Getting in the fall spirit

The changeover to fall in the South is always a little less chilly than we want it to be. The fall season officially started this past Sunday and my air conditioner unit certainly still felt like it was summer with a high of 95 degrees. Even though we may still have some warm days ahead of us, we can still embrace the fall spirit and keep it eco-friendly.

Even with our heat, the leaves have already started to change color. If you want to have some fall décor inside as well, try to keep it natural by using things like pinecones and branches in your decorations or using compostable materials like craft paper and dried orange slices. While collecting these materials and creating these crafts can be fun, if you feel you aren’t able to, I can almost guarantee you there is someone out there that would love to be paid to make some of these crafts for you.

As the leaves begin to fall outside, think about letting them stay where they land. “Leave the Leaves!” is a push from many environmental groups because leaving fallen leaves where they lie helps improve the soil, protects wildlife and reduces waste. If your well-manicured preferences (or your homeowner association) won’t accept that, though, you always have the option to collect the leaves and compost them. You can later use that compost to amend your soil once you are gardening in the spring and it will still reduce your yard waste.

Whether you drink it hot or iced, the pumpkin spice latte has become a classic of the fall season and has already hit the stores. While Starbucks and other to-go cups are not recyclable here, there are programs that encourage you to bring in a reusable option. Just this year Starbucks has launched a new program through its app where you can even bring your reusable cup through the drive-through. Not only does this cut down on your waste, but it can earn you points that you can use to earn free rewards at their store. Plenty of local places can handle your reusable cups as well. Make sure to wash your cups before giving them to the barista, however, they will not be allowed to wash or rinse them out for you.

If you aren’t into pumpkin spice lattes, it is likely you are still into some fall food staples, whether it is pumpkin pie, apple crumbles or hearty soups. Try heading to our local farmers market or a place like 41 Feed and Garden Center to pick up some locally grown produce. When your meal is over, make sure to have a plan for leftovers so they don’t get forgotten in the fridge and to compost anything that will go uneaten.

If you need help with your compost or getting started, make plans to attend my composting class on Monday, Nov. 4, at 5:30 p.m. inside the Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library. I will be going over types of compost, troubleshooting and some dos and don’ts. We will also be giving out a few dual-chamber tumbling composters as door prizes.

When you go pick your pumpkins make a plan to dispose of them and their insides as well. If you are carving them up and have a dog or two, save them some of the pumpkin inside because it is a healthy, yummy treat for them. A note of caution on composting pumpkins. They make great compost, but they are hardy and determined and it is likely you will end up with pumpkins growing out of your regular compost bin that aren’t that beautiful. Composting them alone, however, gives you a great crop and makes your trash load lighter.

As we move into the Southern fall season just remember to appreciate this period of time before having to scrape our car windows for ice or trying to keep up with our gloves so our fingers don’t freeze. You can find many ways this year to get in the fall spirit and keep things planet-friendly.

Amy Hartline is the recycling and education program coordinator for the Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority. Have a recycling question? Contact her at (706) 278-5001 or ahartline@dwswa.org.