In 2007, “Locavore” became the “Word of the Year” for the Oxford American Dictionary. Environmental Action Group members were happy to hear this!

What are Locavores? Locavores are people who pay attention to where their food comes from and commit to eating local food as much as possible. They recognize that the choices we make about the foods we eat not only affect our health, but have important environmental and economical consequences as well.

Our food now travels an average of 1,500 miles before ending up on our plates. The many uncounted costs of this long distance journey are not paid for at the checkout counter, and most of us don’t think about them at all. They include air pollution, contribution to global climate change, and the loss of family farms and local community dollars.

This globalization of the food supply has consequences for our health, as well. The quality of a food is derived not merely from its genes and the greens that fed it, but from how it is prepared and cared for all the way until it reaches our mouths. Local, farm-raised food is fresher, more nutrient-rich, less susceptible to contamination, and tastier than food that has been put in cold storage, handled often and traveled long distances.

An often cited, but not universal, definition of “local” food is food grown within 100 miles of its point of purchase or consumption. But each individual and family needs to make their own decision about where they draw the line. Many locavores start by trying to eat within a 100-mile radius from their homes and then adjust when necessary, sometimes encompassing an area as large as an entire state or region. Others, rather than trying to source everything at once, start with picking 5 foods that they can buy locally. Fruits and vegetables that can be grown throughout the continental U.S. include apples, root vegetables, lettuce, herbs and greens. In most areas, it’s also possible to find meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and cheese—all grown, harvested and produced close to your home.

Thinking about where our food comes from can create difficult dilemmas. Studies have shown that in some situations, eating local is better for air quality and pollution than eating organic - that the miles that organic food often travels to our plate creates environmental damage that outweighs the benefit of buying organic. Given these dilemmas, it is all the more important that we educate ourselves about eating consciously and ethically. And any small steps in the right direction will be helpful to our bodies, our communities, and the environment.

Ways to Become a Locavore (inspired by a list from Jennifer Maiser, editor of the “Eat Local Challenge” website/blog):

• Visit a farmer’s market. Farmers’ markets keep small farms in business through direct sales. As discussed above, farm food is fresher, at peak taste, less expensive, and has the most nutrients.

• Find a local Community Supported Agriculture program and invest in a local farm. Temple Shalom is fortunate to be a part of the Red Fire Farm CSA Program and every Thursday afternoon in the summer farm shares are delivered to temple participants. In addition to the organic vegetables, Red Fire Farm offers shares of fruit, flowers and eggs. Similarly, you can join a food coop.

• Lobby your supermarket. Ask your supermarket managers where your meat, produce and dairy is coming from - let them know that local items are important to you and why. Shop in their “locally grown” section.

• Find out what restaurants in your area support local farmers. You can do this by asking the restaurants about their ingredients directly, by asking your favorite farmers what restaurant accounts they have, or by Googling “sustainable restaurants MA.”

• Have a garden and grow your own produce.

• Try to be “local” even in the winter. Find out if your CSA offers “winter shares.” Red Fire Farm does. Or preserve local foods yourself for the winter (e.g. by making your own applesauce, apple butter, or pasta sauce, or by freezing raw or blanched fruits and vegetables).
  

• Ask about the origins of your food. Call the producer of your favorite foods to see where the ingredients are from. You’ll be amazed how many large processed food companies are unable to tell you. By continuing to ask these questions we are sending a message to these companies that consumers want to know the origin of ingredients.

• Visit a farm. Ask the farmers what challenges they have had and why they choose to grow what they are growing. Be sure to take children along on this journey. To be responsible citizens, and to truly enjoy our meals, we all need to know where our food is coming from. While you are visiting the farm, shop at their produce stands, or “pick your own.

• Check out this website and app: http://www.getlocavore.com for ways to find farms, farmer’s markets, CSA’s, locavore recipes, and other info about local, in-season food.

