News
Happy Eco News: shares positive news stories about the environment
Reducing Use of Plastics
Plastic-Free July: Plastic Free July® is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution.
Single-Use Plastics 101: Here’s everything you need to know about the most ubiquitous (and avoidable) kind of plastic waste: the kind made to be tossed in mere minutes.
100 Steps to a Plastic-Free Life: Do you think it’s possible to live life without plastic? Wondering how to do it or at least get started?
Alternatives to Plastic (Plastic-Free July 2022)
The OSLC Care of Creation Team has pointed out the issues and problems of plastics, especially single-use plastics. We encouraged the reduction of plastic use in our home and work and provided alternative choices after Sunday services on July 10, 2022. Many who visited our tables asked where they could find the products. Below is a listing of the products with linked locations where they can be found.
Please note, we are not trying to endorse products or stores. Rather, we hope to assist you in your efforts to care for creation.
IN THE KITCHEN
Primode Compostable Garbage bags (Bags are made from plants and vegetables.)
Food Scraps Bin
Beeswax Food Wraps
Silicone Ziploc Reusable Bags
- Walmart
- Target
- Net Zero Co (The site has a lot of other plastic-free products.)
Palm Leaf Plates
Reusable Drink Straws
SKOY Eco-Friendly Cleaning Cloth (alternative to paper towels, plastic scrubs)
Compostable Food Services Packaging
IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM
Boxed Powdered Laundry Detergent (Arm & Hammer and other brands are available in the laundry detergent aisle.)
Dropps Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener
PERSONAL CARE
Shampoo and Conditioner Bars, Shaving Disks
Toothpaste Tablets
Bamboo Toothbrushes
Resources from the ELCA
St Paul Area Synod Care of Creation Work Group Resources: contains ELCA information, fact sheets, gardening tips, theological and worship resources as well as local and governmental information
Clean Water Resources
ST. CROIX 360: shares stories about the St. Croix River to inspire stewardship. Reporting from throughout the 7,700-square mile watershed in Minnesota and Wisconsin, topics range from dragonflies to floods, from fishing to oil pipelines
Energy Resources
Considering Purchase of a New or Used Electric Vehicle? (downloadable file)
Home Energy Efficiency – Tax Credits, Rebates and Discounts (downloadable file)
Home Energy Audit – Xcel and Centerpoint Energy Customers: provides low-cost assessments of your home energy efficiency and provides energy and cost saving recommendations
Energy Audits for Non-Profits – EnerChange: provides free energy audits for non-profit organizations and provides energy and cost savings options and resources
Residential Solar – MN Solar Co-ops (downloadable file)
Residential Solar – Solar United Neighbors: provides information on Twin Cities Area 2022 Solar Co-op
Windsource – Xcel Energy Resident Customers: a program that allows Xcel residential customers to obtain all or part of their energy from renewable sources
Lawn and Gardening Resources
Pollinator Friendly Alliance: protects pollinators through habitat restoration, education programs, civic stewardship, pesticide reduction and advocacy
Grow a Healthy, No-waste Lawn and Garden: How you care for the green and growing things in your yard can have a big impact on how much waste your household creates and on Minnesota’s air and water quality.
No Mow May: Mowing your lawn less creates habitat and can increase the abundance and diversity of wildlife including bees and other pollinators.
Recycling and Waste Reduction Resources
Refresh Your Recycling Knowledge: YouTube video from Minnesota WasteWise that answers the question, “What Goes Where?”
Ramsey/Washington County Recycling and Energy: provides technical assistance and grants to businesses, non-profits, schools, multi-unit residential properties, and institutions in Ramsey and Washington counties to reduce waste and recycle better
100 Ways to Get to Zero Waste: Here are 100+ tips to drastically reduce your household’s waste.