Living Green in Needham

Sustainable Landscaping

A Healthy Yard for All Creatures Great and Small

Suburban yards are not only places of respite and relaxation — they can also make a contribution to biodiversity and wildlife protection. This section of Living Green discusses how to have an attractive garden that is beautiful in the most profound sense — a natural space that is safe and healthy for people and  for wildlife — a place where pollinators are protected, resources are conserved, and carbon emissions are lowered.  A sustainable yard works in harmony with nature and is free of pesticides.  Want to hire a sustainable landscaper – check out our list.

Explore Living Green in Needham for information on these topics and more!

Bringing Solarize Plus to Needham to help more Needham residents benefit by installing Solar PV, Air Source Heat Pumps and Electric Vehicles
2017-11-29  Event Video: Toward a Zero Waste Future

2017-11-29 Event Video: Toward a Zero Waste Future

Green Needham's Moving Toward a Zero Waste Future: Challenges, Strategies and Innovative Solutions underway in Needham was held on Wednesday, November 29th, 2017.

2019-06-04 Event Video: Food, Planet, Health - Connecting the Dots

Streaming video provided by The Needham Channel On June 4th, the relationship between food choices and the environment was explored more in depth at a meeting run by members of Green Needham and hosted by Representative Denise Garlick. A group...

Active Projects

Home Energy Savings (HES) Energy efficiency and energy conservation are highly effective means of reducing CO2 emissions and saving money on utility bills. The HES team promotes no-cost energy assessments, encourages the completion of energy...
Avery Field - a community sustainability, history and diversity project

Avery Field - a community sustainability, history and diversity project

August, 2023 - Last year, Green Needham ran a special campaign as part of our ongoing Home Energy Savings project to effort to encourage Needham residents to get Home Energy Assessments through the Mass Save program.  For each completed energy assessment ...
Green Communities

Green Communities

Status and Timeline Feburary 10, 2020 - Needham is now a Massachusetts Green Community! Feburary 10, 2020 - We made it! - The Town of Needham announces that the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources has designated Needham as a Green...

Plastic Bag Ban

Plastic Bag Ban Eliminating single-use plastic bags in Needham In January 2017, Green Needham assembled a team to get Needham to join the then 64 other Massachusetts communities - including our neighbors Natick, Newton and Wellesley, and now...

2018-02-27 Event Video: Selectmen's Hearing on Plastic Bag Ban

Streaming video provided by The Needham Channel The Selectmen's Public Hearing on the Plastic Bag Ban took place during their meeting on Tuesday, February 27th . The public hearing begins seven and a half minutes (7:30) into this video of the...

2018-03-20 Event Video: Select Board discussion and vote on single-use plastic bag policy

Streaming video provided by The Needham Channel The Selectmen's discussion and vote on the Single-Use Plastic Checkout Bag Policy took place during their meeting on Tuesday, March 20th . The public hearing begins eighty-five minutes (85:00)...

Why a plastic bag ban?

Explains why plastic bags are a problem, the benefits of banning plastic bags and the original proposal developed by the student team.

Living Green in Needham

Living Green in Needham - Main Page Green Needham’s on-line compendium of useful information and “green living” tips specific to our community. How can I reduce the amount of energy I use in my home?  Where can I donate a used bicycle? How do I g...

Solar Team

Green Needham Solar Team Promoting solar power to reduce carbon emissions, save money, and create jobs Where's Solar in Needham? Click to see a larger version of this map Green Needham's solar energy team is working to: ...

Going Solar

Bringing Solarize Plus to Needham to help more Needham residents benefit by installing Solar PV.

Solar Successes

Solar PV at work in Needham

Business Energy Savers

Small Business Energy Savers A program for Needham businesses Contact World Energy Efficiency Services (WEES) at 617 340-9893 or fill out the form below to schedule a no-cost, detailed small business assessment from this Eversource-authorized Mass...

Candidate Questions - 2021 Select Board Election

Given the climate crisis, the next 10 years may turn out to be the most important decade of the 21st century. Massachusetts is setting ambitious goals and legally binding targets to drastically cut carbon emissions by 2030, on the way to zero net emissions...

Candidate Questions - 4th Congressional District

Candidate Questions - 4th Congressional District The work we do is local, but we are not alone. At last October's Summit on Energy and the Environment , we explored the shared responsibility among households, communities and the Commonwealth in...

Candidate Questions - April 2022 Planning Board Election

Given the climate crisis, the next 10 years may turn out to be the most important decade of the 21st century. Massachusetts is setting ambitious goals and legally binding targets to drastically cut carbon emissions by 2030, on the way to zero net emissions...

Candidate Questions - April 2022 Select Board Election

Given the climate crisis, the next 10 years may turn out to be the most important decade of the 21st century. Massachusetts is setting ambitious goals and legally binding targets to drastically cut carbon emissions by 2030, on the way to zero net emissions...

Candidate Questions - April 2023 Planning Board Election

Given the climate crisis, the next 10 years may turn out to be the most important decade of the 21st century. In an effort to avoid the worst effects of climate change, Massachusetts has set ambitious goals to drastically cut carbon emissions by 2030,...

Candidate Questions - April 2023 Select Board Election

Given the climate crisis, the next 10 years may turn out to be the most important decade of the 21st century. In an effort to avoid the worst effects of climate change, Massachusetts has set ambitious goals to drastically cut carbon emissions by 2030,...

