What Grows On in Rhode Island ~ News Blog

Passive House ~ NESEA Meeting

Ring in the the first Tuesday of the year with RI’s resident expert on Passive House, Paul Eldrenkamp.

Learn about the origin of the Passive House (Passivhaus) movement in Germany and how Paul, a leading green building expert and founder of Byggmeister, is promoting this standard in New England.

When:  Tuesday, January 5 at 6pm Where:  Everyman's Bistro - 311 Iron Horse Way, Providence RI

More about Paul Eldrenkamp Paul is president of Byggmeister, Inc, a residential design-build remodeling company he founded in 1983. He is a Certified Passive House Consultant, a graduate of Harvard University, a former board member of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, was the chair of the residential working group of the Massachusetts Zero Net Energy Buildings Task Force, a frequent speaker at a range of industry conferences and a contributor to the Journal of Light Construction. As a long time "green building" leader, Paul offers unique insights into the challenges and opportunities of quality building.

More about Passive House http://www.byggmeister.com/passive_house.shtml

For more information about NESEA RI, please visit http://www.neseari.ning.com

Remember, if it's the first Tuesday of the year, it's time for NESEA RI.

Hope you all can make it!


-- Jo Lee Green Machine PR NESEA Vice Chair Twitter: @GreenMachinePR http://www.greenmachinepr.com Cell: 401.338.5445

Evolution Forum on Recycling! ~ December 3, 2009

Evolution Forum on Recycling!

Thursday night from 5:30 to 8 PM Apeiron will be hosting Recycling in Rhode Island: Where we have been, where we are and where we want to be.

The Forum will be held at Apeiron's offices at 17 Gordon Avenue in Providence RI. Doors open at 5:30 and snacks and refreshments will be served. The presentations and discussion will begin at 6:30. For more information and to register go to the Apeiron website registration page.

Pawtucket Recycles ~ December 2, 2009

From WasteZero:

Pawtucket Needs Your Help....TONIGHT!

Rhode Island's leading environmentalists agree that implementing a pay-as-you-throw system is the single best way to reduce solid waste and increase recycling.
 
Economists say pay-as-you-throw would save Rhode Island cities millions in annual disposal costs.
 
BUT...Pawtucket has not yet been convinced.
 
Here's how the Providence Journal described last week's public meeting on pay-as-you-throw:

Several of the 10 residents at the informational forum at Baldwin Elementary School, including City Councilman Jean Philippe Barros, made it clear that a fee system for garbage bags could prove a tough sell.     

http://www.projo.com/news/content/PAWTUCKET_BAGS_11-22-09_NLGGVDO_v300.3385111.html

The next meeting to discuss the proposed plan for Pawtucket pay-as-you-throw is TONIGHT AT 7 PM.
 
Won't you show city leaders that local and state residents want a cleaner and safer Pawtucket NOW! Please show your support for pay-as-you-throw and Rhode Island's future by attending tonight's public meeting.


Tonight, Wed., Dec. 2 at 7:00 PM at Fallon Elementary School, 62 Lincoln Avenue
 
To learn more about the WasteZero System and to see a complete list of upcoming Pawtucket Informational Sessions, please visit http://www.wastezero.com/press.cfm?id=12

RI Recycles Day ~ November 21, 2009

From RI Resource Recovery Corporation:

WHEN: Saturday, November 21st from 8 a.m. to Noon.

WHERE: Central Landfill, 65 Shun Pike, Johnston, RI 02919

WHAT: Recycle your hard to dispose items all in one place!

Accepted items include:

• Sensitive Personal Documents for Shredding
• E-Waste
  
• Household Hazardous Waste

For more information, see the website!

