Green New Year’s Resolutions from the Ewing Green Team

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Happy 2017!

As the old year ends and the new one begins, we frequently resolve to begin anew, to do something better and be better.  We asked all green team members to give us some green resolutions for the coming year. We share them to give you some simple ideas on what you can do. What would you add to the list?

Pete Boughton
I resolve to reduce the amount of food waste generated especially within my home.  I promise to either consume or give away what is prepared.

Mary Corrigan
I resolve to grow some of my own fresh food at the Ewing Community Gardens.  Community gardens improve the quality of life for people in the garden; act as a catalyst for neighborhood and community development; teach self-reliance and expand access to nutritious food.

Evan Crumiller
I will refrain from topping off my gas tank, a practice that is bad for the environment.  In case you hadn’t heard of this, our explanation follows:

This  leaves room for expansion in your gas tank.  It allows the evaporative emissions system of your vehicle to operate properly and re-burn fuel vapors which in turn reduces harmful emissions from our vehicles as well as prevents raw gasoline from entering into the carbon filter.  Raw fuel fouls your vehicle’s evaporative emission system and can cause gas to spill on the ground or issues with engine operation, resulting in  poor mileage, emissions and overall decreased engine performance.   Finally, gas station pumps are equipped with vapor recovery systems that feed back gas vapors into their tanks to prevent vapors from escaping into the air and adding toxic air pollutants such as benzene. So if you overfill your tank the extra fuel may be drawn back into the vapor line and fed back into the station’s storage tanks.

Lisa Feldman
This message is for walkers.  I resolve to pick up litter to make sure it doesn’t get washed down the sewers into the waterways as I walk.  In addition,  I resolve to bring a bag with me on my walks to help pick up more litter. I also like to think people see me doing this and will get the message.

John Hoegl
Whereas a comprehensive home energy audit would help me discover where and how my home is using energy inefficiently and what can be done to rectify the situation,  and whereas  household energy reduction benefits me and Ewing and the environment, and whereas I can save money by upgrading my home, I therefore resolve to schedule a home energy audit in 2017.

Garry Kheel
In our effort to make Ewing an even “Greener” community, I encourage other business owners to join me in making and following through with each of my New Year’s resolutions: (1) ensure that all proprietary documents and digital records are immediately shredded; (2) purchase a paper cutter and use it to cut all non-proprietary documents into squares and reuse them as note pads; and (3) enroll in the Direct Install program to upgrade and install energy efficient lighting, air conditioning, and heating units within your building.

Garry also provides a bonus suggestion.  With the beginning of the new year, many of us will be making a resolution to exercise more regularly.  One of the best low impact exercises is bike riding and at the same time of getting in better shape.  Bike riding also helps to reduce the auto exhaust into the air, thus helping our community become more green.  Bike riding and becoming more green: exercising and breathing better: a perfect combination.

Joe Mirabella
I resolve to mulch my trees properly and to let others know that the habit of piling mulch high around the base of a base of a tree can kill it.  Piling the mulch high around the tree base softens the bark.  Mice, insects, and fungus then feed on the living parts of the tree, killing tissue, cutting off water and nutrient supply as well as causing other serious problems. Proper mulching insures that mulch is never piled against the bark but kept 6 inches from the trunk and about 2 to 4 inches deep.

Joanne Mullowney
Did you know that the loss of habitat is probably the greatest threat to the variety of life on the planet today ?  I therefore resolve to become a better steward of nature on my property by employing eco-friendly gardening principles.   I will: (1) eschew the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers that destroy the molecular life of the soil and are harmful to all wildlife, (2) rebuild my soil via composting, using shredded leaves, grass clippings and kitchen scraps, (3) rip out some lawn and replace it with native plants that will assist in providing habitat for wildlife, and (4) include at least one (native) tree in my plantings.

Michael Nordquist
I will work to reduce the amount of waste I produce by simply buying less and buying items with minimal packaging. Most waste is produced through the production process of goods (mining, logging, manufacturing, packaging, shipping) and buying less and more intentionally is necessary to reduce one’s waste footprint.   I will also work to transition to eco-friendly household cleaning products, even if it takes more work to clean things.

Caroline Steward
I resolve to create a stronger, more resilient community by participating in my neighborhood association.  If there isn’t a association in my neighborhood I resolve to help form one.  Good neighbors build strong, and sustainable, communities.

Sarah Steward
I resolve to remember to bring and use my re-usable shopping bags at the grocery and other retail stores to do my part to limit additional plastics in our trash streams and environment!

Mark Wetherbee
I resolve to reduce my home energy usage.  I will keep my water heater’s temperature at about 120 to 125° F, the perfect temperature that does not create a thermal loss of the water as it would if folks set it at 150° F.  It is also safer for kids.  I will also use LED lighting all over the house.  Along with the energy savings, there is the life time of LEDs which is about 10 years.  They also are great with motion sensors as the CFLs degrade each time they are turned on and off.  That reduces their life.

