I took my daughter to the YMCA this morning and picked up a flier on composting that caught my eye. It's a great way to save energy because you don't have to buy fertilizer, which has natural gas as a raw material, as I wrote about in a previous post.
Our town, Montclair, NJ, is trying to make composting easier for its residents, and it's sponsoring a composting event Saturday, October 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Edgemont Park.
Now this blog has readers from as far away as New Zealand, so, obviously a lot of you aren't going to make it. But read on anyway because you might pick up some ideas that you can use wherever you live!
Not only is Montclair offering free compost for your garden (but you have to bring your own bags and shovels), but you can also learn about composting and purchase a compost bin and turning tool at a bargain price.
The bins can be purchased for around $52, about half of what they would cost if bought retail. They're cylindrical (narrower at the bottom) and can hold about 1 cubic yard of compost. They come in two pieces, so they can easily fit in the back seat of most cars.
Visitors to the event will also be able to buy turning tools, very helpful in aerating compost. I'm told that turning your compost once a week is extremely important if you want to produce the best quality organic material. The tools, which usually cost about $25 retail, will be available for around $15.
The event will also give participants tips on "green" yard care/gardening, water conservation, backyard bird and butterfly habitats and related topics. More information can be obtained from the Department of Environmental Affairs "Compost Hotline" at +1 (973) 509-5721.
Also in Montclair this Thursday October 15, at 6:30 pm at the main public library will be a showing of two energy-related films: Kilowatt Hours and Unlimited. The first film explains where electricity comes from and also gives valuable tips on how to save energy in your own home.
The second film, which was made by a local resident, talks about our unlimited opportunities to cut carbon emissions. After the films, which take roughly an hour in total to watch, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and discuss energy-related issues.
So, if you can't make it to the event, how about sharing some of your ideas or questions, and we can have our own educational event right here on this blog!
I think educating the students and staff is the most important thing you can do. When I rode around our town with the person in charge of recycling he took me to the schools a day after the teachers had meetings there (no students were present.) Those teachers didn't use the recycle bins for paper refuse or plastic containers, just threw them in the regular garbage. Obviously not setting a very good example for the kids!
Another big problem at the schools is that the janitorial staff is not educated about recycling and they have no incentive to participate in a recycling program. In fact, many of them would not be able to understand pertinent instructions because they do not speak the language (in this case, English.) So that is a problem that needs to be addressed.
I had some ideas beyond educating and engaging the staff/students, and I also asked my 12-year-old daughter for her ideas. Here are some that we came up with:
--Switch from fluorescent to LED light fixtures wherever possible.
--Make sure there are paper and plastic recycle bins in every classroom and in the hallways.
--Make a presentation to kids on the importance of using stainless steel water bottles instead of disposable plastic water bottles, and have a fund raiser to sell the stainless steel ones.
--Start a school compost heap and get kitchen staff trained on its importance and how to use it.
--Ask school buses not to idle when they arrive ahead of time for pick up. This wastes gas and pollutes.
--When the budget allows, buy Energy Star appliances for the kitchen.
--Again, when budget allows, look into the water fountain system in the school. A pedal operated on is better for germ control.
--In the cafeteria there should be biodegradable utensils and trays. Not sure of their cost, but it is definitely worth exploring.
--Serve organic milk/fruit in the cafeteria. Look into seeing if you can get a special $ deal from a local supplier based on volume.
--Make sure all computers are put to sleep when not in use.
--Also, look into the heating/cooling systems. My daughter's school is so over heated sometimes that teachers have to open windows in the winter.I know that there is a central system outside the school, and that teachers have little climate control in individual classrooms, but it seems that this system results in a lot of waste, and needs to be changed.
There are many other ideas, but I hope this is a good start.
Posted by: Janet | May 24, 2010 at 01:58 PM