52 Reducing Waste

Did you know less than 15% of donated clothing in the U.S. ends up in our second-hand market? Or that each cycle of a washing machine can release more than 700,000 plastic fibers into the environment? Paper and paperboard account for 29 percent of our municipal waste stream, and yard trimmings and food scraps account for another 27 percent. The November Sustainability in Progress meeting featured very informative presentations about reducing waste: The State of Recycling in ColoradoAlicia Archibald of A2 Solutions gives an overview of waste and recycling, and provides an update on issues and progress in the state of Colorado. See link below for her slides. Textile RecyclingLiz Kettle, director of Textiles West, weaves tales of good and bad practices in sustainability related to our clothing and textiles. See link below for her slides. This episode was recorded at the Sustainability in Progress (SIP) event on November 20, 2019. Sustainability in Progress is a monthly program of the Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future. Join us (free) the third Wednesday of every month 7:30-9:00 a.m. in the Wildcat Room at the Ivywild School. Coffee and pastries are provided. About Peak Alliance for a Sustainable FutureThe mission of Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future is to promote regional sustainability and advance the Pikes Peak region's sustainability plan (PPR2030) through regional collaboration and outreach. About A2 Solutions Alicia Archibald has significant experience in the field of waste and recycling. She currently offers business consulting services to help businesses manage their environmental impact. About Textiles West:Textiles West aims to inspire widespread awareness, participation and appreciation of textile and fiber arts with an understanding of the impact of textiles on the planet. We teach simple ways to reduce the toxic textile footprint in each of our lives. By providing access to skills and tools in our classroom and makerspace, we encourage action to create more eco-conscious lifestyles. Join Textiles West for the second installment in our free film festival series, Blue Alchemy: Stories of Indigo, a 2011 feature-length historical documentary by Mary Lance. Blue Alchemy is a celebration of indigo, the iconic blue dye plant that people have been using for centuries. Thursday January 16, 2020 6-8pm pm at Textiles West North Academy location. It’s free, but please register here so they make enough popcorn! LINKS: Slides for The State of Recycling in Colorado Slides for Textile Recycling A2 Solutions Textiles West What is Waste? (video produced by Colorado College students) Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future UPCOMING ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS: Smart Cities for a Sustainable FutureSustainability in ProgressWednesday, January 15, 2020 7:30 to 9:00 am Ivywild School - Wildcat RoomFree Coffee and pastries provided Tiny Homes, Big QuestionsPikes Peak Environmental ForumFriday, January 17, 2020 Noon to 2 pmMargarita at Pine Creek 7350 Pine Creek Rd. Event is free; you buy your lunch RSVP here; very important Green DrinksThursday, January 23, 2020 5:30 to 7:30 pm Location TBA Energy Planning WorkshopColorado Springs UtilitiesFriday, January 29, 2020 6 to 8 pm Library 21C 1175 Chapel Hills Drive Permaculture Design Course 2020Pikes Peak PermacultureFirst class - March 13, 2019Information and Registration The following environment/sustainability organizations in the Pikes Peak region collaborate to produce the Peak Environment podcast about environmental stewardship, sustainable living and enlightened public policy in the Pikes Peak Region. Colorado Springs Office of Innovation & Sustainability Green Cities Coalition Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future Pikes Peak Environmental Forum Pikes Peak Library District Sustainability Team Pikes Peak Group of Sierra Club Pikes Peak Permaculture Keep up with all the organizations and events making our area a better place to live. Subscribe (free) on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode: