CT Green Scene

What Do a Shoe, a Cell Phone and Paint Have in Common?

by Ilene Moyher

They’re all recyclable – and sometimes even for charity! It may be cash raised by turning in recyclable items, or in some cases, the items are repurposed or reused by those in need. There’s also the huge benefit of keeping these things out of landfills.

Here are just a few examples of organizations that creatively recycle typical and atypical items, and make it easy to participate:

Clothes, Shoes and More: “Over 85% of all clothing purchased in the USA ends up in our landfills instead of being recycled.” (Source Clothes4Souls.org)

• Clothes4Souls and Soles4Souls – These groups divert tons of clothing and shoes (new and gently used) from our landfills. Clothes4Souls and Soles4Souls give to people living in extreme poverty and support micro-business efforts to eradicate poverty.
• PlanetAid.org is another organization that collects clothes and shoes to help people worldwide. Look for one of their bins located in regions throughout the U.S.
• Refer to Socially & Environmentally Responsible Shoes for fun eco-friendly shoe news. Lots of great things are happening, and hopefully next on the plate of shoe manufacturers will be to establish less packaging (ever notice that shoes are heavily packed with non-recyclable, non-reusable filler?).

Active Wellness Holistic Fitness

by Christina Cioci

Active Wellness Holistic Fitness is a studio with heart. Co-owners Christina Yaworowski and Drew Lewis believe in living a healthy lifestyle. Yaworowski met Lewis at a crucial time in her life when she decided to stop her current sedentary lifestyle and become entirely committed to living a long, healthy life. She and Lewis began a romantic relationship and inspired one another to exercise regularly and eat healthy. After Yaworowski’s own transformation she decided she wanted to help other women do the same.

“I finished my Liberal Studies undergraduate degree and then I began by getting certified as a personal trainer,” she said. “I then did an internship with a private studio and started my career at a local franchised gym.”

Watermelon: The new super-fruit

by Christina Cioci

Summertime and watermelon seem to go hand-in-hand. Biting into that piece of juicy goodness brings back fond memories of picnics and pool parties. This much loved fruit is more than just a juicy snack. According to Watermelon.org, “About 200-300 varieties are grown in the U.S. and Mexico, although there are about 50 varieties that are very popular.” 

Today there are about 5 common types we see in markets: Seeded, Seedless, Mini, Yellow and Orange. Watermelon is packed full of nutrition, hydrates and is also low-fat! It is a great source of vitamin A which contains antioxidants; Vitamin C which can heal and strengthen the body and B6 which helps convert protein to energy.

Dan Esty to Speak in Westport

Grease Replaces Fuel

by Christina Cioci

The idea of using grease for fuel is a concept that is new to many people. Fueling a vehicle with used oil from restaurants might seem unbelievable, but it is a technique that has been gaining momentum. Although not all vehicles are easily converted, many are including some vans, Mercedes, GMC and other known models. It is being done throughout the United States and even internationally.

McDonald’s corporation in the United Arab Emirates is planning to reuse the fryer grease from the food to fuel their trucks. Not many people would think of this fast food chain as sustainable but they are partnering with Dubai based company Neutral Fuels, which is the first Middle East commercial producer of biodiesel using used vegetable cooking oil. Cleantechnica reports that “All restaurants throw out a tremendous amount of used cooking oil, but ones like McDonald’s – that deep-fat-fry so much of what they sell – have to throw away even more.”

agriculture event at staehly farms on july 20th

Come have a bite of what your local farms have to offer,
and sample the local flavor.
Enjoy a night among friends, filled with festivities, fun, and flavor.


Emily Brooks
Book Signing, Connecticut Farmer and Feast

Hayden Wine and Spirits
Local Wine Tasting

Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm
Local Cheese Tasting

Simply Connecticut
Farm Fresh Produce Delivery

Somersault Farm
Goat Milking Demonstration

Staehly Farms
Local Produce, Jams, Preserves Tasting and More

Presented By Staehly Farms
July 20^th, 2011   7:00p-9:00p
278 Town Street, East Haddam, CT 06423

No Admission Fee, but please reserve a space:
(860) 873-9774      staehlys@att.net

Every Body Walk Campaign

by Christina Cioci

This campaign for better health is one of the many great initiatives to get people moving. Although it promotes exercise it is different than any other because it is taking something as easy as walking and turning it into a national effort. The Every Body Walk campaign gathers experts and their knowledge and ideas of ways for all people to incorporate walking into their daily routine. Whether male or female, young or old there is no time like the present to get into better shape.

Feeling like you are just too busy? Mark Fenton, author of a new book The Complete Guide to Walking, New and Revised: For Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness offers a walk routine that virtually anyone can abide by. Health.com discussed the scoop on the routine as “interval workouts to give you the most calorie-burn in the least amount of time”.  Just a 15 minute walk twice a day for three days a week can keep you at a lower risk of obesity, heart risk and other health related diseases.

Organically vs. Locally Grown Food

by Dr. Amy Wiesner

Lately, I’ve been asked a lot about which is better: Buying locally or buying organically? It is an ongoing debate that may never be answered to anyone’s satisfaction. You just have to decide which is right for you. So, to help you decide, here are some facts.

