What Grows On in Rhode Island News

Recyclopedia, and Eco-Depot Collection Dates for the Year ~ 2011

Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation is the place to go to get rid of all the stuff that somehow accumulates in the cellar, the garage, under sinks, and other ignored places. The website is full of useful information. For the Central Land Fill, there is a sign-up form to prevent long wait times for bringing your household hazardous waste for disposal. This page also explains what Household Hazardous Waste is and why it's important to dispose of these things carefully. Hazardous waste includes mercury, which is found in thermometers, thermostats, and fluorescent bulbs, including the CLFs.

One of my favorite sections is the Recyclopedia. It tells whether or not the item can be recycled, and if so, where it's welcome. All too many things don't have safe recycling options yet, though. We can consider not using these things, or else dream up businesses that would reuse them somehow. RIRRC wants suggestions to improve the Recyclopedia, and you can suggest other places to recycle stuff. I suggested to them that garden hoses could be used by RiverzEdge Arts Project to make lawn furniture and now that's in the Recyclopedia.

All of the following dates are now mixed in to What Grows On in RI to make it easier to GET THAT STUFF OUTTA THERE safely! It's FREE to Rhode Islanders.

Central Landfill Eco-Depot Dates:

• January 8, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• February 5, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• March 5, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• April 9, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• May 7, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• June 11, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• June 18, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• July 9, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• July 23 , Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• August 20, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• August 27, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• September 17, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• September 24, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• October 22, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• November 5, Johnston 65 Shun Pike
• November 19, Johnston 65 Shun Pike 
• December 10, Johnston 65 Shun Pike

Outlying Eco-Depot Dates:

• March 12, Warren - 21 Birch Swamp Road
• March 26, Glocester -91 Chestnut Hill Road
• April 2, Coventry- 1668 Flat River Road
• April 16, Middletown / Computer Middletown Second Beach
• April 23, Foster -181 Howard Hill Road
• April 30, Richmond – 51 Buttonwoods Road
• May 14, Narragansett Beach / Computer S. Pavilion*
• May 21, Woonsocket - 1117 River Street
• June 4, Portsmouth – PHS 120 Education Lane*
• June 18 Smithfield – 3 Spragueville Road
• June 25, South Kingstown - 180 High Street
• July 30, Charlestown - Cross Mills
• August 13, East Providence - 60 Commercial Way
• August 27, North Providence - NPHS 1828 Mineral Spring
• September 10, North Kingstown -2050 Davisville Road
• September 24, Tiverton – 50 Industrial Way
• October 1, Newport -70 North Halsey Street
• October 15, East Greenwich - 2 Bear Swamp Road
• October 29, Westerly - Transfer Station Larry Hirsch Drive
• November 5, Warwick 925 Sandy Lane*

** NOT CONFIRMED YET

E-Waste is collected at all Johnston collections, no appointments are needed.

We serve approximately 25 people every 15 minutes. Appointments are used to avoid everyone arriving at one time, thus reducing waiting times.

Apply for the John H. Chafee Conservation Leadership Award ~ Due by February 16, 2011

The Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI) Education Fund is honored to announce the opening of the application period for the John H. Chafee Conservation Leadership Awards for 2011.  Honoring the memory of the late Governor and US Senator for his dedication to preserving the environment, The ECRI Ed Fund honors 4 Rhode Island organizations each year for their work in improving the health of the Rhode Island environment.

Recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges based on applications received from RI businesses, non profits, municipalities, and educational institutions that highlight specific projects and programs related to conservation.  Past winners include businesses that eliminated polluting discharges, recycling programs, renewable energy projects, sewage treatment facility upgrades, land conservation, and projects providing hands on environmental education for Rhode Island children. This list is not meant to be an all inclusive list. All projects that improve the health of the RI environment are encouraged to apply.

Master Energy Training Program ~ October 5, 2010

The Master Energy Training Program is a 7-session training program that provides interested homeowners and business owners with practical information on how to save money and the environment with energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy. 
 
