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Health & Fitness

Resolutions that Help You and the Summit Community

New Year's Resolutions that Benefit You and the Summit Community: Recycling, Think Local First, No Idling, Storm Water Management, and Decluttering by Donating Locally

Resolutions for the New Year come in all shapes and sizes — hard and easy, big and little, personal and family-wide. The Summit Environmental Commission encourages you and your family to select just one resolution that will contribute to the long-term sustainability of Summit. Most will save you money as well, so give it a try.

1. Commit to recycle as much as possible. Start with all that wrapping paper (not foil paper), which can be recycled curbside with your mixed paper. But that's not all! You can recycle plastic (marked 1-7), glass, metal and aluminum cans and jars (all of those comingled in one container), newspaper and mixed paper (together in one paper bag or tied with twine), corrugated cardboard--all curbside. But, please, no plastic bags, even if they are marked recyclable, because they clog the machinery. For a full list of what to recycle where, see the Summit Recycles flyer on the new and improved City of Summit website. Collecting the recyclables and putting them out once a week is a good chore for the kids in your house, and Summit saves money by recycling.

2. Think Local First. In a survey done a few years ago, Summit's inviting downtown was top of the list of what people like best about Summit. Walkability, great stores, a variety of restaurants, and a welcoming ambiance are just a few of the characteristics that make it so popular. Supporting the merchants downtown will help keep it that way. Remember that supporting Summit businesses also supports Summit since many businesses routinely give generously to local sports teams, non-profits, and other groups as well as provide employment opportunities for the local population.

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3. Clean air and water benefit the health of Summit's citizens, especially children. So turn off those car engines when you are waiting for the ATM, at school pick-up time or any time you will be sitting in a stopped car for more than ten seconds. Managing storm water is one of the biggest challenges Summit faces: an aging infrastructure combined with more intense storms has strained Summit's water management system. You can help by making sure that storm water that falls on your property stays on your property. Properly placed downspouts, yard slope, rain gardens and rain barrels are just some of the ways to help. For a longer list of suggestions, check out Summit's storm water flyer online.

4. Donate used items locally. Looking to downsize or declutter? The Summit Free Market is the primo example of Summit residents helping other Summit residents. Twice a year the seasonal free market at the Transfer Station provides a venue for donating and picking up items at no cost! But you can also post items or look for items any time on the Summit Free Market website. The Summit Recycling Advisory Committee also put together a Recycling Resources flyer, which provides information on where to donate or dispose of a wide variety of items.

Find out what's happening in Summitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Summit is a community of neighbors. Picking one resolution with the specific goal of contributing to Summit's long-term well being is an easy way to make a difference by helping Summit residents and businesses right here at home.

Happy New Year from the Summit Environmental Commission!

By Beth Lovejoy, on behalf of the Summit Environmental Commission

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