Michael Harry Scepaniak - Sustainability Posts
Michael Harry Scepaniak's blog
2022-06-24T23:01:31Z
https://michaelscepaniak.com/category/sustainability/
Michael Scepaniak
remove-every-f-from-the-following--mfikfe@mfilefstofneinfc.cofm
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© 2010–2023 Milestone Systems Consulting
Strong Towns Baltimore
2022-06-24T23:01:31Z
2022-06-24T23:01:31Z
https://michaelscepaniak.com/2020s/strong-towns-baltimore/
Michael Scepaniak
<p>
<span class="lead-image-box" style="float: right; margin-left: .5em; margin-right: .5em;"><picture>
<source type="image/webp" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/french-alps-sunny-day-from-grand-balcon-sud-hiking-trail-chamonix-france-900x636-300x212.webp 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/french-alps-sunny-day-from-grand-balcon-sud-hiking-trail-chamonix-france-900x636-600x424.webp 2x" />
<source type="image/jpeg" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/french-alps-sunny-day-from-grand-balcon-sud-hiking-trail-chamonix-france-900x636-300x212.jpg 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/french-alps-sunny-day-from-grand-balcon-sud-hiking-trail-chamonix-france-900x636-600x424.jpg 2x" />
<img src="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/french-alps-sunny-day-from-grand-balcon-sud-hiking-trail-chamonix-france-900x636-300x212.jpg" alt="French Alps on a sunny day near Chamonix, as viewed from the Grand Balcon Sud hiking trail - Chamonix, France | by Michael Scepaniak" width="300" height="212" />
</picture></span>
</p>
<p>Over the course of the past several years, I've become more and more involved in local advocacy efforts that touch on improving the <strong>bikeability</strong> and <strong>walkability</strong> of where I live. The COVID-related shutdowns helped with this, as it led to many/all meetings being held <strong>online</strong>, which made attending them <strong>much less onerous</strong>.</p>
<p>Fast forward to 6 months ago, when <a href="https://michaelscepaniak.com/2020s/a-car-hit-me-on-my-bicycle/">I was hit/clipped/grazed by a car while biking</a> - running errands. That incident put some spring in my step to effect change. As it so happens, a few months later, I was tapped to become a <a href="https://michaelscepaniak.com/2020s/biking-advisor/">member of my local bike-ped advisory committee</a>. While the appointment was a big deal for me, <strong>I wanted more</strong>.</p>
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<a href="https://michaelscepaniak.com/2020s/strong-towns-baltimore/#more-anchor" class="more-link">[click to continue reading…]</a><img src="https://michaelscepaniak.com/cdn/log-blog.png?u=%2Fcategory%2Fsustainability%2Ffeed%2F&s=200">
© 2010–2023 Milestone Systems Consulting
Recycling Toothpaste Tubes
2022-05-15T16:37:28Z
2022-05-15T16:37:28Z
https://michaelscepaniak.com/2020s/recycling-toothpaste-tubes/
Michael Scepaniak
<p>
<span class="lead-image-box" style="float: right; margin-left: .5em; margin-right: .5em;"><picture>
<source type="image/webp" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/wooded-area-rock-strewn-floor-catoctin-trail-cunningham-falls-state-park-maryland-900x504-300x168.webp 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/wooded-area-rock-strewn-floor-catoctin-trail-cunningham-falls-state-park-maryland-900x504-600x336.webp 2x" />
<source type="image/jpeg" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/wooded-area-rock-strewn-floor-catoctin-trail-cunningham-falls-state-park-maryland-900x504-300x168.jpg 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/wooded-area-rock-strewn-floor-catoctin-trail-cunningham-falls-state-park-maryland-900x504-600x336.jpg 2x" />
<img src="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/wooded-area-rock-strewn-floor-catoctin-trail-cunningham-falls-state-park-maryland-900x504-300x168.jpg" alt="Wooded area with rock-strewn forest floor along the Catoctin Trail - Cunningham Falls State Park, Maryland, USA | by Michael Scepaniak" width="300" height="168" />
</picture></span>
</p>
<p>Recently, I've been trying to step-up my game in regards to recycling. I'm definitely more conscientious about recycling than most people, but that doesn't mean I don't have room for improvement. The other month, thanks to some points made by <a href="https://tanjahester.com/">Tanja Hester</a> in her book <a href="https://tanjahester.com/wallet-activism/">Wallet Activism</a>, I (re)discovered <a href="https://www.terracycle.com/">TerraCycle</a>. I did a deep-dive through all of their programs and one that caught my attention was their <a href="https://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/colgate">oral care products recycling program</a>.</p>
<p>As you may or may not know, <strong>toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes are not typically accepted by curbside plastic recycling programs</strong>. (They aren't by mine.) Having the option to do something less wasteful with them was appealing to me.</p>
