KEARNEY SUSTAINABILITY SNIPPETS

Encourage. Develop. Lead. KSM Volume 2, Issue 1

What is the Kearney Sustainability Movement?

We are a group of individuals who all have a passion for using the limited resources available to us in a wise manner. The goal of the group is to help spread the word about sustainable activities, influence sustainable change in our community, and to continue to grow our knowledge about sustainable practices. We will be having workshops on ways we can help influence and create sustainable practices in the community.

What have we done so far?

KSM had helped make EcoBricks for the Students 4 Sustainability via CCC for their State Fair Project. It was a success with hundreds of EcoBricks being made. Some members of KSM attended UNK’s Blue and Gold days, getting the word out about the group.

We will be having workshop type meetings where we will explore hands-on sustainable activities. We will also have meetings where we will teach about things people can do in their everyday lives to be sustainable.If you have any sustainable topics you’ve been curious about, let us know and we can work it into one of the meetings. Email us at kearneysustainabilitymovement@gmail.com

A beginner tidbit: The new year always brings about new resolutions, goals, and habits. Making sustainable resolutions is a great way to get into the sustainable spirit. Spring cleaning is a little ways off still but the new beginnings always feel to have a burst of freshness. A great, easy switch is wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets. Yes, sometimes the wool dryer balls don’t cut down on the static as well, so we say use some safety pins in the wool balls. The metal cuts down on the static. Wool dryer balls don’t have a fun smell and you should not use essential oils on the balls that go into the dryer, as the oils are flammable. However, you can use extra wool dryer balls with essential oils and put the balls in your dresser drawers or closet. Be sure that the oil doesn’t touch your clothing but with the wool dryer balls in close proximity to the clothing, the clothing will absorb the essential oil smell.

An intermediate tidbit: With it being extra cold outside, many people use candles inside to freshen and add to the coziness. Single use lighters are not sustainable. Matches are great though because they’re made of wood and can decompose however, they may not always be sustainably sourced. Another alternative is an electric lighter. Electric lighters are rechargeable and last a long time for the user.

An advanced tidbit: While having candles inside is great at all times and like discussed above, add to the coziness of the atmosphere they do lend to some waste with all the glass containers. Refillable candles are a fun option that are available now. You reuse the container and can change the candle scent when the current one is finished. Reusing something you already have is ideal when trying to implement sustainable practices. The option of being able to buy already made refills is easier and quicker for those who do not want to make their own refills. Though making your own refill is always an option too for those used containers.

Our mission is to encourage the spread of knowledge, the development of practices, and to lead our community towards a sustainable and prosperous future.