Greener Bloomfield

Bring your electronic to recycle at the Brookdale ShopRite this Saturday, April 24, 9:00am – 1:00 pm, as the Bloomfield Recycling Committee introduces a new monthly electronics drop-off for the North End. The Recycling Committee, Open Space Trust Fund, and Greener Bloomfield will be exhibiting as well to celebrate Earth Day, informing people of their projects and ways you can help preserve the environment. Greener Bloomfield will have information about the rebates available for recycling old refrigerators, buying new Energy Star appliances, and making other energy upgrades to homes and businesses. More »

April 21st, 2010 | Tags: Earth Day, Greener Bloomfield, Open space, Recycling, Recycling Committee | Category: Earth Day 2010, Events, Recycling | Leave a comment

Find out about affordable solar electricity for your home or business as the President and Co-Founder of Geoscape Solar, Jeff Chavkin, visits our next Greener Bloomfield meeting April 29, 7:00 pm, Bloomfield Civic Center. Jeff will explain how solar power works, the ins and outs of buy vs. lease, and the financial and environmental payback for generating your own power from renewable sources. Please RSVP at www.Meetup.com/GreenerBloomfield.

Geoscape claims to be the only company in NJ offering leases for solar, where for no money down, you can get solar panels on your roof and pay at least 25% less than you pay now for electricity (claims from their website). It’s also a good time to buy solar panels, with a rebate from NJ, federal tax credits of 30%, and the Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) you earn by generating electricity.

If you’re interested in generating electricity from the sun at your house, or at your business or church, then this is a great place to get it. If you already have solar electricity, or even solar thermal, please come to share your experiences. We met Jeff at the Earth Day 2010 celebration at the Essex County Environmental Center on April 16. [Disclaimer: Greener Bloomfield does not in any way endorse or recommend Geoscape Solar; we are simply providing information from one of many possible solar providers in NJ.]

April 21st, 2010 | Tags: Energy, Meetings, Solar | Category: Energy, Events, Meetings | Leave a comment

Pat Kenschaft, the noted local organic gardener, has put together tours of 3 organic vegetable gardens (including hers, of course) here in suburban Essex County on Saturday morning, April 24. More »

April 14th, 2010 | Tags: Events, Food, Organic gardening | Category: Events, Food | Leave a comment

Join Greener Bloomfield at the Essex County Environmental Center’s Annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 17, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. We will be providing information on cash rebates available to homeowners for energy audits, energy efficiency home improvements, and refrigerator recycling through the NJ Clean Energy Program. We’ll also have flyers on Bloomfield’s Grass Cut It and Leave It Grasscycling program, the new Water Conservation recommendations, and the Anti-Idling initiative. The event will also feature lots of activities for kids and adults, and over 40 environmentally-oriented organizations and vendors.

[We're also looking for volunteers to help at our table for an hour or two, starting with setup at 9:00. If you'd like to help, please sign up at www.meetup.com/GreenerBloomfield. Thank you!]

April 13th, 2010 | Tags: Earth Day, Energy, Events, Grasscycling, Homes, Recycling, Water | Category: Earth Day 2010, Energy, Events, Recycling, Water | Leave a comment

The Montclair Township Environmental Affairs office and Community Green present the latest movie in their Montclair Green Film Series. “A Chemical Reaction” will be shown on Thursday, April 15, 6:30 p.m. at the Montclair Public Library’s Main Branch, 50 So. Fullerton Avenue. All events at the Library are free.

The documentary tells the story of a powerful community initiative started in 1984 when a dermatologist noticed connections between her patients’ health and their exposure to pesticides and herbicides. She warned that chemicals put on lawns posed severe health risks, and had unknown side effects on the environment. This eventually led the town of Hudson to ban the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides. The chemical companies put their full legal weight on the tiny town and eventually the case made it to the Supreme Court. More »

April 13th, 2010 | Tags: Events, Films, Herbicides, Organic gardening, Pesticides | Category: Events | Leave a comment

Greener Bloomfield will NOT meet this Thursday, March 25, due to scheduling conflicts. We’ll meet as usual the last Thursday in April, the 29th, at 7:00 pm. Instead of meeting, please take time to COMPLETE YOUR CENSUS FORM, if you haven’t already. We can also use VOLUNTEERS to help at our table at the Essex County Environmental Center’s Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 17, 11:00 am-4:00 pm. Please let us know if you can help by signing up at www.Meetup.com/GreenerBloomfield.

