How "green" is the Raleigh area? (Durham, Cary: chapel, living)

[Spongedaddy]

I was curious how things are around Raleigh for people more into nature, nutrition, etc.?

Also, I understand the South has a long tradition when it comes to religion, but are there a lot of open minded "spiritual" people in the are as well?

I am not an extremist, but I have become interested in getting away from the destroy ourselves and the planet mentality. I also consider myself more a spiritual person then religious one. I don't go around trying to get people to read Eckhart Tolle, but at the same time it's always nice to be in a more open minded area (understanding that every place has close minded people, some places have a lot more than others).

Thanks.

[saturnfan]

Chapel Hill will welcome you.

[MrsSteel]

I think the people of the Triangle are becoming more and more aware of the environment, healthy living, etc. There are lots of weekly farmers markets in the area & a large farmers market in Raleigh that is open daily. There are food co-ops, as well (Weaver Street Market, Durham Food Co-op). Where I live - Durham - recyclable trash is picked up every week for free. In fact, it's illegal to throw away recycleable materials (although who knows how vigilant they are about this).

As for spirituality, there are many Christians here as you might expect. There are also Unitarians, Buddhists, and other faiths to be found all over the area. A simple internet search will help you find them. On the whole, the western side of the Triangle (Durham, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro) is more liberal, but I know liberally-minded people who live on the eastern side of the Triangle who are perfectly happy.

[Spongedaddy]

Thanks for the info

[leighbhe]

I would say that it depends on where you are in the triangle, chapel hill and carrboro are probably the most "green" as in it is simply what is done and thought about regularly. Durham is definitely in close running with chapel hill and carrboro, they do an amazing job at the festival for the eno for example.

The rest of the triangle it probably depends on where you are. I have neighbors who do not recycle, it makes me cringe every week when I put my bin out! But, where I am you have to pay for trash and recycling, so some people opt out of recycling. That is the problem with many areas of the triangle, many people still have to pay for recycling, which makes many not want to do it.

I would say that durham, chapel hill and carrboro are probably the most open minded politically, religiously, etc There are, I believe, more open choices for religion in those areas, not simply the traditional baptist, catholic churches.

Hope this helps

Leigh

[lamishra]

I think you'll find greenies very spread out in the area. Besides Carborro which has sort of the hippie/artist/musician reputation and Chapel Hill which tends to be more liberal in general, we know lots of people who ARE greenies and lots who aren't in all different parts of the triangle. My neighbors in Cary are environmentalists and spend a good deal of time at the Eno and several other conservation areas cleaning up lakes and rivers, composting, etc so it can be found even in suburbia!

Overall as an area, I would say the triangle has a long to way to go with all the SUV's I see on the roads and litter on the highways among other things!

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by lamishra

Overall as an area, I would say the triangle has a long to way to go with all the SUV's I see on the roads and litter on the highways among other things!

I know you don't much like to hear about how they do it in some other places, but 'round these here parts we have an ad campaign that goes "Don't Mess With Texas." Then they came up with fines upwards of $1K for littering along state right of ways to help pay for the ads. Then the people who didn't pay ended up in jail and eventually on the side of the road cleaning up litter as part of their "time."

It works.

Otherwise, until the developers cut down the trees, Raleigh is not a bad looking city. The watercolor paintings of the new downtown look sweet. Makes it actually look like a city. That BB&T tower doesn't stick out so much. And for now you can still get a shot of greenery with the city in the background. That's cool.

[lamishra]

I have no problems with massive fines for littering. I remember them talking once about forcing people who littered to do road clean ups as part of it and I believe the idea was scrapped because they thought it was too dangerous (probably concerned about lawsuits if someone was hit by a car cleaning up I40)

I just wish littering laws were actually enforced!

[MrsSteel]

I've seen people on these forums complain about litter, but I must admit that I just don't see it. Could it be that we have fewer litter problems on the western side of the Triangle or something?

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by MrsSteel

I've seen people on these forums complain about litter, but I must admit that I just don't see it. Could it be that we have fewer litter problems on the western side of the Triangle or something?

I take it you don't commute up 40 through Johnston County/Garner on Monday morning when you can tell it must have been a crazy weekend down on the beach. Cans and paper everywhere. Too bad they couldn't leave their trash where they created it.