Green Independence

Fireworks

The Fourth of July is almost here complete with picnics and fireworks. How do you honor the red, white and blue while honoring the environment at the same time?

You can start with that picnic lunch. Go with locally grown, organic produce that isn't shipped across the country or raised with toxic chemicals or pesticides.

Instead of Styrofoam plates, use biodegradable ones along with compostable utensils made from materials like sugar cane and cornstarch. Under the right conditions, these can decompose in a landfill in due time, unlike like plastics that can hang around for thousands of years. Better yet, pack reusable plates, forks and spoons.

Everyone loves fireworks, but those bombs bursting in air ultimately litter the ground and fresh water supplies with toxic debris that's no friend to your respiratory system or the environment. Consider eliminating personal fireworks all together and having a block party.

The simplest thing you can do to help the environment on the Fourth is to recycle. Make sure those soda cans and beer bottles get picked up, put in your recycling bins, or delivered to your local recycling facility.

So, on our nation's birthday, give the country a gift -- like a healthier environment.

Script by Bob Rhein

Discovery Links

To learn more about today’s topic, please explore the links below:

• Red, White and Green
• Biodegradable Utensils
• Fireworks Alternatives