2004 Issues of EcoBytes

Welcome to Volume 6, 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:

• After the Lights Burn Out
• Solar Energy: Coming to a School or Farm Near You
• Architects Build on Design Advice
• A Call to Recycle
• Reporting Our Progress
• Shop, Shop, Shop at CET Online
• New CET Staff
• Upcoming Events

After the Lights Burn Out

> Fluorescent lamps reduce energy consumption, which cuts down on power plant emissions of mercury and other pollutants. However, they also contain small amounts of mercury, a potent neurotoxin. To keep this toxin out of the trash, CET assists businesses interested in recycling fluorescent lamps. Springfield Mayor Charles Ryan asked the city’s largest businesses to recycle old lamps and his letter was accompanied by CET’s "getting started" materials. Following the Mayor’s letter, CET contacted over 100 businesses. Since May, over 20 businesses have begun to collect, store and send old bulbs to a recycler. This work is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For more information, contact Lorenzo Macaluso at 413-218-1543 or visit our bulb recycling page.

Solar Energy: Coming to a School or Farm Near You

This fall, several Berkshire schools and farms will start producing electricity from the sun using photovoltaic panels. Conte Community School in Pittsfield, Gould Farm in Monterey, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and McCann Technical High School in North Adams, Simon’s Rock College in Great Barrington and Williams College in Williamstown will soon generate electricity from a clean, renewable and local source of energy. Funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and the U.S. Department of Energy reduces the cost of the systems by about 50%, and supports education for students and the public about solar energy in our region. Berkshire Photovoltaic Services of Adams and CSGS of Westborough, MA will install the systems. For more information, contact Nancy Nylen.

Architects Build on Design Advice

In June, CET offered the first in a series of introductory workshops on Energy Star® Homes in western Massachusetts. Architects discovered how energy efficient building techniques can benefit clients and learned about incentives to builders for energy efficient new homes offered by both Massachusetts Electric Company and Western Massachusetts Electric Company. Analyzing a house as a system and how to fine-tune designs to ensure healthier indoor air quality were some of the lessons learned. Upcoming sessions are scheduled in Northampton in October and Pittsfield in early November. For more information, contact Peggy MacLeod.

A Call to Recycle

In twenty years, cell phones have gone from novel to ubiquitous. On average, cell phone users replace their phones every 18 months, and many phones are stashed in drawers and closets. It’s now easier for residents to keep the toxic contents of cell phones out of our air and water by recycling their unwanted cell phones for refurbishing, reuse or recycling. CET worked with towns in south Berkshire County to establish drop-off sites for used cell phones and helped promote options throughout the Berkshires and Pioneer Valley. Check out your recycling options. For more information, contact Amy Johns.

Reporting Our Progress

It’s not often that we, at CET, take a look at all we’ve accomplished. Recently we did just that. In the past year we served almost 13,000 children and adults. We invite you to discover our diverse programs by viewing "A Day in the Life: CET’s 2004 Progress Report." The Progress Report can be downloaded. Or send your mailing address to Ruth Dinerman to receive one by mail.

Shop, Shop, Shop at CET Online

Now you can purchase environmentally friendly products that save money, reduce your impact on the planet and support CET. Visit CET’s new online storefront which is available through a partnership with the Energy Federation (EFI). Explore a variety of energy savings products that reduce water, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. To receive a 10% discount visit CET's online storefront or contact Alan Silverstein.

Welcome New CET Staff

Raya Ariella, a Berkshire native, recently joined CET’s team as a waste management and renewable energy specialist. Raya has a B.A in Environmental Studies from Mt. Holyoke College and a Masters in Resource Management and Administration from Antioch New England Graduate School. While at Antioch, Raya interned at CET and conducted community presentations about global warming. Please stop by to say hello to Raya if you are in Pittsfield.

CET hosts two new AmeriCorps VISTA members. Ezra Small, based at the Pittsfield office, works on recycling services, waste management and environmental education. He graduated with a B.S. in Liberal Arts from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Noah Ullmann is working at the ReStore. He helps bring in new products and conducts outreach to the local community. Noah just graduated from Michigan State University where he earned a B.F.A.

Upcoming events:

Get Inside Solar and Green Buildings in the Berkshires, October 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out the list of buildings on view.

Tour the Searsburg Wind Project, October 2 at 2:30. To pre-register, contact Amy Johns.

Clean Energy Tour from Boston to the Berkshires, October 8 - 9, Mass MoCA. Enjoy workshops, hands-on activities for children, exhibits and demonstrations on renewable energy.

Our Fragile Planet: Tapping Renewable Energy - October 20, 7 p.m. the Community Room, JFK Middle School, Northampton.