Wednesday, May 15, 2013 | By Jason Zaworski |
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The Portland Rose Festival is presenting the World Environment Day RoZone Rally at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Wednesday, June 5 from 3:30-6pm.
One of the reasons Portland was chosen as the North American host city for World Environment Day is the fact that Portland’s Official Festival has been consistently recognized as the Cleanest & Greenest Festival in the world by the International Festivals & Events Association for many years. That distinction comes thanks to our unique parade clean-up program, which encourages parade-goers to get back to the basics of environmental responsibility and clean up after themselves. Long-time Rose Festival sponsor Portland General Electric helps us not only with our parade clean-up, but helps us keep our parades and waterfront activities carbon-neutral.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 | By Jason Zaworski |
No CommentsHow would you like to reduce your household waste by as much as 30 per cent, make your garden grow better AND do something good for the earth at the same time? You do all of that when you compost—and not only is it easy to get started, but it’s free, too! Just go to 1 thing nw dot com and click on the helpful links tab at the top, then look for the link to about composting. You can find out how to compost, what to compost, and even how to build your own backyard composter out of an old garbage can. You make the most of it when you compost it!
More info here!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 | By Jason Zaworski |
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Rhonda Watson and her family have been living in the same Milwaukie, Oregon house for the last 16 years. After completing their Clean Energy Works Oregon (CEWO) home efficiency upgrade this spring, she had only one question.
“Why did we wait so long to do this?” she wondered. “This is nice!”
Rhonda always liked her home. The neighborhood is quiet and has been a good place to raise her two boys, now 23 and 25 years old.
Despite enjoying her home, she also knew the house had a couple of issues.
“Our windows were cold and drafty,” she said. “The furnace was original to the house, so 29 years old. We wondered if it was going to make it another year.”
After seeing a couple CEWO billboards and hearing a radio spot, she decided to apply.
During her CEWO home energy assessment, Rhonda learned she was right about the windows and heater – they probably needed to be replaced, but also learned there were a couple other items that needed to be addressed.
“We had absolutely no insulation under the house,” she said. “During the assessment, they showed where air was coming in through the light switches in the interior walls.”
The attic space wasn’t venting properly either, and there was very little insulation on the plumbing system.
“The guys noticed things we didn’t even think about,” she said.
The family decided it was time to get the work done, and they noticed the differences immediately.
The insulation on the plumbing allowed them to turn down the thermostat on their water heater, saving energy and money. The new insulation under the house kept the floors warmer and got rid of a hollow sound as they walked. The new furnace, with a programmable thermostat, turns on quickly and is far more powerful than the old one.
“We just set it and forget about it,” she said, “and the house stays warm.”
The new windows and insulation have eliminated the drafts, reduced their energy bills, and impressed the homeowners.
“I’ve already talked with everyone at work about (CEWO),” Rhonda said. “I tell them to look into it. It was really worth it.”
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To learn more about Clean Energy Works Oregon and view other success stories, please visit www.CEWO.org.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 | By Michele Michaels |
No CommentsThe Buzz and 1Thing support the Chevy Volt demonstration team who will be at Carr Chevy World in Beaverton on Tuesday, October 9th from 530pm to 730pm. Come by and drive the new Chevy Volt and see the technology that is generating so much excitement.
Chevy’s professional team of Subject Matter Experts from Detroit will demonstrate the technology that is generating so much excitement around the new Chevy Volt. J.D. Power and Associates has ranked Volt1 as having the “Highest Ranked Vehicle Appeal among Compact cars.” Test drivers will experience the quick performance with 273 lb-ft. low-end torque and learn about the amazing total driving range of 379 miles. Only at Carr Chevy World.
Chevy Volt Ride and Drive Appearance Details
Date: Tuesday, October 9th
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Location: Carr Chevrolet
15005 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy.
Beaverton. Oregon
Tuesday, October 2, 2012 | By Michele Michaels |
No CommentsOK, so you always put used copy paper in the blue recycle bin, every computer monitor is turned off at night, and your company vehicle is a hybrid. You’re doing your part to be a “green” business, right?
At the 5th annual GoGreen ’12 Portland, you’ll find out just how much more you can do—and how doing it can boost your bottom line. This interactive, one-day conference on Thursday, October 12th is focused on helping business owners and professionals take actionable steps towards making their organization more sustainable and profitable at the same time. More than just talking heads with good ideas, GoGreen ’12 Portland features targeted panel sessions, how-to workshops and solution-oriented presentations.
Industry leaders from Nike, Wieden & Kennedy, Port of Portland, Ochoco Lumber, the Oregon Business Council and more will be on hand at GoGreen Portland ’12 to discuss the challenges and benefits of running a more sustainable business. They’ll also provide inspiration to improve your business’s “green” profile—both financial and environmental.
