CIRCLE OF CREATION COMMITTEE’S
GREEN CORNER
The St. Francis Xavier College Church Circle of Creation Committee (CCC) has been working for a number of years to provide educational opportunities for the parish to learn about and act in the interest of environmental justice.
The Circle of Creation Committee meets on the 4th Sunday of each month (except July and December) from 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM, in the Adult Faith Room on the 1st floor of the Parish Center. All are welcome, even if just curious!
If you would like to join the Circle of Creation Committee, or if you would like to bring to the attention of the Circle of Creation Committee information and/or events related to environmental justice, please feel free to email fmearmstrong@gmail.com.
Of Timely Interest
Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center is sponsoring the showing of a 1-hr documentary film followed by a half-hour discussion from 5:00 – 7:00 PM in the auditorium at the Visitor Center as the local participation in “The Week” which sheds light on environmental breakdown and rapid climate effects. The three different documentaries at MO Bot are on Thursdays June 12, 19, and 26.
Eastern MO Group of the Sierra Club (EMG) Happy Hour & Mississippi River Conservation Presentation is on June 18 at Urban Chestnut in the Grove. The happy hour starting at 5:00 PM will include light refreshments. Light refreshments will be provided, and new members of the Sierra Club - Eastern Missouri Group will receive a free drink ticket as a special welcome. After the happy hour concludes, Christine Favilla, Three Rivers Project Co-coordinator, will give a presentation (starting at 7:00 PM) on Mississippi River issues and how they tie into the work of the Sierra Club’s Mississippi River Team’s Farm Bill Priorities and OneMississippi’s new National Mississippi River Day.
An empowering public workshop, Show-Me Less Plastic is on Saturday, June 21, from 10:00AM-1:30 PM at the St. Louis County Library Parkview Branch. This interactive session will explore the urgent health, environmental, and policy issues surrounding plastic use—especially single-use plastic in food and beverage packaging—and equip participants with the tools to become informed community advocates.
Operation Clean Stream 2025 is on August 23.
Nine PBS digital series “What Do I Do With This?” started on youtube on April 21 with Episode 1: Recycling Demystified. Episode 2: How Do I Recycle Electronics? Episode 3: How Do I Recycle Old Furniture? Episode 4: Fabrics of Our Trash. Episode 5: Chemical Cleanup.
You can download the prayer that the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help encourage us to join in praying as we all entrust Our Mother Mary to teach us her way of love and caring for others. Plus set a reminder to join with the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on the 4th Tuesday of each month to lift this special prayer for God’s Creation.
Eating Less Meat
Abstaining from eating meat on Fridays is our practice during Lent. Eating less meat can be a moderate sacrifice that significantly benefits our Earth and all her children. Our home planet is a life-sustaining gift from our gracious God. After Easter we can choose to continue abstaining from meat once a week or maybe a second day each week, or even more. For information on how eating less meat has an important environmental impact, please see The Diet that Helps Fight Climate Change. [facebook.com/watch/?v=1737570466430548]
Service Opportunities
St. Louis Aquarium Foundation, in partnership with Great Rivers Greenway, is hosting a series of Revamp the Riverfront clean-up events in order to minimize plastic pollution entering our Mighty Mississippi and eventually our oceans. Everyone is welcome to participate in any or all clean-up events. Check out the times and locations and how to register at the link. The upcoming dates are Monday evening July 28, Wednesday evening August 27, and Saturday morning September 20.
Earthday365 cosponsors Environmental Justice Days of Action in cooperation with various organizations [earthday-365.org/environmental-justice-days-of-action]. The upcoming dates are on Monday evening July 28, Wednesday evening August 27, and Saturday morning September 20.
Great Rivers Greenways sponsors Environmental Stewardship actions. [greatriversgreenway.org/volunteer]
For service opportunities through the Open Space Council, consider the ones on their Volunteer page. [volunteer.openspacestl.org/need]
Forest ReLeaf of Missouri [moreleaf.org] has opportunities for planting and caring for trees throughout the metro area. Click on Get Involved and then choose Volunteer.
Senior citizens 60 and over may want to consider the work of Third Act which is a national effort to organize older Americans to help protect our climate and safeguard our democracy. We’re stepping up and using our strengths as a generation to get to work taking collective action for progressive change, building a skilled, joyful, committed base of volunteers along the way.
