Category Archives: Home Owners Associations
Protecting Wildlife from Trash
By Roberta C. Barbalace
Many solid waste companies and municipal landfills have the situation well in hand; do you?
Birds, mammals, and reptiles can be injured or killed by the trash we throw away. The magnitude of the problem is growing every day, especially because some types of litter do not readily disintegrate and therefore remain in the environment as a threat for decades. To help protect wildlife and natural habitats, local cleanup campaigns and recycling plans are now being implemented.
For more information about the Trash Knight system, please visit our website at www.trashknight.com.
The Litter Problem
The amount of litter that ends up spoiling the beauty of the natural environment is not surprising considering the amount of waste we produce. Glass bottles, plastic packaging, tin cans, newspaper, cardboard, and other types of garbage litter urban and rural landscapes everywhere. According to Wildlife Fact File, about 160 million tons of trash is thrown away every year in the U.S. or approximately three and a half pounds per person each day. Paper products alone account for over 40 percent of this garbage. Sometimes the wind blows trash from overloaded garbage cans and litters the environment. Naturally litter can last for a long time depending on the disintegration of the garbage. For example aluminum cans do not disintegrate, and some plastics take decades to break down.
How Litter Threatens Wildlife
Litter can be very harmful to wildlife. Discarded fishing lines can trap the legs, wings, or neck of waterfowl such as swans or moorhens. A fishhook may get stuck in a bird’s throat. Water birds suffer lead poisoning when they accidentally swallow small lead fishing weights. Broken glass can cut the feet of foxes, coyotes, or badgers, and unbroken bottles present a hazard to various small animals. Lizards often crawl inside bottles or cans to bask warm interior, to seek protection or search for food; but they may find it difficult to squeeze out again and can die of overheating. Small mammals in search of food often get their heads caught in the openings of jars. Replacing lids on bottles and jars before discarding can help prevent animals from becoming entrapped. Birds, fish, and mammals may be ensnared by plastic six-pack holders. This can be prevented this by cutting up the plastic rings so that they do not become traps.
Animals That Use Litter
Litter may appear to be helpful to wildlife. At night in some urban areas, foxes look for garbage on the streets. Often they feed on chicken bones, pieces of hamburger, and other leftovers from fast-food meals. During the day pigeons take over from foxes, these birds often flap around a food-laden garbage can of peck crumbs on the pavement. Gulls are well-known scavengers. These birds have greatly increased their number by feeding on thrown-away food. Inland, they gather in flocks over garbage dumps, where they eat even the filthiest scraps.
Human food is not necessarily good for wild animals. Deer, for instance, love bread and sweets. These purified grain products may form gummy masses in the stomachs of ruminants and interfere with digestion. Deer may actually die from ingesting too much food with a flour base. Discarded food can also become contaminated with microorganisms that cause food poisoning. More likely, however, the wild animals will become accustomed to free handouts and be unprepared to hunt for themselves if the source of human food is cut off.
How the Waste Industry is Protecting Animals
There was a time when many animals fell victims to discarded trash in municipal dumps. In addition to the waste itself, wildlife was threatened by heavy equipment workers who did not understand how their actions could threaten a fragile ecosystem. Animals were often struck by trucks or crushed by heavy machinery. Some became entrapped in trenches, open pits or pipes. While dumps still exist in some remote locations, most are being replaced by sanitary landfills.
The evolution of sanitary and secure landfills was accompanied by environmental planning that provided protection for wildlife and guaranteed that the land would be reclaimed for future wildlife inhabitants. Some methods of protection seem to be standard procedures at most landfills and many facilities have some pet project designed to provide for the safety and continued survival of some special creature.
Butterfield Station in Phoenix, Arizona serves as a good example of what precautions are normally taken at Waste Management Inc. (WMI) owned and operated landfills. The landfill is securely fenced to exclude many animals. Strict speed limits are enforced to protect animals from being hit. At the close of every day, all refuse is covered with a six inch covering of soil to keep animals from being injured by the debris. All truck beds and other such containers are covered with tarps to keep animals out. Domestic animals are not permitted in the landfill. Any escaped debris is collected from roadways and along the perimeter of the landfill on an on-going basis. Small waste containers are provided with animal proof lids to keep wild animals from getting to the waste. Many Waste Management facilities provide special roll-off containers for small towns and villages to use during community clean-up events.
