You can now recycle your shopping bags at MACYs.  At most MACYs department stores, there are recycling stations (containers) conveniently located by the store entrance.  Therefore, if you are on the way back to your car, consider leaving the shopping bag in the recycling container.  Better yet, refuse to receive a shopping bag at the counter and bring your own shopping bag with you instead.

More retail stores are beginning to offer recycling stations.  If you frequent a retail store and do not see any recycling bin/container, ask the store manager to consider offering such a service.  Most store managers at retail stores are able to set up recycling programs based on the amount of local customer interest.

Time is the most precious asset.  There never seems to be enough time for children's activities, work obligations, triathlon training, errands, etc.  However, we managed to squeeze some time this past weekend to get away and camp at Pilot Mountain State Park.  The weather was perfect.  There are plenty of hiking trails with varying difficulties.  

I am often asked, "How do you do it all?''  The answer is, "I don't."  There are tradeoffs that we make and we constantly re-prioritize like everyone else.  

The campsite came with a grill, picnic table and tent pad area.  Also, the campsites are generously spaced apart from each other so you have plenty of privacy and space.  We hope to visit many more state parks soon.  It was nice to get away.  

I have been advocating for more recycling programs at retail stores and am happy to share that a number of retail stores are beginning to develop robust recycling programs.  You can recycle glass, paper, plastics and ink cartridges at Target stores.

Here is a link to more information regarding Target's recycling program.

Also, if you are looking into getting some used cardboard boxes, you can also ask a Target store manager if the store can spare some for you.  Most Target store managers will be happy to have you reuse their cardboard boxes.  

I am hoping that Target add a recycling program for clothes so I don't have to make a separate trip to Goodwill or salvation army.  Target should partner with Goodwill and/or Salvation Army to collect clothes for recycling.  As individuals stock up on Target clothes, Target can help us find homes for gently used clothes.

There are five great ways you can encourage Target and other retailers to continue to support eco-friendly efforts:

- Click on the Target link above (Target tracks the number of hits to their recycling landing page to see how many people are interested in their recycling, eco-friendly efforts.  Therefore, the more you visit the website, the more eco-friendly activities Target will pursue in the future).

- Participate in the Target recycling program.  As the recycling bins fill up, Target management will know that they are making a difference.

- Highlight/compliment the Target staff on their eco-friendly living efforts.  The information is funneled back to Target management.

- Mention to Target that you enjoy and prefer to shop at Target because they are active eco-friendly living supporters and help out local communities.

- Mention to other retail stores that you visit and shop that you are concerned about the environment and would like them to explain their eco-friendly living practices to you.  

To celebrate National Bike Month, we rode our bikes on the American Tobacco Trail this afternoon and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.  In addition to getting in some exercise, we enjoy seeing the wonderful views along the way.  Here is a photo of a creek where we saw a number of turtles and fish.

Biking is a great form of exercise and eco-friendly means of transportation.  

Instead of having your old textbooks lying around in the house or sitting in a landfill, you can sell your textbooks to Barnes and Noble bookstore.

The following is a link to how you can sell your textbooks to Barnes and Noble bookstore

Do your part in reducing waste.  Another option is posting your textbooks sales on popular sites such as craigslist.com.