Earth Care Certification
|
Earth Care
WPC is an Earth Care Congregation, committed to caring for God’s earth in worship, education, facilities, and outreach, promoting environmental stewardship in property decisions, administrative practices, and teaching. The Environmental Ministries at the Presbyterian Church (USA) has recertified Westminster as an Earth Care Congregation! The Earth Care Congregations program was started in 2010 by the Environmental Ministries. The goal of the program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all of their church life. Presbytery of Great Rivers highlighted WPC's Earth Care efforts in their weekly newsletter on Mar. 28, 2019. Click here to read the newsletter, in which Dr. Peter Kieffer shared his passion of leading environmental justice ministry at Westminster. 
The Westminster Earth Care Team hosted a table at the 26th annual
Springfield Earth Awareness Fair on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Old State Capitol. The committee members showed a poster presentation of stories, quotes, and passages regarding the Biblical foundations for Eco-Justice. |
|
Westminster members who wish to reduce waste may refer to the Room to Room Guide to Reuse and Recycling Options found through this link.
This guide tells us how to reuse and to recycle so many resources that would otherwise end up in a landfill! Of note, not included are ways to recycle Christmas tree lights and single-use non-rechargeable batteries which can be recycled in the bins at the southwest corner of the West Narthex.
This guide tells us how to reuse and to recycle so many resources that would otherwise end up in a landfill! Of note, not included are ways to recycle Christmas tree lights and single-use non-rechargeable batteries which can be recycled in the bins at the southwest corner of the West Narthex.
|
NOVEMBER 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Fall is the perfect time to put the car to rest and to get out the bike for the sake of cleaner air, personal fitness, and a little outdoor break from shelter-in-place. Cooler and dryer weather permits comfortable commuting in street clothes rather than all the Lycra and Spandex. Consider a ride to Westminster and lock up to our new bicycle rack constructed from recycled plastic! |
OCTOBER 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Even without solar panels on our roofs, we can harvest God's gift of solar energy. Opening southern blinds can warm a home on cool sunny days. Leaving laundry out to dry gives the energy-hog dryer a rest. Tending a garden is a way for agriculture to capture solar energy for our bodies. If your family needs more clean energy, subscribe to mySolar through which we can pay a reasonable surcharge for kilowatts generated at CWLP's solar farm northwest of Springfield.
SEPTEMBER 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Looking for new ways to care for God's creation? Mighty Nest (www.mightynest.com) offers green alternatives with household items. Blueland (www.blueland.com) sells tap water soluble tablets and reusable bottles to reduce harmful chemicals, shipping costs, and plastic waste associated with cleaning solutions. Terracycle (www.terracycle.com) helps recycle many difficult disposables including pens, razors, toothbrushes, and even guitar strings.
AUGUST 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Energy-efficient laundry can clean up the air too! "Cold Wash" then "Cold Rinse" usually cleans clothes efficiently with less fading. Drying clothes in the backyard on the clothesline captures solar energy whereas a dryer consumes a lot of electricity or gas and, in summertime, makes the AC consume even more energy. If we do use a dryer, we could hang-dry the shirts and avoid the need for an iron. Skip the Bounce and toss in a reusable tennis ball to reduce wrinkling, static cling, and dryer time!
JULY 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Do you like getting more for the same price? Once you reach the bottom of a container get more out of each tube of toothpaste by cutting and rolling it, more out of each detergent or shampoo bottle by diluting and shaking it, and more out of each food jar by wiping the sides with a rubber spatula. Even better, buy products in large containers which leads to relatively less packaging and waste at the bottom. Of course, reuse or recycle that container after you get the last drop!
JUNE 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Are you washing a few more dishes since all the restaurants closed? Dishwashers are actually greener than washing by hand since so much hot water can go down the drain. To save even more energy, rinse the dishes in cold water prior to stacking and run only full loads. Cancel the heated dry cycle and instead pull out the racks for a few minutes to air dry the dishes which saves energy to the heating element and to the kitchen AC!