It is common for landfills to have pet projects to protect individual species that are of particular concern. Kirby Canyon Recycling and Disposal Facility in Morgan Hill, CA with help from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, City of San Jose, researchers from Stanford University and consulting biologists have embarked upon a conservation plan to increase and maintain the population of the endangered Bay Checkerspot Butterfly. Approximately two hundred and fifty acres have been set aside for the checkerspot, which was nearing extinction in 1985. The Kirby Canyon Conservation Agreement, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 1996, provides for: the setting aside of land; establishment of a trust fund for studies of the butterfly; management of cattle grazing to ensure appropriate balance of plant resources; habitat restoration and enhancement; and ongoing scientific monitoring of the Bay Checkerspot population. In addition, Kirby Canyon has set aside marshland for the preservation of the endangered Red Legged Frog.
Altamont Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility in Livermore, CA has implemented a special program to protect the endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox. The protection program includes many projects to protect the San Joaquin Kit Fox. Exclusion zones are placed around dens. Limited disturbance of areas adjacent to construction and storage areas must be maintained. Escape ramps are constructed in all holes or trenches greater than 2 feet deep, and sides must have a slope no greater than 45 degrees. Pipes with a diameter of four inches or greater must be inspected for kit foxes before being buried, capped or moved. Vehicles observe a 20 M.P.H. speed limit except on county, state or federal roads. Staff and visitors are instructed not to harass any Kit Fox or other unidentified fox in the vicinity of the landfill. Feeding of wildlife is not permitted. Off road traffic is prohibited. General precautions that are followed at all landfills are observed at Altamont.
The Kettleman Hills Facility in Kettleman City, CA also has protection programs for the San Joaquin Kit Fox, Giant Kangaroo Rat, the Blunt Nosed Leopard Lizard, the San Joaquin Antelope Squirrel, and two state species of concern, the Burrowing Owls and badgers.
Landfills have made great strides in protecting wildlife. But everybody must become involved in protecting wildlife from household waste. Recycling reduces the litter problem. Improvements in package construction can reduce unnecessary waste and make them less harmful to wildlife. Proper disposal methods can help to keep litter that we accumulate from becoming a death trap to wild animals. If people learn to respect the environment and are aware of the threat trash poses to wildlife, they will be less likely to litter.
What You Can Do!
There are many things that your clubs, science classes and families can do to help protect animals from being injured by trash. Below are some ideas.
- Look at the products your family uses. Is there a lot of extra packaging that is not needed? Tell the company by letter, phone or e-mail. They have offices set up to handle such concerns. Don’t buy from companies who refuse to reduce unnecessary packaging.
- Check the trash that your family discards. Does your trash get placed in an animal proof container? That will help protect animals. It is still wise to check each item that you discard. What packages could injure animals? Cut up or tie plastic bags and six pack holders into knots to prevent injury to small animals. Remove can tops completely. Seal food in leak proof bags. Put lids on bottles and jars, or plug holes before disposing of them.
- Get involved with community cleanup projects such as Earth Day
- Better yet, make community clean up a routine. If you see trash in a field or along a road, pick it up (wear gloves or some other hand protection).
- Teach others about the need for protecting animals from trash.
Trash Knight Facts
Q. What can the TRASH KNIGHT do for me?
A. The main use of the TRASH KNIGHT has always been to keep animals out of residential garbage, but it does other things as well.
1. The rolling and towable models are an excellent mobility aid for older folks or a simple convenience for anybody who doesn’t want to make multiple trips to the curb lugging heavy trash cans. Your garbage can be taken out on ‘trash night’ (the night before your trash service comes), to avoid having to take it out before dawn on ‘trash day’ for fear of animal intrusion.
2. The TRASH KNIGHT can get your garbage cans out of the garage. Tired of that odor when you go to get in your car?
3. The TRASH KNIGHT opens your cans for you. No more prying unsanitary lids off. Taking the garbage out is now ‘touchless’. Germaphobes rejoice!
4. Reduce your trash can expense. The Rubbermaid BRUTEtm trash can is an extremely tough commercial grade product. They are expensive, but last a very long time, and the Trash Man can’t throw the lids when they are attached to the unit. In fact, my trash man likes the fact that he never has to pick up my trash so much that he has agreed to gently place my cans back in my TRASH KNIGHT rather than tossing them on the ground.
5. The TRASH KNIGHT can be used for storage of animal feed of almost any type. From rabbits to horses, one of our models can simplify feeding time and ensure varmint proof storage.