Candidate Questions - December 2021 Select Board Election

Given the climate crisis, the next 10 years may turn out to be the most important decade of the 21st century. Massachusetts is setting ambitious goals and legally binding targets to drastically cut carbon emissions by 2030, on the way to zero net emissions...

Candidate Questions - December 2021 Select Board Election single column

Given the climate crisis, the next 10 years may turn out to be the most important decade of the 21st century. Massachusetts is setting ambitious goals and legally binding targets to drastically cut carbon emissions by 2030, on the way to zero net emissions...

Catlist test

Our Projects: Increasing food waste composting - Green Needham is collaborating with local businesses, Needham Schools, the Town's Recycling and Solid Waste Division and employee-owned cooperative CERO to enable more food service establishments implement...
Climate Action Roadmap

Climate Action Roadmap

Needham’s Climate Action Roadmap The Sustainable Needham Climate Action Roadmap was presented to the Select Board at a public hearing on January, 9, 2024. Nearly 2 years in the making, the Climate Action Roadmap is a set of detailed recommendations f...

Climate Emergency! What Can I Do?

What Can We   Do as Individuals? Of course, dramatic reductions in greenhouse gases will take government policy and legislation, technical advances, and corporate action, but individual actions are still a key component of the solution. We ...

Community

Building a more sustainable Needham - and moving to a renewable-energy powered, net-zero economy - is not just about what we do as individuals at home and work. The entire community is involved. Organizations of all kinds can not only participate, but...

Completed Projects

Leading by Example: Solar PV in Needham The Solar Team continues to look for ways to utilize the tremendous potential for solar power in Needham. Building on our success with the RTS Solar project and Solarize Needham, the Team promotes residential,...

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This is a test page for a customized template for projects. If the URL for the page includes a topic parameter, the template will display resources associated with that topic, where the topic parameter is the slug of a category (e.g. plastic-bag-ban). The...

Driving Green

Transportation is now the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. So driving green increasingly means driving electric. The good news is that the automobile industry is increasingly moving to electric vehicles as the future of transportation....
Green Energy Consumers Alliance - Drive Green Program

Green Energy Consumers Alliance - Drive Green Program

Green Needham has partnered with the non-profit Green Energy Consumers Alliance to make it easier for you to go electric. Green Energy Consumers runs a program called “Drive Green” that makes researching, test-driving, and buying or leasing electric car...
Electric Vehicles - Energy Coaching Program

Electric Vehicles - Energy Coaching Program

Are you   thinking of buying an Electric Vehicle (EV), but have questions and don’t want to talk to a car salesman?  Would you like to talk   to someone who actually owns   an EV, maybe the actual EV you are considering?  Wondering about charging at hom...
Electric Vehicles and Solar Panels

Electric Vehicles and Solar Panels

Electric vehicles and solar panels: The perfect match! Solar panels and electric cars complement each other. If you install a solar array for your home through, the electricity you generate can be used to charge an electric car. This brings your transportation...
Efficient Driving Tips

Efficient Driving Tips

Tips for fuel-efficient driving provided by fueleconomy.gov.

Electric Vehicle Models and Availability

Tesla Model 3 Tesla Model S Chevy Volt Toyota Prius Prime Tesla Model 3 Tesla Model S Chevy Volt Tesla Model 3 Information about the Tesla Model 3

Energy Coaching Program

Are you   thinking of an energy efficiency project for your home (solar, HVAC, heat pumps, Insulation , etc.), but you want to know whether your home is a good candidate or how much it is likely to cost and/or save? Are you thinking of buying an ...

Enjoy!

Eat healthy and delicious as you lower your carbon footprint and try new recipes. Cut down meat, especially beef, which is very energy intensive. Sign up for Meatless Monday newsletter to get important information and great ideas about plant-based...

Environmental Justice and Needham's Racial Equity Statement

Green Needham Collaborative is proud to join the Select Board and other government and non-government entities in Needham in adopting the Racial Equity Statement for the Town of Needham created by Needham Unite Against Racism Initiative (NUARI ). Green...

GO GREEN Needham

GO GREEN Needham was launched in April 2018 and is a joint project of the Green Needham Collaborative and the Needham League of Women Voters. It is a comprehensive effort to encourage the Needham community at all levels to step...

Businesses

Across the United States and around the world, the business community is often leading efforts to GO GREEN. Businesses recognize the value of sustainability to their bottom line, their customers and employees, and their future. Their efforts encompass...

GO GREEN Needham (Test)

GO GREEN Needham GO GREEN Needham was launched in April 2018 and is a joint project of the Green Needham Collaborative and the Needham League of Women Voters. It is a comprehensive effort to encourage the Needham community at all...

GO GREEN Needham Expo 2018

Overview Speaker Schedule Exhibitors Door Prizes Overview Bring the whole family out to the GO GREEN Needham Expo at Needham Town Hall. Find out how going green can help put money in your pocket and a smile on your face....

Green Needham's Solar 101

Green Needham's Solar 101 Streaming video provided by The Needham Channel

Greening Your Electricity

Living Green in Needham Greening Your Electricity Options Make a difference - choose a green power option for your electricity This section of Living Green in Needham explains how any electric customer can bring more renewable energy into ...

HeatSmart Mass

Source:  HeatSmart Mass General Program Overview What resources will MassCEC provide as part of the HeatSmart program? MassCEC and its technical consultants will provide the following types of support for communities selected for the HeatSmart ...

