WELCOME to The Loop, Issue 27 May/June 2004 A Bimonthly Newsletter for Friends of Close the Loop® This month's issue includes... Sowing a Better Future Weed and Seed Program Creating Local Living Economies The First Northeastern Regional Scrap Tire Conference FREECYCLE Shattering Myths About Glass Recycling WHAT'S YOUR OPINION? Marketplace: Exceptional Products Propose an Article Sowing a Better Future Weed and Seed Program Volunteers cleanup debris-laden alleys and remove abandoned tires, appliances, furniture and trash in Norristown, PA. "Weed and Seed targets downtown Norristown and its surrounding neighborhoods," Seed coordinator Aretha Swift said Wednesday. "Families in target areas often struggle with high levels of crime, but they want to improve the quality of life. The program has two components: to "weed" out crime and to "seed" the community through education, intervention and revitalizationfocusing on quality-of-life issues. By Katie O'Connor 8/9/2003 For more information, please visit: http://www.detoxamin.com/health-news/sowing_future.html and: http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/weed&seed/html/operation_weed_and_seed.html Creating Local Living Economies Annual Conference of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies Thursday May 20th to Sunday May 23rd in Philadelphia, PA Independent businesses and banks, family farms, community newspapers, artists and craftsmen, and healthy ecosystems that once flourished in many communities are now disappearing. However, local business owners and engaged citizens have the power to regain local control of our economy and revitalize the unique character of our communities. Join business and community leaders from across the country who are working together to increase prosperity and equity in our society, strengthen local communities, and preserve our natural environment. For more information: http://www.livingeconomies.org/BALLE/ The First Northeastern Regional Scrap Tire Conference Albany, New York June 15 & 16, 2004. The Rubber Manufacturers Association (www.rma.org), the Environmental Business Association of New York State, Inc. and the Environmental Advocates are co-hosting a regional conference on scrap tires. Topics to be discussed include: * Regional Generation & Flow of Tires * Regional Markets: Current & Potential * State Scrap Tire Programs * Tire-Derived Fuel * Playgrounds using Rubber * Rubber Modified Asphalt * Civil Engineering Applications * Ground Rubber Markets * Business Planning * Funding Sources http://www.eba-nys.org/Events/2004/p2rec/tires/2004/15jun04notice.htm FREECYCLE - A recycling group in Tucson called "Downtown Don't Waste It" has created an innovative project that harnesses the power of e-mail to connect people with things they want to throw away with others who would like to have those things. That way it doesn't wind up in the garbage. Through a simple Yahoo! Groups e-mail list, any member of the community can post a note about an item they'd like to give away, or an item they are seeking. The only rule: Every item posted must be free. The concept has found an eager audience. Number of cities freecycling: 446. Number of people freecycling: 65,327 Check out: http://www.freecycle.org/ ... another free service designed to help businesses find markets for materials they have traditionally discarded. Material Trader helps businesses, industries, and institutions save resources and money. http://www.materialtrader.org/ Shattering Myths About Glass Recycling The use of recycled glass as an alternative construction aggregate has been growing over the last decade. Although there are 5000 years of glass technology, before 1990 no comprehensive studies had ever been undertaken to determine the performance of glass compared with natural aggregates. In the last five years, however, there have been a number of studies of the performance of glass as a construction aggregate. The results of these studies are a logical starting point for any group interested in developing local construction uses for recycled glass. For more information: http://www.cwc.org/glass_bp_list.htm What's Your Opinion? - Submit your answer to this month's Close the Loop® Poll: What have you done to "green" your home or business & what are the biggest barriers to purchasing "green" products? To respond, click here. Thanks for last newsletter answers to what is the best way to combat litterHere's some of the answers: "Just make a "life" decision not to litter - ever!" "Pick it up. Bring a bag on your walk and pick up the trash. Anybody reading this is not littering. We need to stop looking at it and shaking our heads. Just pick it up! "Prevent it in the first place by having an advanced fee associated with the litter most seen." Marketplace: Exceptional Products Rubber Pavers SofscapeTM rubber pavers are made from recycled tire rubber and are a unique molded hexagon shape measuring 9 & 1/8" across flats x 2" thick (two (2) pavers = one (1) square foot). They are very attractive, virtually maintenance free, slip resistant and very durable. SofscapeTM pavers can be used for patios, walkways, playground surfacing, flooring in horse barns, and many other recreational, commercial, and industrial uses. Price: $5.50 per SQF. For more info, click here. Rubber Mulch Now's the time add rubber mulch to your playground (schools, parks, home use) & increase our children's safety. Ask any child if they've been hurt on a playground, all hands go up. We don't want our kids to stop playing, we want them to stop getting hurt. It doesn't get any safer than thisfor more info on rubber mulch, click here. The Landscaping Times are a Changin' - There is gaining interest in using crushed glass for decorative landscaping, pathways thru gardens, aggregate, etc. The colors are amazing, available in multiple sizes and glass lasts a thousand years! . For more info, click here. Other items of interest: WANTED TO BUY: Structural Foam Injection Molding Machine & #4, #5 scrap plastic (post-consumer or post-industrial). If you know of anyone selling these items, please have them call Waste Not Technologies, LLC at 570.992.7041 Inspirational Quotes: My basic principle is that you don't make decisions because they are easy; you don't make them because they are cheap; you don't make them because they are popular; you make them because they're RIGHT. --Theodore Hesburgh former president, Univ. of Notre Dame Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven't planted. --David Bly For in the end, we will save only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught. Lao-Tzu Close the Loop |
