Citizens group plans events to celebrate Earth Day

Earth Day is April 22 and Citizens for a Better Flathead is highlighting the following activities to celebrate.

• The film “The Story of Plastic,” a searing exposed revealing the truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of plastic recycling, is available to view at home. Watch anytime now at your convenience and then join a discussion at 7 p.m. April 22 to learn more about recycling in the Flathead Valley. To watch, RSVP on Facebook or email jared@flatheadcitizens.org to get a link to the film and to the discussion.

• April 17, and every third Saturday of the month — Residential Hazardous Waste Collection events at the Flathead County landfill. Residents/households can drop-off free of additional charges typical hazardous waste items found in a home, including oil-based paint, solvents, strippers, pool and spa chemicals, pesticides/herbicides, fertilizers, cleaners and poisons. Bring in original, clearly marked closed containers only. Do not mix wastes.

• Oops! Tags: During the week of April 18 to 24 the WasteNot Project will be pulling and tagging items that are incorrectly placed in one of the six county recycling drop-off sites and three Valley Recycling drop-off sites. These tagged items will be hung on the recycling bin with a tag explaining where the item can or cannot be recycled.

• Saturday, April 24, 1:30 p.m. — Work at the compost garden at Flathead Valley Community College. Tasks include scraping, painting, weeding and more. Snacks and water will be provided. Bring a refillable water bottle. The address is 216 Hutton Ranch Road. Enter through the FVCC gates off the roundabout and continue until you see the compost garden signs on your left. Email jared@flatheadcitizens.org if you plan to attend.

To ensure local recycling firms are getting the best price for the materials they collect, the rules for sorting corrugated cardboard, paperboard, brown paper bags, and paper egg cartons are changing. Under these changes at all county recycling sites, the only item that goes in with corrugated cardboard is simply corrugated cardboard. As always, waxed corrugated cardboard, pizza boxes and other food soiled corrugated cardboard, and items like juice and beverage boxes all go in the trash because there is no market for them. Now, all paperboard (single-layer cereal box type cardboard), brown paper bags, and paper egg cartons should be placed in the Mixed Paper recycling bins. New signs are going up by April 18 at all the county recycling sites to alert the public to this change.

Cardboard is three layers of heavy paper, two flat with a wavy one in the middle.

All Styrofoam, plastic bags, or non paper packing-materials must be removed and put in the trash before recycling either corrugated cardboard or paperboard.

Three brochures have been updated to better inform the public of these options. Information is also available online www.wastenotproject.org. They include:

• How to Recycle in the Flathead Valley. Learn about where to recycle the basics and beyond, including tires, motor oil, antifreeze, batteries, electronics, glass and more.

• Fix It First: Lists over 100 local businesses that help repair items so they don't have to be thrown away.

• Pharmaceutical Waste in the Flathead: Quick and Easy Disposal Option

For a calendar of more activities in April happening in the Flathead Valley for Earth Day, visit climatesmartglaciercountry.org