Since October, Newton residents have had a change in their electronics recycling instructions. To schedule a curb-side collection of appliances/electronics, residents now need to call 617.796.1904 or go online at www.newtonrecycles.com. (Call by Wed. at 5:00 for a Sat. pickup.) There is a $12 charge for each pick-up which includes an unlimited number of appliance and electronic items - and there will be an additional charge of $12 per unit if there is more than one TV or computer monitor. Residents can also bring these items to Rumford Ave. on selected Sat. mornings, including 12/17/11 and 1/21/12. See www.newtonrecycles.com or call 617.796.1000 for all dates and more information.

While it may seem unfair to have to pay to recycle computer and TV monitors, the fact is that dealing with e-waste responsibly is a labor-intensive process, one that involves technical know-how and the handling of toxic chemicals. Newton’s fees, in fact, are less than those of many other towns. As we learn more about the deleterious effects on our environment of the improper disposal of electronics, both the manufacturers and we, the consumers, will have to take more responsibility for what happens when we are done with these items.

One important thing to keep in mind when disposing of electronics is the issue of identity theft. Computers (and other devices with personal and confidential information on them) need to be properly “scrubbed” before they are donated. This isn’t easy to do and usually involves the assistance of a tech-savvy individual. If you are getting a new computer and using a tech consultant, that person could “scrub” your old computer for you, enabling you to then donate it to a charitable resource. Or perhaps you will feel confident to buy the proper software and do this scrubbing on your own. If you can’t scrub, you will need to take the hard drive out and destroy it yourself, and then have the rest of the computer parts recycled.

What you can do to dispose of electronics more responsibly:

• Participate in Newton’s new Appliance and Electronic collection program - don’t just throw these items out with your trash. Make sure to attend to the “scrubbing” instructions above. If you don’t live in Newton, contact your town/city hall, DPW, or www.earth911.com for info about appliance/electronics disposal.
• Donate your computer for reuse to organizations such as: Solutions at Work, Recycle Computers 4 Cancer, Tecschange.org, YouthBuild Boston, the Salvation Army, and the Cristina Foundation. Or donate to Savers, Urban Renewal (Brighton), Global Thrift (Waltham) - thrift stores that have charitable partners. Call first to check which electronics they are currently accepting, and make sure to see the scrubbing instructions above.
• Many computer/electronics companies and stores offer recycling opportunities as well as incentives for recycling or “exchanging” your electronics. Check the programs of manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Apple and Gateway, as well as stores such as Staples, Office Max and Best Buy. Again, attend to the scrubbing instructions above.
• Check out the helpful information on recycling electronics of all sizes at eBay rethink: http://pages.ebay.com/rethink/, www.earth911.com, and at Newton’s Recyclopedia http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/dpw/recycling/residents/odd_materials.htm, www.eiae.org and www.greendisk.com. And remember scrubbing!

“Green” tips about buying and using computers:

• Try to wait longer until you buy that new computer - do you really need a faster machine with new bells and whistles? The longer you wait, the “greener” the options will be for new computers.
• Give your existing computer a boost: More RAM, a better video card, a processor upgrade, and regular maintenance tactics (e.g. anti-virus scans, spyware checks, disk “defragging” and cleanup), can all improve a computer’s functioning.
• Utilize your computer’s options for saving energy.
• Buy from a company that has a good “green record” - in terms of both manufacturing practices and materials used. Look for “Energy Star” products.
• Buy from a company that has a good recycling program, one that will take the computer back from you when you are done with it, and refurbish it or responsibly dispose of the parts.
• Look into buying a “refurbished” computer.
• If you are going to upgrade in a year or two, consider leasing electronics. Leasing usually extends the useful life of a computer, insuring that it will be refurbished or responsibly recycled.

New information about saving energy (and money) has come to our attention, and the Environmental Action Group thought it would be a good time to update this topic for the Temple Shalom Community. Energy saving is crucial as we have a limited supply of most of the energy sources we rely on - and at some point we will run out of them. Our conservation efforts right now will extend this deadline into the future, giving us more time to learn how to cultivate renewable sources. Equally important is the fact that the less energy we currently consume, the less negative impact there will be to our environment and society - less air and water pollution, global climate change, oil spills, loss of wilderness areas, foreign energy dependence and risk of international conflict over energy supplies.

