GRinCH presents Christmas TreeCycling!!

GRinCH presents TreeCycling! Save your Christmas Tree from the nasty methane producing landfill and bring it to be chipped for mulch!

WHERE: Norwood Fontbonne on Sunset (off Gtown Ave)

WHEN: Sunday Jan. 8th

TIME: 9:30am and 12:30pm

OR Gabby's Garden on Chew Ave just off W. Mt Airy Ave 1pm-4pm

We have a volunteer opportunity! If you are interested in helping unload trees at the Chestnut Hill event please email chefamybeth@gmail.com

$5 donation requested. Enjoy the holidays!

no early drop offs please.

Volunteer opportunity!

Weird Waste Day Volunteers Wanted! Are you available between 1 and 4 pm on Saturday, November 12th? Want to help your neighborhood and the environment? GRinCH is looking for volunteers to help with our next community electronics recycling event in Chestnut Hill. If you can help out for any amount of time during the event, we'd be delighted to see you and will even buy you pizza! Please let me know either in the comments or via direct message at chefamybeth@gmail.com if we can count on you to help out. Thanks!

Weird Waste Day
Saturday, November 12, 1-4pm
Clean out for the Holidays!
Empty out your basement and garage of all those old electronic items you didn’t know what to do with. Bring your cpu’s, tv’s, printers, faxes, cell phones etc, on Nov. 12 and all will be responsibly reused or dismantled instead of being thrown in a landfill. This event is being organized by Green in Chestnut Hill (GRINCH).

What: Responsible Electronic Waste Recycling
When: Saturday November 12, 2011
Where: Parking Lot beside Valley Green Bank, 23 W. Highland Ave. Chestnut Hill, PA*
Time: 1 pm-4 pm Suggested donation: $5 to $20 (all proceeds benefit
GRinCH and are fully tax deductible)


List of accepted items:
Desktop Computing
desktops mini-towers laptops and handhelds notebooks tablets hard drives
Printers
laserjets deskjets thermal dot matrix line printers plotters paper trays
Peripherals
keyboards mice power supplies cables speakers external drives, etc.
Monitors
CRTs LCDs WYSE terminals, etc.
Office Equipment
copiers scanners fax machines typewriters
Audio/Video Equipment
tv's and displays vcr/dvd players projectors video and audio conferencing systems smart/electronic white boards
Mobile Devices
cellular phones, Blackberry/PDAs, pagers
Telecom Equipment
telephones switches PBX voice mail and VoIP systems voice stations
headsets
Storage Equipment
video tapes audio tapes CD's tape, hard, thumb flash and zip drives data backup systems
disk arrays SAN
Mainframes
mid-range and servers power conditioning/UPS systems cabinets, relay racks
Networking Equipment
hubs, cables, routers, switches, bridges
Household:
microwaves dehumidifiers air-conditioners vacuum cleaners metals- aluminum, steel, copper cameras
video games ipods, iphones, ipads
Parts
AC adapters memory motherboards network, sound and video cards CD/DVD drives
Healthcare Equipment
All non-biohazardous equipment: defibrillators EKG machines mobile carts/workstations patient monitors
Banking
currency and coin counters transaction drawers check encoders and scanners receipt printers
ATM machines
Point-of-Sale:
POS systems/registers barcode scanners receipt and barcode printers card readers
touch screen monitors

Incredible Art Exhibit! Check it out before it is gone on Oct. 11th!

NEW TRAILS (www.newtrailsphila.org)
UPCOMING EVENTS

Main Gallery
8517 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa
Hours: Sat + Sun / 10-4pm


Philadelphia Open Studios Tour (POST)
Saturday + Sunday, October 1st + 2nd
10-6pm

We are proud to be a Community Partner for the 2011 Philadelphia Open Studios Tour (POST). For 12 years POST has brought communities together through the arts, arts appreciation and creative dialogue. Come out and visit the area and explore the works in the Wissahickon Park! Nearly every cultural venue in the Northwest is open and offering something wonderful, so come out! Many of the exhibiting "New Trails" artists will be in attendance.