We add one final suggestion.  We don’t know what the future holds for us beginning in 2017, but it appears that the roles of the states, local governments and environmental organizations will be more critical than ever in continuing efforts  to protect and clean up our environment.  So resolve to join with us in our work.  Come to a meeting and find a way that you can help us influence others to make needed positive changes for a better tomorrow for our town, our state, our country and our world.

The Ewing Green Team

Give the Environment a Holiday Gift – Celebrate Sustainably

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We love the holidays!  It is wonderful time of celebration, of family, of good food and good times.  However, despite all of the good times and feelings, it can also be a time of excess, waste, and great stress.  With a little thought, we think that you can green your holiday rituals and celebrations and make them more meaningful.  Read on for a few tips on how to celebrate the holidays more sustainably.

The Christmas Tree – Real or Fake?

Real

  • Christmas tree farms encompass many thousands of acres across the US and Canada, keeping an awful lot of carbon out of the atmosphere.  And for every tree that is harvested each year, it is typically replaced by more tree seedlings which will continue to sequester carbon dioxide for us.
  • They provide desperately needed food and habitat for many of our wild creatures.
  • Make sure that you are buying local to reduce your transportation duns on the environment.

Fake

  • Fake trees are primarily made of plastic and mostly in China.  Transportation costs are high for this option, as are environmental ones from the non-biodegradable plastics to the possible metal toxins such as lead.
  • Invasive insects such as grubs could also have hitched a ride so they might pose an additional challenge.
  • However, it is possible that some people with allergies to pollen or terpenes will likely benefit from use of a fake tree.  In that case, be sure to store the tree carefully so that it’s many usages over the years will overcome its high carbon footprint.
  • Consider using a potted tree.  It has the advantage of being able to be used for a number of years and then when it becomes too big to move, it can be planted in your yard.

For more information about the real vs. fake dilemma, read on for this very helpful and informative article from The Nature Conservancy.

Christmas Lights

  • Make the switch to LED lights that use one tenth as much energy as conventional holiday lights and last much longer.
  • Recycle your old lights.  Home Depot offers a recycling option before the holidays, but for those of you just reading this article that certainly won’t work.  Holiday LEDs (www.holidayleds.com) offers a year round recycling option.  Send them your old lights and they will send you a 15% coupon towards a purchase of new LED lighting.  For details, go to their recycling information page.
  • Use your lights sparingly.  Turn them off during the day and when most people are in for the night.  Timers are an effective way to manage this.  Don’t keep them on when no one is around.  This also helps to reduce potential fire hazards.

Gifting

  • Give the gift of an experience.  Whether a show or sporting event you will make memories to cherish.
  • Buy less.  Give the gift of your time.  It can be promising to take an elderly relative on errands or doing yard work or other house work.   Make homemade coupons or certificates!
  • Buy local.  We can’t emphasize this enough.  Not only does it reduce transportation costs, but it also supports your local community.
  • Minimalize your consumerism.  Instead of giving to everyone, have a Secret Santa gift exchange.  Add a twist to it with a White Elephant gift exchange and you can have a lot of fun trying to come up with the best gift in the exchange.  (Rules)
  • Give to favorite charity for your group.
  • Give handmade gifts.  They are always so appreciated.  From your homemade breads, cookies, or jams to knitted or crocheted items, the list of possibilities are endless.
  • Give gifts of books and magazines to help spread the “green” bug.

Wrapping

  • Çhoose sustainable gift wrap.  Use recycled wrapping paper.  Avoid use metallic or glossy paper that are not so environmentally friendly.
  • Use gift bags.  They are easily reused year after year.
  • Choose alternatives to commercial gift wrap.  This can include fabric, handkerchiefs, bandanas, scarves, thin towels, newspaper, and discarded paper items.  Put your gift in a pretty reusable basket.
  • Ribbons are easy to save and reuse.  Cut down used wrapping paper and reuse.
  • Save your holiday cards and use to make gift tags.

Your Holiday Dinner

  • Don’t forget to avoid using disposable products – no paper napkins or plates or glasses.  This is the time to bring out your holiday tableware.  Washing dishes afterwards is a small price to pay to reduce your trash output.
  • Food.  Buy local, free range and organic.  All of these options reduce the impact of your food choices on the environment.  They also have the added benefit of being the healthier choice.
  • Avoiding buying beverages in individual containers will also reduce waste.
  • Don’t forget to compost as much as you can from the holiday leftovers.

These are just a few suggestions out of the many possibilities for minimizing your environmental impact during the holiday season.   We think that employing them will help you minimize the amount of waste from your celebrations and also help to minimize your stress levels.

Have a happy and healthy holiday season from the Ewing Green Team!