Home

Working Together for a More Sustainable Needham --In Our Fifteenth Year!-- Green Needham Collaborative is a volunteer organization dedicated to securing a better future through local action. Partnering with community groups, businesses, town government,...

Home Energy Assessment Customer Satisfaction Information

Customer Complaint Recourse per Mass Save: * If a customer is dissatisfied with their home energy assessment and/or follow-up work (e.g., insulation) from HomeWorks Energy, (or any Mass Save Home Performance Contractor (HPC) service contractor),...

Home Energy Savings (HES) Team-Past Successes

Home Energy Savings (HES) Team - Successes So Far Home Energy Assessments . As a result of our partnership with Next Step Living, more than 1,020 Needham households have had home energy assessments since 2011.  During 2015 alone, 259 Needham h...

Home Test

Working Together for a More Sustainable Needham Test Home Page --In Our Thirteenth Year!-- Green Needham Collaborative is a volunteer organization dedicated to securing a better future through local action. Partnering with community groups, businesses,...

I love my Solar! Sign me up to be a Solar Ambassador

This program was part of the Solarize Plus Needham program. We are considering restarting the Solar Ambassador program. If you are interested, please contact us.

I'm interested in Solarize Plus

Please sign up here to let us know that you are interested in participating in the Solarize Plus Needham program. May 31st, 2020 - The Solarize Plus program has concluded.

Increase Your Reach

Get in the loop to stay informed . STEP ONE! The best place to start is with your local climate action group: sign up for their newsletter and/or follow them on social media. Local groups are excellent resources, informing you not only about important...

Landscaping Team

Our Goal - Ban Gas-powered Leaf Blowers! The Green Needham Landscaping Team is seeking to ban gas-powered leaf blowers and to shift to safer, more environmentally responsible approaches and equipment for leaf handling and removal in Needham.  Why ...

Legislative archive

An archive of previous material from Green Needham's Legislative and Policy Advocacy pages Green Needham recognizes that legislation and public policy provide the basis for local projects such as Solarize Needham, the RTS Solar Array, and the availability...

Living Green in Needham

Living Green in Needham - Main Page Green Needham’s on-line compendium of useful information and “green living” tips specific to our community. Where can I donate a used bicycle? How do I get a commuter rail ticket? Where can I buy local...

Massachusetts Legislative Tracker 2017

Thousands of bills are filed each year in the Massachusetts legislature. Every bill gets a hearing, but only very small number will be enacted into law. Multiple bills on the same (or related) subject will frequently be combined during the legislative...

More Completed Projects

Our past projects have included Municipal Solar at the RTS In April, 2016, the town of Needham celebrated the grand opening of the solar installation on the capped landfill at the Recycling and Transfer Station (RTS). Covering 12 acres, the 11,780...

Moving Towards Zero Waste - Top 10 Actions You Can Take

It all adds up! Every year Massachusetts generates 5.7 million tons of trash, of which 2.2 million tons are exported to other states.  In the face of serious environmental concerns and shrinking disposal capacity throughout the Northeast, Massachusetts ...

MyGoGreen

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MyGoGreen4

FOOD Climate Smart Foods Actions and Eat Local Actions TRANSPORTATION Getting from Here to There (public transportation in Needham, walking, biking, hiking) Driving "Green" HOME ENERGY Sign up for a No-Cost Home Energy...

Needham Summit on Energy and the Environment

This resource page will be maintained and updated with information and links before, during and after the summit. Needham Summit on Energy and the Environment what we have done……what we might do Monday, October 24, 2011 A collaboration of ...

Newsletters

Green Needham Newsletters 2019 Spring 2019 Looking Back on 2018 and Forward to 2019 2018 GO GREEN Needham Expo 11/10/18 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 2017 December 2017 ...

Obsolete pages

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OBSOLETE 01-22-21 Greening Your Vehicle/Driving Green

Each model year brings more options for "greener" driving, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and all-electric vehicles. Browse the websites below to inform yourself of the vehicle options and special offers in Massachusetts. And take a look at the driving...

OBSOLETE-Home Energy Savings

Home Energy Savings A classic win-win opportunity Please see the Home Energy Assessments page for an important update. Green Needham's Home Energy Savings program aims to: Increase the number of homeowners taking advantage of...

OBSOLETE_Energy Conservation and Efficiency

Living Green in Needham Energy Conservation and Efficiency Make a difference - Conserve energy and make your home more energy efficient This section of Living Green in Needham explains how we can all save money and energy by conserving more...

How to Cut Your Electrical Use - Energy Conservation and Efficiency

Energy conservation and efficiency - the best watt is a watt not used! Explore ways that you can conserve energy and improve your home's energy efficiency ...
The Needham EVAngelist

The Needham EVAngelist

The Needham EVAngelist is written by Green Needham's Stephen Frail.

Our Green Town!

We're proud of Needham's sustainability achievements and amenities.  Green Needham played an leading role in many of these projects. We work collaboratively the Town government and with grassroots organizations such as the Needham League of Women Voters. ...

Personal Care

All of us use personal care products. Concerns about living green lead to several questions: The contents of the product : Is the product safe for human health? The packaging: Is it minimal? Can it be recycled or reused? Contents of the product...

Plaque Poster

Town of Needham Public Services Administration Building uses geothermal technology, a source of heating and cooling not based on fossil fuels. Single stream recycling is offered in all town buildings. Energy efficient upgrades were done...

