attractive landscaping that doesn't require constant watering

Most of Texas continues to face a prolonged drought (my own community remains on stage 4 water alert, which essentially limits watering to one day a week).  Perhaps a more proactive stance by municipalities is required in times of these continual water shortages.  Hill Country Alliance brought my attention to dramatic efforts El Paso to face up to these water challenges.  El Paso, with a population of … Continue Reading

Offering some very good advice

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with a dear couple, who experienced childhood and early adulthood during the Great Depression and WWII years.  In our conversation we focused on Arnold (who recently celebrated his 90th birthday) and Helen’s experience with the concept of earth stewardship and conservation.  I’ve gotten to know this couple most recently through their new involvement with our Earth Steward team.  This is the final segment of a three … Continue Reading

Offering some more very good advice

This is part two of a three part series about “wise words” regarding stewardship.  Recently I sat down in the home of a dear couple, who experienced childhood and early adulthood during the Great Depression and WWII years.  In our conversation we focused on Arnold (who recently celebrated his 90th birthday) and Helen’s experience with the concept of earth stewardship and conservation.  I’ve gotten to know this couple most recently through their new involvement with the Earth Steward team at our church.  … Continue Reading

Offering some very good advice

Recently I sat down in the home of a dear couple, who experienced childhood and early adulthood during the Great Depression and WWII years.  In our conversation we focused on Arnold (who recently celebrated his 90th birthday) and Helen’s experience with the concept of earth stewardship and conservation.  I’ve gotten to know this couple most recently through their new involvement with the Earth Steward team at our church.  Below, in this first segment of a three part … Continue Reading

One business' trash is another nation's treasure

Several months ago, my friend Bjorn passed on to me a fascinating Wall Street Journal clipping describing China’s staggering want for cardboard.  The article offers several thought-provoking ideas that caught my attention.     

Paper mills in China are paying over 140% more for used cardboard boxes than they did four years earlier.  These Chinese factories are paying as much as $228 for each baled ton of these corrugated containers.  Bill Moore, … Continue Reading