Let’s start with food. We always eat something made with pig (the ball being called pigskin and all). But a die-hard environmentalist doesn’t eat meat. Livestock (pigs, cows and chickens) are a large source of greenhouse gases, accounting for 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. They also generate 64% of the ammonia, which contributes to acid rain and acidification of the ecosystem.  I can’t give up meat completely for this meal, so we are taking a baby step by buying a certified organic ham and bacon to serve. The meat market where we shop also has locally raised meats so we can minimize shipping issues.

I wish we had canned or frozen more of the vegetables from the garden to serve, but at least most of the local grocers now offer pesticide-free choices. This has been the most interesting change in the grocery business and the organic aisle and choices keeps growing. We are getting bread baked locally but can’t find any locally made chips and crackers.  The plan is to put out real plates and cloth napkins to avoid disposable choices made with paper (or worse, Styrofoam).  If you must use disposable, the paper ones are at least made from trees (a renewable resource) rather than from petroleum (a non-renewable resource).

We also plan to serve drinks in the bottles and cans and try and avoid using any extra drinking glasses if possible.  There is an environmental trade-off by using energy to run the dishwasher and adding high-phosphate soap and hot water.  I think it is worth it on plates and bowls, but still don’t want to add cups and glasses if possible. Luckily, my friends have no problem drinking straight from the can. The last thing I make sure to have is some storage containers and zip-lock bags to send food home with the guests or save for leftovers for the family.  I have even started keeping a partial box of zip lock bags in the trunk of my car.

I hope it is a good game and your party is as green as it can be.

I have been recycling newspaper for 40 years. Our scout troop used to collect newspaper in a bin behind the church and from nearby neighbors that we took to a place on the east side of downtown. It is hard to make any money on collecting paper in small amounts, but if you can get a ton or more at a time, you can sell it like the M.e.t. does.  We made a penny a pound back then, but goods were cheap enough that it was enough to buy frying pans and tents for the troop.

Some people are under the misperception that paper has to be sorted to take out certain items for recycling. It is not true anymore. The inserts in the Sunday paper are just fine, as are the window envelopes and papers stapled together. It is great to have as clean of paper as possible, but don’t stress over a few non-paper items included.

I recycle every piece of paper possible. I include receipts, business cards, and mistakes from the printer. I do try to use the backs of the paper for notes before they hit the recycle bin and have learned to write real small on even the smallest bit of paper. There are some papers in my life that I can’t recycle, like tissues and paper towels.

It just makes sense to collect paper for recycling instead of throwing it away. We use so much (it represents more trash by weight than all the cans and bottles combined). Why would I want to make paper from trees when I can make it from paper? This week, when you have finished reading all the stories in this issue, take the Tulsa County News to a recycle bin near you.

Accepting: Plastics #1 and #2, Glass, Aluminum, Steel Cans, Paper, Cardboard.

Please call for pricing, 918-894-2019.  Visit therecyclingrevolution.com for more info.

Manned Recycling Centers

M.e.t. Depot Recycling Center
211 N. Cabannis
Bixby, 74008
(in the Tulsa Co. Recreation Center parking lot.)

Broken Arrow Recycling Center
302 N. Elm
Broken Arrow, 74012

Claremore Recycling Center (city)
724 Ramm Road
Claremore 74017

M.e.t. Depot Recycling Center
13063 E. 146 Street N.
Collinsville 74021
(5th & Broadway)

M.e.t. Depot Recycling Center
144th & Fern/Warrior Rd.
Glenpool 74033
(across from the public schools)

M.e.t. Depot Recycling Center
110 N. Elm
Jenks 74037
(inside the city park across from City Hall.)

Owasso Recycling Center (city)
499 S. Main
Owasso 74055

M.e.t. Depot Recycling Center
105 E. Morrow Rd.
Sand Springs 74063

Sapulpa Recycling Center (city)
8801 W. 100 St.
South Sapulpa 74067
(behind Freddie’s)

M.e.t. Depot Recycling Center
1502 W. 51st St.
Tulsa 74107
(in front of Warehouse Market grocery store.)

M.e.t. Depot Recycling Center
3720A E. Admiral Place
Tulsa 74115
(in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot)

M.e.t. Depot Recycling Center
12466 E. 21st St.
Tulsa 74134
(in the Aldi’s parking lot)

M.e.t. Depot Recycling Center
2019 E. 81st St.
Tulsa 74137
(far north side of Wal-Mart’s parking lot.)

M.e.t. Depot Recycling Center
3495 Sheridan Rd.
Tulsa 74145

Temporary/Street Locations

7th & Cincinnati
Tulsa 74119
(south side of the PSO Building)

1st & Detroit
Tulsa 74120
(Detroit Street Side)