EGT Holiday Celebration Dec 7th – Please Join Us

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This year has been one of milestone sustainability accomplishments and recognition for Ewing Township. We received our first Sustainable Jersey SILVER level certification with 460 points.  In addition, we received a Sustainability Champion award for earning the greatest number of points for a medium-sized municipality.  Actions in five key areas to generated over half of the points for our certification.  These included Sustainability Planning, Natural Resources, Brownfields, Land Use and Transportation and Community Partnership and Outreach.  Our partnerships with township boards and staff and community organizations  played a major role in accumulating points and helping us to create a more sustainable community.  The Ewing Green Team plans to celebrate these accomplishments and usher in the holiday season with a gathering of friends and volunteers on Wednesday, Dec 7th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the ESCC.  We hope that you will join us for the evening and enjoy the accomplishment.

Date: Wednesday, Dec 7th
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: ESCC, Community Room, 999 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing

Dispose of Unused Drugs Safely with Project Medicine Drop at Ewing Police Headquarters

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The Ewing Green Team is delighted to report that we just learned that Ewing Township has joined the New Jersey Attorney General’s “Project Medicine Drop” initiative, and has installed a Project Medicine Drop box at police headquarters.  So if your medicine cabinet is filled with unused medications that you no longer use, this is an easy and convenient way to dispose of them properly. The practice of flushing unused medications down the toilet is no longer recommended because of concerns about trace levels of drug residues found in surface water, such as rivers and lakes, and in some community drinking water supplies.  Dropping off unneeded drugs in a Project Medicine Drop box is also an important tool in fighting drug abuse and keeping medications from falling into the hands of anyone who might abuse them.

 “In an ongoing effort to continually expand the services offered to the community, we are happy to announce Ewing’s participation in Project Medicine Drop. The drop box provides a safe and convenient location for everyone in our community to drop off unused and expired medications. I encourage all Ewing residents to be aware of this resource and use it as a way to help prevent any potential for abuse,” said Mayor Bert Steinmann.

“Project Medicine Drop is a great addition to our commitment to public safety and the fight against opiate and prescription pill abuse.  The drop box will give residents a quick, easy and effective mechanism to safely dispose of unneeded medication without the fear of those medications ending up in the wrong hands,” Ewing Police Chief John Stemler said.

Project Medicine Drop is an important component of the New Jersey Attorney General’s effort to stop the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs, including highly addictive opiate painkillers.  This initiative also protects New Jersey’s environment by keeping these drugs of the landfills and out of the water supply.

Members of the public are invited to visit the Project Medicine Drop sites and drop off any unused prescription medications anonymously and with no questions asked.  Most Project Medicine Drop sites make this service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

 More information about Project Medicine Drop, including the full list of Project Medicine Drop locations, can be found at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov/meddrop.

2016 Autumn Festival a Treat for Ewing Families

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by Lisa Feldman

A good time was had by all on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at the Ewing Community Fall Festival of Fun with the popular annual ‘Trunk-or-Treat’, the Ewing Green Team’s award-winning 3rd Annual Scarecrow Contest, pumpkin painting, build-your-own scarecrow crafting with refreshments and music.

The sun was shining, and it was unusually warm for a late October day but it didn’t stop the spirits of the hundreds of trick-or-treaters from getting in the festive mood. There were over 250 kids dressed up and ready for the collection of dentist-pleasing goodies. Once through the candy-collecting parade, it was on to the pumpkin-painting, hot-chocolate and apple cider and cookies and do-nuts.

With music playing and goodies in hand, it was time to check-out the Scarecrows being judged for cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25.00. These had to be made of 80% recycled materials in order to qualify. While the judging was going on, people could also make their own scarecrows with lots of recycled clothes and fun accessories on hand with the obligatory hay for stuffing which could also win a cash prize of $25.00.

An additional treat was the Ewing Township having a fire truck on hand for kids of all ages to check out with souvenir fire hats being given out.

Judging for the Scarecrow Contest was graciously done by local officials and artists. They were: Councilman Kevin Baxter, Members of the Ewing Arts Commission – Jennifer Winn and Lauren Weber, Artist and Local Art Teacher/Entrepreneur Bill Farruto of Art Has No Boundaries and local art student Clare Maloney.

Emceeing the event was Ewing’s Town Councilwoman Jennifer Keyes-Maloney who also participated in the ‘Trunk-or-Treat’, aka Mrs. Minion and her Minion dog.

  • 1st prize went to: Vicki Laurie and her daughter and their creation ‘Mr. Bones’
  • 2nd Prize went to: Girl Scout Troop#70137, ‘Frankenscout’
  • 3rd Prize went to: Samantha Dupee for ‘Scarlette, the Zombie Eradicator.’

The hours were from 2:00-4:00 but at 4:30 lots of people were still hanging out – a sign of a successful event!  For more photos from the day go to the EGT Facebook page.

All the Green Teams of Mercer County work together to host; March 18th 2017 Mercer Green Fest (formerly the Living Local Expo).