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bookmark_borderPlastics recycling in Philadelphia

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Fellow Recyclers,

The next collection of #5 plastics will be this coming Saturday, March 20, from 10am to 1pm.

In response to requests from observant Jewish friends, we’ll also have a collection the following day, Sunday, March 21, from 11am to 1pm. We urge everyone who can make it on Saturday to do so, as we won’t have a full crew of workers on Sunday.

Both collections will take place at our usual location: the garage of the Weavers Way Co-op, at 542 Carpenter Lane, Mt. Airy, Philadlephia, which is across the street and a bit further down the block from the Big Blue Marble bookstore.

Please review the guidelines for the materials collected below.

See you next weekend!

Stevik
– for the Weavers Way Environment Committee

Gimme 5 Collection Guidelines

The #5 plastics category includes yogurt cups, sour cream containers, hummus tubs, some medicine bottles, and more. Your recyclables must be clean and dry to be accepted. Check to make sure there are no other materials (paper, screws, other number plastics) on the items you bring in. Impurities of any kind compromise the recycling process and usually lead to the discarding of an entire batch. Exclude any lids unless they are clearly marked #5. (Most lids from #5 containers are #4 plastic, but this is not always the case.)

We ask recyclers for a small donation to cover postage costs of mailing the recyclables to the Gimme 5 processing facility in New York.

Before bringing your #5s to the collection, be sure that they meet the requirements for Gimme 5:

* All items must be CLEAN and DRY. If they contained food or any oily or dirty product, make sure they have been washed, not just rinsed. Items stacked when wet tend to stay wet, so allow washed items to dry fully before stacking or packing.

* The #5 stamp needs to be visible on each item. Lids are separate items. Don’ t assume lids are the same number plastic as the container; sometimes they are but usually they are not. Check to make sure there are no other materials (labels, paper, other number plastics, metal) on the items you bring in.

Brita filters are also welcome! Let them air dry for several days to make sure they are completely dry.

bookmark_borderStudents to Help West Chester Businesses Save Energy

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PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a ceremony today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $149,992 grant to the West Chester Area School District for a project to help local businesses conserve energy, save money and cut harmful greenhouse gases.

The District’s Student Conservation Corps, made up of high school students concerned about the environment, will encourage and teach area businesses simple, no-cost measures to achieve 10 percent reductions in their energy usage and emissions of greenhouse gases. The project is one of 20 nationwide funded by EPA to showcase how communities are fighting climate change.

“EPA is proud to support students who are taking responsibility for the future of our environment,” said Shawn M. Garvin, EPA’s mid-Atlantic regional administrator. “Their efforts to engage businesses in conserving energy will have pay offs economically and for the larger community by improved air quality.”

The district already has an energy efficiency program, started and implemented by students, in operation in its 16 school buildings. The district spends $3 million a year for electricity. Last year, B. Reed Henderson High School, where today’s ceremony was held, used $300,000 of electricity. Now, as a result of its “Power Down Fridays” program the school has reduced its energy use by 22 percent – saving the taxpayers $60,000 annually.

Dr. Jim Scanlon, the district’s Superintendent, expressed excitement about this grant and in particular the way it is structured. “Our students are a great resource for ideas and care so much about the future of our community. That’s why they’re a key part of the implementation strategy.”

As a part of this EPA-funded project, the district plans to broaden its conservation efforts district-wide to achieve an additional 10 percent cut in energy use and greenhouse gases. Preliminary calculations estimate that by 2012 about 1,960 metric tons of greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions will be reduced annually through efforts by the businesses and the school district.

EPA will monitor the progress of grant recipients and will post quarterly updates about each recipient online.

More information on the grants and the grant recipients: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/local/showcase/

More information about the program: http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate, and visit the website of the West Chester Area School District: http://www.wcasd.net

bookmark_borderUpcoming events at Whole Foods in Plymouth Meeting

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Whole Foods Market Plymouth Meeting
500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
phone 610-832-0020
wholefoods.com/stores/plymouthmeeting

Whole Planet Foundation International Sampling and Silent Auction
Monday, March 22nd
5 pm – 7 pm
Let’s change the world together. Help raise $1.5 million to empower poor women with the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty. Join us for a sampling and silent auction, with all proceeds benefiting Whole Foods Market’s own nonprofit organization, the Whole Planet Foundation. Simply donate anywhere from $1 – $100+ at the door, and we will give you a plate. Bring that plate around the store, and our vendors will dish up some international cuisine for your sampling pleasure. You’ll also have the chance to bid on fantastic items during our silent auction. We’ll have everything from gifts from Ryah Yoga and Health to Whole Foods Market goodie bags. All proceeds from this evening will benefit the Whole Planet Foundation!

Mix.Mingle.Music
Friday, March 26th
5 pm – 7 pm
Listen to the sounds of live music in our café, and relax with an ice cold beer or a glass of wine at the Cold Point Pub. If you spend $20 or more on a wine bar card-whether you’re purchasing a new one, or loading up a used one-you will receive one free Whole Foods Market Plymouth Meeting wine glass. Limit one glass per person, while supplies last. Cheers!