EcoBytes - Volume 4, Issue 3

Welcome to Volume 4, Issue 3 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.

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, in Northampton at (413) 586-7350, or at the ReStore Home Improvement Center at (413) 788-6900. For mailing list additions and deletions, please send a message to ruthd@cetonline.org.

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Hot Off the Press
• An Ounce of Prevention
• What A Long Hot Summer It's Been
• Up Close and Personal with Renewable Technologies
• Shred It - Paper that is
• ReStore’s First Birthday
• Area Students Can Join National Science Bowl
• From Heat to Light
• CET Welcomes New Waste Management Specialist
• CET Welcomes New AmeriCorps*VISTA Member

Hot Off The Press

The EPA recently released a two-page case study for national distribution describing CET's innovative market-based on-farm composting work in western MA. To date, over 6,000 copies of the project's final report have been distributed nationally. You can find the case study at: http://www.cetonline.org/FarmBusiness/for_your_farm_or_business.php
or contact John Majercak in our Northampton office.

An Ounce Of Prevention

Together with Berkshire Health Systems and Sprout- Berkshire Initiative for Children’s Environmental Health, CET brought Dr. Ted Schettler, a national expert on environmental health, to the Berkshires. Dr. Schettler described to an audience of 50 how the foundation for disease is established early in life and how children are uniquely vulnerable to harmful health effects from exposure to toxics. Although many unanswered questions remain, Dr. Schettler explained that scientists continue to find links between exposure to toxins (e.g. mercury, lead, chemical ingredients in pesticides) and various cancers, asthma, reproductive problems and development disorders. Dr. Schettler’s work ties into CET’s effort to promote less toxic products and safer alternatives. His visit was a catalyst for health care professionals to discuss the need and opportunity to take a lead role in community education and patient health care that reduces the risk of disease from environmental factors. He also presented Medical Grand Rounds to 40 residents, pediatricians, family doctors and internists, where he reviewed some of the most current research on environmental impacts and human health. For more information, contact Laura Dubester in our Pittsfield office.

What A Long Hot Summer It’S Been

At Uncommon Grounds, a Great Barrington coffeehouse, about 50 concerned community members spent an evening discussing global climate change. CET Intern Raya Ariella, a student from Antioch New England Graduate School, conducted CET’s first community forum on this subject, which focused on both the science and the solutions. Techniques and technologies that reduce energy consumption and increase energy supplies from renewable sources were discussed. The talk highlighted CET’s work to increase local support for purchasing electricity from renewable sources. For information or to schedule a presentation in the Berkshires, contact Laura Dubester in our Pittsfield office.

Up Close And Personal With Renewable Technologies

More than two hundred people visited renewable energy sites in the Berkshire region during August, September and October to learn firsthand about wind and solar energy in New England. As part of the NESEA Green Building Tour, visitors to the new Williamstown Elementary "green school," where the largest photovoltaic array (PV) in the Berkshire region will soon be installed, viewed recycled and non-toxic building materials, along with state-of-the-art energy efficient lighting, heating and ventilation. James Schamus welcomed visitors to his home in Hillsdale, NY, which combines passive and active solar systems. Visitors also toured solar systems at the Congdon residence in Richmond and a hydroelectric system at the Privacy Campground in Williamstown. Individuals curious about the future of wind development in the Berkshire region flocked to the Searsburg wind farm to see the turbines that have been generating energy since 1997. CET coordinated these tours as part of its work with the Berkshire Renewable Energy Collaborative, which is funded by the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust. For more information, contact Nancy Nylen in our Pittsfield office.

Shred It - Paper That Is

CET is now collecting paper for recycling from more than 150 businesses in Berkshire County. This August, CET began offering document destruction services to companies seeking additional security for their recycled paper. CET anticipates this service will grow as more industries, such as banking and health care, are requiring documents to be destroyed. CET collection routes extend from Stockbridge to North Adams. Services also include delivery of recycled copy paper at competitive prices. For more information, contact Jamie Cahillane in our Pittsfield office.

ReStore’S First Birthday

The ReStore Home Improvement Center celebrated its first birthday at the end of September. Our staff, volunteers and community partners have worked hard to create an economically productive, comfortable retail space for customers out of a marginally used building that was part dilapidated oil-truck garage and part abandoned wood shop. Recent improvements include new heating and lighting for the building, more display shelving, and a newly paved storage yard. With funds from the MA Department of Environmental Protection, the ReStore now has a forklift and a truck for pick-ups and deliveries. Thousands of customers have purchased over $100,000 (valued at $200,000, if new) in home improvement materials, while diverting tons of useful materials from disposal. All in all, that's a great year. Happy Birthday, ReStore! For more information, contact Holly Milton-Benoit at the ReStore.

Area Students Can Join National Science Bowl

CET was selected as one of sixteen sites across the country for the U.S. Department of Energy 2003 Middle School Science Bowl finals in Golden, Colorado. This spring, students from the Berkshire-Hudson region will compete in a combination Junior Solar Sprint and Science Bowl. The four students on the winning team and their coaches will get a free trip to the finals. For more information, contact Paul Schmidt in our Pittsfield office.

From Heat To Light

Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) customers can exchange halogen torchiere lamps for energy efficient models at the ReStore in Springfield and CET's Pittsfield office. Since May, almost 400 used halogen torchieres have been exchanged for EnergyStar compact fluorescent models. Through this swap, people save money and energy, protect the environment and reduce the risk of a home fire. For information on the Torchiere Exchange or energy efficient lighting, contact Halena Huda in our Pittsfield office.

Cet Welcomes New Waste Management Specialist

Eric Hammerling joined CET in June 2002 to help run the Massachusetts Materials Exchange. He is currently assisting an effort to reduce pesticide use at schools, day care centers, homes and businesses in rural western Massachusetts. Before coming to CET, Eric served as the Director of the Northeast Region for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Boston. He has a B.A. in History from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, and a M.S. in Range Management/Environmental Science from the University of California at Berkeley. Stop by our Northampton office to say hello.

Cet Welcomes New Americorps*Vista Member

Amy Johns has joined CET's Waste Management Team as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member. Amy is working on several projects including Recycling Services, household hazardous waste collections, and pesticide use reduction. Last year, she worked with the Berkshire Conservation Team in Pittsfield as an AmeriCorps member. Amy is a graduate of Williams College where she studied Biology. Stop by our Pittsfield office to say hello.