Plastic Waste Reduction Team Accomplishments

In early 2018, the Select Board unanimously approved a policy that requested stores of over 3,500 square feet in size to voluntarily discontinue providing single-use plastic shopping bags to customers.  We were grateful that the stores complied with ...

Plastic Waste Reduction Team-KEEP FOR NOW

PSA link - from prior Plastic Waste Reduction Team page - before I overwrote it 12/16/22 (we may want to add it back to page) Our first goal is to reduce plastic shopping bag waste in Needham by: Collaborating with the Select Board to update a...
Plastics Reduction

Plastics Reduction

Our Goal The Plastics Reduction Team is working to reduce single-use plastic consumption and waste in Needham. Why is reducing single use plastic so important? Plastic is toxic : Plastics are made from toxic, endocrine disrupting chemicals,...
Project Home Energy Savings

Project Home Energy Savings

Energy efficiency and energy conservation are highly effective means of reducing CO2 emissions and saving money on utility bills. Green Needham’s Home Energy Savings (HES) team promotes no-cost energy assessments, encourages the completion of energy a...

Project Landscaping

Green Needham’s Landscaping team is seeking to ban gas-powered leaf blowers and to shift to safer, more environmentally responsible approaches and equipment for leaf handling and removal in Needham. Passionate about this topic?  Would you like to ...
Project Needham Community Power

Project Needham Community Power

Green Needham’s Needham Power Choice (NPC) team continues the work Green Needham began with its January 2022 report to the Select Board requesting them to enter into an electricity aggregation contract for Needham.  We will be providing education, out...

Project Page Template

Needham has been a state-wide leader in residential recycling rates and reducing material sent to landfills. Green Needham aims to increase awareness , access and use of recycling by the Needham community. We work closely with the Town's Recycling...
Project Parking Canopies

Project Parking Canopies

Installing solar parking canopies is a visible step toward increasing our use of renewable energy, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, supporting Massachusetts jobs and moving toward the statutory commitments of the Global Warming Solutions act and...
Project Plastic Waste Reduction

Project Plastic Waste Reduction

Green Needham’s Plastic Waste Reduction team  has restarted the effort to reduce plastic shopping bag waste in Needham.  In early 2018, the Select Board unanimously approved a policy that requested stores of over 3,500 square feet in size to voluntarily dis...

Protecting Pollinators with a Non-toxic Yard

"They are perhaps Earth’s most unsung heroes: the bees, butterflies, wasps, flies, and other organisms that maintain balanced ecosystems and thus the health of our food supply through pollination. Native insects, in fact, play a crucial role in pollinating a...

Receive e-mail updates

Enter your email address: You'll only get an e-mail when there's something new, especially something time-sensitive. On average, you can expect to get about one update a week. Only occasionally will you receive more than one in a week....

Reduce Your Energy Consumption

Weatherize! Take advantage of incentives to make your home more energy efficient. This will lower your carbon emissions and make your home more prepared for extreme temperatures. You can start by having a no-cost energy assessment (if you've never had...

Register for Do It Smart!

Green Needham Collaborative thanks everyone who attended our successful January 31st for builders, lenders and real estate brokers as well as Town of Needham officials on building “green” net-zero energy homes. We will be making the visuals and a r...

Register for our Virtual Open House

Save the Date - June 9th at 7:00 pm Green Needham is hosting a Virtual Open House on Thursday, June 9th from 7:00 - 8:30 pm Detailed agenda forthcoming. Register below to join us!

Resources

Selected documents and links about single-use plastic bags and plastic bag bans in Massachusetts.

Rollover tabs

[rollover-tabs name="id" border="true" font="small"][rollover-tab name="tab1" label="Climate Change"] 1. Do you believe that global climate change is a problem that requires policy and action at the federal level? If so, what would you propose? If...

RTS Solar PV FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about solar PV at the RTS Green Needham RTS Solar PV Project Overview

RTS Solar PV Resources

RTS Solar PV Project - Resources   Documents Links to sites Documents from other communities Scituate Norfolk Other Communities

Small Business Energy Savers

January, 2019 - Eversource has realigned their vendor and business territories for the Small Business Direct Install program. As of January, 2019, AECom will be the Eversource-selected vendor for small businesses in Needham. The AECom team is...
Small Business Energy Savers Program

Small Business Energy Savers Program

Are you a small business owner in Needham?  Do you want to lower your utility bills?  AECOM has been selected by Eversource to provide Energy Efficiency services for small commercial owners and non-profits in Needham.  And the best part is that the ...

Solar 101

Solar 101 Resource page for Green Needham's Solar 101 Workshops . httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sNKnvhjej4 The initial Solar 101 workshop was held on March 20, 2013 . Read a summary of the event View the video from the Needham...