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<a href="https://michaelscepaniak.com/2020s/recycling-toothpaste-tubes/#more-anchor" class="more-link">[click to continue reading…]</a>
© 2010–2023 Milestone Systems Consulting
Biking Advisor
2022-05-07T12:55:54Z
2022-05-07T12:55:54Z
https://michaelscepaniak.com/2020s/biking-advisor/
Michael Scepaniak
<p>Baltimore County (my local municipality) has a constituent-sourced advisory group focused on bikeability and walkability. As of this past February, that group now has a <strong>new member - me!</strong> Yes, I have been appointed to the <a href="https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/boards-commissions/pedestrian-bicycle">Baltimore County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)</a>, representing Baltimore County district 3. I attended my first meeting in April.</p>
<figure>
<a href="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/bicycle-pedestrian-advisory-committee-appointment-letter-900x437.jpg" data-lightbox="image-2" data-title="Baltimore County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee letter of appointment."><img src="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/bicycle-pedestrian-advisory-committee-appointment-letter-720x350.jpg" alt="Baltimore County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee letter of appointment." width="720" height="350" /></a>
<figcaption>Baltimore County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee letter of appointment.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While I've been familiar with the BPAC for a while now and have attended their citizen input meetings in the past, I had not made any serious considerations to join. But, then one of the existing members reached out to me and asked me to do just that. The timing felt right, so I accepted.</p>
<p>I'm looking forward to the opportunity to step-up my bike-ped advocacy efforts.</p>
© 2010–2023 Milestone Systems Consulting
A Car Hit Me on My Bicycle
2022-01-31T00:56:03Z
2022-01-31T00:56:03Z
https://michaelscepaniak.com/2020s/a-car-hit-me-on-my-bicycle/
Michael Scepaniak
<p>
<span class="lead-image-box" style="float: right; margin-left: .5em; margin-right: .5em;"><picture>
<source type="image/webp" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/rocky-coastline-marginal-way-path-autumn-ogunquit-maine-900x675-300x225.webp 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/rocky-coastline-marginal-way-path-autumn-ogunquit-maine-900x675-600x450.webp 2x" />
<source type="image/jpeg" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/rocky-coastline-marginal-way-path-autumn-ogunquit-maine-900x675-300x225.jpg 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/rocky-coastline-marginal-way-path-autumn-ogunquit-maine-900x675-600x450.jpg 2x" />
<img src="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2022/lead-images/rocky-coastline-marginal-way-path-autumn-ogunquit-maine-900x675-300x225.jpg" alt="Rocky coastline along the Marginal Way walking path in Autumn - Ogunquit, Maine, USA | by Michael Scepaniak" width="300" height="225" />
</picture></span>
</p>
<p>Sadly, it finally happened. I got hit by a car while I was biking. Happily, <strong>it turned out OK</strong>. I got grazed on my left elbow by the side mirror. Nevertheless, it was still surprising and disturbing. Of course, anyone who is familiar with my biking activities most likely isn't - surprised at least. And, if I'm being honest, I'm not surprised, either.</p>
<p>I mean, c'mon, <strong>I bike along a major suburban arterial 5-lane roadway devoid of bike lanes</strong>. The only concession that it makes for cyclists is a couple "share the road" signs. Given that, you could argue that <strong>I've been biking on borrowed time</strong>.</p>
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<a href="https://michaelscepaniak.com/2020s/a-car-hit-me-on-my-bicycle/#more-anchor" class="more-link">[click to continue reading…]</a>
© 2010–2023 Milestone Systems Consulting
How I Got My Ice-maker to Make Ice Again
2019-01-06T20:09:29Z
2019-01-06T20:09:29Z
https://michaelscepaniak.com/2010s/how-i-got-my-ice-maker-to-make-ice-again/
Michael Scepaniak
<p>
<span class="lead-image-box" style="float: right; margin-left: .5em; margin-right: .5em;"><picture>
<source type="image/webp" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2019/lead-images/bowl-pond-beehive-trail-autumn-acadia-national-park-maine-900x675-300x225.webp 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2019/lead-images/bowl-pond-beehive-trail-autumn-acadia-national-park-maine-900x675-600x450.webp 2x" />
<source type="image/jpeg" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2019/lead-images/bowl-pond-beehive-trail-autumn-acadia-national-park-maine-900x675-300x225.jpg 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2019/lead-images/bowl-pond-beehive-trail-autumn-acadia-national-park-maine-900x675-600x450.jpg 2x" />