Closing Reception
First Friday, October 7th
6-9pm

Join us as we celebrate the close of "New Trails" at the Main Gallery at 8517 Germantown Avenue. Drinks and light fare will be served. Many of the exhibiting "New Trails" artists will be in attendance. If you have not had a chance to visit the project yet, please attend! We would love to meet you!

*Building with Strawbale*

*Building with Strawbale*

Sunday, September 11th
8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
cost: $80
Herbiary

7721 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118

p: 215-247-2110 - maia@theapothecarygarden.com

Join green designer Sigi Koko to learn the art of strawbale building. Workshops are hands on so be prepared to learn, laugh, and get dirty!

During the workshops, we will be using rectangular bales of straw to in-fill around exterior walls of an existing structure, then plastering those strawbales with beautiful, durable clay plaster. All of the materials we will be using are local and completely non-toxic, and result in thick, super-insulating walls.

- Overview of strawbale construction, including recommendations for our climate
- Overview of clay plasters & how to test soil for clay content
- Demonstration of all construction methods
- Ample hands-on experience of all techniques
- Handouts on strawbale construction and clay plasters

Waste Not, Want Not

WASTE WARRIORS: AN INDUSTRY EMERGES FROM PHILADELPHIA’S RECLAIMED GOODS Once again, we see why recycling isn’t just good for the planet - it's good for the local economy. All around the city, innovative folks are making a living by creating cool new products from things we used to toss into a giant hole. Check out this article, then go support these local companies who are doing the right thing and making a living at the same time.

Big Bellies for Chestnut Hill-the dream becomes reality

The Chestnut Hill Community Association UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED Big Belly trash compactors and recycling units for Chestnut Hill Thursday night!! GRinCH is so excited and can't wait til they arrive!
We would like to thank the community -- GRinCH was able to demonstrate broad-based resident and business support for the Big Bellies--and that support made all the difference.
Also we would like to thank all of the citizens that attended the CHCA meeting Thursday night!
We are on our way to making Philadelphia America's Greenest City!!

Hillers want Big Belly Trash Compactors and Recycling!

Support Solar Compactors and Recycling in Chestnut Hill! GReenINChestnutHill (GRinCH) has been working with the City of Philadelphia to bring 15 Big Belly Solar Trash Compactors and recycling units to Chestnut Hill. It was approved last month by the Land Use Planning Zoning committee (LUPZ) and now needs a majority vote from the Chestnut Hill Community Association. GRinCH did the footwork to take the pulse of the community by collecting over 250 signatures in the 19118 zip code supporting the Big Bellies. The Big Bellies also have the support of over 35 longstanding and prominent businesses on The Hill including Weavers Way, Kilian Hardware, The Chestnut Hill Cheese Shop, Night Kitchen, Bredenbecks, Valley Green Bank, and many others. Now GRinCH needs Chestnut Hill residents to come to the CHCA board meeting at the Chestnut Hill Library, 7 p.m., Thursday June 23 to show community support!

Weavers Way Electronic Recycling Event

Electronics Recycling on Saturday, June 25

It's time for Spring cleaning!! Clear out your basement and garage of any unwanted electronics, knowing that they will be handled in a safe and ethical manner. Weavers Way Environment Committee and the Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting are co-sponsoring an electronics recycling collection on Saturday, June 25 from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. at 100 E. Mermaid Lane, in the parking lot at the Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting. While the event is free, voluntary donations will be encouraged (suggested donations range from $1 to $10 per item). Half of the donations received will go to the Weavers Way Environment Committee’s fund, which distributed small grants to community groups for environmental education and to projects that enhance the environment. The other half of the donations will fund Quaker-organized community gardens in the Fair Hill neighboorhood in north Philadelphia.

A wide variety of items will be accepted, including computers, printers, TVs, audio equipment, cameras, cell phones, DVD players, VCRs and microwaves. For a complete list of items that will be accepted, email weaverswayrecycling@yahoo.com.

