The popular green mantra “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” has “recycle” as the final step. There are many green mantras; ‘reduce, renew, recover, reuse, recycle. They all CONCLUDE with recycle. Most of the recycled waste we produce at Heritage comes from SINGLE USE PLASTICS like large drink containers, plastic covers for pies, cakes, veggie trays and cold cuts. These are certainly recyclable, but contribute heavily to the waste stream at Heritage and further up the cycle. Heritage has the largest recycle bin that Rumpke offers and most weeks it is overflowing. Many weeks these single use plastics blow out into the parking lot and yard. There are many ways to reduce and reuse at home and at Heritage. Consider making iced tea from real tea or drinks from a concentrate. A last resort would be to take your single use plastics home with you.
Please label food that you place in the refrigerators and freezer. If there is no label we will all assume that it is available for any group to use or take home. You can avoid disappointing your group by clearly labeling your items. There are labels and markers conveniently located inside the refrigerator. There are many ways to contribute at a potluck or food event that go beyond simply sharing food. You might see if the trash or recycling needs to be taken out. The white plastic bag that lines the kitchen recycling bin stays in the kitchen, DO NOT PUT IT INTO THE LARGE GREEN BIN OUTSIDE. Feel free to wash a few dishes or load up a dishwasher. Tag-team dish washing works well at Heritage. Consider helping to set up/take down the tables and chairs, put food and beverages out, remove serving dishes once they are empty, sweep the floor, take home the napkins/towels to wash, fold and return the next week, etc. PLEASE LEAVE THE KITCHEN CLEANER THAN YOU FOUND IT!