MAY 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Are we feeling cooped up yet in quarantine? Let us remember that we can maintain proper social distance even while taking a walk in the park! Although Springfield playgrounds, park bathrooms, dog parks, and golf courses are closed due to the pandemic, park trails and green spaces are open. Walking, running, biking or even yoga in the outdoors can alleviate stress, promote meaningful exercise, and foster our connection with God's creation.
APRIL 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Perhaps social distancing and a few weeks at home will give us opportunities for some green spring cleaning! If we are downsizing good stuff stashed in the garage or basement, we can share treasures no longer needed: donate clothes and small items/appliances to Goodwill or Salvation Army, give tools/large appliances/construction materials to Habitat ReStore, or post for free almost anything else on Craigslist. We could sort now and deliver or schedule pickup after businesses reopen. Reusing our stuff becomes an opportunity to give, reduces trash in landfills, avoids the costs of recycling, and preserves natural resources.
MARCH 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Fortunately, most of us can recycle the majority of our waste each week at the curb. Remember to rinse plastic containers and replace the caps. Flatten boxes prior to putting them in the bin. Even empty aerosol cans can be recycled for the metal. Grocery stores help recycle most plastic bags. Heavily soiled paper should be mulched. Keep Styrofoam until your next visit to St. Louis where it can be recycled. For anything else check out Springfield's "Room-to-Room Guide to Household Reuse and Recycling" (available online or from Public Works).
FEBRUARY 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Most of us know the three R's of earth-friendly consumerism: reduce consumption if we can, reuse products that we must have, and recycle those that we discard. Now we can add two more: refuse that free single-use plastic straw, cup, or bag (which encourages vendors to think green) and repair rather than discard broken items (which not only reduces waste but also supports the American service industry). Although we love to recycle, usually one of the other R's is a better choice for God's creation.
JANUARY 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
In hot water with the utility bills? We can save money and energy with how we heat and use hot water. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees is better for the bank account and safer for the kids. A hot water heater blanket conserves energy (especially in a cold basement or garage). Low-flow shower heads get the job done with less water. Time for replacement or upgrade? Tankless water heaters last longer and recoup their higher cost within a few years.
DECEMBER 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
With cold weather already here, let us remember to winterize for optimal energy efficiency and comfort. Consider a programmable thermostat with lower temperatures while asleep or not home. Door sweeps and weather stripping help fill the gaps which bring as much cold as a two-inch hole in a door. For a drafty chimney, consider an insulated Flueblocker.
NOVEMBER 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
"I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree," praised poet Joyce Kilmer a century ago, but did he rake and bag the leaves? Reduce your work, reduce hauling costs, save soil nutrients, and repurpose the leaves into free mulch! Grind them up with your lawn mower to dime-sized pieces that fall between the blades, winterize perennial beds with smaller leaves, or stir leaves into your compost pile to create more nourishing mulch for springtime. Consider collecting leaves with an eco-friendly "push leaf sweeper" which saves arms tired from the rake and ears tired of the blower.
OCTOBER 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
How about saving cash and God's creation as you clean? Vinegar (acidic cleaner and disinfectant) and a few drops of Dawn (biodegradable detergent) in a spray bottle can clean many household surfaces. With this simple green cleaning solution and no paper towels, we can scrub the tubs and toilets with a microfiber rag, wipe mirrors with a dry washcloth, or clean windows with a squeegee.
SEPTEMBER 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
As we prepare for another school year, let's consider how to pack an Eco-Friendly Lunch. By avoiding individually wrapped foods, using reusable containers, buying foods grown locally and in season, including less meat, abstaining from bottled water, and bringing home recyclables and compostables, we can eat lunches which both nourish our bodies and sustain God's creation!