Pennsylvania recently passed a law setting standards for recycling electronics in order to keep their toxic waste out of landfills. Materials Processing Corp. (MPC), exceeds the highest standards for electronics recycling. Along with various industry certifications, they are also certified by the nonprofit Basel Action Network as an e-Steward. MPC recently opened a state-of-the-art facility in northeast Philadelphia where they have hired 40 local employees. The company adheres to safe practices for recycling so that the environment and workers’ health are not compromised. MPC sees reuse as the highest form of recycling, so they recondition collected items when at all possible. They have a strict “no landfill” policy. None of the materials they collect are processed in developing countries, where unregulated electronics usually are sent.

There is no rain date planned, so the collection will happen on June 25th rain or shine. Please spread the word to your friends and neighbors!

More composting in Philly's Phuture?

Waste Management Inc. has made a “strategic investment” in the Peninsula Compost Company, which owns and operates the Wilmington Organic Recycling Center (WORC), the largest composting facility in the eastern US.

WORC currently processes 250 to 300 tons per day of organic waste and is permitted to reach 600 tons per day. Waste Management, based in Houston, made the unspecified investment following its acquisition of a controlling interest in Garick LLC, a leading manufacturer and distributor of commercial and consumer organic gardening products. The investment in WORC will “accelerate the expansion of Waste Management's organics recycling services and development of value-added organic products in the mid-Atlantic states.”

“The market for composting services is growing as consumers are increasingly demanding alternatives to conventional fertilizers for lawn and garden care and municipalities and companies are seeking to increase the recycling of organic materials for beneficial use,” the company added.

WORC sits on 27 acres across from the Port of Wilmington, strategically located for waste haulers and generators from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The location was formerly a brownfield site that was remediated prior to WORC construction. The $20 million facility was built in 2009 and began operations on Earth Day, 2010.

Porous Pavements for Philly!!

One South Philadelphia street just got a little greener ― though you might not be able to tell just by looking at it.

The asphalt of the 800 block of South Percy Street appears as black as ever. But underneath the surface is a whole different story.

The Water and Streets departments are using it to pilot a new initiative to make Philadelphia's streets porous.

During a rain storm, water will seep through the asphalt ― rather than running into the nearest storm inlet and into the city's rivers ― and soak into a layer of stone. Over time, water will slowly soak from the stone into surrounding soil.

“This is a new green street ― notwithstanding its color,” Mayor Nutter said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

This is just one initiative of a 25-year plan that the Water Department has rolled out called Green City, Clean Waters, which aims at reducing stormwater runoff to meet federally mandated pollution targets.
http://www.nextgreatcity.com/content/south-philly-gets-street-will-drink-water

Big Bellies means recycling for Chestnut Hill!

GRinCH is excited to announce that the LUPZ(Land Use Planning and Zoning) approved Big Belly solar compactors and recycling units for placement in Chestnut Hill!! GRinCH will be working with the City's recycling department as well as the Historical Society on this project over the next few months.
We also wish to thank the overwhelming support of Chestnut Hill residents and businesses! You helped make this happen!!

Poundage correction!

WOW!!! We collected 10,287 pounds of Electronic Waste that will never see a landfill!! Amazing numbers even if there was no monsoon rain storm!! Thanks to all who participated. GRinCH's next Weird Waste Day will be in November!

Another success!

Thanks to all who braved the crappy weather and came out for Weird Waste Day on Saturday. The rain did not stop us from collecting over 9,000 #s of electronics! The next GRinCH EWaste event will be in November!

Weird Waste Day April 16th sponsored by the Night Kitchen Bakery!

Weird Waste Day is tomorrow 4/16 from 1-4pm RAIN OR SHINE!!
See you there!

Accepted EWaste for Weird Waste Day

Here is a list of the EWaste that we will be taking at the next Weird Waste Day on Saturday April 16th!

