The Lions Club of Kingsville focuses on the environment as one of its areas of service. We’ve got a few ideas that will benefit the environment. We can make a difference!

1. Reycle/Re-purpose everything you can, if you can.

Look for opportunities to recycle and think outside the box. For example, if you eat at a fast food location or other restaurant that does not recycle items, bring home what’s recyclable for your recycling bins.

2. Reduce packaging.

Instead of buying brands with lots of wrapping material, switch to one with less plastic, and is preferably Canadian. For example, “Royale” brand toilet paper has excessive packaging, whereas “Cashmere” uses less.

Think about writing to Royale and ask that they reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging.

3. Go to Value Village and Goodwill.

These are great places for books, kitchenware, toys and clothes. Every Tuesday is senior discount day at Value Village for even more savings. Click here to learn more about Goodwill Industries.

4. Go to Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat for Humanity reuses larger items that would otherwise go in the landfill. Things such as shingles, siding, kitchen cupboards, windows, doors, plumbing supplies, light fixtures and building supplies. Smaller items such as  hinges, tools and drawer handles can also be found there. Electronics can also be dropped off.

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore  is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. It is temporarily closed on Sunday and Monday.

5. Recycle cartridges and batteries.

Take used ink cartridges and batteries to Staples for recycling.

6. Turn off lights.

Make it a fun game for young children to help develop a good habit! Shut off electronics when they are not in use. Unplug what you can. It saves energy and money. This is a small and easy way to help the environment.

7. Don’t leave the water running.

Turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth.

8. Collect rain water.

Use it in your garden, perhaps in a rain barrel. This is another easy way to save on needlessly using up our drinking water.

9. Buy fabric reusable dryer sheets.

This will save money also! You can get them here.

10. Need to get rid of ants?

Mix half borax with half sugar, dampen with water, and put it on a cotton ball — works like magic. Keep away from pets and children.

11. Adopt a section of the Greenway Trail.

Then keep it litter free. The Kingsville Lions members pick up litter from Lansdowne Avenue to Wigle Avenue several times a year.

12. Donate gently used shoes to the Lions Club.

The Lions partner with Bioped for the Soles 4 Souls program that distributes shoes to the less fortunate. In Kingsville, please drop off shoes to a collection box inside the store at Warkentin Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning  at 54 Mill Street East, Kingsville.

So far this year, the Kingsville Lions have donated almost 600 pairs of shoes. Click here for more information about the Soles 4 Souls program.

13. Donate used eyeglasses.

This is for both prescription or non-prescription, as well as all sunglasses. Please do not include eyeglass cases. Glasses can be dropped off at any eye doctor’s office in town. The Kingsville Lions, through their eyeglass collection boxes, have collected thousands of pairs.

In recent years, Kingsville Lions have donated the eyeglasses to the Shosholoza Foundation. This organization sends eyeglasses to countries where volunteers distribute them to people who otherwise would not have access to improving their vision.

14. Buy shoes made from recycled materials.

Econosa is one organization that sells sustainable shoes made out of recycled plastic.

15. Recycle paper for notes.

Instead of buying note pads, save and use the backs of envelopes received in the mail.

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