Here are some of the new thoughts about saving energy and money:

• Did you know that the time of day when you use your electrical appliances could save you money? Ask your energy provider if your charges are (or can be) based on peak and off-peak hours - a “time of day” plan. If you know when the peak hours are, you can avoid using extra energy during those hours. Just moving hot-water-dependent chores like laundry, showers and dish washing to off-peak hours can provide substantial savings.
• Some customers have energy monitors/meters provided by their energy company that allow them to constantly monitor their energy use and be continually informed about peak and off-peak times. Tracking daily use by reading the meter can give you feedback on what you could be doing to save electricity
• There are online tools to help you track your energy use, analyze it year-to-year, and compare your use with others in your neighborhood. To have access to these tools, go to your energy provider’s website and create an online account. The site creates reports, based on your own data, that you can use to see how you are doing and compare with your neighbors. The report also includes tips for you, based on your bills and practices.

Actually, there are thousands of ways to save energy; the problem is often just about getting started. To motivate yourself, keep in mind the benefits to our current environmental conditions and quality of life, as well as those to future generations. Share your motivation with a friend and have a buddy for support. Or join an EcoTeam, another way to find support and have fun with this process (contact Jennifer Stone, Temple member, or go to greendecade.org/ecoteams.html). And of course, keep in mind that many energy saving tactics also save you money!

Here are other tips about saving energy and money. Any small change makes a difference:

• Schedule a free energy audit through your electric company or www.MassSAVE.com.
• Use a programmable thermostat to save energy while you are sleeping or away from home.
• Turn off lights and electronics when not in use, and use a power strip when appropriate.
• Replace inefficient appliances and buy Energy Star qualified ones. Take advantage of rebates for these and other “green” purchases.
• Weather-strip drafty doors and windows, and attend to all air and water leaks.
• Use energy saving lighting - CFL or LED.
• Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees.
• Insulate, or increase the amount of insulation, in basement, attic and outside walls.
• Have your heating system serviced once a year and regularly replace furnace filters.
• Takes showers instead of baths, and take shorter showers! Install a water-saving shower head.
• Wash clothing in cold water in the washing machine. Wash full loads, or be sure to set the appropriate water level. Wash full loads of dishes - don’t pre-rinse, and use air-dry cycle.
• Lower the thermostat in cold weather, and wear an extra layer.
• Use smaller kitchen appliances when appropriate - such as microwaves, slow-cookers and toaster-ovens.
• Don’t let the water run while tooth brushing, or while shampooing/conditioning/lathering in the shower.
• Shop for durable, long-lasting products, not disposable ones. Re-use whenever possible.
• Buy second-hand and recycled products. Mend and repair, rather than discard and replace.
• Drive the speed limit and avoid abrupt starts and stops. Warm up car for only 10 - 30 seconds. Keep your tires properly inflated and your car tuned up.
• Check into telecommuting, carpooling and public transit. Walk or bicycle whenever possible.
• Bleed radiators every season. Don’t block radiators or heating vents with furniture or draperies.
• During the winter, close curtains and blinds at night to prevent heat loss; keep them open during the day to absorb energy from the sun.

I resisted watching the DVD Food, Inc. as I knew it would be an unsettling experience, one that would probably change everything about my relationship to food. In fact, the movie’s subtitle is: “You’ll never look at dinner the same way again!” It’s true, I haven’t looked at any meal the same way since, and I am grateful for this eye-opening education.

Food, Inc. exposes America’s industrialized food system and its effect on our environment, health, economy and workers’ rights. It encourages us to become conscious of what we are eating, where it comes from, and how animals and food workers are treated. The movie motivated me to seek out more organic and locally produced food, and to join Temple Shalom’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program last summer. Our CSA supports the production of organic produce at Red Fire Farm in Granby, MA, and lets us enjoy that produce along with others temple friends.