March 22nd, 2010 | Tags: Census, Earth Day, Greener Bloomfield, Meetings | Category: Events, Meetings | Leave a comment

The Montclair Township Environmental Affairs office and Community Green present Green Builders, another eye opening film Thursday, March 18, 7:00 pm at the Montclair Public Library. Greener Bloomfield’s Christine (Bruncati) Liaukus is one of the experts appearing in the show. A green revolution in the building world is evolving, and a first wave of innovative green design projects large and small have already arrived here in New Jersey. More »

March 17th, 2010 | Tags: Events, Green Building, Local groups, Schools, Sustainability | Category: Events, Green Building | Leave a comment

Now you can participate in a humane way to reduce destructive goose populations. Essex County is offering FREE GeesePeace training on March 24. The training is particularly targeted to assist municipalities and property owners in their geese management efforts. GeesePeace volunteers will be training volunteers, public works and recreational personnel on how to addle goose eggs, thereby eliminating new births.

Training will be held at the Essex County Environmental Center at 621-B Eagle Rock Avenue in Roseland from 9a-11am or 7pm-9pm on March 24th. Pre-registration is required – please 973 228-8776 if you plan to attend. More »

March 17th, 2010 | Tags: Events, Geese Peace, Training | Category: Events | Leave a comment

Greener Bloomfield usually meets the last Thursday of each month. But with the weather and early school closings, our February 25 meeting  is was POSTPONED, probably to next this Thursday, March 4, 7:00 pm at the Bloomfield Civic Center. At that time, we will discuss the NJ Clean Energy Community Partners program and how Greener Bloomfield can help to inform local residents and businesses of the benefits and rebates available for energy-efficiency improvements and signing up for clean energy sources. We’ll also begin discussions about activities for Bloomfield’s participation in the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in April. We’ll hear about the 2010 Census and how we can help, and we’ll also discuss by-laws for our 501(c)(3) non-profit application.

February 24th, 2010 | Tags: Earth Day, Energy, Greener Bloomfield, Homes, Meetings | Category: Events, Meetings | Leave a comment

The Montclair Environmental Affairs office and Community Green present another eye-opening environmental double feature from the Montclair Green Film Series, “The Disapperaing Male” and “Big River”, hosted at the Public Library Main Branch, 50 South Fullerton Avenue, on Thursday, February 18th at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.

“The Disappearing Male” is about one of the most important – and least publicized – health issues facing the human species: the toxic threat to the male reproductive system. The last few decades have seen dramatic increases in the incidence of boys and young men suffering from a number of problems including low sperm count, testicular cancer, ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. The male birthrate is steadily decreasing.

“The Disappearing Male” takes a close and disturbing look at what many doctors and researchers now suspect are responsible for many of these problems: a class of common chemicals called “endocrine disrupters” that are found in everything from shampoo, sunglasses, meat and dairy products, to pesticides, carpets, cosmetics and baby bottles.

The second film, “Big River”, investigates the environmental impact one acre of corn causes for the people and places downstream. In a journey from the heartland to the Gulf of Mexico, two farmers trade their combine for a canoe––and set out to see the big world their little acre of corn has touched. More »

February 16th, 2010 | Tags: Food, Health, Local groups, Water | Category: Events | Leave a comment

We’re back to our last-Thursday-of-the-month meeting schedule, and we have a great one. We’ll be touring a home that’s been remodeled “green”, nearly complete, and targeted for LEED certification. It includes a geothermal heating and cooling system, tankless hot water heater, energy-efficient lighting and plumbing, zero-VOC paints, and closed cell foam insulation, to name just a few things. The tour will begin at 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 28, and to protect the homeowners’ privacy, the address will only be sent to those who RSVP. Many of the people who worked on the project will be attending to answer questions.

January 20th, 2010 | Tags: Events, Green Building, Greener Bloomfield, Homes, Lighting, Meetings, Water | Category: Events, Featured, Green Building, Meetings | Leave a comment

Montclair’s Environmental Affairs office and Community Green present “The Story of Stuff” and “Trashed”, a double feature opening 2010’s monthly Green Film Series, examining a fundamental element of modern American culture – the creation and disposal of what we call “waste.”

The screening will be hosted at the Montclair Public Library’s Main Branch, 50 South Fullerton Avenue, Thursday, January 21st at 6:30 p.m. All events at the Library are free. The Green Film Series continues throughout 2010, on the third Thursday of each month. RSVP at Meetup.com. More »

January 20th, 2010 | Tags: Events, Local groups, Recycling, Waste | Category: Events | Leave a comment

The Great West Essex Toy Swap is an opportunity to bring your old toys to exchange for different toys your kids will love. It’s a great way to ensure your child’s previously loved things will geta new happy home, and that you can give them new things to play with at no cost to you. It’s a wonderful ReUse event!