Desktop Computing:
PCs including desktops, mini-towers, laptops and handhelds, notebooks, tablets, hard drives.
Healthcare Equipment:
All non-biohazardous equipment: defibrillators, EKG machines, mobile carts/workstations, patient monitors.
Banking:
Currency counters, coin counters, transaction drawers, check encoders, check scanners, receipt printers, ATM machines.
Point-of-Sale:
POS systems/registers, barcode scanners, receipt printers, barcode printers, card readers, touch screen monitors.
Parts:
AC adapters, memory, motherboards, network, sound and video cards, CD/DVD drives.
Printers:
Laserjet, deskjet, thermal, dot matrix, line printers, plotters, paper trays.
http://www.eforcecompliance.com/ewaste_accepted.html (1 of 3) [3/23/2010 10:27:38 AM]
:: eForce Compliance :: Accepted ewaste services provided by eForce Compliance, serving the metro-Philadelphia area.
Peripherals:
Keyboards, mice, power supplies, cables, speakers, external drives, etc.
Miscellaneous:
Laptop carry cases, modems, software, cables, cabinets, office furniture, cameras, KVM switches, generators.
Audio/Video Equipment:
TVs and displays, VCR/DVD players, projectors, video and audio conferencing systems, Smart/electronic white boards.
Monitors:
CRTs, LCDs, WYSE terminals, etc.
Data Center Equipment:
Mainframes, mid-range and servers, Power Conditioning/UPS systems, cabinets, relay racks.
Office Equipment:
Copiers, scanners, fax machines, typewriters.
Mobile Devices:
Cellular phones, Blackberry/PDAs, pagers.
Telecom Equipment:
Telephones, switches, PBX, voice mail and VoIP systems, voice stations, headsets.
http://www.eforcecompliance.com/ewaste_accepted.html (2 of 3) [3/23/2010 10:27:38 AM]
:: eForce Compliance :: Accepted ewaste services provided by eForce Compliance, serving the metro-Philadelphia area.
Storage Equipment:
SAN, tape drives, hard drives, zip drives, data backup systems, disk arrays, thumb/flash drives.
Networking Equipment:
Hubs, routers, switches, bridges.

EWaste recycling event April 16th!

Weird Waste Day
Saturday, April 16th 1-4pm
Celebrate Earth Day!
Empty out your basement and garage of all those old electronic items you didn’t know what to do with. For 40¢ per pound, your cpu’s, tv’s, printers, faxes, cell phones etc, will be responsibly reused or dismantled instead of being thrown in a landfill. This event is being organized by Green in Chestnut Hill (GRINCH). For more information and a complete list of recyclables accepted visit www.greeninchestnuthill.blogspot.com.
What: Responsible Electronic Waste Recycling
When: Saturday April 16, 2011
Where: Parking Lot beside 23 W. Highland Ave. Chestnut Hill
Time: 1pm-4pm
Cost: 40¢ per lb. cash or check accepted $15 flat rate for air conditioners

RECYCLING IN CHESTNUT HILL!!

Chestnut Hill's 1st Big Belly Solar Trash Compactor was installed in front of the Night Kitchen Bakery today!! GRINCH worked with the BID (Business Improvement District) The Chestnut Hill Community and Business Associations to make this happen as well as the city's street's department.
The City of Philadelphia has 15 more Big Bellies that can be placed on The Hill for pedestrian recycling and trash. Chestnut Hill would be joining other communities around the city such as Society Hill, Rittenhouse Square and Mt Airy that already have them.
The solar technology compacts up to 80#'s of trash before sending a message to trash trucks indicating pick up is needed. This reduces the number of times that the hulking, gas guzzling trash trucks need to empty trash bins. Given that trash trucks are stinky, cause traffic jams and get 3 MPG, less of them on the road is win-win!

TreeCycling results!

Neighbors Chip In: Treecycling in Philadelphia!

