Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/653961
Half-eatenapples,wilted lettuce, and moldy bread are just some examples of the over 11 billion pounds of food waste that enters Cal- ifornia landfills each year. Most food waste can be prevented through changes in shopping habits, how it is stored, and by planning meals wisely. In Tehama County we put about 15 million pounds of food waste in our land- fill each year, which com- prises about 15% of the total amount of waste that enters our landfill. So why does it matter how much food waste enters our landfill? When food waste is buried in a landfill the moisture in the food aids in break- ing it down which produces methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. According to the Environmental Pro- tection Agency, landfills are the third largest source of methane emissions in the U.S. Recognizing the issues associated with food waste and to aid in the statewide goal of diverting 75% of ma- terials from landfills, the state of California passed new legislation requiring the diversion of food waste and other "organics" from landfills. The term "organ- ics"isdefinedasfoodwaste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, nonhazard- ous wood waste, and food- soiled paper such as paper plates and fast food wrap- pers. The legislation re- quires that by April of 2016 any business that generates 8 or more cubic yards of or- ganics each week to recycle their organic waste, with the amount generated de- creasing each year so that smaller businesses and apartments will eventually have to comply. Currently Tehama County businesses are exempt from the legis- lation because our popula- tion is below 70,000 people. Despite Tehama County be- ing exempt, food waste can be kept out of our landfill through composting, an- aerobic digestion, or other forms of diversion. Un- wanted edible food can be donated at these locations: Tehama County Gleaners- Foodbank, 529-2264; Te- hama County Senior Nu- trition Programs, 527-2414; Corning Christian Assis- tance, 824-3866. While food waste is not currently being diverted from our landfill, there are steps that our county resi- dents can take now to help decrease the amount of food waste and organics going to our landfill. Back- yard composting is a great way to keep food waste out of the trash can while also providing nutrient rich soil amendments for gardening and landscaping. The Te- hama County Solid Waste Management Agency pro- vides free information on composting and our Recy- cling Coordinator will give free composting demon- strations to schools, com- munity groups, clubs, or other organizations. To contact the Recycling Co- ordinator call 528-1103 or email tehamacountyrecy- cles@co.tehama.ca.us. To keep food from going to waste in the first place residents can practice some of these food saving tips from the West Coast Cli- mate & Materials Manage- ment Forum, found on their website http://westcoastcli- mateforum.com/food. By purchasing food, especially perishable foods, based on what meals will be made and shopping your pantry before going to the grocery store will help you to avoid buying items that may go badbeforeeatingthem,and save you money. Store fruits and vegetables in ways that keep them fresh longer; ba- nanas,apples,andtomatoes should be stored separately because the gases they give off help to ripen other fruits andvegetablesmorequickly. Finally, do not forget about the leftovers, storing them in a special place in the re- frigerator will help you re- member to use them up. Keeping food out of our landfill will not only help to reduce the amount of methane being produced and help extend the life of the landfill it will also help conserve resources such as water which is very impor- tant in California. To put it in perspective, it is esti- mated that each apple that is thrown out before being eaten is equivalent to flush- ing the toilet seven times. This is because of the water used to grow each piece of fruit. While less food enter- ing our landfill means less revenue going to the land- fill, it also means that more resources like water will be conserved and fewer potent methane gases emitted. For more information please contact the Tehama County Solid Waste Man- agementAgencyat528-1103 oremailtehamacountyrecy- cles@co.tehama.ca.us. TEHAMACOUNTY Compostingpracticeswillhelp extend the life of the landfill Tehama County Dem- ocratic Central Commit- tee members are planning for their sixth annual fun- draiser at 5 p.m. April 2, at the Red Bluff Community Center. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for a one hour meet and great to enable guests to talk to local, state and fed- eral candidates and Central Committee members. A buffet dinner will in- clude tri-tip from Roxie Deli of Los Molinos, and potatoes, green beans and salad cooked by Linda Dur- rerandfriends.Cakewillbe served as dessert. Beer and wine will be available. The theme of "Support- ing American Workers" is enhanced by speaker Da- vid Welch, union activist and member of the board of directors of the Califor- nia Nurses Association. A second speaker is Kimberly Ellis, executive director of Emerge California, whose mission is to inspire and train women to step into the political arena. Kim- berly is campaigning to be elected chairwoman of the California Democratic Party in 2017. There will be plenty of raffle items and an auction will take place after the speakers. For information regard- ing tickets, call Judy Turner at 824-3174 or write to judy- turn@gmail.com. For spon- sorship information, call John Elshere at 529-1238 orjohn.elshere@gmail.com. TEHAMA COUNTY Democrats prepare for annual fundraiser DEAR MARY: For years I made fun of one of my best friends because