Providence Recycling Bin Sales ~ November 21, 2009

Bins will be sold to the public from 9am – 10am on Saturday, November 21

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PROVIDENCE – Mayor David N. Cicilline today announced that residents will be able to purchase recycling bins from the Department of Public Works at five satellite locations throughout the city on Saturday, November 21 from 9am until 10am.   Residents still have the option of using any waterproof container from home for recycling, as long as label the container and separate the paper products from the plastic items.  For those who would like to purchase bins from the City, the limited number of blue and green containers may be purchased at the follow locations on Saturday for $5 each:   §         Joslin Recreation Center 17 Hyat Street   §         Selim Rogers Recreation Center 60 Camden Avenue Phone: 455-8854   §         Vincent Brown Recreation Center 438 Hope Street Phone: 273-2390   §         West End Recreation Center 109 Bucklin Street Phone: 461-4570   §         Department of Recreation One Recreation Way, Providence, 02904 Phone: (401) 421-7740 extension 323

Providence Recycling Program and City Council ~ November 19, 2009

Environmental Community Calls on Providence City Council to Maintain “Green Up Providence” Recycling Program While Addressing Residents’ Concerns
 

Providence RI –A coalition of environmentalists and community residents are urging the Providence City Council to maintain the city’s new recycling policy while addressing concerns from residents about the implementation of the program.
 
According to the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, the early reports from the Providence’s program already show a marked increase in recycling.
 
A number of council members proposed delaying the implementation of the program, but supporters of Green Up are urging the city to stay the course and continue to troubleshoot according to residents’ concerns until the new recycling policy is running smoothly.

$7 Million for RI Private Agricultural and Woodland Owners ~ Deadline Oct 30, 2009

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Program Workshop is October 13.

If you cannot attend this workshop, call Paul Boisvert at NRCS for further information ~ 401-397-9421

Over $7 million is available for private agricultural and private forestry or woodland owners! Although NRCS accepts applications for assistance throughout the year, our next milestone application deadline is October 30, 2009. Come learn about how NRCS grants provide financial and technical assistance that address:

*Composting animal and plant wastes
*Protecting crop fields
*Preventing soil erosion
*Enhancing your woodlands
*Eradicating invasive plant species
*Managing your manure
*Improving your pasture land
*Reducing your irrigation water use
*Improving your water quality
*Protecting and enhancing wildlife areas

Whether or not you are familiar with NRCS’ programs, technical and financial assistance available, have completed an application, or plan on completing an application, the workshop will provide valuable information including:

*Summary of programs available to address common conservation needs
*Review Application Process
*Review Planning Process
*Review Contract Process

October 13, 2009
6 PM - 8 PM
Laurel Grange, Corner of Snake & Sawmill Roads, Harmony [Exeter], RI

Please contact Paul Boisvert at 401-397-9421 to register.

Tree-Killing Pests: Asian Longhorned Beetle ID ~ October 5, 2009

From North Smithfield Conservation Commission:

TREE KILLING PESTS ~ How to identify the Asian Longhorned Beetle

Monday, October 5th @ 6p.m. NSPL library

Speaker will be Kate Sayles from the Rhode Island Tree Council

Sponsored by the North Smithfield Public Library and North Smithfield Conservation Commission

Discussion will include how to identify and  help stop this tree killing pest.

For further info: email albfreeri@gmail.com  or call 401-764-5885

Apeiron Center Open House ~ October 3, 2009

From Apeiron Institute for Sustainability:

The Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living is pleased to open its award-winning Center for Sustainable Living in Coventry, RI as part of the National Solar Homes Tour. The center is a work in progress created by over 2,000 volunteers and 120 businesses. It features signed nature trails, edible landscapes, streams and meadows, and an ecological housing model that showcases over 50 green building systems, technologies and products. Click here for more information on the center. The center will be open Saturday, October 3, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm and tours will be held at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. Suggested donation is $5.00. For more information, please contact Apeiron at info@apeiron.org or 401-228-7930.

Green Buildings Open House ~ October 3, 2009

From NESEA:

Make your plans now to join us on October 3rd for the annual Green Buildings Open House (GBOH). It is the largest sustainable energy event in the Northeastern USA!

Rhode Island has seven site in Bristol, Tiverton, Coventry, Providence, and Jamestown Including:

Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living
451 Hammet Road
Coventry, RI

Island Solar
170 Walcott Ave.
Providence, RI

Wolcott St. Eco-Building
28 Wolcott Street
Providence, RI

17 Gordon Ave
Providence, RI

See the NESEA Green Buildings page for more details.