Tips on making it easy to stop using
plastic and paper bags.
REDUCE, then REUSE before recycling.

1-Always keep some reusable bags in the back of the car, or bunch up an old plastic bag and keep it in your purse, gym bag, etc.
 
2-STOP! If you forget, force yourself to go back out to your car. Pretty soon just the time that takes will help you remember.
 
3-If you forget, buy a new reusable bag at the store, and then make it a priority to spread the word and give it to a friend (if you already have enough.)
 
4-Choose paper if you do get stuck. Many places are using recycled paper now, and it is a much better choice than plastic.
 
5-Teach your children well. They can be your best reminders. Lets care for their earth!

Check out this presentation on the dangers of plastic bags.

How air pollution hurts your kids' lungs

• Story Highlights
• Children are more vulnerable than adults to air pollution's effects
• Children's lungs don't fully form until they are adolescents
• Breathing difficulties can hurt oxygen supply to growing brain

By Judy Fortin
CNN Medical Correspondent

• Xeriscap is not dry only.  Dry only landscaping can be very colorful and lush, but limited areas of highly watered landscapes are completely consistent with wise water use, if the return justifies it.
• Xeriscape is not native plants only. While there are a wonderful selection of regional native plants, introduced plants that are well adapted to our climate can be a great addition. Many iris, tulips, and even roses are examples of introduced plants that are well adapted to non-irrigated landscaping in the Rocky Mountains.
• Xeriscape is not just rocks and gravel.  Rock gardens can be marvelous, there are many other choices for xeric portions of landscape design.

Utah State University built the "Utah House" and it is open to the public for tours.  From their website at http://theutahhouse.org/.  The goal of this house is to show people and educate them on how to build a home and create a landscape that is energy efficienct, conserves water, promotes healthy indoor environments and sustainable uses all resources.  Check out the pictures of this house at their website and see how pretty waterwise landscaping can be.

In addition to choosing the right plants for the climate, we need to focus on how we water.  According to the Utah Rivers Council, nearly 70% of the water used in Utah is used outdoors and almost half of that is used to overwater lawns. 

Here are some facts that the Utah Rivers Council provides about the impact you really have.

Suppose you replace your traditional yard (6000 square-feet average) with a mix of drought-tolerant turf and water-wise plants.

YOU SAVE:
48,000 gallons of water each year
2.4 million gallons over a lifetime
About $75 in water bills per year*
$8,400+ over a lifetime**

Suppose you replace your traditional yard with moderately drought tolerant plants.

YOU SAVE:
90,000 gallons of water each year
4.5 million gallons over a lifetime
About $135 in water bills per year
$15,800+ over a lifetime

Suppose you replace your traditional yard with highly drought tolerant plants.

YOU SAVE:
108,000 gallons of water each year
5.4 million gallons over a lifetime
About $160 in water bills per year
$19,000+ over a lifetime

http://www.utahrivers.org/   

From the New York Times

By MATTHEW L. WALD

BYOB...Bring your own bag! 

Americans throw away about 100 billion plastic bags each year! What can you do to help this problem?