AUGUST 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
What do we do with all those spent toothbrushes? Unfortunately, trashed brushes go to the landfill forever while most recyclers toss them into the trash bin anyway. Perhaps we can reduce plastic waste by purchasing a bamboo brush or using our plastic one a little longer. Certainly we could reuse a spent toothbrush for other household tasks such as scrubbing small spots out of the carpet or applying shoe polish. As a last resort we could recycle through Colgate/TerraCycle (who will pay for shipping to recycle any brand of toothbrush, toothpaste tube, or dental floss container).
JULY 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
Vinegar is a natural acidic product of plant fermentation with a miraculous potential to replace harsh chemicals for many household purposes including disinfecting bathroom and kitchen surfaces, killing insects, removing ink stains, and washing windows. A spray bottle with vinegar in the home can help save dollars at the supermarket and keep our waters clean.
JUNE 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
"O God our help in ages past, our hope in years in years to come" begins one of our favorite hymns of inspiration. Amidst all the gloom and doom regarding climate change, we have hope in sustaining God's creation! CWLP has plans now to move towards greener and cleaner energy as coal generators near retirement. Illinois currently generates 8% of its electricity from wind while much more is coming. Germany can now generate the majority of its electricity from renewable sources and for brief period last year covered all of its consumption with sustainable energy!
MAY 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
WPC is one of the only places in town that accepts both rechargeable and single-use batteries for recycling! Since reusing is better than recycling, for frequently-used electronics consider replacing single-use AAA, AA, D, or C cells with rechargeable batteries. The batteries and recharger will soon pay for themselves, will last for years, and can eventually be recycled too!
APRIL 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
China’s recent restriction on recycling the world’s paper, plastic, and glass unfortunately has diverted some of these commodities to landfills and polluting incinerators. This recycling crisis reminds us that reducing our consumption and reusing what we buy are greener alternatives to using once then recycling. For example, let us read on a screen what we could have printed and let us reuse the backside of what we printed for scrap!
MARCH 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
As we approach the season of Lent and remember how Christ lived simply in the wilderness for forty days, let us consider how we might begin new routines dedicated to simplicity and environmental stewardship, such as eating less meat, giving up disposable tableware, or starting a compost pile.
FEBRUARY 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
Recently oceanographers discovered a discarded plastic bag on the deepest floor of the Pacific! To reduce the trillions of single-use plastic bags in the world, California outlawed them in 2016 and Illinois is considering legislation to limit their use. We can show our love for creation by reusing Westminster’s shopping bags or by recycling plastic bags at the grocery.
JANUARY 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
If you put up a real Christmas tree this year, Springfield crews will pick it up curbside starting 7 AM January 7th to repurpose it for mulch. Hold on to your artificial tree as long as possible! After its 23rd year, a plastic tree becomes “greener” than growing, cutting, transporting, and mulching a real one every year.
DECEMBER 2018 EARTH CARE TIP
Last year's Christmas tree lights don't work? If simply replacing a bulb or fuse doesn't solve the problem, reclaim valuable copper, plastic, and glass by recycling them (without bags or boxes) in the top bin at the southwest corner of Westminster's West Narthex. Next time, consider purchasing more efficient and long-lasting LED lights!
NOVEMBER 2018 EARTH CARE TIP
Are you ready for the winter cold? Annual maintenance of your furnace keeps it efficient and staves off costly repairs and replacement. Check doors and windows for drafts and replace weather stripping to keep cozy and to prevent losing precious heat. A programmable thermostat can substantially reduce energy costs by giving your furnace a rest while you are not at home or while you sleep under an electric blanket.
SUMMER 2018 EARTH CARE TIP
Are the dog days of summer starting to brown your green grass? You can easily push a screwdriver several inches into a lawn with enough water. Save time, conserve precious water, and improve lawn health by running the sprinkler for about an hour once a week at dawn. More frequent watering encourages weeds and disease while much of afternoon sprinkling ends up evaporating.