For more information about the Trash Knight garbage system, please visit www.trashknight.com.
Related articles
- Feed Me Garbage (weirdomatic.com)
- Saddle Up Graffiti Cowboy (neatorama.com)
A Timeline of Trash
An interesting perspective of trash, the disposal process and the future of trash. Trash Knight encourages you to dispose of trash, recyclables and compost items accordingly.
| Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6,500 BC | North America | Archeological studies shows a clan of Native Americans in what is now Colorado produced an average of 5.3 pounds of waste a day. |
| 500 BC | Athens Greece | First municipal dump in western world organized. Regulations required waste to be dumped at least a mile from the city limits. |
| New Testament of Bible | Jerusalem Palestine | The Valley of Gehenna also called Sheoal in the New Testament of the Bible “Though I descent into Sheol, thou art there.” Sheoal was apparently a dump outside of the city of that periodically burned. It became synonymous with “hell.” |
| 1388 | England | English Parliament bars waste dispersal in public waterways and ditches. |
| 1400 | Paris France | Garbage piles so high outside of Paris gates that it interferes with city defense. |
| 1690 | Philadelphia | Rittenhouse Mill, Philadelphia makes paper from recycled fibers (waste paper and rags). |
| 1842 | England | A report links disease to filthy environmental conditions – “age of sanitation” begins. |
| 1874 | Nottingham England | A new technology called “the Destructor” provided the first systematic incineration of refuse in Nottingham, England. Until this time, much of the burning was accidental, a result of methane production. |
| 1885 | Governor’s Island NY | The first garbage incinerator was built in USA (on Governor’s Island in NY) |
| 1889 | Washington DC | Washington DC reported that we were running out of appropriate places for refuse (sound familiar?). |
| 1896 | United States | Waste reduction plants arrive in US. (for compressing organic wastes). Later closed because of noxious emissions. |
| 1898 | New York | NY has first rubbish sorting plant for recycling (are we reinventing the wheel?). |
| Turn of Century | By the turn of the century the garbage problem was seen as one of the greatest problems for local authorities. | |
| 1900 | “Piggeries” were developed to eat fresh or cooked garbage (In the mid-50’s an outbreak of vesicluar exenthama resulted in the destruction of 1,000s of pigs that had eaten raw garbage. Law passed requiring that garbage had to be cooked before it could be fed to swine). | |
| 1911 | New York City | NYC citizens were producing 4.6 pounds of refuse a day (remember the Native Americans from 6500 BC mentioned above?). |
| 1914 | United States | there were about 300 incinerators in the US for burning trash. |
| 1920’s | Landfills were becoming a popular way of reclaiming swamp land while getting rid of trash. | |
| 1954 | Olympia Washington | Olympia Washington pays for return of aluminum cans. |
| 1965 | United States | The first federal solid waste management laws were enacted. |
| 1968 | By 1968 companies began buy back recycling of containers. | |
| 1970 | United States | The first Earth Day was celebrated, the Environmental Protection Agency EPA created and the Resource Recovery Act enacted. |
| 1976 | United States | In 1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was created emphasizing recycling and HW management. This was the result of two major events: the oil embargo and the discovery (or recognition) of Love Canal. |
| 1979 | United States | The EPA issued criteria prohibiting open dumping. |
| Today | The list goes on and on. |
Related articles
- Following Garbage’s Long Journey Around The Earth (wnyc.org)
- Professional cleanout services We Can Remove the Clutter from Your Life (junkguysaustin.wordpress.com)
- How to “Green” Your Garbage in Nine Easy Steps (socyberty.com)
What to Recycle
What to Recycle
The confusion over what we can and cannot recycle continues to confound consumers. Plastics are especially troublesome, as different types of plastic require different processing to be reformulated and re-used as raw material. Some municipalities accept all types of plastic for recycling, while others only accept jugs, containers and bottles with certain numbers stamped on their bottoms.
Remember to:
- Empty and rinse all containers.
- Flatten cartons and boxes, and place them inside your cart.
- Secure shredded paper and textiles inside a clear plastic bag.
- Sorting Your Waste: WHAT GOES WHERE?
Related articles
- What Can You Recycle? (anc7d01.wordpress.com)
- What Can and Can’t Be Recycled? (bellasugar.com)
- What should be done about plastic bags? (changebydesign.wordpress.com)
- Seven Steps to Better Recycling (apmortgagemarin.wordpress.com)
Join us at the 26th Annual Fresno Home & Garden Show!