The Great West Essex Toy Swap is the brainchild of Bloomfield resident and artist Greg Gutbezahl.The Swap will be held on Sunday February 21, 2010 from 10am to 3pm, with a drop off day on Saturday, February 20, 2010, after 4pm, at Temple Sholom of West Essex 760 Pompton Ave Cedar Grove, NJ 07009-1229, (973) 239-1326. More »

January 20th, 2010 | Tags: Events, Local groups, Recycling, Waste | Category: Events, Recycling | Leave a comment

Bloomfield can recycle in style with new recycling containers in the town’s public spaces. Bloomfield Department of Public Works, in partnership with the Bloomfield Recycling Committee, has launched a new, cost-free public space recycling program.

Baristanet reports that the program, launched with Creative Outdoor Advertising of America (”COA”), “is designed to enhance the township’s recycling efforts while generating revenue for the municipality”. The 26 recycling stations throughout the town will feature advertising to offset the cost.

“This new program offers residents an additional outlet to recycle while enjoying their time out and about Bloomfield,” said Councilman Nick Joanow, council liaison to the recycling committee and advocate for the new program. “We’re going to bolster our litter abatement program and generate new revenue through this initiative.”

January 20th, 2010 | Tags: Bloomfield, Recycling, Recycling Committee, Waste | Category: Bloomfield Township Gov't, Recycling | Leave a comment

Happy New Year! In the January 14 Bloomfield Life, Greener Bloomfield coordinator John Palomaki wrote the Bloomfield Public Square column and offered some New Year’s Resolutions for Bloomfield, focused mostly on sustainability. The full text is posted after the jump, and we welcome you to add your own resolutions you’d like to see Bloomfield take on in 2010. More »

January 14th, 2010 | Tags: Anti-Idling, Bloomfield, Food, Green Building, Ideas, Local Government, Local press, Open space, Recycling, Sustainability, Waste | Category: Bloomfield Township Gov't, Featured, Green Building, Recycling | Comments (1)

When people infuse small changes into a big holiday, more is different than just the day’s celebration. Changing the way we approach a tradition can create an impact that lasts all year. In my home, full at this time of year with growing children, family, friends and pets, we’ve adopted a few sustainable ideas of our own. Pick one or two for your family, and let the magic of the season begin.

1. Skip the throwaways: So much of what we buy is destined for the landfill almost as soon as it passes the checkout scanner. Aim to buy gifts and decorations that last, or can be handed down. More »

December 21st, 2009 | Tags: Bloomfield, Food, Green Purchasing, Holidays | Category: Featured | Leave a comment

This Saturday, December 12th is an international day of action for a strong climate treaty in Copenhagen, Denmark to stave off disastrous climate change. In Bloomfield, there will be a vigil outside the main post office on Montgomery St. on Sat., Dec. 12th from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. It is being organized by the Essex County Greens, and all interested individuals and organizations are invited to join.

The conference currently taking place in Copenhagen, attended by 192 nations, is the most important climate conference in world history. Unfortunately, the U.S. position is very weak – only calling for 4% reduction of C02 and other greenhouse gases below 1990 levels, when what is called for is at least 25% – 40%. More »

December 7th, 2009 | Tags: Bloomfield, Climate change, Essex Greens, Events, Sustainable Jersey | Category: Events, Featured | Leave a comment

We have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for. Instead of our usual last-Thursday-of-the-month Greener Bloomfield meetings, which would fall on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, we’re going to combine them into one “Celebrate!” meeting on Thursday, December 3, 7:30 pm, at the Bloomfield Civic Center. (Repeat: NO MEETING NOVEMBER 26 OR DECEMBER 24!)

We’ll celebrate Bloomfield’s Sustainable Jersey certification, a great accomplishment due to the volunteer work of our Greener Bloomfield members, friends on the Recycling Committee and other local organizations, and our elected officials and department heads! We’ll celebrate Bloomfield’s first hybrid police and fire vehicles! We’ll celebrate the holidays with a discussion on greening the holidays with Erin Ihde! And we’ll have some festive refreshments as we enjoy getting together one last time in a fulfilling 2009! More »

November 23rd, 2009 | Tags: Greener Bloomfield, Hybrids, Ideas, Meetings, Sustainable Jersey | Category: Events, Meetings | Leave a comment

In addition to Bloomfield’s Sustainable Jersey certification, eight awards will be given for innovation, leadership and collaboration in addition to four Sustainability Champion awards for the top certification point-getters. These towns are the Sustainable Jersey pioneers that can forever boast that they were the first, having achieved certification in year one of the program. Awards will be presented Tuesday, November 14 in Atlantic City. Follow the link to see a list of towns. More »

November 14th, 2009 | Tags: Bloomfield, Greener Bloomfield, Sustainable Jersey | Category: Bloomfield Township Gov't | Leave a comment