Judy Dearden, President
2024 CAMPAIGN: “The World Around Us”
As the 14th year of Highland Heights Green Task Force comes to an end, I would once again like to
thank each and every one of our members. Many of our members have been with the HHGTF from it’s
very first meeting, or at least for over a decade! We now stand at 65+ paid memberships, and have a few new
members!
Our October 2, 2024 Movie and Discussion night was focused on “Forever Chemicals” As I wrote in our last
newsletter, we are now all surrounded by these chemicals (PFAS Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances). These
chemicals are invisible in our drinking water, food, packaging, the air we breathe, and the environment and
pose significant health risks. Here are just a few ways to try to avoid them:
- Avoid nonstick cooking tools that contain PFAS. Instead use cast-iron, stainless, and ceramic pots and pans.
- Get a water filter. Look for ones that are NSF-certified to filter out high levels of two types of PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) from entering your body via the tap. (Aquasana AQ-5200, the A.O. Smith, AO-US-200 and the Aquasana AQ-5300+Max Flow are a few.)
- Reduce how often you rely on certain plastic food packaging, as some still contain high levels of PFAS. Switch to glass containers whenever possible.
- Avoid textiles that advertise their waterproof and stain-proof qualities, but don’t claim to be PFAS-free. Some examples are wall-to-wall carpeting, upholstered furniture, down jackets, and hiking boots.
Little Free Library
For those who don’t know, the little library is located at the entrance of our city pool. It has been a great success since it was installed…many years ago now. I would like to thank members Frank and
Beth Popotnik for helping to keep it restocked this year!
FREECYCLE and E-WASTE DRIVE
Our 14th E-Cycle event in June was yet another wonderful success. Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who work throughout the day sorting and organizing all the donations. It truly is a large
undertaking….and this year I would like to thank the park staff for their help….it was so appreciated! After this
E-Waste event I estimate that we have sent around 11,000 pounds of electronics, along with items that ran on
a cord or battery, on to be recycled, keeping them out of the landfill!
2025 HHGTF Campaign
“Living Green” Check out the calendar on our website for the monthly events, starting in early 2025. Thank you to all for continuing to be interested in our shared environment and how to keep it and
ourselves healthy…please do what you can to stay safe and healthy!
Thank You
To all of you who continue to be interested in our shared environment and how to keep it and ourselves healthy. Please do what you can to stay safe and healthy!
For more information, contact Judy Dearden@hhgreentaskforce@yahoo.com