It’s early in the environmental revolution at CultureMap and while we have a ways to go, I feel good about our progress. In a nod to our Green Living series, I was given the challenge of making our office greener — while taking readers along for the journey.

And so far ...

Well, at least, we're off to a better start than the Houston Astros (though, I don't know how much better).

Our trash output has significantly decreased, and believe it or not, the majority of the office is managing to rinse off their trash before sorting it. I sent out a shared document asking people to sign up for recycling drop off and columnist Steven Thomson was immediately there (though, I think Steven was wearing Kiehl's Facial Fuel while he sorted through our pathetic recycling center). Steven took our trash this week and has signed up for another slot! Columnist Caroline Gallay was also on her game and quickly filled a slot.

Unfortunately, those are the only three slots that were filled out of eight. I suspect that has more to do with the intimidation of a Google document and commitment than a desire to not recycle.

At least, that's what I want to believe.

For some, I know it’s a little more than this though — CutlureMapper Nic Phillips expressed concern that the emissions released in driving the 1.8 miles (round trip) to the recycling center, would outweigh the plastic recycling benefits. Regardless of whether he was kidding, I’m gathering the data to prove him wrong.

Resistance also came from Managing Editor Chris Baldwin, who though sitting only 10 feet away from the recycling center, still (allegedly) threw a bottle in the trash can. Editor-in-Chief Clifford Pugh called him out on it. Baldwin of course denied any wrong doing, blaming it on a likely innocent office building cleaning staff. Baldwin also wondered why Pugh — who claims to be such a recycling advocate hasn't signed up for a recycling drop off.

He intimated that Shelby Hodge isn't the only one in the CultureMap office who can't wait for May 1 — and that one of those people mans the boss' chair.

"Clifford's a recycling impostor," Baldwin said. (And no, for the record, Shelby hasn't changed her anti-rinising-Coke-cans stance.)

This week also brought an attempt at organizing office carpooling. The plan was to connect people who lived near each other and have them ride together to work in one car, instead of say three. I also threw out options of using public transport, biking or walking.

Social media guru Fayza Elmostehi was the only one to respond in a positive way. Though to be fair to everyone else, Fayza would seize on any opportunity to bike anywhere. Like Alaska.

Sadly, the rest of the office remained silent. Gallay reiterated that it would take an awful lot to get her on a Houston bus.

I’ve also heard that there’s been anonymous (Nic Phillips') concern that we won’t be able to perform well as a news agency if we don’t have all 11 vehicles at the office at once. Baldwin mentioned something about not delivering the news on "bicycle time." We do live in Houston after all, everyone is so protective of their precious personal wheels.

Obviously we have a ways to go. I look forward to increased efforts to take care of the only Earth we have.

Everyone else in this office knows that, there's only one Earth ... right? And that recycling doesn't end when April does? Right?