South Florida Climate Action Partners

Excerpt from http://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/fl-climate-change-20130224,0,4332199.story

South Florida Climate Action Partners has invited members of churches, synagogues and other houses of worship to its March 2 workshop in Boca Raton, designed to link the faithful with scientists, urban planners and environmentalists who share their interest in the area's water supply, rising sea levels and related economic issues.

 

. . .

 

Jan Booher, event coordinator, said she has found several local congregations that have organized panels to examine what they can do to combat climate change, as religious leaders across the country issue strong statements urging action.

If you go, the Boca Raton workshop begins at 9 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. For information, email jjlbooher@comcast.net. 

P.S.  The address is  2601 St Andrews Blvd Boca Raton, FL 33434.  Phone:  (561) 482-2001

Rose Parade Recycling

Better Late Than Never  - - -

New Year's Day has come and gone, but I made note of the recycling efforts of the Rose Parade.  Organic materials were set aside for composting.  Other items will be save and reused.

Miracle Gro Float

Excerpt from article:

"The Burbank Tournament of Roses Association said all good things must come to an end, but they don't have to go to waste. Almost everything on the float will be reused or recycled.

"The flowers are going to be used as compost, the vials are going to be used for next year," said Kelley Tillman of Glendale. "Most of this will probably not end up in a landfill."  More than 12,000 vials were used to hold each individual flower. They will be washed, disinfected and reused next year."  For the full article, see the link below.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=8952123

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Recycling Skyrockets with New Carts

You may now have or will likely soon get a cart for your recyclables.  Generally, when this happens recycling increases.  The new carts add capacity to the system and also reinvigorate a program.

The town of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (LBS) has moved to the head of the pack in Broward County thanks in part to the Town hiring Green Scene Consulting to implement the new program.  Green Scene is headed up by Trash to Treasure volunteer Vicki Eckels.

LBS has always been one of the top communities in recycling due to its homogeneous, high-income, and conscientious residents.  High income generally means higher consumption but this small seaside town also has significant environmental awareness.  This has resulted in the highest levels of recycling in the County.

But to get to the top, it takes execution.  Over the last four months, LBS has gone from recycling thirteen pounds per resident in October to recycling 31 pounds per resident in January.  According to Vicki, "Carts are making a difference. So many people who did not have bins were delivered a cart and are now recycling. It's not entirely due to people recycling more; rather, more people participating in recycling."

After four months, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea's 6,105 residents have recycled 85 tons per resident.  The next highest community is Hillsboro Beach at 72 pounds which benefits significantly from seasonal residents and domestic workers.  Next at 56 pounds is the more diverse Deerfield Beach whose program is headed up by former T2T Director Cheryl Miller.

Great work everybody and hurray for NE Broward cities.  Let's keep it going.

Congratulate Vicki next time you see her at T2T.  She volunteers the fourth Friday of every month.  She is also a regular volunteer at the our Beerfest fundraiser,

Green Scene Consulting was also a sponsor at Trash2Art 2012.  Also, Trash2Art sponsor Rehrig-Pacific is providing the carts.  Thanks for your contribution to our fundraiser and the art community.

Source:  Broward County

Haggar Life Khakis made with Repreve Polyester

At Costco the other day, I picked up a pair of Life Khakis from Haggar.  They are 60% cotton and 40% recycled polyester from Repreve.  Recycled polyester is made from PET or plastic #1. This is the plastic that is used to make water bottles, soda bottles, and similar containers.

The pants come with tags that indicate the product is made with recycled content material.  Surprisingly, the Life Khaki web page doesn't promote the recycled content.  However, Repreve  dedicates a web page to the product and states that seven recycled bottles go into each pair of pants.

While we encourage you to buy used at T2T, we know that you will occasionally need to buy new and when you do, look for recycled content.

Ft. Lauderdale Receives Building Blocks Assistance

ATLANTA – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the City of Fort Lauderdale, FL will receive technical assistance through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program.

EPA consulted with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Transportation to select this year’s 43 recipients from 121 applicants through a competitive process.

Fort Lauderdale is receiving assistance with creating a green streets strategy. A green street incorporates green infrastructure to manage storm water while making the street more walk-able a aesthetically appealing. This tool will help communities develop strategies for greening their street based on national models and case studies. More information on the Building Blocks program: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm

More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/partnership/index.html

Soda Can Coaster idea from Saved by Love Creations

Soda Can Coasters

by Susan (Saved By Love Creations) and The Idea Room

How’s this for a great recycled craft idea? Coasters made from recycled soda cans! Love this idea. A colorful look for your tabletops. And think of all the possibilities out there! You could make a set like this for the family room, and maybe a set using beer cans for a cool manly-man gift. And let’s face it, manly-man crafts aren’t easy to find! You can find the full tutorial at The Idea Room.
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February 2013 Household Hazardous Waste & Used Electronics Collections

All events are Sundays, 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.

(Proof of Broward County Residency Required)

For more information, call 954-765-4999 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 954-765-4999 FREE

www.broward.org/wasteend_of_the_skype_highlighting

Feb. 10	Plantation	750 N.W. 91st Ave. Public Works Complex
Feb. 24	Wilton Manors	2100 North Dixie Highway Municipal Complex

Saved By Love Creations

Looking for green project ideas?  Make your first stop Saved By Love Creations, either the website or the FaceBook page.  Tons of great ideas.  Check out this repurposed shutter plate rack.
 


I found this on http://totallygreencrafts.com/2013/02/shutter-to-plate-rack/ while checking out Saved by Love Creations.

KRU 82 Vodka in a Reusable Stainless Steel Bottle

If you found your way into the VIP section of December's CityLink Beerfest, you probably noticed KRU 82 Vodka.  It's vodka that is sold in a stainless steel reusable bottle.  Yes, just like those sold for drinking water.  The bottles come in varying sizes from 200ML to 1.75L.

I didn't get a chance to try the vodka.  Web reviews range from the best to the worst.

The price of any product you buy includes the cost of the packaging.  That's why many manufactures and retailers have made moves to  reduce packaging.  Of course, they like to tell us how green they are being but the compelling factor is price. See this New York Times article.

In the case of KRU 82, you get a highly usable product from the packaging.  At Total Wine, the cost of a 750ML container is $17.  The cost of a same size Three Olives Vodka glass bottle is $18.  Over at Healthy Goods, a 27 OZ stainless steel bottle is $18.25.  

Of course, KRU 82 doesn't pay $18 per bottle.  Since you are paying for packaging and you obviously need vodka, why not choose packaging that you can reuse?  It's like getting free vodka with your reusable water bottle.  Your uses for the glass bottle are limited and it is not easily recycled in most communities.

In case you forgot why a reusable bottle in the cost-efficient, environmental choice hands down.  Head on over to the Story of Stuff's Story of Bottled Water video.