Solarize Needham

Over 160 systems installed. Congratulations and Thank You! Where's Solar in Needham? Click to see a larger version of this map Green Needham's successful 2014 Solarize Needham campaign resulted in 160 solar PV systems being...
Solarize Plus Needham

Solarize Plus Needham

Bringing Solarize Plus to Needham to help more Needham residents benefit by installing Solar PV, Air Source Heat Pumps and Electric Vehicles
Air Source Heat Pumps - Heat and Cool your home

Air Source Heat Pumps - Heat and Cool your home

Save Energy, Reduce Heating Bills Go Green with Air Source Heat Pumps   N.E.T.R., Inc is proud to have been selected as the air source heat pump provider for the Solarize Mass Plus program to help Needham residents save money on the...
Drive Green

Drive Green

Green Energy Consumer Alliance's EV buying program.
Drive Green

Drive Green

Green Needham has partnered with the non-profit Green Energy Consumers Alliance to make it easier for you to go electric. Green Energy Consumers runs a program called “Drive Green” that makes researching, test-driving, and buying or leasing electric car...
Solar PV - Power your home

Solar PV - Power your home

Boston Solar is the exclusive solar installer for the Solarize Mass Plus Needham Program! Why should you install solar on your Needham home? Needham residents can save up to 100% of their utility bill (excluding the utilities standard service...
Where's Solar - Map of Needham Solar Installations and Solar Ambassadors

Where's Solar - Map of Needham Solar Installations and Solar Ambassadors

This map shows the installed solar PV systems in Needham. Solar Ambassadors for the Solarize Plus Needham program are denoted by a yellow sun marker. Click on a marker for contact information. As of January 2021, there were over 625 residential...

Stretch Code

Stretch Code Background Needham is considering seeking designation as a “Green Community ,” a status which brings both technical help and money from the State to promote local energy-saving and clean energy projects. There are five requirements to ...

Stretch Code Top 5

Top 5 reasons why Green Needham believes our Town should join the 97 Massachusetts communities that have already approved the Stretch Code 1. High quality homes with verified energy performance For new construction, following the Stretch Code results...

Stretch Code Concerns

Addressing some common concerns Too much hassle There is concern that the Stretch Code will cause delays, complications, and additional enforcement costs in the building department. One of the reasons to include the requirement for a HERS rater is...

Stretch Code FAQs

Frequently asked questions about the Stretch Energy Code:

Summit breakout group - Food

2001 Summit: Food Additional information

Summit breakout group - Transportation

2001 Summit: Transportation Additional information

Summit breakout group - Water

2001 Summit: Water Additional information

Summit breakout group: Development - the built environment

2011 Summit: Development - the built environment Additional information

Summit breakout group: Energy efficiency and conservation

2001 Summit: Energy efficiency and conservation Additional information

Summit breakout group: Energy Sources and Choices

2001 Summit: Energy sources and choices Additional information

Summit breakout group: The Green Economy - Opportunities and Skills

2001 Summit: The Green Economy - Opportunities and Skills Additional information
Sustainable Landscaping

Sustainable Landscaping

Living Green in Needham Sustainable Landscaping A Healthy Yard for All Creatures Great and Small Suburban yards are not only places of respite and relaxation -- they can also make a contribution to biodiversity and wildlife protection. This section...

Sustainable Living Festival 2015

Sustainable Living Festival Saturday, May 16th 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Exhibitors Include: Green Needham and Sustainable Wellesley are collaborating to bring you a Sustainable Living Festival on Saturday, May 16th , from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. We...

Directions to the Sustainable Living Festival

Sustainable Living Festival How To get to 4 Municipal Way in Wellesley on May 16th From the East Take Route 9 Westbound to the junction with Route 16 and exit to the right (before you go under the bridge). Cross over the light and...

TEST collapse/expand control - Jan 2023

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Test Driving Green

Transportation is now the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. So driving green increasingly means driving electric. The good news is that the automobile industry is increasingly moving to electric vehicles as the future of transportation....

Test search

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Toward Zero Waste Project

No one aspires to waste anything – we all want to make the best use of what we have. Waste is regret  – think of “wasted time”, “a waste of potential”, “a life wasted”. Most tangibly, though, waste  is anything we throw away  – and waste is costly : ...

Town Meeting Candidates April 2023

Information as of February 9th at 3:00 pm

Transportation - planning for Needham's future

Planning Needham's Transportation Future What do want transportation in Needham to be in 2020 compared to 2012? The October 2011 Community Summit on Energy and the Environment asked the question, "What do we want our community to be over the next...

Volunteer Opportunities

If you would like to get involved, but don't see what you're looking for - no problem! There's no way we could list everything. There are also opportunities and needs that we haven't yet put into specific descriptions. We have multiple projects...

Walk to School 2012

Needham will be kicking off its first-ever town wide collaboration for Massachusetts Walk to School Day on Wednesday May 2 (rain-date Friday May 4). Please contact the school coordinators listed below for more information or to get involved. Updates...

Welcome!

Green Needham Welcomes You! Whether you’re new to Needham or a longtime resident, Green Needham can help you find wonderful ways to live a green lifestyle and make our community more sustainable. Join our email list to receive occasional updates. ...

Where is Solar in Needham?

A map of Solar PV installations in Needham   This map shows installed solar PV systems in Needham. Solar Ambassadors for the Solarize Plus Needham program are denoted by a yellow sun marker. Click on a marker for contact information....

Who We Are

Founded in 2006, Green Needham Collaborative is a volunteer organization dedicated to securing a better future through local action. We engage in concrete projects to create a more sustainable and economically healthy community -- one which is committed...

Foundation

The Green Needham Foundation Corporation is a Massachusetts not-for-profit corporation established in October, 2008. The Foundation was awarded tax-exempt status as a public charity under section 501(c)3 of the IRS code in September, 2009. The effective...

Steering Committee

Green Needham's Steering Committee provides leadership to our projects and the organization. We are also a working group, committed to and actively engaged in on our projects and programs. Please contact any of us to ask questions, learn more or - best...

Partners

Green Needham Collaborative is a volunteer organization dedicated to securing a better future through local action . We engage in concrete projects to create a more sustainable and economically healthy community -- one which is committed to reducing...

