By Val Thomas-Matson
Seattle Graduate Chapter, Delta Upsilon Omega Member
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. welcomes a New Year and a new administration with Mrs. Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, our twenty-ninth International President. Her program Launching New Dimensions of Service will target five areas: Education Enrichment, Health Promotion, Family Strengthening, Environmental Ownership, and Global Impact.
Historically, our communities have enthusiastically embraced outreach efforts in education, health, and supporting black families. Now, it’s time to add another level of awareness and take better care to grow and groom our communities ecologically. 2015 is a great time to bring added gusto to our garbage habits and improve our environmental footprint for future generations and ourselves. My Granny Gran taught my sisters and me to always leave a place better than we found it. Through our Acts of Green Program, sorority members will bring a new vitality to litter prevention and waste management efforts.
King County cities makes it easy as 1-2-3 to reduce, reuse and recycle. In the FREE compostable bins they provide we toss in vegetable peels, meat, bones, soiled paper and coffee grounds. At my house, we keep our bin on the counter next to the sink for easy access. We toss paper, plastics, and Styrofoam into another recycle bin. As a result, we went from a 36-gallon to a 20-gallon outdoor garbage can. However, what I get downright happy about is that composting and recycling saves us $100 bi-monthly. That’s $600 a year in our pockets, which is now not going to the dump…literally!
Recycling and composting requires some new ways of thinking and establishing new habits. I take a walk to the recycle bin daily, but those steps help save me money, it’s better on the environment, and I burn a few extra calories strolling back and forth.
Help make the world a greener place, for the environment, our communities, and your wallet. Join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and commit to Acts of Green.
A cherished friend, Kermit the Frog, used to sing, “it’s not easy being green.” Well, in 2015, being green is easy as 1-2-3.
* Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the oldest Greek Letter organization established in by Black Women; founded in 1908 at Howard University.