Here are some things that you can do to be more conscious and ethical about food:

• Educate yourself about the current state of our food industry and what is in the food that you eat. Watch Food, Inc., Fast Food Nation, Super Size Me, read Food, Inc. (the book), The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Food Rules, and other books by Michael Pollan.
• Decide which values you are supporting when you make your food choices: e.g. sustainability, better treatment of animals, fair trade and worker’s rights, your physical health, the health of our planet. This will help you to decide the steps you want to take in choosing your food.
• Purchase organic and/or locally grown food whenever possible. Encourage your supermarket to carry these items.
• Find farmer’s markets, food-coops, Community Supported Agriculture programs, and restaurants that are concerned about sustainability and your health. Check out www.eatwellguide.org.
• When shopping at a supermarket, purchase foods on the perimeter of the store and stay out of the middle where most of the processed food is shelved.
• Think about how far your food must have traveled to get to your grocery store or restaurant. Read labels.
• Find sustainably-fished seafood at the NE Aquarium site, www.neaq.org, or at www.blueocean.org.
• Eat less meat. Go without meat one day a week - perhaps have a Meatless Monday.
• Have a garden and grow your own produce and herbs. Compost.
• Tell the legislature that food safety and the safety of workers are important to you, and also that school children should be served healthy meals, not junk food and soda.

To sign up for Temple Shalom’s CSA, go to the online application: www.redfirefarm.com.

Frequently Asked Questions 2011

Can I recycle batteries?

In Newton, some batteries can be recycled by taking them to the Rumford Recycling Depot: button, cell phone, hearing aid, car and rechargeable ones. Alkaline batteries, which no longer contain toxic chemicals, can be thrown out with the regular trash. (Contact www.batteryrecycling.com to recycle alkaline batteries for a fee.)

How can I deal with junk mail and other unwanted solicitations? There are many ways to do this. A few popular ones are:

• Register with DMA Mail Preference Service at www.dmachoice.org.
• Call 1-888-567-8688 to stop credit card and insurance offers.
• Use www.catalogchoice.org to get off catalog lists.
• Contact the Do Not Call Directory at 1-888-383-1222 or www.donotcall.gov, to rid yourself of telemarketers.
• www.yellowpagesgoesgreen to stop receiving phone books.

What can I do with Styrofoam?

• Large Blocks: Newton is now accepting large chunks of Styrofoam at the Rumford Recycling Depot! (Or go to www.epspackaging.org)
• Pellets can be brought to Mail Boxes, Etc., UPS stores.

What do I do with unused or unwanted medications? In Newton, most liquid and solid medications can be disposed of in the regular trash.

• Look for any specific disposal instructions on the drug label or flyer.
• Place loose pills and liquids in a sealable plastic bag. Mix with something undesirable (e.g. kitty litter, used coffee grounds, sawdust). If you use another type of container, write “do not recycle” on it.
• Throw bag/container in with trash. Do not use the sink or toilet.
• For further info, or non-Newton, contact your health dept., or: www.smarxtdisposal.net.

How can I get an energy audit?

Schedule a free energy audit through the utility company that provides your electricity, or through MassSAVE (1-866-527-7283).

What can I do with my car in the winter to help the environment?

• Checking your tire pressure and obeying the speed limit will save many gallons of gas.
• Warming up your car for only the recommended 30 seconds, can reduce idling pollution.

General Resources about Recycling:

• If you don’t live in Newton, contact your DPW or try www.Earth911.com.
• http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/dpw/recycling/depot/accepted_depot.htm (for what is accepted at the Rumford Recycling Depot)
• The “Recyclopedia” at http://www.newtonma.gov/DPW/recycling
• Newton Town Hall, 617-796-1000 (general recycling info)

Every time we shop, we are presented with thousands of choices. Grocery stores carry over 30,000 products and big box retailers over 100,000. One way to narrow down these choices is to buy with the environment in mind. Everything we buy affects the environment, and some choices are definitely better than others.

