2006 Issues of EcoBytes

Welcome to Volume 8, Issue 2 of EcoBytes the Center for Ecological Technology's (CET) email newsletter. EcoBytes updates you on CET's accomplishments in waste, energy and environmental education. Visit us at www.cetonline.org to learn more about our programs. For mailing list changes or deletions, please contact Ruth.

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Spring into Home Energy Efficiency
• ReStore Decon Goes Big Time
• The 411 on Schools
• Green - the New Red, White and Blue
• SunFest at Howden Farm
• Rags are Riches
• Singing the Unsung
• Upcoming events

Spring into Home Energy Efficiency

With the warmer weather, heating bills go down, so now is the time to increase your home's energy efficiency. CET provides energy efficiency services for National Grid and Berkshire Gas Company customers through MassSAVE, a statewide program to improve home energy efficiency. As needed, homeowners receive a no-cost energy survey to identify specific energy efficiency improvements, with a focus on major measures like wall and attic insulation and instrumented air sealing. The utility companies will pay for 50% of the cost of these improvements, up to $1,500, if arranged through the program. Federal tax credits are available for qualified improvements. Starting May 15, 0-3% financing is also available. Now’s the time to make the payback for your improvements almost instantaneous! It can take several months once you call for an appointment to get the work completed. Start by scheduling a survey. To find out more, visit www.masssave.comorcontactMassSAVEat1-866-527-7283.

ReStore Decon Goes Big Time

The ReStore Home Improvement Center recently entered the world of large-scale deconstruction of military housing. We teamed up with Atlantic Marine Corps Communities (AMCC) LLC, the public-private venture company formed by the Department of the Navy and Actus Lend Lease, to reuse materials from the Stewart Terrace Military Family Housing Area in Orange County, New York. In a little over one week, we saved over 30 tons of materials from disposal, including over 70 windows, 70 cabinets sets and 30 garden sheds. That's a lot of waste diversion for our environment and affordable home improvement for our customers! The ReStore partnered with Construction Junction of Pittsburgh, PA to get the job done. Many thanks to AMCC for their forward-thinking approach to demolition and redevelopment. Visit the ReStore’s decon page to view photos. For more information, contact John Majercak. Wondering how the ReStore is growing? Read about the successes of 2006 in the ReStore’s latest Annual Report. Find it at the ReStore online.

The 411 on Schools

Before school is out for the summer, we want to share some of this year’s accomplishments. In collaboration with the Southern Berkshire Solid Waste Management District, CET started a paper-recycling program at the Becket Washington School. From the ‘kick-off’ assembly program to distributing bins for paper collection, each student learned about paper recycling. Each week, the fifth graders collect and weigh the recycled paper and calculate the number of trees saved by the school’s recycling efforts. Students created a quilt-like tapestry from paper they created from waste paper. The success of the school recycling program has inspired the Central Berkshire Regional School District to start paper recycling in its central offices. For more information, contact Cynthia Grippaldi.

CET's partnership with Conte Community School's Connected for Success after-school program continues to flourish. Conte's fourth graders researched, wrote, directed and starred in four Public Service Announcements that demonstrate the importance of clean water. The skits were filmed and broadcast with the help of Pittsfield Community Television. The students learned about the environment, and strengthened their writing, public speaking and team-building skills. Conte’s fifth graders are designing and constructing model cars powered by a solar panel as a way to learn about alternative energy, science and engineering. Once completed, the cars compete in the Junior Solar Sprint, a regional race that will be held on June 3rd at Reid Middle School in Pittsfield. For more information, contact Alison Lesht.

Last fall, CET taught an environmental science class about waste and recycling at the Granby Schools. Inspired, the students chose to make waste reduction and recycling a class project – starting with bottle and can recycling and quickly adding cell phones and empty printer cartridges. Then they looked at the single largest waste generator: the cafeteria. The school had been using Styrofoam trays, which after one use were thrown away. The students asked for permission to test a program where biodegradable trays could be composted with food waste and other organic materials. CET helped the students think through the logistics to launch the pilot program. And what a success! Overall waste was reduced by 50% as a result of composting. The custodial staff saw the benefits and the finance manager documented savings. The School Committee recognized the students for their outstanding achievement and the MRF Advisory Board named the teacher "Recycler of the Year". For more information, contact Lorenzo Macaluso.

Green - the New Red, White and Blue

The sun will soon power municipal buildings in several western Mass towns where residents have heartily supported New England GreenStart, CET and Mass Energy’s green energy product. With funds from "Clean Energy Choice," a state program that rewards towns whose residents choose green energy for their home, several solar projects are on the drawing board. In Wendell, where over 12% of the residents enrolled in GreenStart, the Town is considering solar panels on the library. Wendell’s neighbor, Shutesbury is getting bids for solar panels on its elementary school and possibly its Town Hall. With $75,000 already earned through Clean Energy Choice, Northampton has a large photovoltaic project on order for its middle school. The Mayor is also exploring using funds for solar panels on the new "green" Senior Center. In Williamstown, over three percent of households have signed up for GreenStart, and this summer, the Town will install a 2.4 kW photovoltaic system on the Milne Public Library. For more information, contact Peggy MacLeod.

SunFest at Howden Farm

On April 24, 2006, friends, area farmers, and public officials gathered at Howden Farm in Sheffield, MA to celebrate the new solar array installed to power drip irrigation for the pick-your-own berry fields. Guests enjoyed a song by local musicians and were inspired by Congressman John Olver who described evidence of climate disruption, and urged us to follow the example of Howden Farm in taking action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Chris Derby Kilfoyle of Berkshire Photovoltaic Services explained how the solar panels turn sunlight into electricity without emitting greenhouse gases. CET thanked the many partners who helped with designing, financing, installing and now monitoring the installation. Thanks go to the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and U.S Department of Energy. CET’s work with area farms to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy is highlighted in the SARE 2006 Annual Report. Find out more about Howden’s solar system, contact Ruth Dinerman or visit www.howdenfarm.com.

Rags are Riches

On two beautiful days in April, CET welcomed a steady stream of residents who dropped off bags of used clothes and other textiles as part of the 11th Annual Earth Day Clothing and Textile Drive. The textile collection educates about re-use and recycling. The collected clothes will be resold, or recycled into rags if it can’t be resold as clothing. Helped by a large drop-off at the Berkshire South Regional Community Center, CET collected over 19,000 pounds of textiles. Thanks to everyone who helped make this drive such a great success. To find out more, contact Alison Lesht.

Singing the Unsung

CET has been singing ever since Laura Dubester was selected as a 2006 Community Unsung Heroine through the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Nominated by State Senator Andrea Nuciforo, Laura was honored for her volunteer efforts to increase environmental responsibility in her local community.

Upcoming Events

June 1, Our Energy Future: Opportunities for Efficiency and Renewable Energy in the Berkshires, the Unitarian Universalist Church, Pittsfield.

June 3, Junior Solar Sprint, Pittsfield