teresal's blog

Teens wow with fashions from recyclablesEL PASO -- Budding fashion designers will show off some of the coolest ways to recycle on Saturday at the El Paso Water Utilities TecH20 Center. Style-conscious people with a knack for crafts will display gowns made of eggshells, paper, plastic bags and potato chip bags at the Recycle2Go Trash Fashion Show. "This center is geared toward children, so we try to involve them in activities and things that will teach them about the environment," said Anai Padilla, water conservationÐ TecH20 Center manager. "Every year for Earth Day we have events, and last year we wanted to try something new and different. Our idea of a fashion show just took off, and we knew we had to do it again this year." Last year, participants who dazzled the judges with their recyclable creations won prizes such as iPods and gift certificates. Padilla said participants, including students in middle school through college, competed by putting their garments and accessories on the runway. "These gowns are beautiful," Padilla said. "These aren't just potato sacks or trash. These kids are really creative and they get into it, and we were blown away with what we saw because of all the color and different materials." The Recycle2Go Trash Fashion Show was created through a partnership with the El Paso Community College Fashion Merchandising Department. "They are the ones doing everything -- from the entry forms to the rules and regulations to selecting the judges and prizes," Padilla said. "They've been successful because last year we had 25 entries and this year we have 60. It's going to be big and we're excited." Designers and models will showcase the garments for about seven judges who will look for originality, innovative use of recycled materials, and overall design. "Some of the things ... it's hard to believe they're made out of trash," Padilla said. "There were all kinds of paper and plastic, coffee beans and eggshells, just all over the place. The closer you get, the more detail you see these kids put into it."

There is also a 'Go Green Expo' at Bassett Place located at 1400 Geronimo on April 24, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.

Well I'm proud of myself as lately I have gotten into the habit of using my "huge" purses to shop and place my purchased items in them. I am a big anti-plastic bag holder when it comes to shopping...lol. I just feel that those bags are so dangerous. Anyhow, I just wanted to share that. It's pretty neat for those who might not know this but you actually save five cents for each recycled bag you use whenever purchasing items. The other day, I was pretty disappointed with two of my co-workers/friends because they get into the habit of ordering big meals when we eat out for lunch, and then they leave most of the food there to be thrown away. I have tried to explain to them how bad it is to throw away food especially with the way our earth is looking nowadays....our landfills/disposals. Anyhow, my friend and I are trying to see if our agency will allow recycling bins to be placed in our satellite offices. We will see how that goes next week.

Well I'm proud of myself as lately I have gotten into the habit of using my "huge" purses to shop and place my purchased items in them. I am a big anti-plastic bag holder when it comes to shopping...lol. I just feel that those bags are so dangerous. Anyhow, I just wanted to share that. It's pretty neat for those who might not know this but you actually save five cents for each recycled bag you use whenever purchasing items. The other day, I was pretty disappointed with two of my co-workers/friends because they get into the habit of ordering big meals when we eat out for lunch, and then they leave most of the food there to be thrown away. I have tried to explain to them how bad it is to throw away food especially with the way our earth is looking nowadays....our landfills/disposals. Anyhow, my friend and I are trying to see if our agency will allow recycling bins to be placed on our satellite offices. We will see how that goes next week.

I watched the film on global warming and I think actor and environmentalist, Leonardo DiCaprio, did an awesome job with the film.  I was just 'crushed' knowing all the pollutions, catastrophes that are going on around the world which is being contributed by human kind.  It just made me sick to my stomach.  I can't believe how selfish we are and how far we will go to obtain our 'wants' and not really focus on what we 'need' to survive on our basic needs on this planet.   My opinions and thoughts after watching this film was…."How can we protect our planet?"  It seems to me that there aren't really enough people concerned for the well being of themselves and the planet.  I have heard it numerous times from people I run into that they "need" a bigger car to get around, they "need" a bigger house for their family, they "need" to upgrade their cell phones every 6 months etc.   NO, you don't need all of this.  What about all the food that is being wasted as well?  I think that is so sad how that is also contributing to waste.   What was really frustrating, watching this film, was all the waste that goes into our waters!!  Is this happening all over the world?  And all the food waste that is also being thrown into our water was just too much for me to watch.  Regarding air pollution….well, I live along the US-Mexico borders and I always notice smog where the 'maquilas' (factories) in Mexico are in clear view from where I live.   I'm not sure if the ozone levels are up to EPA standards.  Don't get me wrong….it is nice to have a neighboring country you can visit from time to time and enjoy cultural events, but the smog can get to you.  I've noticed within the past couple of years, I have developed some respiratory problems when I am outside running or enjoying a walk.   

Hi everyone......I watched the documentary last night and I