Visit Greener Bloomfield

Joining us in the Quad will be the Bloomfield Recycling Committee (Saturday), the Bloomfield Open Space Committee, the Essex Green Party, and Composting demos on Sunday (Bloomfield residents can even order a compost bin for just $35).

Bloomfield residents Simone JohnBaptiste (left) and Christine Bruncati discuss their routes before heading out with an allotment of 50 bulbs each for the Project Porchlight giveaway. (Bloomfield Life)

Thirty-five volunteers spread out across Bloomfield on August 15 in sweltering heat, delivering free energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs to 1,650 households as part of a Project Porchlight blitz. That many bulbs will result in $50,000 in energy savings, 544.5 tons CO2 emissions prevented of entering the environment, and 94 cars removed from the road in the form of Green House Gases(GHG)! In addition, 600 individuals signed a pledge to change a standard light bulb to a more energy-efficient one, about half of what’s needed for a Sustainable Jersey challenge (you can still sign our pledge online).

RISING ABOVE THE DIM: Nearly 35 volunteers went door-to-door in town Aug. 15 to distribute free compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, one of many green-based initiatives sponsored by Greener Bloomfield, a local environmental advocacy organization. Above, Greener Bloomfield member Erin Ihde shares a laugh with Clinton Street resident Liz Holleran (along with her son Luke) after receiving a free CFL bulb. (Bloomfield Life)

From Bloomfield Life’s article:

Several township council members made it their mission to spread word of the CFL push. Ever the environmentalist, Councilman Nick Joanow claims practicing sustainability was viewed in a negative light until somewhat recently. Many were labeled as ‘tree huggers’ and ‘river rats,’ he said. ‘Let others know we are in this for the community,’ he told the crowd during a brief orientation at Watchung Presbyterian Church. ‘We’re all in, focused on this issue.’

Mayor Ray McCarthy, also on hand, praised the volunteers’ efforts and what they mean for the community.

For those of you at home, we won’t didn’t get to every neighborhood, but we‘ll did get to quite a few. Please welcome our volunteers warmly. You’ll recognize them from their Project Porchlight t-shirts and the green bags of light bulbs they’ll be carrying. If you have any questions about whether the person at your door is one of our volunteers, please call the Bloomfield Police Desk at 973-680-4100 and give them the volunteer’s name, which they can check against our list. Click for more information on Project Porchlight and the bulbs. And see the article in Bloomfield Life!

Project Porchlight’s Bloomfield Blitz will contribute 10 points toward Sustainable Jersey certification if we can get 1,200 pledges to change a light. You can also sign the pledge at our website!

• Project Porchlight resolution – declares August 15 Project Porchlight Day, when volunteers will go door-to-door, and encourages residents to save money and electricity by changing a standard light bulb to a more energy efficient one. (More volunteers needed!)
• Anti-Idling resolution – declares September “Anti-Idling Month” to focus attention on the issue, warns of the dangers to health (especially asthma), wasted fuel, greenhouse gas emissions, engine wear, and NJ’s state law and $250 minimum fine for idling more than 3 minutes. It also encourages residents to idle no more than 10 seconds and supports anti-idling education, targeted enforcement of the law, and establishment of “idle-free zones”.
• Sustainable Land Use Pledge resolution – resolves to take a number of steps in land use decisions and include them in the next Master Plan resolution, such as facility siting, housing variety, open space, transportation choices, mixed use, green design, regional cooperation, and sustainable parking regulations.
• Grass “Cut It and Leave It” resolution – encourages residents to leave their short grass clippings on the lawn where it will help mulch and fertilize, rather than bagging it for fuel-hogging, polluting trucks to pick up.
• Anti-Idling Ordinance – copies the NJ state laws restricting vehicle idling to less than 3 minutes and sets penalties of $100-$2,500 (with a few exceptions for emergency vehicles, etc.).
• Water Conservation Ordinance (draft) – encourages protection and conservation of water, limits residents and businesses from watering more than 2 days per week (except for new plantings and other exclusions), and establishes procedures for water/drought emergencies.

Agenda:

• Preparations for August 15 Project Porchlight door-to-door campaign
• Planning for September Anti-Idling Month
• Update on Sustainable Jersey actions

• A resolution proclaiming August 15 “Project Porchlight Day” to encourage our volunteers and inform the public of our door-to-door distribution of compact fluorescent bulbs and asking residents to sign a change-a-light pledge. (You can still sign up to cover your street or neighborhood!)
• An Anti-Idling Resolution encouraging everyone to shut off their cars if idling for more than 10 seconds, and certainly to follow the state law’s 3 minute idling restriction. It also declares September as “Anti-Idling Month” to target attention and enforcement.
• An Anti-Idling Ordinance that mirrors the state laws and establishes local fines for idling longer than 3 minutes (with a few exceptions).
• A Water Conservation Ordinance to help the Township save water and related fees by limiting outdoor watering to 2 days per week.
• A Sustainable Land Use Pledge, stating the Township’s intention to follow smart growth principles, encourage green building, and update the master plan to encourage sustainable land use practices.

Check back this weekend to view drafts of these initiatives.