This Spotlight is about Caroline (changed name), who did a project with me for Green Needham. We had a couple of work lunches at her house and she started telling me about what she and her husband had done, and
Neighbor Spotlight: Small is Beautiful
GO GREEN Needham – Here’s How: Say No to Bottled Water
Learn to Live More Sustainably – One Step at-a-time Do you really need to use bottled water at home and at the office? Bottled water isn’t necessarily cleaner or better for you than tap water – in fact, often it
Select Board adopts voluntary single-use plastic bag policy for large stores
At its March 20th meeting, the Needham Select Board discussed and then unanimously adopted its proposed policy requesting that stores over 3,500 square feet voluntarily discontinue the use of single-use plastic check-out bags on or before June 1st. While this
Neighbor Spotlights: from lawn mowing to activism
I met Stephen at a Green Needham planning meeting for a town event coming up next fall (keep an eye out for further notice). He impressed me with his upbeat, calm presence, and with how he packaged our ideas in
Neighbor spotlights: From the prairie to the East
When Eleanor and Jay moved to Needham in 2001 with their two teenagers, they were surprised. They were coming from West Lafayette, Indiana (home of Purdue University), where Eleanor in particular, had been part of a very active environmental community
Ahead of the Curve: China says your recyclables don’t measure up
MassINC’s Commonwealth magazine recently published an article titled “China says your recyclables don’t measure up“. It described the new restrictions on recyclables shipped to China that are roiling recycling markets in the United States. Needham is, as we often are,
Neighbor Spotlight: The Trash Game
Over the years, but particularly in the past year, I have met a lot of people who are making changes in their lives to be a better neighbor to planet Earth. They are pretty ordinary people doing extraordinary things. They
Make the Climate your Valentine: three powerful things you can do this week
There are three things you can do this week to make a powerful difference to climate change legislature in Massachusetts. Please consider doing at least one. We know that climate change and the continued use of fossil fuels are already endangering
Top 10 Recycling Challenges at the Needham RTS
At Green Needham’s November 29th “Toward Zero Waste” event, Greg Smith (Needham’s Superintendent of Recycling and Solid Waste) presented his list of Needham’s top 10 recycling challenges: Keep plastic wrap and plastic bags out of the recycling containers. Keep trash out
Food Rescue Increases in Greater Boston
“Stop Food Waste and Feed the Hungry in Boston at 8 p.m.” That intriguing opportunity caught the eye of Green Needham member Jay Delaune, who was perusing the volunteer listings on VolunteerMatch.org. One click led him to the volunteer page
Residential Compost Pickup Service – An Alternative to Home Composting
By Lauren Mock For Needham residents who are interested in sustainability, composting is a great and easy way to reduce one’s carbon footprint. In some homes, up to 30% of all waste can be composted. Diverting this waste from a
Initial Board of Selectmen discussion of plastic bag restrictions
Several members of Green Needham’s Plastic Bag Elimination team, including team chair Rob Fernandez and Green Needham Chair Michael Greis, attended the Board of Selectmen’s October 24th, 2017 meeting to hear the Board’s initial discussion of plastic bag restrictions in
Wellesley Rotary Club hosts Successful “Repair Cafe”
What is lurking in your cellar? Broken appliances? Wobbly chairs? Lamps that don’t work? On Saturday, October 14, the Wellesley Rotary Club held a “Repair Café” and put many damaged or broken items back into service. They are helping to add
Why We Should All Care About the Renewable Portfolio Standard
It is easy to advocate for more renewable energy and more green jobs. But increasing the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)? Although that may sound complicated and technical, it’s actually a crucial issue which is not hard to understand. Mass Energy
Solar 101: Now is the time to Go Solar at Needham Community Education
More than 350 of your Needham neighbors have installed solar. Becoming one of them may be easier than you think! Join us on October 18th and learn about the benefits of installing solar at your home! The Green Needham Collaborative
Household Hazardous Waste & Paint Collection Day at Needham RTS on Oct. 14th
by Lauren Mock Saturday Oct. 14th is Needham’s Annual “Household Hazardous Waste Day” & the last Paint Collection Day in 2017 Household Hazardous Waste Day: Household Hazardous Waste Day (HHW) gives all Needham residents with proof of residency the opportunity
Legislative Hearing for Solar and Net Metering Bills
The Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy will hold hearings on solar and net metering bills at the State House on October 3rd, 2017. Hearing agenda with list of bills Green Needham’s Legislative Tracker page
Bright Ideas: A Workshop on Smart Outdoor Lighting
Source: Sustainable Wellesley The Wellesley Natural Resources Commission has long been concerned about the effects of artificial light on our natural environment. Research has shown that artificial light can create light pollution that affects human health, and has adverse consequences for
Needham Resident Encourages Others to get Their No-cost Home Energy Assessment
Needham resident Bruce Amsbary reported a great experience with the no-cost home energy assessment that he recently had with Green Needham’s Mass Save partner, Homeworks Energy! The assessment took about three hours, and was very informative – Bruce learned a lot about
MBTA Public Meeting about Needham Line Improvements
The MBTA is sponsoring a public meeting to explain improvements being implemented this fall on the Needham Commuter Rail Line, and highlight alternative MBTA travel options during weekend shutdowns. The meeting will be held on Thursday, August 24 at 6:30