MAY 2018 EARTH CARE TIP
Need a new lawnmower and looking for some exercise in God’s Creation? Consider the old-fashioned push reel mowers which are making a comeback to help conserve energy and to help shrink waistlines. Cut the grass at 3” and leave the clippings to conserve water and nutrients!
APRIL 2018 EARTH CARE TIP
From biblical times, gardeners have reused food scraps in compost to nourish their plants. Compost is real plant food and greatly reduces food waste and the need for fertilizer! Just mix any leftover edibles about 1:1 with other compostables (leaves, yard waste, paper products, etc.). Chopping, frequent stirring, and moisture will help create “black gold” within a few weeks.
Earth Care Team: Steve Cobourn, Dr. Peter Kieffer, Keith Hamilton, Charlie King, Tim Kluge, Lynn McMenamin, Maribeth Norton, Susan Shaw, Brad Steller
Get involved: See our bulletin board for ways to be environmentally conscious! If you are interested in joining our Earth Care Team, we would love to hear from you.
Even without solar panels on our roofs, we can harvest God's gift of solar energy. Opening southern blinds can warm a home on cool sunny days. Leaving laundry out to dry gives the energy-hog dryer a rest. Tending a garden is a way for agriculture to capture solar energy for our bodies. If your family needs more clean energy, subscribe to mySolar through which we can pay a reasonable surcharge for kilowatts generated at CWLP's solar farm northwest of Springfield.
SEPTEMBER 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Looking for new ways to care for God's creation? Mighty Nest (www.mightynest.com) offers green alternatives with household items. Blueland (www.blueland.com) sells tap water soluble tablets and reusable bottles to reduce harmful chemicals, shipping costs, and plastic waste associated with cleaning solutions. Terracycle (www.terracycle.com) helps recycle many difficult disposables including pens, razors, toothbrushes, and even guitar strings.
AUGUST 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Energy-efficient laundry can clean up the air too! "Cold Wash" then "Cold Rinse" usually cleans clothes efficiently with less fading. Drying clothes in the backyard on the clothesline captures solar energy whereas a dryer consumes a lot of electricity or gas and, in summertime, makes the AC consume even more energy. If we do use a dryer, we could hang-dry the shirts and avoid the need for an iron. Skip the Bounce and toss in a reusable tennis ball to reduce wrinkling, static cling, and dryer time!
JULY 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Do you like getting more for the same price? Once you reach the bottom of a container get more out of each tube of toothpaste by cutting and rolling it, more out of each detergent or shampoo bottle by diluting and shaking it, and more out of each food jar by wiping the sides with a rubber spatula. Even better, buy products in large containers which leads to relatively less packaging and waste at the bottom. Of course, reuse or recycle that container after you get the last drop!
JUNE 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Are you washing a few more dishes since all the restaurants closed? Dishwashers are actually greener than washing by hand since so much hot water can go down the drain. To save even more energy, rinse the dishes in cold water prior to stacking and run only full loads. Cancel the heated dry cycle and instead pull out the racks for a few minutes to air dry the dishes which saves energy to the heating element and to the kitchen AC!
MAY 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Are we feeling cooped up yet in quarantine? Let us remember that we can maintain proper social distance even while taking a walk in the park! Although Springfield playgrounds, park bathrooms, dog parks, and golf courses are closed due to the pandemic, park trails and green spaces are open. Walking, running, biking or even yoga in the outdoors can alleviate stress, promote meaningful exercise, and foster our connection with God's creation.
APRIL 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Perhaps social distancing and a few weeks at home will give us opportunities for some green spring cleaning! If we are downsizing good stuff stashed in the garage or basement, we can share treasures no longer needed: donate clothes and small items/appliances to Goodwill or Salvation Army, give tools/large appliances/construction materials to Habitat ReStore, or post for free almost anything else on Craigslist. We could sort now and deliver or schedule pickup after businesses reopen. Reusing our stuff becomes an opportunity to give, reduces trash in landfills, avoids the costs of recycling, and preserves natural resources.