We invite you to explore all of the fantastic possibilities featured at this year’s 26th Annual Fresno Home and Garden Show (March 2, 3, 4, 2012) – California’s premier consumer event. Top professionals from a variety of home-based industries have gathered once again, and many will be offering show specials and drastic discounts. All of this comes just in time to give your home a money-saving Spring makeover. We’ll inspire you – so dust off the cobwebs, put on your walking shoes, and join us at the Valley’s most anticipated Home Show, where fresh ideas abound!
2012 DATES & SHOW HOURS:
Friday, March 2nd
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 3rd
10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 4th
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
ADMISSION:
General – $8.00 adults, children 12 and under FREE.
Happy Hour Friday – Friday, March 2nd ONLY – From 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., ALL attendees pay just $4.00! (Discount coupons, any and all special offers, Senior’s Day special, etc., cannot be used in conjunction with Happy Hour Friday pricing. Kids 12 and under are still free).
Senior’s Day – Friday, March 2nd ONLY – Seniors 60 and over pay $5.00 (Discount coupons, special offers, etc., cannot be used in conjunction with the Senior’s Day pricing.)
Pet Promotion – Bring in a new pet toy, item or unopened bag of pet food and you will receive HALF OFF regular admission to the show! Items donated will go to the Valley Animal Center of Fresno. (Not to be used in conjunction with any other discount).
A $2.00 Off Discount Coupon is available on this website. (Option located at the bottom-right corner of the Home and Garden home page). Just click, print and go!
PARKING: $5.00. Secure parking located off of South Chance Avenue, Kings Canyon Road and Butler Avenue (for directions and driving suggestions, see “Directions to the Fairgrounds…”).
And, might we suggest…
1) Make a List – Take some time before heading to the fairgrounds and jot down projects you’d like to tackle in 2012. Browse the EXHIBITOR LISTING on this website and decide what companies are of interest (companies are from the 2011 H&G Show. The Exhibitor List will be updated in February of 2012). Also, see what companies are offering Show Specials.
2) Don’t Just Browse – Talk to the merchants. If you are truly interested in a product or service, leave your name and phone number and ask the vendor to follow-up after the show, or pick up one of their brochures. Ask about Show Specials!
3) The Show is BIG – Come early and plan on spending the whole day; take a break at the Food Court. The show is both indoors and outdoors, so wear appropriate clothing, comfortable shoes, and enjoy the day.
4) Pick a Meeting Place – Decide on a pre-determined spot to meet just in case someone in your party gets lost. The Food Court is a good area.
5) Bring Blueprints, Plans, etc. – Sketches, blueprints, floorplans – take them all with you to the show. Many vendors are prepared to take your information and get back to you with estimates, time lines, etc.
6) Prepare to Shop – Many companies have items to purchase right at the event, so plan to shop.
7) Wheelchairs and strollers are not available to rent at the fairgrounds.
8) ATMs will be available throughout the fairgrounds.
9) Download a DISCOUNT COUPON from this website! START SAVING NOW! – OR – purchase a ticket online, beat the crowds, and get a subscription to Better Homes and Gardens! See our Home Page for details… (COUPONS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL FEBRUARY 2012)
Tips & Tricks for Presenting Product at a Home Show
ATTRACT CONSUMERS!
Attracting consumers begins with an attractive booth.
You have decided to invest in exhibit space – maximizing your return on investment will take some time and knowledge. Begin with the appearance of your booth. Often, this is the first impression consumers will have of your company. Treat your exhibit space with as much respect as you treat the reputation of your company.
Attendees should immediately be able to recognize:
– your level of professionalism
– your company name
– exactly what you have to offer
- Carpeting in your booth is not required, but strongly recommended. The majority of your neighbors will have carpeting or flooring in their booth. The venue floor is cement slab and unattractive. If you choose not to rent carpeting, you may buy your own, lay an area rug, etc.
- Include greenery in your booth. It’s amazing how far a little houseplant will go toward making your space more welcoming.
- Have professional signage. Most Home Shows do not allow any handwritten signage.
- Make your exhibit space as interactive as possible. It will make attendees want to see what is going on in your booth.
- Allow attendees easy access in and out of your booth. Don’t allow tables to barricade people in or out of your space.
