BENTON COUNTY — Sunday is Earth Day 2012 and a good time to focus on what we each can do to help make our world a better place to live. The old tried and true trio: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” is always a good place to start.

The sheer amount of waste in America is staggering. We can all do our part to prevent it. Small actions can often make a big difference. Things as simple as repairing the leaky faucet to save water or taking reusable shopping bags to the store is a positive step.

With the coming of spring, many of us experience the urge to “dig in the dirt,” and growing one’s own food is a good way to eat healthy and avoid potentially harmful pesticides. We’ve had our garden spot plowed, and I bought some green pepper plants at the farmers’ market Saturday. I also found some healthy Cherokee Purple tomato plants and some Lemon Boy, a popular yellow variety. We’ll look forward to getting them in the ground. Homegrown produce isusually so much tastier than that which is shipped in from elsewhere.

We can all live greener by simply not littering and picking up litter when we’re out and about. Buy green household products, reuse containers and use washable rags and sponges when cleaning. Look for Energy Star-rated products when shopping for appliances. Prevent waste by taking your own mug to the coffee shop. According to a Waste Management representative, it takes about 20 times more energy to recycle a paper coffee cup than simply using a travel mug.

One way to contribute to a cleaner planet is to service one’s vehicle regularly. Park it and walk or bicycle if you’re only going a short distance. The exercise willmake you healthier. If you must drive, carpool and reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Once at your destination, use the stairs instead of the elevator. Save your soft drink cans and take them to recycle. We save the energy equivalent of 2,350 gallons of gasoline with every ton of recycled aluminum.

Reuse everything possible. Vegetable peelings, eggshells and coffee grounds can all go in a compost pile to help make richer soil for your vegetable or flower garden. Ashes from your fireplace will be good in your tomato bed. Chicken litter, rabbit litter and cow manure make good natural fertilizer. You can also help your garden by becoming a beekeeper for the little insects which will aid in pollination.

It’s not so common today, but homemakers once made most of the family’s clothing. Scraps of fabric can be used to make lovely quilts. Even when a quilt has become worn from much use, the better sections can become tops for throw pillows or be framed for interesting wall hangings. The children will love cloth dolls and homemade stuffed animals. Scraps of wood can become simple wooden toys.

On Friday some members of our local quilt class traveled to Bella Vista to the Calico Cut-Ups Quilt Show. We saw many examples of colorful fabrics transformed into warm bed coverings, striking wall hangings, stylish clothing and bags. The turning of the quiltsrevealed several ingenious creations designed to keep one cozy and to document family history.

One of the sought-after prizes at any quilt show is the people’s choice award. Each attendee casts a ballot voting for his or her favorite display. My choice was an eye-catching item titled, “Southwest Memories,” adorned with cacti, quail, lizards, pottery and chili peppers. The skill of the quiltmaker was evident in the careful handstitching, the glittering spikes on the cacti and turquoise bead decorations.

Susan Holland is longtime resident of Benton County and a staff member of the Westside Eagle Observer. She may be contacted by email at sholland@ nwaonline.com.

Opinion, Pages 7 on 04/18/2012