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Welcome Everyone to 2009. What a year it's going to be.

This is the year the Green Slacker is going to kick it up a notch. Over the holidays and a couple of glasses of wine, my friend and fellow blogger Isa and I came up with some great ideas for the Green Slacker blog. Our goal is to have fun, be "greener" than last year and recruit more green slackers to our cause!

We are going to kick this year off with a few words about TVs because very shortly digital broadcasting will be the only format available on network television.

On February 17th of this year full-powered TV stations must begin broadcasting in digital format. Congress passed the law in 2005 for a variety of reasons including the need to free up airwaves for public safety use. That means you either have to buy a converter box for your old analog TV or buy a new digital TV if you want to watch your favorite television shows.

Getting rid of your old analog television is not mandatory by any means. If you have cable service, your analog TV will work just fine. If you only use your analog TV to watch videos or occasionally play a video game or two - no problem!

If you decide a new, flat screen TV is the way to go (regardless of the reason), please consider the following:

#1: TVs are not landfill "friendly". They can contain lead, mercury and other toxins very harmful to our environment. Recycle your old TVs with a reputable recycler. Ask your recycler what they do with the TV tubes and other internal components.

#2: News 8 is sponsoring a free TV drop off on January 23rd and 24th at Reunion Area. If you cannot bring your TV by on either of those days, you can drop your old set off at the NW Transfer Station at 9500 Harry Hines or the NE Transfer Station at 7677 Fair Oaks Ave.

#3: Recycle Revolution will recycle televisions for a $30 flat fee - drop off only. They are located at 4307 Willow St. and are open M-F from 9 am to 5 pm. Contact them at 214-566-3025.

#4: E-Waste Collections in Irving will also accept TVs for a drop off fee. The fee is $10-$40 depending upon the type and size of the television. For an additional fee, they will also pick-up your television. Please contact Terry at 817-707-2448 to make arrangements and discuss the fee. E-Waste Collections is located at 1520 West Irving Blvd in Irving.

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The bonus question of the day: Should you recycle the plastic tops and caps with the other packaging?

Well, no. Lids are not typically made of the same plastic as the packaging. And in the recycling business, the two types of plastic can not be mixed. Something about contamination. The lids and caps can jam recycling machinery and containers with lids still on may not compact properly.

So throw those lids and tops away.

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Just about everyone recognizes the symbol in our Green Slacker banner. It's the universal symbol to identify recyclable materials.

While you may recognize the recycle symbol did you know that the number in the middle of the symbol identifies the type of recyclable material used to make the packaging? And this is where it gets interesting because not all recyclable packaging is created equal.

In the center of the symbol is a number from 1 to 7. Each number represents the type of material used to make the packaging.

It is important to note that some of the materials cannot be easily recycled because they release toxins harmful to our environment and to our bodies. Do not be fooled by the recycle symbol - look closer at the number inside.

Packaging with the number 1 or number 2 is the most recycle friendly.

Try to avoid packaging with a 3 or 6. This type of packaging has the potential to leach toxins into our foods and environment.

Look for alternatives. Buy eggs in paper cartons. Skip the red and blue plastic party cups. Buy a cheap set of utensils (garage sale?) and use those for parties instead of plastic plates and utensils.

Reduce and reuse.

Symbols

Below are the recycling symbols found on common packaging and some facts about what the number means.

PETE

PETE goes into soft drink, juice, water, detergent, and cleaner bottles. Also used for cooking and peanut butter jars.

Recycled into: fleece clothing, bottles, furniture, carpet; low risk of leaching toxins.

HDPE

HDPE goes into milk and water jugs, bleach bottles, detergent and shampoo. Plastic bags and grocery sacks, motor oil bottles, household cleaners and butter tubs.

Recycled into: benches, dog houses, floor tiles, lumber, fencing; low risk of leaching toxins.

PVC

PVC goes into window cleaner, cooking oils, and detergent bottles. Also used for peanut butter jars and water jugs.

Rarely recycled. Increasing concerns over the potential toxicity.

LDPE

LDPE goes into plastic bags and grocery sacks, dry cleaning bags and flexible film packaging. Also some bottles.

Recycled into: floor tile, compost bins, paneling; historically not been accepted by curbside programs.

PP

PP goes into caps, disks, syrup bottles, yogurt tubs, straws and film packaging.

Recycled into: battery cables, brooms, ice scraper, trays; becoming more accepted by recycling programs.

PS

PS goes into meat trays, egg cartons, plates, cutlery, carry-out containers and clear trays.

Recycled into: rulers, foam packaging, carry out containers; evidence suggests it can leach toxins into foods.

OTHER

Includes resins not mentioned above or combinations of plastics.

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Welcome to the LNA "Green" blog. I confess. I am a Green Slacker. After living in Lakewood for 18 years, the only real effort I've made to be green is to participate in the city recycling program. That is going to change. Instead of complaining about all the green things I cannot do because of time, money, interest, etc, I am going to start to focus my energies on things I can and should do. One tiny "green" change at a time.

This blog is a place for us to share green ideas both big and small. It's for people like me who may never install solar panels on my house or catch rain water in big barrels. And it's for those who want and can go bigger and greener. I want to encourage everyone in Lakewood to share their green successes (and failures), green secrets and handy tips and along the way hopefully we can start to make changes in the way we live and interact with our environment.

I look forward to hearing from you.

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