Upcoming Electronics Recycling Events
Community Electronics Recycling Events conducted by Midwest Recycling Center (MRC) and others
June 14, 9:00 AM to Noon at 7826 Wimbledon Drive in St. Louis, MO 63119
Hosted by Village of Marlborough
June 21, 9:30 AM to Noon at 1050 South Riverside Drive in St. Charles, MO 63301
hosted by City of St. Charles, Republic Services – Joell Aguirre
June 28, 9:00 AM to Noon Electronics Recycling and Document Destruction Recycling
8920 Bristol Avenue in St. John, MO 63114 hosted by the City of St. John
June 28, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 11725 Bellefontaine Rd, St. Louis, MO 63138
Hosted by Spanish Lake Community Association
July 19, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at 359 Old Meramec Station Road in Manchester, MO 63021
hosted by City of Manchester
August 9, 8:00 AM to Noon at 2505 South Brentwood Boulevard in Brentwood, MO, 63144
hosted by the City of Brentwood
August 23, 9:00 AM to Noon at Crestwood City Hall 1 Detjen Drive
Crestwood. Louis, MO 63126 hosted by the City of Crestwood
September 20, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at 359 Old Meramec Station Road in Manchester, MO 63021
Hosted by City of Manchester
Recycling of All Sorts of Things
St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports on May 15, 2025 “Spencer planning an end to alley recycling in St. Louis.”
People can recycle glass via Ripple Glass [rippleglass.com/stl/]. Accepted items are glass food and beverage containers (all colors, labels can stay on), cosmetic bottles and jars; candle jars (leftover wax is OK). The website also makes clear what types of glass are not acceptable and indicates specifically where the purple bins for Ripple Glass are located in the St. Louis metro area.
PaperRetriever.com has green and yellow bins on school and other parking lots for deposit of flattened cardboard and also paper including newspapers, magazines, office & school papers, shopping catalogs, and mail. Two such bins are on the parking lot on Louisiana Avenue behind International Institute at 3401 Arsenal Street in St. Louis City.
Mary Mother of the Church has ongoing metal recycling. Items to be recycled include the following: Kitchen items: Utensils, pots and pans, blenders, mixers, toasters, coffee makers, microwaves; Metal items: Metal siding and shelving, BarBQ pits, lawn mowers, fans, dehumidifiers, chain saws, car parts, metal tools and lawn furniture; General appliances: Washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, AC units and furnaces. All items that are mostly metal can be recycled. Non-metal furniture, tires, and TVs cannot be accepted. Items can be dropped off at 5833 Kerth Road, 63128 at any time. All proceeds are donated to St. Vincent DePaul neighbors in need of support. If you have questions, call Dick at 314-374-4680.
Recycling of textiles (clothing, shoes, toy stuffed animals) at REMAINS was featured on May 13, 2024 on “Living St.Louis” on PBS Channel 9 starting just after 8 minutes.
See what items are accepted by Remains located at 3340 Morganford Road, St. Louis, MO 63116 and check their open hours.
We have access to a subscription through TerraCycle® for free recycling of used dental hygiene items, e.g., used toothbrushes both manual and electric, toothpaste tubes, dental floss containers, etc. There are blue recycling bins with a sign affixed indicating the recycling of used dental hygiene items in the following areas: the Adult Faith Room in the Parish Center, the Parish Library (also the Classroom for YFF [Youth Faith Formation] 9- to 12-year-olds) directly below the Adult Faith Room, the lobby area going into the Classrooms for YFF for 3- to 7-year-olds on the lower level below the Sacristy, and the Choir Cubbies room off the Church Sacristy.
You may be familiar with the brown collection containers at many of our local grocery stores. NexTrex is the company that recycles some kinds of plastic bags and plastic film into composite decks. You can view the specific information on NexTrex concerning what types of plastic bags and plastic film can and cannot be recycled. Their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are also quite helpful. It is critical that such plastic bags and plastic film do NOT contaminate the contents of the blue recycling bins in the City of St. Louis and recycling collection containers in the various suburbs but rather go into the NexTrex brown bins at local retail stores. However, it is still preferable, whenever possible, to bring your own reusable shopping bag and avoid using plastic shopping bags.
Earthbound Recycling in Eureka, MO recycles all sorts of things. There is a charge for some types of items. You can get paid for copper and some other types of metal, but for that you need to bring a photo ID with your current address.
An article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch provides information about reuse stores:
“Buttons, corks and paper-towel tubes: Discards find new life at St. Louis reuse stores” [stltoday.com/life-entertainment/buttons-corks-and-paper-towel-tubes-discards-find-new-life-at-st-louis-reuse-stores/article_83319160-8595-5afa-96d2-0f382e62be96.html]
For locations and what is accepted, consult their respective websites:
Leftovers, Etc. [leftoversetc.com]
St. Louis Teachers’ Recycle Center [sltrc.com]
You can donate to and buy things from Upcycle Treasure Box by Jenni Owens at 5628 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63116, (314) 791-0269. www.stlteachertradingpost.com. See the Materials Wish List in the upper right just under the word “Box.” Check hours and special events.