MARCH 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Fortunately, most of us can recycle the majority of our waste each week at the curb. Remember to rinse plastic containers and replace the caps. Flatten boxes prior to putting them in the bin. Even empty aerosol cans can be recycled for the metal. Grocery stores help recycle most plastic bags. Heavily soiled paper should be mulched. Keep Styrofoam until your next visit to St. Louis where it can be recycled. For anything else check out Springfield's "Room-to-Room Guide to Household Reuse and Recycling" (available online or from Public Works).
FEBRUARY 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
Most of us know the three R's of earth-friendly consumerism: reduce consumption if we can, reuse products that we must have, and recycle those that we discard. Now we can add two more: refuse that free single-use plastic straw, cup, or bag (which encourages vendors to think green) and repair rather than discard broken items (which not only reduces waste but also supports the American service industry). Although we love to recycle, usually one of the other R's is a better choice for God's creation.
JANUARY 2020 EARTH CARE TIP
In hot water with the utility bills? We can save money and energy with how we heat and use hot water. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees is better for the bank account and safer for the kids. A hot water heater blanket conserves energy (especially in a cold basement or garage). Low-flow shower heads get the job done with less water. Time for replacement or upgrade? Tankless water heaters last longer and recoup their higher cost within a few years.
DECEMBER 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
With cold weather already here, let us remember to winterize for optimal energy efficiency and comfort. Consider a programmable thermostat with lower temperatures while asleep or not home. Door sweeps and weather stripping help fill the gaps which bring as much cold as a two-inch hole in a door. For a drafty chimney, consider an insulated Flueblocker.
NOVEMBER 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
"I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree," praised poet Joyce Kilmer a century ago, but did he rake and bag the leaves? Reduce your work, reduce hauling costs, save soil nutrients, and repurpose the leaves into free mulch! Grind them up with your lawn mower to dime-sized pieces that fall between the blades, winterize perennial beds with smaller leaves, or stir leaves into your compost pile to create more nourishing mulch for springtime. Consider collecting leaves with an eco-friendly "push leaf sweeper" which saves arms tired from the rake and ears tired of the blower.
OCTOBER 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
How about saving cash and God's creation as you clean? Vinegar (acidic cleaner and disinfectant) and a few drops of Dawn (biodegradable detergent) in a spray bottle can clean many household surfaces. With this simple green cleaning solution and no paper towels, we can scrub the tubs and toilets with a microfiber rag, wipe mirrors with a dry washcloth, or clean windows with a squeegee.
SEPTEMBER 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
As we prepare for another school year, let's consider how to pack an Eco-Friendly Lunch. By avoiding individually wrapped foods, using reusable containers, buying foods grown locally and in season, including less meat, abstaining from bottled water, and bringing home recyclables and compostables, we can eat lunches which both nourish our bodies and sustain God's creation!
AUGUST 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
What do we do with all those spent toothbrushes? Unfortunately, trashed brushes go to the landfill forever while most recyclers toss them into the trash bin anyway. Perhaps we can reduce plastic waste by purchasing a bamboo brush or using our plastic one a little longer. Certainly we could reuse a spent toothbrush for other household tasks such as scrubbing small spots out of the carpet or applying shoe polish. As a last resort we could recycle through Colgate/TerraCycle (who will pay for shipping to recycle any brand of toothbrush, toothpaste tube, or dental floss container).
JULY 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
Vinegar is a natural acidic product of plant fermentation with a miraculous potential to replace harsh chemicals for many household purposes including disinfecting bathroom and kitchen surfaces, killing insects, removing ink stains, and washing windows. A spray bottle with vinegar in the home can help save dollars at the supermarket and keep our waters clean.
JUNE 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
"O God our help in ages past, our hope in years in years to come" begins one of our favorite hymns of inspiration. Amidst all the gloom and doom regarding climate change, we have hope in sustaining God's creation! CWLP has plans now to move towards greener and cleaner energy as coal generators near retirement. Illinois currently generates 8% of its electricity from wind while much more is coming. Germany can now generate the majority of its electricity from renewable sources and for brief period last year covered all of its consumption with sustainable energy!