Here are some tips about “green” purchasing - buying products that help save energy and conserve natural resources, are safe and healthy, and are produced in a socially responsible manner. Look for products that:

• have the least amount of packaging, and packaging that you can recycle.
• are energy efficient (e.g. CF light bulbs, products with the “Energy Star” logo.)
• are organic, durable, and reusable.
• are not filled with toxins and chemicals, and are free of fragrances/perfumes and dyes. Try “home remedies” and beware of the words “caution, warning, danger and poison.”
• have not used animal-testing for research.
• will not negatively affect our water supply when disposed of.
• are produced by “fair trade” guidelines.
• are produced locally. Be mindful of the high energy costs of products imported from afar.

In addition:

• Think twice before you buy - do I really need this? Can I borrow it, rent it, repurpose another item instead?
• Bring your own bag when shopping. Remember to carry bags for all shopping, not just the supermarket!
• Buy second-hand products, and recycle/donate products when you are done with them.
• Avoid single use items, e.g. paper plates and cups.
• Shop with a plan and stick to it.
• Try to buy only the amount/size you know you will use.

Helpful websites:

• www.goodguide.com - Rates over 6,500 products on health, environmental and social impact. Find non-toxic, environmentally-friends products with good social and safety records. Even has an “iPhone app” to use when you are out shopping.
• www.greenerchoices.org -  Consumer Reports products for a better planet: a Web-based initiative to inform, engage, and empower consumers about environmentally-friendly products and practices.

The Gulf Oil Disaster has highlighted how precious our water supply is, a resource we often take for granted. Water is essential to life on earth - we need it to grow food, keep clean, provide power, and to stay alive! Since 97.5% of the earth’s water is salt water, only 2.5% of it is usable by the 6 billion people on the planet today. As our population grows, more people are using up this limited resource - and we are already using and polluting it faster than we can replenish our clean supply.

In fact, over one billion people on earth already live without access to clean water, and 45 states in the US reported “water stress” conditions last year. It is imperative that we use our water wisely and not waste it. Every little bit counts!

Here are some things that you can do to save this valuable resource:

• Bathrooms and Faucets:
  • Repair any leaks to toilets, pipes, and faucets, and make sure there are water-saving aerators on faucets.
  • To check a toilet leak, put dye or food coloring into the tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak that needs repair.
  • If the toilet flush handle frequently sticks in the flush position, letting water run constantly, replace or fix it.
  • Don’t let water run unnecessarily while you brush teeth, shave, wash your face, or shampoo hair. Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
  • Shorten your shower, even by a minute or two, and get a low-flow water-efficient shower-head.
  • Put a bucket in the shower while waiting for water to warm - use for watering or cleaning.
  • Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
• Clothes Washing:
  • Run your washing machine (and dishwasher) only when full, or properly set them for the size of load.
  • Reuse your clothing and towels as often as possible before washing, and use cold water for washing whenever you can.
  • When shopping for a new washing machine, compare resource savings among Energy Star models.
• Dishwashing and Kitchens:
  • When washing dishes by hand, fill a sink basin or large container with soap and water scrub all dishes before rinsing. Similarly, wash fruits and vegetables in a pan of water, instead of freely running the tap.
  • Scrape dishes into the compost (or trash) rather than rinsing. New dishwashers require little or no pre-rinsing, and disposals use much water.
  • Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle.
  • Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it, such as watering plants/garden, or cleaning. (e.g. reuse water used for boiling, use leftover ice-cubes for plants.)
  • Boil food in as little water as possible. You just need enough to submerge your pasta, potatoes and vegetables. With less water you keep more flavor and nutrients in veggies.
  • Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the microwave.
  • Eat meat or dairy foods fewer times a day, or in smaller portions. The amount of water used to produce those products far exceeds the amount used for growing vegetables and grains.
• Lawns and Gardening
  • Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation. Set kitchen timer while watering.
  • Check for soil moisture before watering - if still wet two inches below the surface, you don’t need to water. Hand water, instead of using sprinklers, whenever possible.
  • Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance. Water plants only when necessary - more plants die from overwatering than from underwatering.
  • Monitor your water bill for unusually high rates - one way to discover leaks.
  • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk.
  • Aerate your lawn so water can reach roots more effectively.
  • Don’t water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
  • Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better.
  • Plant items that need less watering, e.g. native species, and consider having less lawn! (e.g. create patio, rock garden, walkway, shrubs, and ground cover.)
  • Avoid buying water toys that require a constant stream of water.
  • Set up rain barrels under a rain gutter and around your property to catch water to use for watering, washing car, etc.
  • If you are building a new house, or re-doing the plumbing in your old house, consider setting up a “graywater” system. These systems allow you to reuse the water from your sinks, laundry machines, and dishwashers for watering plants and flushing toilets.
  • Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider
• Car Washing:
  • Use a commercial car wash that recycles water - or eco-friendly waterless car wash kits.
  • Your hose is not a power-washer! Use soap and a sponge to clean the car and only use the hose to rinse it off.