<img src="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2019/lead-images/bowl-pond-beehive-trail-autumn-acadia-national-park-maine-900x675-300x225.jpg" alt="Bowl Pond along the Beehive Trail in early Autumn - Acadia National Park, Maine, USA | by Michael Scepaniak" width="300" height="225" />
</picture></span>
</p>
<p>In which our hero fixes the ice-maker in a <a href="https://www.samsung.com/us/home-appliances/refrigerators/3-door-french-door/36-wide-26-cu-ft-french-door-with-filtered-ice-maker-stainless-steel-rf260beaesr-aa/">Samsung french door bottom-freezer refrigerator (model #RF260BEAESR)</a> using nothing but a hair dryer and his own two dexterous hands!</p>
<p>So, my lovely Deborah mentions to me that she thinks the ice-maker in the refrigerator isn’t working - that the ice bucket is empty. I don’t typically use ice on a regular basis, so it isn’t something I would notice. But, when I take a look at the ice bucket, it sure does look empty-ish.</p>
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<a href="https://michaelscepaniak.com/2010s/how-i-got-my-ice-maker-to-make-ice-again/#more-anchor" class="more-link">[click to continue reading…]</a>
© 2010–2023 Milestone Systems Consulting
How to Find, Choose, and Book Airbnbs
2018-04-04T11:57:26Z
2018-04-04T11:57:26Z
https://michaelscepaniak.com/2010s/how-to-find-choose-and-book-airbnbs/
Michael Scepaniak
<p>
<span class="lead-image-box" style="float: right; margin-left: .5em; margin-right: .5em;"><picture>
<source type="image/webp" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2018/lead-images/rocky-coastline-ocean-path-overcast-autumn-acadia-national-park-maine-900x675-300x225.webp 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2018/lead-images/rocky-coastline-ocean-path-overcast-autumn-acadia-national-park-maine-900x675-600x450.webp 2x" />
<source type="image/jpeg" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2018/lead-images/rocky-coastline-ocean-path-overcast-autumn-acadia-national-park-maine-900x675-300x225.jpg 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2018/lead-images/rocky-coastline-ocean-path-overcast-autumn-acadia-national-park-maine-900x675-600x450.jpg 2x" />
<img src="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2018/lead-images/rocky-coastline-ocean-path-overcast-autumn-acadia-national-park-maine-900x675-300x225.jpg" alt="Rocky coastline along the Ocean Path under an overcast sky in early Autumn - Acadia National Park, Maine, USA | by Michael Scepaniak" width="300" height="225" />
</picture></span>
</p>
<p>When buying something, how often do you consider buying that something used? Whether that something is a car, house, appliance, bicycle, article of clothing, piece of furniture, etc., how often do you give <strong>real</strong> consideration to buying one that has already been used by someone else - instead of one that is shiny and new?</p>
<p>When it comes to normal, everyday life, we want everything to be new. However, when it comes to traveling, absent some rare exceptions, <strong>everything is used</strong>. Think of the airplane seats you sit in, the rental cars you drive, the hotel rooms you stay in, the tours you book, the well-worn paths you walk, and even the sights you see. All are used. <strong>Hundreds and thousands of other people have preceded you</strong>. And we accept this without qualm or complaint.</p>
<p>But, there’s a difference, isn’t there? Those used airline seats and hotel rooms are professionally maintained in such a way that they become indiscernible from each other. There’s a certain standard to which they conform. As a result, you don’t have to suffer through messy inconsistencies. The same can’t be said when buying used in normal, everyday life. Buying a used bicycle, article of clothing, or piece of furniture means researching, inspecting, analyzing, scrutinizing - inconvenient activities that take time and effort.</p>
<p>There’s now a relatively new option in the world of travel that can cause the traveler to suffer through the same messy inconsistencies that is typical of normal, everyday used. That option is <a href="http://www.airbnb.com/c/mscepaniak">Airbnb</a>, the online marketplace for people to rent short-term lodging. If buying used (in your normal, everyday life) just isn’t your thing, then staying at an Airbnb when traveling probably wouldn’t be, either. <strong>Buying used is typically inconvenient, time-consuming, and risky</strong> (at least relative to buying new). The same can easily be said of booking and staying at an Airbnb. Why bother with either?</p>
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<a href="https://michaelscepaniak.com/2010s/how-to-find-choose-and-book-airbnbs/#more-anchor" class="more-link">[click to continue reading…]</a>
© 2010–2023 Milestone Systems Consulting
Receipt Slips Are NOT Recyclable
2012-11-20T00:29:36Z
2012-11-20T00:29:36Z
