sustainability – Puyallup Tribal News

29 Apr

Complete the cycle with compost

Compost, Environment, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, sustainability

Submitted by the Sustainability Working Group Composting plays a vital role in sustainability by cutting back on food waste and drastically reducing environmentally unfriendly fertilizers that run down storm drains and into our rivers and streams. What is compost? • Compost is a natural process of recycling organic matter like leaves and food scraps into nutrients that enrich soil and helps plants to grow. • Microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, and other microbes decompose food and other materials using biodegradation, which is the process of breaking down materials into smaller pieces. Why is compost good? • Composting reduces the food waste…

22 Feb

Following our traditional ways by recycling right

Puyallup Tribe of Indians, recycling, sustainability

Submitted by the Sustainability Working Group Our traditional ways taught us to use everything we take. We were conscious of keeping our environment pure. We lived in villages that are hard to detect even to this day. Our traditional values can be used to continue to honor our environment in our current times through recycling. Recycling assures that everything is used to its fullest and helps to protect our Mother Earth. It doesn’t count if it isn’t done right. Following our traditional ways by recycling right means to: · Put only empty, clean, and dry items in your recycling bin.…

19 Jan

Help protect Puget Sound from stormwater pollution

Environment, Puget Sound, stormwater, sustainability

Submitted by the Sustainability Working Group What is stormwater? Stormwater is rain or melted snow that runs off rooftops, paved streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. The rain or melted snow picks up pollution as it runs off these surfaces, empties into drains like the one pictured above, and is deposited into rivers, lakes, and the ocean. This type of stormwater pollution is not treated and is the leading threat to aquatic habitats. Polluted stormwater runoff can: • Harm salmon and their habitat. • Contaminate swimming areas. • Pollute shellfish beds. • Contaminate the groundwater we drink. What can you do…

16 Nov

Take what you need, leave the rest this holiday season

Environment, Puyallup Tribe, sustainability

Submitted by the Sustainability Working Group As the holidays approach, we reach for warm sweaters, electric blankets, and comfort food to get us through the dark days and cold weather. This Thanksgiving, try to reduce the wasted food that gets thrown away after your family dinner. Food waste takes up more space in landfills than anything else. In 2010, Americans threw away $161 billion and 133 billion pounds worth of food. Wasted food also wastes water, energy and labor. You can help reduce food waste. • Reduce: Make a list before you go to the grocery store and get only…