Food/Diet

Living Green in Needham Food/Diet Resources Documents Resources on the Web
Composting Your Food Waste at Home

Composting Your Food Waste at Home

Some food waste is inevitable, but you can keep this out of the waste stream with a home compost bin. At the same time, you will be making great organic fertilizer for your garden and flower beds.  And it's very easy to do.
Alternatives to Composting Your Food Waste at Home

Alternatives to Composting Your Food Waste at Home

Want to keep your food waste out of the waste stream but don't want to do it yourself?  There are several different options available, including a new option at the RTS.
Locally Sourced Food

Locally Sourced Food

Needham is home to both a Farmers Market and a Community Farm. Check them both out!
Reducing Food Waste in Your Home

Reducing Food Waste in Your Home

Follow these simple steps to reduce food waste in your home, before you leave home, at the store, and storing food at home...
Food Rescue and Food Justice

Food Rescue and Food Justice

Support local area organizations that help feed the hungry...
The Diet-Climate Connection

The Diet-Climate Connection

Learn how the foods we eat affect the planet we inhabit, and what you can do to reduce your impact...
The Problem with Palm Oil

The Problem with Palm Oil

Learn why palm oil, which is found in many common food and personal care products, is so destructive to the planet...
Home Energy Savings (HES) Team

Home Energy Savings (HES) Team

Our Home Energy Savings project works to help Needham homeowners make their homes as energy efficient as possible, saving energy, saving money and making their homes more comfortable. We promote no-cost home energy assessments through the state’s M...
Plastic Bag Ban ByLaw in Needham

Plastic Bag Ban ByLaw in Needham

With overwhelming support at Town Meeting on May 3, 2023, Needham passed the Plastic Bag Ban Citizens' Petition Article, and joined the over 150 towns and cities in Massachusetts that have passed similar plastic bag bans. The ban will go into effect January...
Residential Solar: Where to Start

Residential Solar: Where to Start

Yes, New England has enough sun for solar! Explore options for both solar electric, (photovoltaic (PV) panels use energy from the sun to produce electricity), and solar hot water...
Battery Storage: Adding to Your PV System

Battery Storage: Adding to Your PV System

Already have a PV System, but are now interested in adding battery storage? Read on to learn more about all aspects of battery storage, from reasons for adding it, costs, battery life, and where to locate it in your home.
Energy at Home

Energy at Home

Explore ways to save energy and money at Home. As a first step, get your no-cost home energy assessment. And take advantage of free or subsidized follow-up work, and rebates on energy-efficient appliances...
Home Energy Assessments

Home Energy Assessments

Visit our Needham Saves page to schedule your no-cost, detailed home energy assessment...
How to Cut Your Electrical Use - Energy Conservation and Efficiency

How to Cut Your Electrical Use - Energy Conservation and Efficiency

Energy conservation and efficiency - the best watt is a watt not used! Explore ways that you can conserve energy and improve your home's energy efficiency ...
Efficient Space Heating and Water Heating

Efficient Space Heating and Water Heating

Check out options for efficient space heating and water heating in your home...
Needham Power Choice

Needham Power Choice

Green Needham's electricity aggregation team has been actively working to bring aggregation to Needham. Read more about this exciting way to add more green energy to our electricity mix. If you’re interested in updates, or would like to be involved a...

OBSOLETE - Greening Your Electricity

Living Green in Needham Greening Your Electricity Options Make a difference - choose a green power option for your electricity This section of Living Green in Needham explains how any electric customer can bring more renewable energy into ...
The Problem with Plastic Bags

The Problem with Plastic Bags

Single-use plastic shopping bags are everywhere, with an estimated one to five trillion consumed around the world every year.  They harm wildlife, pollutes our land and waterways, and cause problems at recycling facilities.
Education/Outreach

Education/Outreach

We are working on an educational outreach campaign to encourage Needham store patrons to shop with their reusable bags. From elementary schools to local community groups, we are educating people about the benefits of choosing reusable bags over plastic...
Project Living Green in Needham

Project Living Green in Needham

How can I reduce the amount of energy I use in my home?  Where can I get information about Electric Vehicles (EVs)?  Where can I donate a used bicycle? How do I get a commuter rail ticket? Where can I buy locally grown food? The Living Green team h...
Community Solar - New Solar Option for Electric Customers

Community Solar - New Solar Option for Electric Customers

Don't have a good roof for solar? Or do you rent rather than own? If you would like to take advantage of solar energy for your home, but cannot due to shading, orientation, roof structure or financial considerations, there is now another way...
Food Waste and Food Justice-OBSOLETE

Food Waste and Food Justice-OBSOLETE

Green Needham supports reducing waste, getting food to those in need, utilizing the remaining waste for uses such as compost or energy generation...
Meatless Monday Needham

Meatless Monday Needham

Green Needham Collaborative has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Needham and the Needham Community Farm to launch an initiative to encourage healthy and environmentally friendly eating habits, based on the internationally recognized Meatless...
Parking Canopies

Parking Canopies

Installing solar parking canopies is a visible step toward increasing our use of renewable energy, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, supporting Massachusetts jobs and moving toward the statutory commitments of the Global Warming Solutions act and...

Recyclopedia Needham

How can you keep your “stuff” out of the trash? Find out what you can recycle or where to donate all kinds of used, but still “usable,” items. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z -A- ...