- Giveaways can increase traffic to your booth. We highly recommend your giveaway is product appropriate as this will ensure quality leads.
- Allow enough room to have a comfortable closing area.
RALLY YOUR TROOPS
- The Fresno Home Show requires that your booth be staffed at all times. Have a pre-show meeting with your staff to discuss goals, techniques, key messages, and selling points. Having a pre-show meeting can eliminate any scheduling questions, product questions or miscommunications.
- Make sure everyone staffing your booth can speak knowledgeably about all of the products and services you offer.
- Decide on how to qualify leads and how they will be handled post-show. Click here for lead card example.
- While in essence you have created a mobile showroom, remind your sales team that exhibit sales often requires a slight change in technique. The venue will be full of stimuli and high-pressure sales techniques can become overwhelming to the attendee. Therefore, when talking to attendees, ask short, open-ended questions to determine their level of interest. Take a few minutes to listen and understand their needs so you can offer the products or services best suited.
- Smiles and friendly banter, while remaining professional can go a long way toward building a trustworthy and profitable relationship.
PRE-SHOW MARKETING
- Invite your clients and potential clients to the show. All Exhibitors receive (4) FREE Exhibitor Tickets per 100sq./ft. for this purpose.
- Include your unlimited coupons in all mailings, e-newsletters and post it on your web site.
- Include your participation in the show and your booth number in all advertising you do leading up to the show.
- Offer show-only pricing. Example: Receive 10% off for purchasing today!
- Call your sales representative for more information on co-op advertising opportunities.
SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY
Make sure you familiarize yourself with all of the deadlines. Don’t miss out on any discounts. Go to the Deadlines & Checklist page for all important dates.
ASK QUESTIONS! And have a great show!
Related articles
- 8 Modern Ways to Crush Your Trade Show Competition (hubspot.com)
- How to Make a Trade Show Profitable (inc.com)
- Promotional Items for Tradeshows (bltshirtprinters.wordpress.com)
What can the TRASH KNIGHT do for me?
Written by: Anne Driscoll for Trash Knight
One of the most necessary items for the home, yet one of the most unnoticed is the trash can. We mindlessly toss a crumpled piece of paper its way, shove it haphazardly underneath our sinks and toss them around our backyards until trash night comes.
Actually, I’m only half-right. We do notice our trash cans. When they are smelly, messy and unsightly. When trash cans begin being a noticeable issue, it’s time to rethink the garbage can strategy. When buying your next trash can, why not opt for something a bit more dignified and something that will stand up to the elements, rodents and large animals. (READ: BEARS!)
Q. What can the TRASH KNIGHT do for me?
A. The main use of the TRASH KNIGHT has always been to keep animals out of residential garbage, but it does other things as well. 
1. The rolling and towable models are an excellent mobility aid for older folks or a simple convenience for anybody who doesn’t want to make multiple trips to the curb lugging heavy trash cans. Your garbage can be taken out on ‘trash night’ (the night before your trash service comes), to avoid having to take it out before dawn on ‘trash day’ for fear of animal intrusion.
2. The TRASH KNIGHT can get your garbage cans out of the garage. Tired of that odor when you go to get in your car?
3. The TRASH KNIGHT opens your cans for you. No more prying unsanitary lids off. Taking the garbage out is now ‘touchless’. Germaphobes rejoice!
4. Reduce your trash can expense. The Rubbermaid BRUTEtm trash can is an extremely tough commercial grade product. They are expensive, but last a very long time, and the Trash Man can’t throw the lids when they are attached to the unit. In fact, my trash man likes the fact that he never has to pick up my trash so much that he has agreed to gently place my cans back in my TRASH KNIGHT rather than tossing them on the ground.
5. The TRASH KNIGHT can be used for storage of animal feed of almost any type. From rabbits to horses, one of our models can simplify feeding time and ensure varmint proof storage.
Q. What trash can does the TRASH KNIGHT use and why? 
A. The TRASH KNIGHT uses the 32 gallon Rubbermaid BRUTEtm trash can for one reason- they are the best. They are not inexpensive ($30.00 each at the big box stores), but they hold up very well, which creates value in the long run. We have customers that have had the same set of cans for over ten years. They will not crack even when smashed badly. During destructive testing, we put ten gallons of water in them, froze them solid and threw them as far as we could without damage. My children have used the lids as Frisbees and were only able to damage our vehicles. Try that with an $18.00 can.
Trash Knight 