PHILADELPHIA, PA -On Saturday January 8th and Sunday January 9th over 1700 trees were chipped across the city and used at local dog parks, community gardens and parks. More than 20 local civic and nonprofit organizations worked together this month to recycle Christmas trees. For the second year in a row, the City of Philadelphia did not recycle Christmas trees during trash pickup: trees left at the curb went into landfills. But, volunteer groups across the city, with sponsorship by Bartlett Tree Experts and Schectman Tree Care, took it upon themselves to recycle trees.

Chestnut Hill / Mt. Airy - Volunteers from Mt. Airy Business Association and Green in Chestnut Hill chipped 175 trees.

Fairmount - Friends of Eastern State Penitentiary Park chipped 320 trees.

Logan Square - Logan Square Neighbors Association chipped 50 trees.

Northern Liberties -Northern Liberties Neighbors Association chipped 227 trees.

South Philadelphia - Volunteers from Passyunk Square Civic Association, East Passyunk Crossing Civic, Queen Village Neighbors, Newbold Neighbors, and Lower Moyamensing Civic joined forces to chip 450 trees

Fishtown / Olde Richmond - Sustainable 19125, Fishtown Neighbors Association, East Kensington Neighbors and New Kensington CDC, and the Olde Richmond Civic Association chipped over 200 trees.

University City - Volunteers from University City District and UC Green chipped 275 trees in Clark Park.

These events were sponsored by: Bartlett Tree Experts | East Kensington Neighborhood Association | East Passyunk Crossing | Fishtown Neighbors Association | Friends of Eastern State Penitentiary Greensgrow Farms | Green in Chestnut Hill | Logan Square Neighborhood Association |Lower Moyamensing Civic Association | Mt. Airy Business Association | New Kensington CDC | Newbold Neighbors Association | Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association | Olde Richmond Civic Association | Passyunk Square Civic Association | Queen Village Neighbors Association| Schectman Tree Care | Sustainable 19125 | The NKCDC Garden Center | UC Green| University City District

Recycle Now!

RECYCLENOW ACTIVIST TRAININGS

Help your neighborhood be clean and green! In partnership with RecycleBank, the company behind the Philadelphia Recycling Rewards program, RecycleNOW Philadelphia is now training community recycling activists to sign people up for the program so we can help more people recycle more material. You can help make a difference in your community by helping to sign-up your neighbors, co-workers, friends, family, church members, reading club, or anyone else! Attend a Community Activist Training in your neighborhood where recycling experts will answer commonly asked questions, and provide you all the information and materials you need to help sign up others.

A Green Conundrum at Christmas

I am a tree hugger and I have a real Christmas tree in my house. It didn’t occur to me that it might seem contradictory to some till my friend Peri called me out. She flipped when I told her we got a tree.

I thought she was offended because I am Jewish. Apparently it was my environmentalism that was in question. The truth is I never really thought about a fake tree versus a real one. My family had Christmas trees since I was a wee tot, and I love the pine smell and the warm and fuzzy feeling of Christmas — who doesn’t?

I explained that Christmas trees are raised on farms specifically for this purpose. When the holiday is over we will bring the tree to one of the city’s TreeCycling events. A number of neighborhood environmental groups all over the city are hosting TreeCycling events including GReenINChestnutHill (GRINCH).

Last year, residents of Mt Airy and Chestnut Hill brought over 150 trees, diverting them from landfills and turning them into mulch. An important goal of environmentalists is to reduce the amount of waste that goes into methane producing landfills. By taking your Christmas tree to a TreeCycling event in the city, the tree avoids the landfill and gas guzzling trash trucks.

GRINCH and the Mt Airy Business Assoc. are organizing this year’s TreeCycling event on Sunday Jan. 9th from 1-4pm at the corner of Mt Airy Ave and Chew Ave. For a $5 donation they will chip our tree (and your tree) which will be used for mulch. It’s like composting–win-win.

If I were a complete purist I would not get a tree at all. The truth is my very existence as a consuming human is not ideal for the health of the planet. So I am doing what I can, attempting to be thoughtful about my consumption, reduce my carbon footprint and consider future generations while enjoying the holidays. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!