· Tips that help our oceans:

• • Buy sustainable seafood locally caught whenever possible. Research ocean-friendly seafood at www.neaq.org.
  • Use less plastic and always recycle. 10 million tons of plastic ends up in the ocean annually, and much of it has collected in a spiral in the N Pacific, the size of Texas.
  • Don’t pollute your watershed - stop using toxic cleaners and pesticides.  Dispose of medications properly and pick up after pets.
    

• Other:
  • Go to www.H2Oconserve.org to calculate how much water you use and find more ways to cut back.
  • Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water at work.
  • Reduce your energy use. Producing electricity uses a lot of water.
  • Support legislation to conserve water, monitor water-quality, manage and protect groundwater, and support the right for clean water for everyone: e.g. www.water.org, www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/trust-fund, www.blueplanetproject.net

Composting is an inexpensive, convenient way to handle your organic waste and to help the environment at the same time. Yard trimmings and food residuals constitute around 30% of the U.S. solid waste stream. Most of this could be diverted from landfills by composting, saving considerable money and energy. In addition, composting aids the environment by decontaminating soil, suppressing plant disease, and leading to less need for pesticides and water.

Composting helps you, the homeowner, by improving soil and creating protective mulch for trees and shrubs. It saves you money on soil and fertilizer, reduces the need for watering, and creates less waste that needs to be bagged and dragged to the curb for collection.

While composting may seem mysterious or complicated, it really is a very simple process. It can be done indoors or out. Some predict it will become as commonplace as recycling in the next ten years. (In California it is already mandated in some areas.) All you need is a bin, organic waste, air, moisture, and a turning tool or turning option (included as part of your bin). In fact, composting is regularly done in the Temple Shalom Nursery School! The children begin composting at Rosh Hashanah (as a birthday present to the world), depositing their fruit and vegetable scraps from snack and lunch. Throughout the year, they periodically examine the process in the composter and eventually are able to plant in their garden with their own newly created soil.

How to compost:

1. Some common things that you can compost are: grass, garden clippings/weeds, vegetables and fruit scraps, bread and grains, eggshells, teabags, coffee grounds, dead house plants, leaves, twigs, woodchips pine needles, corn stalks, shredded newspapers, paper towels, tissues and napkins.
2. Helpful directions, including how to buy a compost bin, are available on the Newton DPW website: http://www.newtonma.gov/DPW/recycling/Composting/compost_bin.htm, and on the MA Dept. of Environmental Protection website: http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/reduce/composti.htm.

In Newton we are very lucky to have Green Decade/Newton, an organization of volunteers working together for a healthy and sustainable environment.  In addition to the many lectures, programs, and committees they sponsor, you can find a wealth of “green friendly” information (including much about pesticides) on their website www.greendecade.org. 

What are the dangers of pesticides?

1.       Pesticides are poisons that can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin after application. They can have these effects for many days after application - endangering your family, neighbors, pets, wildlife, and generations to come.

2.       Pesticides contaminate our drinking water, food, soil and air, and also kill off beneficial weeds and insects. 

3.       Pesticides can cause serious adverse health risks even at low doses. They are believed to contribute to cancer, and to damage the central nervous system, the endocrine and immune system, and the respiratory system.