This program also covers energy use in the community, from collaborative initiatives in green building and business to the latest information on energy legislation, government incentives and policy. We are currently planning a municipal training that will soon be offered as a separate course.
 
Modeled after the URI Master Gardener program and the URI Master Composter & Recycler program, the Master Energy Training Program is taught by Robert S. Cerio, who has over 25 years of experience as an energy resource manager. 

Dates & Topics:
Tuesday, Oct. 5, 6-8 PM:     From Fossil Fuels to Future Fuels
Thursday, Oct. 7, 6-8 PM:    Energy Management and Planning
Tuesday, Oct. 12, 6-8 PM:    Low Cost/No Cost Energy Solutions
Thursday, Oct. 14, 6-8 PM:   Big Investment, Big Return: Renewable Energy
Tuesday, Oct. 19, 6-8 PM:    Energy Policy from the Ground Up: Legislation, Policy and Incentives
Thursday, Oct. 21, 6-8 PM:   Cutting Edge Energy Research in Rhode Island
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 6-8 PM:    Educating the Public on Energy: Volunteering and Final Exam

Download MEP Fall 2010 Class Topics for more information on each class.

Fee:  $100 (cash or check); fee includes 7 sessions, an online resource manual and parking. Payment will be accepted on the day of the first class, however, pre-registration is required.  Space is limited so you may want to register early!

Location:  University of Rhode Island Feinstein Providence Campus
                     Room TBA

To Register:  Download MEP Fall 2010 Brochure, which has the registration form, print it, fill it out and mail it with your check.

For more information:  Please visit our website or contact Rachel Sholly at [email protected] or 401-874-5558.

Green Office Guide Published ~ July 2010

The Green Office Guide™ is a roadmap for businesses that want to transform their workspaces into more environmentally friendly places. It features 100 money-saving and money-making alterations that any business can make. The Guide is organized by topics, including

• Infrastructure & Construction
• Office Supplies
• Reduce + Re-Use + Recycle
• Corporate Kindess
• Vendors & Business Partners
• Energy Consumption & Production

The format is straightforward, leading readers to assess their current setup and explaining why they should consider making changes. Most topics have links to further information.

It is produced annually by Green Earth Corporate Kindness Organization (GECKO).

How to Clean Up Indoor Fuel Spills From Flood Waters

DEM ISSUES ADVISORY:  PROPER PROCEDURES CRITICAL FOR CLEANUP OF INDOOR FUEL SPILLS FROM FLOOD WATERS

 

The Department of Environmental Management today advised the public that extreme care should be taken in properly cleaning and disposing of oil soaked items that may have been damaged or impacted by flood waters.

Indoor fuel oil spills can have serious indoor air quality consequences and can cause structural damages if not addressed quickly and effectively. The vapors from fuel oil spills or leaks are extremely penetrating and volatile.

 

Oil spills that occur in the home can be very serious.  DEM recommends that impacted homeowners contact and engage a qualified environmental response and clean up firm for all but the smallest spills.

Homeowners should consider the following steps if home heating oil has mixed with flood waters in the home.

DEM Advisory ~ Properly Dispose of Household Hazardous Wastes

DEM ISSUES ADVISORY: RESIDENTS URGED TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTES

            PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management today advised the public that extreme care should be taken in properly disposing of household hazardous waste items that may have been damaged or impacted by flood waters.
 
            Common household hazardous waste items include oil-based paint/stain, mercury containing devices (thermometers, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs), lawn care chemicals, fertilizer, pool chemicals, batteries, gasoline, household insecticides/pesticides, and automotive fluids.
 
            These items should not be disposed of in the regular waste stream. Residents are urged to set aside these items and properly dispose of them at an upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Eco Depot collection event run by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC).  RIRRC has increased its Eco Depot collection events in April to accommodate the increased demand by residents for proper disposal locations. E-waste (TVs, computers, monitors, laptops) will also be collected on these dates.
 