The Magic House [magichouse.org] has a sign in their building saying the following: HELP US STOCK OUR MAKERSPACE WITH RECYCLED ITEMS. (All items must be clean and safe for children to use.) We accept these items: paper towel rolls, plastic caps, plastic containers, egg cartons, ribbon, flattened cereal boxes, wrapping paper tubes. Items can be dropped off either at The Magic House Member Entrance or Lower level desk at The Magic House @ MADE.
St. Louis BWorks relies on donations of bikes and parts for their Earn-A-Bike program and for sale in their bike shop. They accept bikes of any style and in any condition and donations are tax-deductible.
St. Louis BWorks also accepts donations of computers and parts (some require fees) for their efforts to ensure kids can leave their programs with computers they will be able to use.
St. Louis Household Hazardous Waste has two locations, one south in the 63125 area and another north in 63033. Appointments are needed and sometimes fees apply.
St. Louis County has electronics recycling events, as well as sensitive document shredding events, funded by a grant from Saint Louis County Department of Public Health utilizing county landfill surcharge funds. For St. Louis County residents only. Calendar with more information.
Similarly, Madison County in IL has events, for their residents bringing their ID, to recycle or properly dispose of waste that cannot be handled through curbside pick-up programs, including household hazardous waste and electronic waste
Also, there are one-day HHW = Household Hazardous Waste collections for any Illinois residents. Pre-registration is required.
Ladue News June 5, 2024 edition had a helpful article by Charlotte Renner “Where to Donate Used Sports Gear in St. Louis.”
The Total Wine & More stores in the metro area and also The Wine Cellar Outlet in Sappington Plaza collect natural corks only (no synthetics). You can drop them off with an employee during store hours.
Are you overwhelmed by paper junk mail and wish you could make it stop? Junk mail is a huge waste of our natural resources and our time. Sign up for Catalog Choice [catalogchoice.org] and start reducing your junk mail today!
Nordstrom stores (both the store at the Galleria and the one in Manchester) have a bin in the cosmetics department for recycling empty cosmetics/personal care containers (lipstick/lip balm tubes, pans from eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara tubes, moisturizers or lotion tubes, powder compacts). There are some items that are not accepted: electronics, containers from nail products (such as nail polish, polish remover), and empty aerosol containers.
The Missouri Botanical Garden provides information Plastic Pot Recycling Discontinued in St. Louis [missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/gardening-in-st-louis/plastic-pot-recycling] and more on plastic recycling in general. However, Home Depot and other stores with gardening departments may be continuing to recycle plastic pots.
A recorded message on Foam Products Corp. phone (314) 739-8100 said they were no longer accepting recycled (foam) products until further notice.
Pope Francis latest letter on Climate
All people of good will can read this for free.
APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION LAUDATE DEUM OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO ALL PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS.
Minimizing Trash at Parish Events
Please do NOT bring Styrofoam to St. Francis Xavier College Church.
Parishioners and guests are heartily encouraged to wear reusable name tags. For those who don’t have one, Fran would be delighted to give you a magnetic reusable name tag (not for people who have a pacemaker).
Parishioners and guests are also heartily encouraged to bring their Reusable Beverage Containers (RBCs). However, there will be available both glasses and mugs for cold and hot drinks, respectively. [Your Reusable Beverage Container need not match your shirt.]
Initial Results from Air Quality Monitor on SFX Parish Center Roof and on other City Locations are provided in this YouTube video. [youtube.com/watch?v=9hF-P8Sb3D8]
Educational films/videos, recordings, and articles regarding environmental issues and climate change
PLASTICS
“Think that your plastic is being recycled? Think again.” is a highly informative article by Douglas Main published in the MIT Technology Review on October 12, 2023.
Deia Schlosburg, an alumna of Washington University, directed and produced a 2-hr documentary, available free, The Story of Plastic, [storyofstuff.org/movies/the-story-of-plastic-documentary-film]
EcoWatch provides a very informative recent article Ocean Plastic: What You Need to Know [ecowatch.com/ocean-plastic-guide-2653277768.html] including a variety of legislative efforts that need to be made as well as personal efforts that can be made.
Tune in to the Solving Plastic series on YouTube [youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9CqmRXtwce-Dtp42ygnIZqhPfYieVQgs] to learn how we can end the plastic pollution crisis for real!