All of which will help you breathe easier.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012 | By Jason Zaworski |
No CommentsWhile you may not need to recycle a large amount of metal that often, when you do it’s good to know how to get the most for it. According to R.S. Davis Recycling of Portland, Oregon, two things greatly affect the value of your scrap metal: the condition it’s in, and the current price of the kind of metal you’re selling.
There’s not much you can do about the fluctuating prices of metal, but you can control some other factors. First of all, clean it up – the less work a recycling facility has to do, the more cash you’ll see. Secondly, test it and sort it. If a magnet sticks to your metal, it’s ferrous. If it doesn’t stick you have non-ferrous metal, which is usually more valuable.
And magnets aren’t the only things that stick to recycling metal – so does the sustainability of the practice. In addition to getting extra money, you’ll also be helping reduce the need for more new metal production which is an environmentally intensive process. Look for recycling facilities in your area that, like R.S. Davis Recycling, are LEED certified – meaning they adhere to the highest standards of environmentally-friendly development and energy efficiency.
Whether it’s heavy or not, metal means money for you and savings for the environment!
Friday, May 4, 2012 | By Sara Prator |
No CommentsWill collecting materials for composting attract pests?
With proper, leak-proof interior collection containers, regular emptying of these containers into the larger collection bins, and frequent collection by the hauler, there should be no increase in pest problems. In fact, these problems may be reduced through better-organized, cleaner work and service areas.
If pest problems do occur, more frequent bin washing, using hot water and a small amount of bleach, oxygen-based bleach alternative, or baking soda should resolve the problem. Make sure that all wash water is disposed of via the sanitary sewer system and not the storm drains. Also, keep bins and garbage storage areas in good shape without gaps and holes in structures and bins that can allow pests to enter.
If you are having problems with fruit flies, refer to the information on natural control measures and trapping in the fact sheet available on the Portland Composts! website listed below. You can also call the hotline (503) 823-7037 to obtain sample fruit fly traps and ordering information.
How about odor problems?
To minimize odors, regularly empty collection containers and periodically rinse them with soap and hot water. Remember, these same materials were present in your garbage before, they are just being separated for collection and processing. Washing bins as mentioned above will resolve both odor and pest challenges.
How much “contamination” (non-compostable material) is acceptable in the compost bin?
No contamination is acceptable in the Portland Composts! program due to its negative impact on the safety, appearance, and marketability of the finished compost product.
The best rule of thumb is this: if you’re not sure an item is compostable, dispose of it as garbage until you can determine that it is, in fact, acceptable. Make every effort to keep plastics, foil, metal, and especially glass out of the green bins.
Can I use regular plastic liners in my interior containers?
Try not to, because plastic is considered a contaminant in the organics program.
Biodegradable plastic bags are acceptable, but are more expensive than regular liners. To minimize expense, businesses often use them only in the green bins. Those that do choose regular liners have employees dump the contents into the large organics collection containers and throw the liners themselves into the garbage.
Some businesses choose to do without liners in the green bins, and instead wash them out regularly to enjoy the cost savings associated with purchasing fewer liners.
How do I request technical assistance and/or training for our business?
Call Portland Composts! at (503) 823-7037 and we will schedule a contractor to assist you. Technical assistance and training is available at no charge to participating businesses.
What are the keys to success?
First, the more food waste you can keep out of your garbage, the less garbage you have to be hauled away. Make correct separation of organics from trash a core job requirement for your employees. Management must be serious about effective participation for a business to get the most from the program.
Second, make sure that the system set up within your business for separating and transporting organics to the larger collection bins is easy for your employees, and that the overall workload is as evenly distributed as possible. Our technical assistance and training can help you with this element.
Third, reward employees for effective participation in the organics program if possible. A little recognition can go a long way toward establishing a “recycling-positive” culture within your business.
Fourth, monitor the relative volumes of garbage and organics being collected by your hauler after you initiate the program at your business, and adjust service levels to match the actual volumes of materials. Also, keep track of what is being collected and make sure you are being billed correctly.
What if my business is having problems participating in Portland Composts?
For short-term issues, such as missed pickups, driver conduct, etc., contact your hauler and try to resolve the issue directly with them. For chronic issues that can’t be resolved directly with the hauler, contact Portland Composts! at (503) 823-7037 and we will connect you with staff to assist you.
Should all surplus food go into the green bin?
Edible food that has not been served to customers can be donated to food rescue organizations. Look in the Portland Composts! brochure, or call Metro at (503) 234-3000.
Monday, April 30, 2012 | By Kyle O Brien |
No CommentsPortland is one of the nation’s best bike cities, and May is National Bike Month so get out your bicycles and do the earth and your body some good! Bicycling has so many benefits not only for your health, but also for your budget and the environment. Read more
