EcoBytes - Volume 3, Issue 4

Welcome to Volume 3, Issue 4 of EcoBytes, the Center for Ecological Technology’s (CET) email newsletter. EcoBytes updates you on CET’s activities in waste, energy, environmental education and sustainable development.

Remember to visit us online at www.cetonline.org to learn more about our programs. You can reach us by email at cet@cetonline.org, or call us in Pittsfield at (413) 445-4556 or in Northampton at (413) 586-7350. For mailing list additions and deletions, please send a message to ruthd@cetonline.org.

In This Issue:

• Warming Up to Green Energy
• On the Road Again
• Talking Toxics, Protecting Tots
• Collecting Hazardous Waste in South Berkshire County
• Extra! Extra! Read All About Us
• Coming Next Issue: Pulling Together for Green Energy

Warming Up To Green Energy

It was standing room only at the 3^rd annual public forum: "Renewable Energy: Choices for Our Environment" held on December 4th at the Cranwell Resort in Lenox. More than 160 people toured exhibits of solar, wind, small-hydro, biomass and conservation technologies. Keynote speaker Kevin Knobloch, Executive Director of the Union of Concerned Scientists, discussed climate change and the need for a national energy policy that supports energy efficiency and renewable energy at the national, state and local level. Deanna Ruffer, Director of Green Power for the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust (MRET) and Nancy Nylen, CET Associate Director and coordinator of the Berkshire Renewable Energy Collaborative (BREC) joined Mr. Knobloch for a wide-ranging discussion with the audience about ideas and concerns related to renewable energy in the Berkshires. Questions, comments and evaluations showed a strong interest in reducing our dependency on foreign oil and making renewable energy accessible and affordable. The event was sponsored by the MRET and BREC whose mission is to promote energy efficiency and the responsible use of renewable energy in the Berkshires. For more information, contact Nancy Nylen in our Pittsfield office.

On The Road Again

When Cadmus and Cascades, the Pittsfield-based recycled paper processor, closed its doors this fall, it was unclear if office paper recycling services in the Berkshires would survive. CET seeking to sustain its business recycling cooperatives in Pittsfield and northern Berkshires stepped in. Now with a truck, a driver and pick up routes from North Adams to Lee, CET is in the business of regular office paper collections. CET collects the paper, compacts it and then hauls it to a processor in Springfield where it is baled for market. Businesses rent the toters and pay per pick up. Currently, CET has more than 100 customers with the majority located in Pittsfield. CET looks forward to recycling more than 30 tons of paper monthly. For more information, contact Jamie Cahillane in our Pittsfield office.

Talking Toxics, Protecting Tots

At a "Community Baby Shower" CET educated over 80 new and future mothers about taking the next step after babyproofing. Mercury and a toxics use reduction message hit home, as many of the women were not aware of the risks mercury can pose to fetuses and young children. Elsewhere, parents, staff and the children of the Richmond Pre-School and the pre-school and kindergarten of the Farmington River Regional School are learning about safer homes through practical information such as recipes for non-toxic cleaners and guidelines for how much fish pregnant women and young children should eat. The parents were able to exchange their mercury fever thermometers for digital models. The Young Parents Project, Young Moms, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, West Street Childcare and Girls’ Inc. staff have also received CET’s ‘Creating a Healthy Home’ presentation. This program is supported by the Berkshire Environmental Fund and USDA Rural Utilities Service. To find out more, contact Joy Kirschenbaum in our Pittsfield office. 

Collecting Household Hazardous Waste In South Berkshire County

This summer and fall, residents of seventeen South Berkshire County communities lined up to participate in 8 collections as part of a successful Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) regional program coordinated by CET. Six mini-site collections in Lenox, Otis and Great Barrington enabled residents to drop off unused oil paint products and used motor oil. Two comprehensive HHW collections were held in Stockbridge and Great Barrington where pesticides, cleaning products, mercury fever thermometers, automotive supplies, driveway sealants, solvents and many other common household products were accepted. For the 17 towns, working together meant offering an important service to residents in an economically feasible way. Over 450 residents participated in at least one collection and more than 5,500 gallons of hazardous waste were collected and disposed of properly. Three mini-site collections and one comprehensive collection are planned for the Spring with more to come. For more information, contact Jamie Cahillane in our Pittsfield office.

Extra! Extra! Read All About Us!

CET’s biennial Progress Report is hot off the press. The Progress Report honors CET’s 25^th Anniversary and explores the wealth of programs, initiatives and partnerships that CET has been involved with over the past two years. If you would like to see for yourself, please contact Ruth Dinerman in the Pittsfield office.

Coming Next Issue:

Pulling together for green energy