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Aerosol Cans (11/2022) RTS NEEDHAM Needham residents with an RTS sticker can put empty aerosol cans into the commingle bin in the Main Area. Partially empty cans that contain Household Hazardous Waste, such as pesticides, herbicides, etc., should...

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Backpacks (11/2022) Generic Ministry Generic Ministry accepts backpacks for homeless people, as well as gently used men’s and women’s casual clothing.   See complete list here .  Check the website for drop-off locations, which change periodically. Savers (6...

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Cardboard (11/2022) RTS Needham Needham residents with an RTS sticker may take clean cardboard to the Main Drop-Off Area (Packaging tape is ok, but no waxed cardboard - mostly used for commercial packing of produce. If you can see or feel...

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No "D" entries yet.

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Electronics (11/2022) RTS Needham Needham residents with an RTS sticker may bring electronics to the North area across from the office (printers, fax machines, receivers, VCRs, keyboards, cables and cords, etc.) There is a fee for computer monitors...

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Fire Extinguishers    (11/2022) RTS Needham residents with an RTS sticker may bring fire extinguishers to the Main Office. Some fire extinguishers are rechargeable. See yellow pages under fire equipment and call to check for a fee. Or do a ...

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Glass Bottles and Jars (11/2022) RTS Needham Needham residents with an RTS sticker may place CLEAN  glass jar and bottles of any color in the main drop off area. See details . You may leave on lids and labels. NOT ACCEPTED: Ceramics, porcelain, ...

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Hangers (11/2022) Check with your dry cleaners -- many accept hangers for reuse. (They may also accept the dry cleaning bags.) Needham residents with an RTS sticker may bring metal hangers to RTS North Area for Scrap Metal . See Recycle Nation...

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Ink and Toner Cartridges  (11/2022) STAPLES Staples accepts ink and toner cartridges for free recycling, no matter where they were purchased. (Limit of 7 items per customer per day.) Staples Rewards members can earn Staples Reward value. All ...

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Jeans (11/2022) RTS Needham residents with an RTS sticker can take jeans to any of the clothing collection bins at the RTS. It's ok if they are ripped or stained, as long as they are not wet, mildewed or contaminated with oil, paint, or hazardous...

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COVID-19 update: Opportunities for donations or recycling at businesses and municipal facilities may be limited during the pandemic. Check for restrictions and changes in the RTS operations.  See details. Keys RTS Needham residents with an RTS ...

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Lawn Mowers RTS Needham residents with an RTS sticker can take lawn mowers (emptied of gas and oil) to the scrap metal recycling area at the RTS. See What We Take and scroll down to Scrap Metal. Back to Index

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Mattresses (11/2022) Mattresses and box spring are now banned from disposal in MA because they are made up largely of recyclable materials (more than 75 percent of their components can be reused). Tip: Take advantage of retailer haul-away. Most...

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Paint (11/2022) RTS Needham IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Visit the RTS website for detailed information on how to dispose of latex and oil paint. Many paints (such as latex) and related products are not hazardous and can safely be disposed of with...

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Rechargeable (and Button) Batteries See Batteries section of Recyclopedia Back to Index Records, Vinyl (11/2022) Savers (617) 323-8231, 1230 VFW Pkwy. West Roxbury, MA 02132 Savers will take vinyl records (LPs) Goodwill Massachusetts...

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School Supplies (11/2022) Try calling schools in the local Boston area to see if they are in need of any school supplies. Gently used supplies are often accepted. Cradles to Crayons Boston 617-779-4700, 281 Newtonville Avenue, Newtonville, MA...

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Televisions (updated 2/2023) Best Buy For a recycling fee of $29.99 (price as of 2023), household residents can bring in portable TVs, tube TVs smaller than 32 inches, and flat panel/LCD/plasma/LED TVs smaller than 50 inches, with limit of...

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Umbrellas RTS Needham Needham residents with an RTS sticker may bring the metal frame (after removing nylon) to the scrap metal area in the RTS north area . Back to Index

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  Video Tapes Savers (617) 323-8231, 1230 VFW Pkwy. West Roxbury, MA 02132 Accepts donations of videos, CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, as well as clothing, house wares, and other items for reuse. For more information click here . Green Disk...

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  Water Cooler Bottles The distributor should take the empties back when leaving new bottles. Back to Index Wine Corks ReCORK Cork Drop off: ReCORK was founded by Canadian footwear brand SOLE in 2008. They have a few Collection...

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Yard Waste RTS Needham Needham residents with an RTS sticker may bring yard waste to the Needham RTS Yard Waste Processing Area . Leaves, grass clippings and other rakeable items are kept separate from brush and branches.  
Toward Zero Waste

Toward Zero Waste

Learn about the four R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink – to address problems of waste.  You can make a difference - by reducing your consumption of "stuff," repairing and/or re-purposing items instead of throwing them away, participating in the...
Reduce/Reuse

Reduce/Reuse

Explore easy, common sense ways to reduce your waste: bring re-useable shopping bags to stores, shut off junk mail, and eliminate single-use plastic items. Participate in the "Circular" economy and keep perfectly useable items out of the waste stream...
Recycling

Recycling

Learn how you can recycle "smart" and avoid some recycling mistakes. it's the right thing to do and it's easy.
Recycling Tips - Best Practices

Recycling Tips - Best Practices

This page lists "best practices" for recycling at the Needham RTS.  Following these ensures that Needham's recyclables will command the highest possible price in the market.
Ask the Recycler