https://michaelscepaniak.com/2010s/receipt-slips-are-not-recyclable/
Michael Scepaniak
<p>
<span class="lead-image-box" style="float: right; margin-left: .5em; margin-right: .5em;"><picture>
<source type="image/webp" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2012/lead-images/slender-deciduous-trees-shaffer-rock-trail-overcast-autumn-michaux-state-forest-pennsylvania-900x675-300x225.webp 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2012/lead-images/slender-deciduous-trees-shaffer-rock-trail-overcast-autumn-michaux-state-forest-pennsylvania-900x675-600x450.webp 2x" />
<source type="image/jpeg" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2012/lead-images/slender-deciduous-trees-shaffer-rock-trail-overcast-autumn-michaux-state-forest-pennsylvania-900x675-300x225.jpg 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2012/lead-images/slender-deciduous-trees-shaffer-rock-trail-overcast-autumn-michaux-state-forest-pennsylvania-900x675-600x450.jpg 2x" />
<img src="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2012/lead-images/slender-deciduous-trees-shaffer-rock-trail-overcast-autumn-michaux-state-forest-pennsylvania-900x675-300x225.jpg" alt="Stand of slender deciduous trees along the Shaffer Rock Trail on an overcast day in Autumn - Michaux State Forest, Pennsylvania, USA | by Michael Scepaniak" width="300" height="225" />
</picture></span>
</p>
<p>Do you toss your receipts into the paper recycling bin? Well, as much as it pains me to say it, you shouldn't. Yeah, <strong>I know</strong>. <strong>It sounds crazy</strong>.</p>
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<a href="https://michaelscepaniak.com/2010s/receipt-slips-are-not-recyclable/#more-anchor" class="more-link">[click to continue reading…]</a>
© 2010–2023 Milestone Systems Consulting
Discovering Sustainatarian
2012-10-28T21:58:29Z
2012-10-28T21:58:29Z
https://michaelscepaniak.com/2010s/discovering-sustainatarian/
Michael Scepaniak
<p>
<span class="lead-image-box" style="float: right; margin-left: .5em; margin-right: .5em;"><picture>
<source type="image/webp" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2012/lead-images/rainbow-eucalyptus-trees-keanae-arboretum-maui-hawaii-900x1200-225x300.webp 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2012/lead-images/rainbow-eucalyptus-trees-keanae-arboretum-maui-hawaii-900x1200-450x600.webp 2x" />
<source type="image/jpeg" srcset="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2012/lead-images/rainbow-eucalyptus-trees-keanae-arboretum-maui-hawaii-900x1200-225x300.jpg 1x, https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2012/lead-images/rainbow-eucalyptus-trees-keanae-arboretum-maui-hawaii-900x1200-450x600.jpg 2x" />
<img src="https://michaelscepaniak.com/assets/media-library/2012/lead-images/rainbow-eucalyptus-trees-keanae-arboretum-maui-hawaii-900x1200-225x300.jpg" alt="Rainbow Eucalyptus trees - Ke'anae Arboretum, Maui, Hawaii, USA | by Deborah Silverman" width="225" height="300" />
</picture></span>
</p>
<p>Imagine you're a <strong>happy-go-lucky meat-eating omnivore</strong>. Eating your roast beef, turkey, and tuna fish sandwiches. Enjoying a burger or two at seasonal cook-outs. Savoring some pulled pork on occasion. Eating your fair share of chicken (which is pretty much in everything, it seems). Indulging in sushi. For you, life is good.</p>
<p><strong>That was me</strong>, Mike.</p>
<p>Then my lovely girlfriend started doing research into <strong>the reality of factory farming</strong> and started reading <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eating_Animals">Eating Animals</a>. She was appalled. And she impressed those feelings onto me.</p>
<p>While I've always been, on some level, aware of the horrors committed by factory farming, I can't say that I had ever truly internalized them. I just accepted them as sad facts of life and quickly shifted my attention to more immediate matters. But, having someone else to discuss the issue with changed that.</p>
<p>My girlfriend's vocal enlightenment caused me to <strong>rethink my eating habits</strong>. As someone who has always been ready, willing, and eager to re-evaluate and adjust my diet, this wasn't a big deal. However, I wasn't prepared to just give up meat.</p>
<h3 id="meant-to-eat-meat">Meant to Eat Meat </h3>
<p>To be honest, I think human beings are meant to eat meat. Admittedly, I haven't done any significant reading on the topic, but I'm pretty sure that hunting has been a significant part of our species practices... forever. To think that we can/should simply turn our backs on our natural origins - is folly.</p>
<p>As such, <strong>I didn't see myself going 100% vegetarian</strong>. It just wasn't logical. And I'm nothing if not logical. 😃</p>
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<a href="https://michaelscepaniak.com/2010s/discovering-sustainatarian/#more-anchor" class="more-link">[click to continue reading…]</a>
© 2010–2023 Milestone Systems Consulting