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!