To the Editor:

I would like to join my voice to that of Heidi Fichtenbaum on the subject of Earth health [“Plastic Can Be Recycled Only a Limited Number of Times,” Mailbox, March 20]. Today is the day to act and to change. There is no more time to discuss, consider, etc. the harmful impact we are all making on the environment. The effects of climate change, including extinction of animals and health concerns, are upon us right now.

The good part is that each of us can take action immediately to lessen if not eliminate any air pollution, water pollution, land pollution that we are making. Example: for a mix of 50 percent water and 50 percent vinegar we can clean our houses safely — floors, windows, bathrooms, and more. Use less water for showers, dishwashing, brushing teeth. Regarding the use of tote bags that many stores sell, please check the country of origin. For example, in one local food store I saw reusable grocery bags (great!) which were made in Vietnam (What are their environmental laws and labor laws?). So the fact that the negative environmental impact is not taking place locally but across the world, is that any better? Are you painting a bedroom? The good part is that the brushes do not need to be cleaned after each use; simply put the brush into a closed zip lock bag and pull it out the next day/time you need it.

Let us think about “yard waste” — leaves, branches, and so forth. Sure, it may not be traditional to leave the leaves on our lawns (to break down, biodegrade, and feed the earth again.) But the environmental impact of leaf blowers, yard waste collection trucks is seriously damaging the health of the planet and human and animal health also.

Earth Day is acknowledged on a special day in April. We need, however, to remake our lives so that how we live helps to preserve the natural environment as well as our health, our wallets, and many other things that I am sure each reader of this note can add to. When each of us was born we inherited an environment that was already damaged. We do not need to continue to do that. Each of us can take action, make a decision right now for a change.

Try it!

Gina Laidlaw
Cherry Valley Road