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Reduce Pollution At Local Level

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making nearly $2 million available in 2010 to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program.

CARE is a community-based program that builds partnerships to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources close to home. The program works to improve human health and local environment into the future.

EPA will award CARE cooperative agreements at two levels. Level I awards range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish community-based partnerships to assess toxics problems in their community and consider options for reducing environmental risks.

Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities that have established broad-based partnerships, have identified the priority toxic risks in the community, and are prepared to measure results, implement risk-reduction activities and become self-sustaining.

Through the CARE program local organizations, including non-profits, businesses, schools, tribes, agencies and local governments, create partnerships that identify environmental priorities and implement local solutions to reduce releases of toxic pollutants and minimize people’s exposure to them.

CARE is a unique community-based, community-driven, demonstration program designed to help communities understand and reduce risks due to toxic pollutants and environmental concerns from all sources. Each grant will be awarded as a two-year cooperative agreement, with the amount depending on the proposal level.

Proposals are due by March 9, 2010 and may be submitted electronically through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). Traditional written proposals should be submitted to: Marva King, U.S. EPA Headquarters, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Mailcode 6101A, Washington, DC 20460.

Eligible applicants include county and local organizations, non-profits, businesses, schools, and tribes.

Eligible organizations interested in submitting a proposal can find complete information at: www.epa.gov/care. The site also provides an on-line grant writing tutorial. Additional information about CARE and the applications process is available by calling 1-877-CARE-909.

Recycling Tools For Schools

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Recycling Tools for Schools K-12 Workshop: Collect It, Haul It, Recycle It!, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 8:00 AM — 12:30 PM

The Green Schools Circle of DVGBC presents this informative workshop for teachers, students, school administrators, community members, and everyone else to come share ideas, recycling program success stories, and bring it back to YOUR SCHOOL!

Where: Chester County Intermediate Unit Conference Center, 455 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA

Montgomery County Government Goes to Single Stream Recycling

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

NORRISTOWN – County employees looking to recycle the soda can they just emptied or the cardboard box that a delivery just came in will no longer have to go looking for a way to do it starting next week.

Employees who work in the Court House, One Montgomery Plaza and the Human Services center will begin using a single desk-side container for all recycling beginning December 1, 2009.

Through a contract with Waste Management, Montgomery County buildings will now be offered a ‘Single Stream’ recycling collection method.

This method will allow the employee to throw aluminum and tin cans, plastic narrow necked bottles #1-7, glass food and beverage containers, newsprint, paperboard, office paper, junk mail and cardboard all in the same bin.

Single Stream recycling will help the County workforce recycle more which in turn will have a positive effect on the environment and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

“We want to have 100 percent participation,” Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman Jim Matthews said.

“In these economic times, we’re struggling to keep our costs flat and recycling is one of the easiest things employees can do,” Matthews said. “Recycling means less waste, lower tipping fees and, hopefully, a small return on the materials.”

Society as a whole benefits as well, said Chris Kaasmann, Montgomery County’s Recycling Coordinator.

“The energy it takes for 1 aluminum soda can to be recycled is approximately 95% less than what it would take to make a can from virgin materials,” Kaasmann said.

Employees are being asked to sign a pledge to reuse and recycle as much as they can at all times in the work place.

“By signing the pledge each employee becomes accountable for the waste they produce. Hopefully, this will make them think twice about where that water bottle or piece of paper goes after it leaves their hand,” Kaasmann said.

A new educational recycling campaign is underway. It includes new stickers on all bins, educational posters and a team of County employees dubbed ‘Recycling Liaisons.’

These liaisons will work with all County employees and encourage them to do the right thing by recycling correctly.

Those visiting County buildings such as the Courthouse will also be able to take advantage of the ‘Single Stream’ recycling method. Bins located in break rooms, common areas and kitchens will contain recycling bins for the public. Bins in these areas were provided by a grant through the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania (PROP) and ALCOA Aluminum. For more information on this program and other recycling inquiries, please contact the Montgomery County Recycling Hotline at (610) 278-3618.

Earth: Local Headlines For Global Green Community

Friday, January 30th, 2009

Norristown, PA — Local community groups are taking a global position on the environment. Meetings and events for Spring Clean-up are underway.

Full Article: Norristown, PA Community Clean-up Meeting
Full Article: Norristown, PA Spring Clean-up

Ambler, PA — The Main Street Green Committee released minutes from their last meeting. The initiatives include developing a model environmental policy for local businesses and orginizations.

Full Article: Ambler, PA Going Green Notes