Ask the Recycler

Have a Recycling Question?  Consult the RTS website, with its many details about what can and cannot be recycled, and check out our FAQs...
Food Waste

Food Waste

Over 40% of the food produced in the United States - and the energy, water and money used to produce it - is never used to feed someone - it is wasted somewhere between farm and table. We can take actions to reduce this ...
Green Energy Consumers Alliance, (formerly Mass Energy), Green Power

Green Energy Consumers Alliance, (formerly Mass Energy), Green Power

Green Energy Consumers Alliance, (formerly Mass Energy), is a non-profit that will match your monthly electricity use (in kilowatt hours) with local green power. Green Energy Consumers Alliance uses your money to buy Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)...
Project Energy Coaching

Project Energy Coaching

Energy Coaching (formerly "Ask the Expert") is a Green Needham project helping Needham homeowners who are pursuing projects to save energy, save money, live more sustainably and adopt clean energy technologies. We're helping people with questions like...
Sustainable Landscaping/Outdoors

Sustainable Landscaping/Outdoors

Living Green in Needham Sustainable Landscaping/Outdoors Get out and Enjoy it! Suburban yards are not only places of respite and relaxation — they can also make a contribution to biodiversity and wildlife protection. This section of Living G...
Local Sustainable Landscapers

Local Sustainable Landscapers

Find a landscaper that offer organic gardening and electric-powered land care options on our list of sustainable landscapers. We want to grow this list! If you know of others, please reach out to us...
Flowering Plants, Trees, Shrubs, and Vines

Flowering Plants, Trees, Shrubs, and Vines

Learn how your garden and yard can help the planet. Choose native plants and shrubs that better support the insects and soil of Needham...
Protecting Pollinators with a Non-Toxic Yard

Protecting Pollinators with a Non-Toxic Yard

They are perhaps Earth’s most unsung heroes: the bees, butterflies, wasps, flies, and other organisms that maintain balanced ecosystems and thus the health of our food supply through pollination...
Lawns and Groundcovers

Lawns and Groundcovers

The possibilities are endless once you stop thinking of lawns as a necessity. You can turn large areas of lawn that are unused for recreation into wonderful garden beds filled with trees, shrubs...
Saving Water and Improving Soil

Saving Water and Improving Soil

Read Joanne Neale's "Lazy Gardener's Method For Making a New Garden Bed" and learn how you can easily improve the soil and water in your garden...
Enjoying the Great Outdoors

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

There are many beautiful trails to explore in Needham and the surrounding towns. Get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, walk the dog, or do some bird watching ...
Buying Green Electricity From a “Competitive Supplier”

Buying Green Electricity From a “Competitive Supplier”

Are you confused by solicitations from companies offering to supply electricity a price lower than Eversource? And what does it mean when companies offer the opportunity to buy green electricity? Read on!

Transportation

Options for getting around in Needham and beyond!
Commuter Rail

Commuter Rail

How to Use the Needham Line Commuter Rail. Going to Downtown Boston, Back Bay, MFA, Logan Airport? Relax and Enjoy the View! ...
Riverside (D) Green Line

Riverside (D) Green Line

Where can I go? Red Sox games, Symphony Hall, downtown, medical centers. Transfer to other subway lines to get to countless other destinations ...
59 Bus

59 Bus

Where can I go? Newton Highlands T Station (Green Line D – Riverside), Newton Free Library and Newtonville, Watertown Square, and an easy connection to Harvard Square via the 71 Bus ...
Charlie Card and Charlie Tickets

Charlie Card and Charlie Tickets

Where do I get a Charlie Ticket or a Charlie Card?
Walking/Hiking

Walking/Hiking

Needham is a walkable town, with plenty of sidewalks and forest paths to entice us. It has been estimated 65% of Needham residents are within 1 mile walking distance of popular destinations in the town. And there are many beautiful places to hike nearby...
Biking

Biking

Needham is fortunate to have an active bicycling community working to enhance opportunities for both cyclists and walkers ...
Green Tips - Here's How

Green Tips - Here's How

Learn to Live More Sustainably - One Step at-a-time This page lists many ways that individuals and families can "Go Green" and adopt more sustainable habits and lifestyles.  Most are surprisingly easy, and each is just a small step, but if e...
Recyclopedia Needham

Recyclopedia Needham

The Needham Recyclopedia is a searchable reference of where and how to recycle, or properly dispose of items from A (Aerosol cans) to Y (Yoga Mats). The initial version of the Needham Recyclopedia was created by Green Needham volunteers in 2015....

Neighbor Spotlight

Neighbor spotlights feature people making changes in their lives to be a better neighbor to planet Earth.  They are pretty ordinary people doing extraordinary things.  They are inspiring, and we all need inspiration. Green Needham's Neighbor Spotlights ...
Legislative and Policy Advocacy

Legislative and Policy Advocacy

Legislation and public policy provide the basis for action on climate change and the transition to the net zero economy. Passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act in August 2008 established Massachusetts as a leader in climate policy. Since that time,...

Advocacy Organizations

Getting involved with and supporting organizations that advocate for sustainability is another way individuals can take action. There are many non-profit organizations that are dedicated to conservation and preserving our planet. We have created a partial...

Divest/Reinvest

Making your money work for good Do you have a retirement fund? An investment account? Checking or savings accounts? Credit cards? Then you have a chance to make your banking and/or investments reflect your concern about climate change. The divestment...

Resources

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