Recycle Your Walk

A while ago we discussed walk-ability. We talked about litter being a hindrance to a city's walk-ability. Litter causes many problems, including pollution. Did you know that litter also can end up directly in our streams and waterways? This can add to pollution, affecting our drinking water and eventually our health.

Have you noticed this in your city? What can you do about it? Well, if you want to be a part of the solution, recycle while you walk. Sounds strange? Not really. I do it all the time. While you are on your daily walk, look for littered bottles or cans to recycle. If you live in an urban area, they wont be hard to find. Take a look:

I normally collect 4 or 5 each walk. When I carry a bag with me, I collect much more. I have become a Walking Recycler and you can too. I started a few years ago after a friend asked me to join her in neighborhood cleanups. This progressed to my participation in UnLitter Us as a Business Ambassador. My office is in a Litter Free Zone.

Become a Walking Recycler. Join in, walk AND recycle for your health. You wont regret it.

Walkability

When I think of the cities I love most: Philadelphia, New York and Chicago, I think of the characteristics that I love about them. Besides buildings, of course, I think of the city's walkability.

What is walkability?

To me, Walkability is to be able to walk from one destination to another with little difficulty or obstructions. Sometimes obstructions can include traffic, sidewalks, litter and safety.
the ease of access to mass transit, businesses, etc. is also an important aspect of a walkable city.

Recently, the top-ten walkable cities (in order) included New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Miami, Minneapolis and Oakland. (walkscore.com)

Walkable cities can provide for better health, environment, finance and community. Communities have a better opportunity to exercise, interact and save money on gas.

Camden, NJ, a city that I have walked 7 or more miles in this week and will walk many more in the weeks to come has a walkability score of 54. I believe that this city can be more walk-able!

How can we increase the walkability of a city?

1. Walk
2. Communicate with your neighbors
3. Get involved in neighborhood cleanups
4. Make your city and neighborhood a more pleasant place to walk in.

Get involved! How? Join us as we "clean and green". Our team will help clean up and provide a greener place to live. Tune in for more details in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, join in on your block and help pick up litter. Become a part of the solution.