MAY 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
WPC is one of the only places in town that accepts both rechargeable and single-use batteries for recycling! Since reusing is better than recycling, for frequently-used electronics consider replacing single-use AAA, AA, D, or C cells with rechargeable batteries. The batteries and recharger will soon pay for themselves, will last for years, and can eventually be recycled too!
APRIL 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
China’s recent restriction on recycling the world’s paper, plastic, and glass unfortunately has diverted some of these commodities to landfills and polluting incinerators. This recycling crisis reminds us that reducing our consumption and reusing what we buy are greener alternatives to using once then recycling. For example, let us read on a screen what we could have printed and let us reuse the backside of what we printed for scrap!
MARCH 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
As we approach the season of Lent and remember how Christ lived simply in the wilderness for forty days, let us consider how we might begin new routines dedicated to simplicity and environmental stewardship, such as eating less meat, giving up disposable tableware, or starting a compost pile.
FEBRUARY 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
Recently oceanographers discovered a discarded plastic bag on the deepest floor of the Pacific! To reduce the trillions of single-use plastic bags in the world, California outlawed them in 2016 and Illinois is considering legislation to limit their use. We can show our love for creation by reusing Westminster’s shopping bags or by recycling plastic bags at the grocery.
JANUARY 2019 EARTH CARE TIP
If you put up a real Christmas tree this year, Springfield crews will pick it up curbside starting 7 AM January 7th to repurpose it for mulch. Hold on to your artificial tree as long as possible! After its 23rd year, a plastic tree becomes “greener” than growing, cutting, transporting, and mulching a real one every year.
DECEMBER 2018 EARTH CARE TIP
Last year's Christmas tree lights don't work? If simply replacing a bulb or fuse doesn't solve the problem, reclaim valuable copper, plastic, and glass by recycling them (without bags or boxes) in the top bin at the southwest corner of Westminster's West Narthex. Next time, consider purchasing more efficient and long-lasting LED lights!
NOVEMBER 2018 EARTH CARE TIP
Are you ready for the winter cold? Annual maintenance of your furnace keeps it efficient and staves off costly repairs and replacement. Check doors and windows for drafts and replace weather stripping to keep cozy and to prevent losing precious heat. A programmable thermostat can substantially reduce energy costs by giving your furnace a rest while you are not at home or while you sleep under an electric blanket.
SUMMER 2018 EARTH CARE TIP
Are the dog days of summer starting to brown your green grass? You can easily push a screwdriver several inches into a lawn with enough water. Save time, conserve precious water, and improve lawn health by running the sprinkler for about an hour once a week at dawn. More frequent watering encourages weeds and disease while much of afternoon sprinkling ends up evaporating.
MAY 2018 EARTH CARE TIP
Need a new lawnmower and looking for some exercise in God’s Creation? Consider the old-fashioned push reel mowers which are making a comeback to help conserve energy and to help shrink waistlines. Cut the grass at 3” and leave the clippings to conserve water and nutrients!
APRIL 2018 EARTH CARE TIP
From biblical times, gardeners have reused food scraps in compost to nourish their plants. Compost is real plant food and greatly reduces food waste and the need for fertilizer! Just mix any leftover edibles about 1:1 with other compostables (leaves, yard waste, paper products, etc.). Chopping, frequent stirring, and moisture will help create “black gold” within a few weeks.
Earth Care Team: Steve Cobourn, Dr. Peter Kieffer, Keith Hamilton, Charlie King, Tim Kluge, Lynn McMenamin, Maribeth Norton, Susan Shaw, Brad Steller
Get involved: See our bulletin board for ways to be environmentally conscious! If you are interested in joining our Earth Care Team, we would love to hear from you.
Click here to learn more about Westminster Missions and Service