There are many benefits to becoming a Massachusetts Green Community – cost savings for the municipality and its residents, economic development, environmental and quality of life improvements – but additional funding, even in modest amounts, is always appealing. In addition
What Works – Driving Demand for Home Energy Improvements
How do you motivate homeowners to invest in comprehensive home upgrades that eliminate energy waste, avoid high energy bills and spur the economy? The Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) just published a study of lessons learned from
Lexington three-part speaker series focused on Home Energy Efficiency
Starting in November, the Lexington Global Warming Action Coalition (LexGWAC) will host a three-part speaker series focused on Home Energy Efficiency. The series is designed to assist residents in reviewing the ways they use energy in their homes and to
Earth25 Walking Incentive Program Kicked-Off in Needham
Approximately one thousand Needham students walked to school on Friday October 8th to celebrate International Walk to School Day (IWSD). Students from 5,000 U.S. schools in all 50 states joined children from 40 countries around the world in the IWSD,
Thomas Friedman on the Value of Electric Cars
Thomas Friedman’s article in the New York Times Saturday, Their Moon Shot and Ours, bemoans the lack of focus on some important long-term (“moon shot”) US goals. By comparison, China has four big infrastructure goals, including a focus on electric
Sept 2010 meeting – partner project updates
September 2010 updates from some of Green Needham’s partner organizations Bay Colony Rail Trail The Bay Colony Rail Trail project is an effort to convert seven miles of unused rail corridor between Needham Junction and Medfield to a shared use
One person’s trash…
I’ve been diligently saving my plastic bags (from loaves of bread, the newspaper, etc) for recycling, only to find that though the Needham dump collects plastic bags, they do not actually recycle them. Bags are collected in a separate container
Energy Audit Program Launching This Fall
This October, Green Needham, Needham Opportunities Inc. and Olin College have partnered to launch a home energy audit program. Trained Olin students will perform free energy audits on select homes in the Needham community. A home energy audit is the
Expanded Bottle Bill ready for Senate vote
With its first update since 1982 on the horizon, an expanded Massachusetts Bottle Bill is ready for Senate vote, promising to increase recycling success in the Commonwealth if passed.
#5 Plastics Recycled at Whole Foods
Needham only recycles #1,2, and 3 plastics. I hate throwing away my yogurt containers and was happy to discover that Dedham’s new Whole Foods Market is participating in the “Gimme5” program. The first time I brought my #5’s, I didn’t
Updated Energy Star ratings for Televisions
Increased energy efficiency is finally coming to electronic devices in your home. As of May 1st, 2010, it became harder for TV manufacturers to earn an Energy Star label, which also meant it became easier for consumers to shop for
Part 1: 10% Challenge Success Stories
Green Needham member takes 10% Challenge, finds new motivation and needed support to make dream of greener home a reality. As the first in this series of success stories, Bill Okerman’s experience resonates with those who have the firm desire
Killawatt EZ Usage and Tips
Green Needham Collaborative and NSTAR have donated two Kill-a-Watt EZ meters to the Needham Public Library for loan to library patrons. These handy devices allow you to measure the energy used by the appliances and other electric and electronic devices
Recycling…water?
Water. Last month we had too much, and basements flooded. Last week we had too little and much of the Boston area had to boil their water in the wake of the pipe failure. How do you use water in
Check out the new signs at the RTS!
At the Needham RTS, keep your eyes open for big new signs painted by Mitchell Families! The signs remind residents what can be recycled, and are part of a partnership between the RTS and Mitchell School to help increase recycling
Home Electronics – reducing energy use
April 2010 Green Needham Meeting presentation on reducing home electronics energy use.
Recycle/Reuse major home items
Spring is a great time for a fresh start, moving and renovating.
May is Needham in Motion Month
Over the past few decades, our increasing dependence on automobiles correlates exactly to the rise in carbon emissions and national obesity rates. Part of the solution to these and other challenges is right under our noses – and ankles.
Newton Mayor Warren embraces Green Line Extension
In a recent meeting with the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce, Newton Mayor Seti Warren addressed a number of business development questions, including the Green Line Extension down Needham Street. As reported in the March, 2010 issue of the Chamber’s monthly
Sustainable Harvest: Local Food Initiatives in Needham
Date: February 21, 2010 Time: 7:30 pm Place: First Parish Church, 23 Dedham Ave. An opportunity to hear about local initiatives to promote access to locally grown produce, and to expand farm-based educational programs in the community. The Needham Community