Friday, May 27, 2011

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

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

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!!