she made her own laun- dry detergent. She raved about how much money she saved and how she shared it with her daughter and daughter in-law. She went on and on about how much fun it was for the three of them to get together and make a batch together. I would say to her that I had better things to do with my time than to make laundry detergent. Recently, we met these friends for a fun weekend. When I complained about my new LG washing ma- chine and how it didn't get my clothes as clean as my old Maytag, she started in again about her home- made laundry detergent. Once again, I said, "You have got to be kidding me!" When I got home I saw your new and im- proved recipe for home- made laundry detergent. In a weak moment, I de- cided to try it. And I went a step further — I even used substituted white vinegar for my regular liq- uid fabric softener. Oh, how surprised I was! My clothes came out cleaner, softer and smelled great! I ate a lot of hum- ble pie that day. My friend is still beaming with lib- eral quantities of I-told- you-sos! Thank you Mary! I'm hard-headed but my head is a little softer now. And I read your column every day, too. Keep up the good work! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Candy DEAR CANDY: Your let- ter made my day. And it made me laugh — not that I have any friends like you who roll their eyes when I suggest they might want to make their own laundry detergent or anything. If I did, I'm sure they'd know who they are. You may not realize it but you are enjoying more benefits than just a great- cleaning detergent. It's chemical-free and easy on the environment. And did I mention it's cheap? Oh, yeah! The recipe, complete with tutorial for any read- ers who, like you, have been dragging their feet, can be found by searching my blog at EverydayCheap- skate.com. I believe there's enough humble pie to go around! DEAR MARY: I have a friend who raves about the carpet-cleaning ma- chine that you recom- mend. Could you re-publish the make and model and also let me know the best source for it? Honestly, she just goes on and on and I'm ready to take the plunge. Thanks a million! Marcus DEAR MARCUS: Actu- ally, I am now a two-ma- chine fanatic — I have the world's best home carpet steam cleaner and also a new hard floor and car- pet scrubber machine. However, If I could have only one, I would opt to keep my Hoover Steam Vac. Mine is a few years old now, and Hoover does seem to improve it each year as it brings out new models. To keep up with your friend, you want the Hoover F5914900 Steam- Vac Carpet Cleaner with Clean Surge. My new carpet and hard flooring scrubbing ma- chine is a dream come true to clean spills and messes that need more than a steam clean. It's Shark Sonic Duo Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaner (ZZ550). If you find it on Amazon.com, I'll take you to the deal that comes with the machine and a load of bonus cleaning products that go with it. I can't find a better deal than this for the Sonic Duo. Hope that helps. Wouldyouliketosend a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@ everydaycheapskate. com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Ste. B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE Homemadelaundrydetergent,withhumblepie Volunteer parents Brenda Villalobos, Norma Rivas and Ricardo and Alicia Va- lencia and others have been painting the Forest of Life in the Police Activities League Martial Arts Program build- ing in preparation for the 20th anniversary of the Te- hama County Police Activi- ties League in May. Other walls will include the Wall of Heroes, with many businesses and or- ganizations donating $200 each year to have their logos placed on the wall. The goal is to be able to pay for the building, $3,600 annually, through these donations. PALisataxdeductible501 (c) (3) nonprofit youth crime prevention program with special emphasis of drug demand reduction educa- tion. PAL Martial Arts Pro- gram was the first anti-bul- lying program in Tehama County and began in Sep- tember 1998. When the Forest of Life is completed each PAL partici- pant from any program will be encouraged to place their photos, report cards or prog- ress reports and community service awards from their own branch of life. Walker Printng in Red Bluff donated framed post- ers with positive messages that will be placed on one of the walls, with framed photos of all who have been members of the Tehama County PAL Board of Direc- tors since its formal begin- ning in 1996. All of PAL's programs will be advertized on one of the walls. Any youth organiza- tion in Tehama County will be encouraged to place its logo on this wall at no cost. The Wall of Heroes will proudly display all who sup- port all of the youth organi- zations and programs in Te- hama County. For donation and tax in- formation and the schedules for each of PAL's programs, visit www.tehamaso.org or call 529-7950. Tehama County PAL is partially supported by the United Way of Northern Cal- ifornia and Masonic Vesper Lodge #84 in Red Bluff. All programs in PAL are free for children and teens in school up to the age of 18. PAL Pictured,fromle ,areBrendaVillalobos,NormaRivasandRicardoandAliciaValencia. Vo lu nt ee rs pr ep ar e Fo re st o f Li fe w al l Mary Hunt To p ut i t i n per spe ct iv e, i t is e st im at ed th at e ac h a pp le th at i s t hr ow n ou t b ef or e be in g e at en i s eq ui va len t t o fl us hin g t he to il et s ev en ti me s. 1921 ~ 2016 95 TH (530)527-1000 visit us at: www.redbluffroundup.com Likeusonfacebook TICKETS ON SALE NOW! April 15, 16 & 17 Greatest Show On Dirt LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Wednesday, March 16, 2016 » MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A5