Conscious Conservation through Recycling

By Gurumantra Kaur, Florida, USA

Seven years ago we began our recycling effort at Winter Solstice Sadhana Celebration. Since then it has evolved from a two person team that functioned independently of other karma yoga teams to what is now officially called the Solstice Green Team. It is now composed of six members and works in conjunction with the Grounds and Kitchen crews. Winter Solstice 2009 was unique because our recycling efforts really clicked and participants collectively became conscious of the need for and wisdom of recycling.

The job of the Green Team is to set up and tear down the recycling centers you see around camp, empty the recycle bins on a daily basis, and store the recycled items for pick up.   Every other day a local farmer comes by and we load our food scraps onto his pickup truck. Then we all jump into my car and go to the farm to empty the food scrap bags into a large feeding trough. We have to dig through it to make sure there is no plastic in the scraps because that can cause an animal to get very sick. The coolest part of the work is that we get to hang out with the cows while they feed, their faces all covered in beets, carrots, lettuce, and mung beans.

Here are a few things to remember about being green at Winter Solstice:

• The camp provides clean drinking water so be sure to bring a good refillable water bottle.

• Bring your own reusable eating utensils including a cup for Yogi tea and Golden Milk.

• While at Solstice be mindful to only place food and nothing else in the food scrap bins.

Murray, the manager of Circle F Ranch (the solstice site), says that 3HO is one of the largest groups to use the facility; however, we leave the least impact on the environment.  It’s as if we were never there.  Now that is powerful.

Our farmer is an old Florida cracker whose family once owned most of the land around Lake Wales.  One day I watched as he drove very slowly through camp to the area where we load up the food scraps. When he arrived I asked if he had some questions about Solstice. He looked around and said, “You all have the prettiest women in the world here.”  I knew from his face and his voice that he could see the light.

See you all at Winter Solstice 2010.

Gurumantra Kaur, the Eco Guru, is the manager of the Winter Solstice Green Team. She is also certified in nutrition and acupuncture, and is a chiropractor,and registered nurse. Contact her at 772.564.0579.