According to the National Organic Program, which is part of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Program, “Organic crops are raised without using most conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge-based fertilizers. Animals raised on an organic operation must be fed organic feed and given access to the outdoors. They are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. The NOP regulations prohibit the use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge in organic production and handling. As a general rule, all natural (non-synthetic) substances are allowed in organic production and all synthetic substances are prohibited.“

French Documentary At Audubon Greenwich

Alliance Francaise of Greenwich & Audubon Greenwich invite you to a special screening of:

"Solutions Locales Pour Un Desordre Globale" (Think Global, Act Rural)

Saturday, July 9, 2011
6:00-9:00 pm

Audubon is pleased to collaborate with Alliance Francaise of Greenwich for a special screening of a food-themed film by French filmmaker, Coline Serreau. Join members from both organizations from 6:00-7:00 pm for a reception featuring "organic" wines from Le Wine Shop and tasty hors d'oeuvres prepared with ingredients from our local farm markets. Then, at 7:00 pm, the film in French with English subtitles, will begin.

In the beautiful and inspiring film, "Solutions Locales Pour Un Desordre Globale", the industrial agronomy methods known for producing heavily contaminated food and arid wastelands are challenged by several examples that highlight the sensitive, organic approach to producing food. In the words of the filmmaker, "Disaster films have been done before, and they have certainly served an important purpose, but now we must focus on the solutions that are available, we must hear the thoughts of farmers on the question, those of philosophers and economists who, while explaining why our model of society has sunk into ecological, financial and political ruin, are inventing and experimenting with alternatives."

The Internet Movie Database describes the storyline as, "Ukraine, South America, India, France - farmers, scientists, producers of organic food present their views as well as successes of their work with earth, which is presented in second plan as a woman. Earth as living ecosystem itself is compared to the soil sterilized and destroyed by pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, machine processing - where new crops grow only thanks to another doses of chemical stimulants. In vicious circle, food becomes dependent on and controlled by oil & industry, food barely edible, while seeds - which should not be owned and marketed as such - are reduced to a few state-allowed modified species and sold. The macho-hero approach of controlling, forcing and raping of the earth is becoming the subject of irony, criticism and appeal - in more layers - social, economic, agronomic."

Coline Serreau is one of the founding members of "Focus on French Cinema" film festival created by Alliance Francaise of Greenwich. Her film, "Chaos" ( 2001) starring Vincent Lindon, Catherine Frot and Rachida Brakni,  was nominated for a Cesar Award (the French equivalent of an Oscar) and was the opening night film at the first "Focus on French Cinema" event in 2005.

$12 per person benefits Audubon. Space is limited & RSVP required. RSVP to Jeff Cordulack at jcordulack@audubon.org or 203-869-5272 x239.

For a trailer, visit: http://www.focusonfrenchcinema.com/film_SolutionsLocales.htm

For more information, visit http://www.solutionslocales-lefilm.com/en/accueil

REEL Mowing for a Better Tomorrow

By Christina Cioci



Think you know how to keep your lawn “green”? Dan Delventhal would beg to differ. MowGreen, the company he launched in 2007, provides gasless lawn care and it has become a hot commodity. His business has expanded into Fairfield, Westchester, New Haven and Litchfield counties. A UConn graduate and knowledgeable businessman, Delventhal wanted to make a difference. As a business owner and green enthusiast, he sees the amount of waste that accumulates in lawn care and decided to do his part and reduce the waste through his company. 



Reduction, ecology, ethics and life sustaining practices (REEL) are the values that MowGreen embraces. Along with that come respect, effectiveness, efficiency and lasting values (REEL). The REEL vision with Dan and MowGreen is for there to be a national network of local lawn care companies that use “maximum REEL”. MowGreen cuts pollution, spillage, gas consumption, noise, dust and gets the “gas off the grass”.  By using the REEL mowers and pushing rather than riding, a MowGreen employee gets the benefit of exercise and burning calories rather than fuel!

Operation Trashdown: Make Less Trash and Use Less Cash This Summer

by Ilene Moyher

Eating outside is one of the best summer rituals – whether it’s a backyard cookout, a day at the beach, or a picnic in the park. Using disposable utensils, plates and cups, and pre-wrapped single-serve food items may seem like a good idea. But consider a new way of thinking: Let generating less trash become as or more important than convenience. In the long run, it will pay off for everyone. Teach kids to aim for a waste-free, trash-free event by bringing reusable plates, cups and utensils (which can be easily rinsed off or put in the dishwasher when you get home). Not only will you create less trash and save valuable resources, you’ll save money. Those disposable items can be quite pricey!

Free School Composting Webinar

Register early for NERC’s School Webinar – “Composting at Schools.” The Webinar will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 3:00 pm. Learn how to start and maintain a school composting program. Information to be discussed includes: stakeholders and program set-up; benefits to the school community; the curriculum connection; funding, labor and collection logistics; types of compost bins and bin maintenance for on-site composting; options for off-site composting; and more.

Virginia Walton (Ginny), Recycling Coordinator for the Town of Mansfield, Connecticut will present “Composting at Mansfield Middle School.”  Her presentation will include an overview of the Mansfield Middle School composting program. Karen DiFranza, from Hands to Earth will present “On-site School Composting: Students as Earth Stewards.”  Ms. DiFranza has been instrumental in setting up several school composting programs, including Quabbin Regional High School and Hubbardston Center School (MA) composting programs. Additionally, Eric Magers and Scott Morrison from the Manchester Essex (MA) Regional Middle School, who presented in NERC’s first School Webinar, “Small Town/Rural School Waste Reduction & Recycling”, will provide an update on their school’s successful composting program.

The School Composting Webinar is free. To register for the September 20, 2011 Webinar visit: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/815497014.

NERC’s school project is funded through a USDA grant.  Tips on school waste reduction, recycling, and composting, along with presentations from NERC’s first School Webinar can be found on NERC’s Website.

For more information on the Webinar or on the school project, contact Athena Lee Bradley, Projects Manager (athena@nerc.org).