Residents of Honolulu invited to be everyday environmental heroes

The city of Honolulu (U.S.A.) extends a big mahalo (welcome) to the thousands of volunteers who form the 2007 Everyday Environmental Heroes.

The city sent out a call to action for all everyday environmental heroes in schools, organizations, businesses and government agencies to move forward with the city in 2007 through public outreach, science and monitoring, investigations and enforcement, and pollution abatement on behalf of the environment.

The Heroes are working with the city to stencil storm drains, adopt a portion of a city block or stream for two years, and participate in educational workshops, National Car Car activities, and community cleanups.

Residents are also asked to be an everyday hero by taking action at home to prevent pollution by following these nine pollution tips:

• Keep sidewalks, curbs and gutters clean.
• Prevent soil and debris from leaving your property.
• Gather grass and tree cuttings and dispose of green waste, or compost your yard trimmings.
• Use oil change boxes; soak up spilled oil and dispose of it properly in the trash.
• Remove and dispose of pet waste before you leave an area.
• Use water-based paint and discard properly.
• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly.
• Wash your car with plain water or consider washing it on the lawn.
• Keep household cleaning products from becoming hazardous waste.

Honolulu is one of 200 local governments in the U.S.A. that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.  For more information on ICLEI and its activities in the U.S.A., please visit www.iclei.org/usa.

Source:  ‘Mahalo 2007 Everyday Environmental Heroes”, on the City of Honolulu website at www.honolulu.gov.