Now that the schoolyear has begun (at least in our neck of the woods,) my thoughts have started to turn to ways I can spread the word about being greenminded.

Whenever the opportunity comes up in regular conversations, I’m quick to start talking about easy and not-so-easy ways to go green. And most people seem fairly receptive to my thoughts and ideas. I’ve only met with resistance a few times. (How can you not believe in recycling? It’s not like Santa Clause or Sasquatch…)

But I would like to try to make a green difference in our town. There are lots of areas that could use improving, and the city government is even working on a few.

That said, I would appreciate some advice on how to start and which projects I should start with.

Here are some of my current ideas:

• Talk to local restaurants about having recycling bins placed by garbage cans.
• Get schools to put recycling bins up. (I’ve been informed by teachers in my family that they tried to put recycling bins up at the high school a few years ago and the kids ignored them.)
• Talk to schools about idling buses.
• Talk to school leaders about the way that green innovations could save them money in the long run.
• Talk to city leaders about plans for bike paths. (The city planner has talked about this, but is meeting with financial and public resistance.)
• Talk to churches about recycling, cutting down on the printing of church bulletins (not likely?) and finding ways to creatively conserve energy.

I know I’ve had more ideas, but they fly in and out of my head on a regular basis. If I don’t write them down, they won’t stay with me for long.

Do you have any thoughts or better ideas? I’m a little nervous about this, and will probably start small and then try to expand my message. I would really appreciate any advice.