On February 4, the City of Philadelphia will celebrate the launch of incentive based recycling at a press conference at the Fresh Grocer in Progress Plaza, 1501 N. Broad St., from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Recycling Rewards program provides residents with recycling rewards like coupons to local grocery stores, providing the motivation many individuals need to start participating. And since participants are rewarded on the performance of their whole community, it spurs peer pressure to do the right thing.
Thousands of residents across the city have already signed up online to participate in the program when it launches in their neighborhood. After the March 1 launch in Lower Northeast Philadelphia, the program will roll out in West and Southwest Philadelphia in April, Center City and South Philadelphia in May, Northeast Philadelphia in June, and Northwest Philadelphia in July. Get more information and to sign up for the Recycling Rewards program today.
Garbage Dreams coming to PBS in April
Garbage Dreams is a documentary film about the world’s largest garbage village, located on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. The Zaballeen (Arabic for garbage people) recycle 80 percent of the trash they collect - far more than other recycling initiatives. But now a multi-national corporation threatens their livelihood. The film follows three teenage boys born into the business who are forced to make choices that will impact the survival of their community.
Compost Matters: The State of Composting in the Delaware Valley
With a focus on new developments in food-waste composting practices, this one-day conference will bring together innovators, policy makers, and visionaries in the field, examining current barriers to food waste recovery, public policy issues, and successful models from the region and around the state. The program will be held on February 10, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the American Philosophical Society near 4th and Chestnut. Admission is $30 and a sellout crowd is expected.
The keynote speaker, Will Allen, received a MacArthur “Genius Grant” in 2008 for his efforts to promote sustainable farming in low-income neighborhoods. Allen is CEO of Growing Power, which supports the development of community food systems.
The afternoon speakers include: - Nelson Widell, Founder, will speak on the opening of the Wilmington Organic Recycling Center - Ned Foley will address on-farm composting. His farm, Two Particular Acres, was the first food waste composting facility in southeastern Pennsylvania - Marvin Dixon, Head Engineer for the Four Seasons Hotel, will speak to his experience and the imperative among the food service industry to participate in composting programs. - Maurice Sampson II, RecycleNOW Chair and President of Niche Waste Reduction & Recycling Systems, will speak to the role of in-vessel composting units
Myth: Recyclables placed at the curb do not actually get recycled.
Fact: All of the paper, cardboard, glass, metal and plastics #1 and #2 that you put in your recycling container and leave curbside for the city recycling trucks to pick up do get recycled. They are taken to Blue Mountain Recycling at 2904 Ellsworth Street (off of Grays Ferry in south Philly). To learn about the process that Blue Mountain uses to separate the recyclables and where everything goes after it is processed, see this recent article in the Inquirer.
Hard to recycle items
This month’s feature: Computers.
With the speed at which technology advances, it can be a little overwhelming to figure out whether or not to upgrade every time a new operating system or new software comes out. Having a working, up-to-date computer has pretty much become a necessity in this day and age.
But as you upgrade equipment, what do you do with your old one? Computers, especially monitors, contain lots of toxic substances like lead and mercury. This is why they should never be put in the trash! If they end up in a landfill, they can contaminate local soil and ground water. Luckily there are a number of options to dispose of them properly.
If the computer still works, your best option is to donate it. You will want to delete any files, bookmarks, and history from your computer first. Some organizations that will take older computers and put them to use are Goodwill, Nonprofit Technology Resources, and Computers for Schools.