“How Do Microplastics Affect Oceans & Marine Life?” written by Neville Chamunorwa [lastobject.com/blogs/sustainability-101/how-do-microplastics-affect-oceans-marine-life]
”How to (Really) Bid Good Riddance to Plastic” [sierraclub.org/sierra/2022-1-spring/material-world/how-really-bid-good-riddance-plastic]
VIDEOS, AUDIOS
Protecting the Earth: An Environmental, Economic, and Moral Challenge was a well-received and timely presentation on October 6, 2019 at St. Francis Xavier College Church Ballroom by Dr. Peter H. Raven https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_H._Raven who generously allows the audio recording to be available at this link: Dr Peter Raven
BOOK SUGGESTIONS
Mapping a New Geography of Hope: Robin Wall Kimmerer, Keynote, July 27, 2015, a bit old, but so timely. Length: 27 minutes
You may also find worthwhile, Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass, Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants available from Milkweed Editions and from the St. Louis County Library (which holders of St. Louis Public Library cards may also access).
Resources
Green Resources Info Service and FAQs
at Missouri Botanical Garden
has information on recycling and related questions. The website has frequently asked questions, as well as an email address and a phone number to ask other questions.
Environmental Justice Resources
are available from the Ignatian Solidarity Network.
was composed by Pope Francis and included in his encyclical Laudato Si’.
The Catholic Climate Covenant has additional inspiration and resources.
has as its mission to “inspire and mobilize a collaborative movement towards an equitable and environmentally sustainable St. Louis region – every day.” They also provide the restaurant sustainability certification program known as The Green Dining Alliance (GDA).
There you can find a list of local restaurants and their GDA ratings and practices.
Environmental Racism in St. Louis
The report Environmental Racism in St. Louis is explained and this site provides a link to the full report.
Lights Out for Birds
Lights Out to Save Birds Spring migration is March 1 through June 15 and Fall migration is August 15 through November 30.
Consider these Seven Simple Actions to Help Birds.
Lights Out to Save Birds by Stephanie Todd (reprinted from the newsletter of Eastern Missouri Group of the Sierra Club [sierraclub.org/missouri/eastern-missouri]
Every year millions of birds die during migration due to artificial lights. Most birds migrate at night to save energy and avoid predators, using the moon and stars to navigate. Artificial lights disorient birds and cause them to circle lights until they die from exhaustion or hit something, like a building. St. Louis is the 5th deadliest city for birds during spring migration and 6th for fall Migration. You can help save birds! Turn-out outdoor lights during peak migration periods, September and May. If you must have lights on, you can mitigate their detrimental effects by shielding them so they do not shine up into the sky and turn them off by 11:00 pm. Also, putting lights on timers is much more effective for preventing crime and is also better for the environment. The Missouri Sierra Club is a partner in Lights Out Heartland.
The Blessing of the Animals
The St. Francis Xavier College Church Circle of Creation Committee sponsored its Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 10:00 AM at the Ellen Clark Sculpture Park (aka the Dog Park) at the NE corner of Grand & Lindell.
Whether you participated in the Blessing of the Animals or not, you may want to consider sending donations to organizations working to rehabilitate laboratory animals, prevent extinction of species, rescue stray animals, and preserve the environment for wildlife.
sanctuaryfederation.org/find-a%20sanctuary/?animal=any&region=NA&state=MO
Reducing Waste and Recycling during the Holiday Season
Strategies for Waste-Free Gift Wrapping
“A Sustainable Holiday Season” features suggestions from the Office of Campus Sustainability of the Catholic University of America.
St. Louis City Recycles offers information on “How to Reduce Waste and Recycle During the Holidays.” For St. Louis County’s Holiday Recycling Guide, just search that phrase.
Both of these sites also give City and County residents, respectively, information concerning the recycling of Christmas Trees and Holiday Lights.
Don’t send your pumpkins to landfill.
(Why not? Pumpkins in the landfill increase methane production, and methane is a major contributor to climate change.) Earthday365 is making it easy for you to keep pumpkins out of our area landfills by bringing them to their office at 4125 Humphrey St. or to North Newstead Association at 4601 Pope Ave. through December 6, 2024 for composting! Remove any stickers, paint, or wax. For more information about keeping pumpkins out of landfills, go to earthday-365.org/pumpkin-composting/.
Recycling in Parish Facilities
We truly appreciate how eager our parishioners are to cooperate in the recycling efforts at our parish events, especially in the Ballroom. Below are a few reminders and/or updates:
1. Napkins and paper towels are NOT recyclable and should be placed in the Trash/Landfill bin.
2. NO LIQUIDS in Trash/Landfill or Single-Stream Recycling bins.
3. Gently empty any liquid/ice into the blue bucket by the sign indicating "Liquids here.”
4. Single-Stream Recycling at SFX accepts Plastics #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, but NO Black Plastic.
5. If you are unsure of where to dispose of an item, be sure to read the available signs and/or ask the Recycling Guide, usually wearing a green apron.