4.       They are especially hazardous to children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions.

5.       Don’t be misled if someone says that just an “herbicide” is being used, and that it is registered by the Environmental Protection Agency.  An “herbicide” is a generic term for a type of pesticide that is used to destroy or inhibit plant growth. Agent Orange was an herbicide. All pesticides are registered by the EPA, and it is against the law to market them as “safe.” 

What alternatives do we have?

1.       Go to the Green Decade Website and educate yourself about the advantages of a more natural “Integrated Pest Management” system.

2.       Find out about GreenCAP - the Green Decade’s Committee on Alternatives to Pesticides.

3.       Avoid taking walks or exercising where you see landscapers have applied chemicals, even after the signs are gone. Teach your children to stay away from areas where pesticide warning signs are posted.

4.       Talk with your lawn services provider, if you have one, about options, as early in the season as possible, or switch to a provider who is more “green” savvy. 

5.       See the list of Local Organic Lawn Care Services, and Organic Gardening and Landscaping Suppliers on the Green Decade Website.

See the Green Decade website for other tips about having a “naturally” beautiful lawn, including:

1.       How to deal with lawn grubs, crabgrass, poison ivy and other lawn problems.

2.       How to improve and aerate your soil, and how to deal with sun and shade.

3.       Mow “high,” and water slowly and deeply, in early morning and only when the lawn needs it.

4.       A healthy lawn is a dynamic eco-system - it may have some weeds and insects. Have realistic goals, and be patient while you transition from chemical to natural methods.

 Here is a list of some of the lesser-known things that you can recycle or donate.  Before you send something off in the trash, check with one of the helpful general resources below to see if that item could be recycled.  Also, you can try:  “Googling” (e.g. “recycling carpeting”), offering the item on Craig’s List,  Freecycle.org, or WasteNotNewton.com, or even checking with the item’s manufacturer.  Let’s see how we can prevent as much as possible from  ending up in landfills.

A few of the many lesser-known things that you can recycle/donate:

1. Sneakers:  Nike processes and recycles all brands of  sneakers and athletic shoes. Bring to Niketown stores in Wrentham or Boston, or see website - www.nikereuseashoe.com
2. Eyeglasses: www. Lionsclub.org (go to “donate eyeglasses” for drop-off locations/mail-in address.  Also:  www.neweyesfortheneedy.com, and www.onesight.org
3. Compact fluorescent light bulbs: take to Newton’s Rumford Recycling Depot, Home Depot, or IKEA
4. Crayons:  www.crazycrayons.com  (also www.earthlingcrayons.com) melts them down and makes new hand-crafted ones
5. Dry cleaner hangers and plastic: find a dry cleaner who takes them back. The plastic bags can also be recycled at many supermarkets along with soft (#2 and #4) plastic bags. (Green tip: find a dry cleaner that uses “wet cleaning,” and “reusable” bags.)
6. Packaging: Styrofoam pellets - UPS Store, Mail Boxes Etc, or www.loosefillpackaging.com.  Foam blocks - Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers www.epspackaging.org
7. Tyvek envelopes:  www.recycletyvek.com, or for quantities less than 25: Send to Tyvek Recycling Specialist, 5401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Spot 197, Room 231, Richmond, VA 23234
8. Ink/toner cartridges:  bring to Temple Shalom for recycling, or to Staples
9. Rubber bands:  Collect in a bag and leave for your mail-carrier or bring to post office
10. Carpeting:  www.carpetrecovery.org or check with manufacturer
11. Building materials:  Building Materials Resource Center, 617-442-8917, www.bostonbmrc.org, Roxbury or Boston Restore, Inc., 617-288-8400, www.bostonrestore.org, Dorchester
12. Wine corks: www.yemmhart.com 
13. Aseptic packaging, aerosol cans, hard and soft cover books and telephone books:  taken in regular Newton green recycling cart.

General Resources with information about recycling/donating/reusing:

1.       www.Earth.911

2.       the “Recyclopedia” at http://www.newtonma.gov/DPW/recycling

3.       Temple Shalom’s Environment Blog: http://www.greensimchaguide.org/monthlyblog