EARTH DAY - Saturday APRIL 22, 2023
LET’S TRY AND SAVE OUR PLANET
“RECYCLING IS ONE SOLUTION”
Why is recycling important?
Recycling is important for making the environment a cleaner place, conserving materials, saving energy and
reducing the amount of garbage in landfills. One of the most important benefits of recycling is the impact it has
on the Earth. Recycling different materials helps the environment by reducing the use of natural resources. For
example, recycling paper goods reduces the number of trees cut down each year.
Recycling has several benefits that help people and improve the environment. Producing recycled materials
often requires less energy than creating entirely new goods and can help conserve energy. For example, creating
new paper from trees requires more energy than producing paper from recycled materials. Recycling also saves
energy by reducing the need for transportation of raw materials from their place of origin, which also decreases
greenhouse gas emissions and emissions from vehicles transporting these materials. The pollution created by
factories and industrial plants during the production process often reduces as a result of recycling.
As of 2014, landfills are filled primarily with non-biodegradable garbage that takes an extended period of time
to decompose. Recycling reduces the amount of materials placed in landfills and creates new products from
many of these materials. Materials such as aluminum cans, plastics and glass are commonly recycled to create
useful products.
There are many groups, governments and waste management companies that heavily promote recycling
education due to environmental and economic benefits. Such organizations typically provide a wealth of guides
and learning materials online, or through the mail upon request, that cater to children, adolescents, adults and
seniors. Most recycling guides split the information into sections based on daily activities and recycling needs
within a community.
Purchase Products Made from Recycled Materials
You’re no doubt aware by now why this is so important. However, the effort involves not only recycling
existing products, but purchasing products that have already been recycled. Today, thanks to a strong push in
the green movement recently, you’ll notice more and more products made from recycled materials. To purchase
products made from reused materials, simply look for a recycling symbol and language on the product’s
packaging. Every day manufacturers are finding new ways to create items that are recyclable including paper
towels, cardboard boxes, plastic containers, crayons, ink cartridges, paint, garden supplies such as hoses,
furniture, wallpaper, and even garbage cans. And don’t forget the packaging. It is often too big for the product
inside and uses non-recycled materials. This is wasteful and should be minimized as well when making a
purchase decision. Voting with your wallet is one of the best ways to make an impact while sending a clear
message to the companies that make these products as to your desire for more attention to recycle-friendly
products.
Ways to Reduce the Amount of Trash You Create
Another way to help the planet is to simply cut down on the amount of non-recyclable materials you throw out.
What’s a good way to do this?
1. One of the most effective ways to help is to bring your own reusable bag to purchase groceries. If you
forget, insist on paper, and pack as many goods in one bag as possible, without double bagging.
2. Try to reduce the amount of packaging you purchase by buying products in bulk.
3. Have any paper statements that are normally mailed to you – such as bills, financial statements,
newsletters, etc. – e-mailed to you instead.
4. Buy products that are packaged in cardboard or paper board instead of Styrofoam.
5. Try to avoid disposable items such as paper plates, cups, and utensils.
6. When wrapping presents, opt for reusable gift bags instead of wrapping paper – or maybe even reuse
wrapping paper.
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Breast Cancer Risk and Environmental Factors:
For millions of women whose lives have been affected by breast cancer, the 1994 discovery of the first breast cancer gene by researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and their collaborators, was a welcome sign of progress in the fight against this disease. While this discovery and others like it are certainly encouraging, statistics tell us that breast cancer is still a major health concern for women everywhere. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer.
Read the article :
http://e-district.org/userfiles/947/file/environmental_factors_and_breast_cancer_risk_508.pdf
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Ash Trees:
The Emerald Ash Borer is a beetle that has killed millions of Ash trees across the Country and is currently invading NJ.
EAB IN THE UNITED STATES Emerald ash borer (EAB) is a non-native insect pest that infests and kills all species of ash trees in North America. It was first discovered in southeastern Michigan in 2002 and EAB has since been found in 27 additional states and 2 Canadian providences. The EAB has killed tens of millions of ash trees in Michigan alone, as well as hundreds of millions of additional trees in the other infested states and providences.
THE INSECT The adult EAB is approximately 1/2” long and 1/8” wide, metallic green in color, with a metallic copper red abdomen. The larvae are white or cream colored, measure approximately 1 to 1 ¼” long and have 10 abdominal segments that are bell shaped. The EAB has a 1-year lifecycle.
EAB adults emerge in May or early June creating D-shaped exit holes, 3-4 mm in size on the branches and trunks of infested trees. The female adult EAB feeds on the margins of the ash leaf. After feeding, the female EAB deposits eggs in bark crevices or under bark flaps on the trunk or bark. The adult beetle stays active until August. After the egg matures, larvae burrow under the bark and feed on the cambium - the water and nutrient transporting layer of the tree. The larvae become adult beetles in April or May.
SYMPTOMS
EAB first infest the top of the tree’s crown, which makes spotting adult beetles or exit holes nearly impossible from the ground. Woodpecker activity and damage on live trees is often an initial symptom of an EAB infestation. As EAB populations increase, crown dieback, epicormic branching, bark splits, and exit holes lower on the bole become more prevalent. Trees will only live an average of 3-4 years after infestation and 99% of ash trees will die.
AFFECTED FORESTS IN NEW JERSEY Approximately 9% of the State’s total forested area, or 24.7 million ash trees, are susceptible to an EAB infestation. Most of the ash is concentrated in the north-western part of the state. In addition, ash has been commonly planted as street trees and on private properties in many cities and towns. Trees infested with EAB on public and private lands in urban areas will pose the greatest danger where falling branches have the potential to hit people, structures, or cars.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Report signs of the beetle to the Department of Agriculture at 609-406-6939.
http://e-district.org/userfiles/947/file/Ash%20Tree.docx