The updated Eco Depot April collection dates and locations are:

·        April 3:  Coventry, 1168 Flat River Road; 8am-1pm
·        April 10: Johnston, Central Landfill, 65 Shun Pike; 8am-Noon
·        April 17: Middletown, Second Beach; 8am-1pm
·        April 17: Johnston, Central Landfill, 65 Shun Pike; 8am-1pm (NEW DATE, NEW TIME)
·        April 24: Pawtucket, Jenks Jr. High, 8am-1pm
·        April 24: Block Island, 9am-1pm
 
            Residents can view a complete list of all household hazardous wastes accepted by the RIRRC and upcoming household hazardous waste collection dates on the RI Resource Recovery website at www.rirrc.org .  This free service is for Rhode Island residents only. Appointments are requested to help reduce wait times in line.  Please visit RI Resource Recovery’s Eco-Depot page to make your appointment or call 942-1430 Ext. 775 or Ext. 241.

            For information online about flood cleanups, visit the EPA website at: http://www.epa.gov/naturaldisasters/flooding.html.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES ~ April 1,2010

Lots of bills on the agenda for April 1. Topics include:

• Clean Energy Biofuels
• Ultra-low Sulfur and Biodiesel Heating Oil
• Green-Jobs-Green RI Program
• Green Buildings & Job Creation Act
• Waters and Navigation - Water Pollution
• Small Wind Energy Systems
• Regulating purchase of Renewable Energy
• Air Pollution - Wood Stoves without EPA certification in densely populated areas
• Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling
• Hazardous Waste Cleanup
• DEM, Health etc. Agencies work re MOA on Farm Issues
• Incineration of Waste
• Ban of Pesticide Avitrol
• Repeal Requiring City & Town Plans to Conform with State Guide Plan for Bays, Rivers, and Watersheds
• Eliminate State Mandated Point Source Discharge Fees for Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants
  

Didn't list quite everything, especially a couple at the end that are vague, but may be important. Read on for details, watch what goes on in the legislature, and support sensible environmental legislation.

-- ed.

From the Neighborhood Energy Challenge:

If you haven’t already had a chance to sign-up for the Neighborhood Energy Challenge, the deadline is February 1st to be eligible for prizes and awards. Do you know friends, neighbors, or family members that have been wanting to take the Challenge? Refer them to our website – remember, you get points for referring others! www.neighborhoodenergychallenge.org.
 
As always, thanks for your support for a healthier community!

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

Exploring the Small Farm Dream ~ Course ~ February 2010

Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Is Starting an Agricultural Business Right for You?

Course Description: In this four-session course, you will set personal and farming goals, assess available resources, determine if farming as a business is right for you, and develop an action plan to guide next steps. Along the way you will take a close look at the realities of working for yourself, in particular what it will take to own and manage a successful agricultural venture.

Who Should Attend? If you are thinking about starting an agricultural business, this course is designed for you. This includes people thinking about full-time farming, farming part-time while continuing other employment, changing careers to start a farm, taking over an existing family farm business, and/or developing an existing but informal agricultural pastime into a more serious business activity. Established farmers who are re-strategizing their businesses have also benefited from the course.

Dates: The class will meet 6-9pm on: February 23, 2010 March 2, 2010 March 16, 2010 March 23, 2010

Location: Building #75, East Farm University of Rhode Island Route 108, Kingston, RI 02881

Class Size: Limited to 20 individuals. (2 partners per potential business may register.)

Cost: $275 per potential farm business (maximum of two participants per business). Fee includes one workbook, additional handout materials, and light snack. Participants may bring bag dinner if needed.

To Apply by February 5, 2010: Contact Kristen Castrataro at: 401-874-2967 or [email protected].

Course Sponsors: URI Cooperative Extension & Department of Plant Sciences GWE Consulting Northeast SARE RI Association of Conservation Districts RI Farm Bureau RI Forest Consortium RI Small Business Development Center