96 gal recycling cans come to Discovery Bay, CA

Three years ago the Garaventa Family, owners of Mt Diablo Recycling Center

in Pittsburgh, CA had a grand vision and this month in Discovery Bay we get the opportunity to participate in their vision and help make it a reality.

As our bins are being delivered over the next few weeks we have choices to make that effect the way our community embraces and accepts the responsibility that has been bestowed upon us. As in “Field of Dreams,” The Garaventa Family built a state of the art 90,000 square foot recycling facility now it’s our turn to keep it busy.

Choice #1 - Are we going to challenge ourselves to truly reduce our waste? Discovery Bay Disposal is offering all residents three different sized garbage waste containers. Most of us are probably comfortable with the 96 gallon container just in case we need it. But what if we can get by with a smaller container such as a 64 gallon or a 32 gallon container? The benefits are you’ll save money on your garbage bill and more importantly you’ll divert garbage going to our local landfill. Think about it. How much garbage do you think we can sustain in Contra Costa County before we eventually reach capacity? We might not run out of capacity in the next few years but our children may have to deal with it when they are older.

Choice #2 - Are we going to change our habits? If you were going to look through your garbage today and actually separate it into the proper containers you’d be amazed. Here is a list of four types of garbage that could be either diverted or not used at all.

1) Vegetable table scraps -Store them in a waste container underneath your sink until you take the trash out. You can throw them in the yard waste or start a compost pile.

2) Paper towels and napkins - How often do we use paper towels or napkins to just wipe up a quick spill or wipe a dirty mouth. Maybe cloth napkins or hand towels could replace them and it would save money too.

3) Cardboard boxes - If you accumulate a lot of useable cardboard boxes post them on Freecycle.org and someone in your local neighborhood will pick them up to use for moving etc.

4) Plastic grocery bags - stop using them at the grocery store instead bring your own bags. There is a great website called “Bagnetic” that sells bags that hang on a hook so they don’t take up much room in your trunk.

Choice #3 - Teach our children the importance of recycling. We need to lead by example and encourage them to separate the trash. After all it’s probably one of their chores anyway. Mt Diablo Recycling offers school presentations and tours of their recycling facility in Pittsburgh. Talk to your children’s teacher about organizing a field trip or plan a family or neighborhood trip of your own. Contact Nicole Adler at (925) 692-2224, or email her at nicole@garaventaent.com.

In conclusion, let’s get excited about this new recycling program by taking action and changing. By the way did you know that currently 30% of our garbage in Contra Costa County is being diverted from the landfill at the Mt Diablo Recycling Center? Wouldn’t it be great to get it up to 50% or higher?

I invite you to post comments and ideas on what works for you.  What changes are you making to make a difference.

Green Planet Bottled Water - Not a Sustainable Option

At the 2011 San Francisco Green Festival, Green Planet Bottling Company was handing out free bottles of water. They are producing  organic 100% plant based compostable bio plastic bottles which are petroleum and BPA-Free.

The shape of the bottle is attractive and reusable when hand washed. The water is vapor distilled with minerals added for taste. The bottle will commercially compost in approximately 84 days. It’s a good bottle of water and you should start seeing it in groceries stores such as your local Safeway as well as schools, corporate campuses, hotels and airports. If you have to buy bottled water this isn’t a bad option.

But……. is it a sustainable product when you think about the production process it takes to get that bottle in your hands. Think about the resources that go into bottled water production.

Green Planet  is working at reducing their carbon footprint. They claim their bottle uses 60% less green house gasses and 50% less non-renewable energy. They are setting up regional suppliers and distribution centers ensure less fuel is wasted during transport.

It’s nice to know that they are considering the whole picture in their business model. I would still like to encourage people to not buy bottled water unless absolutely necessary. We live in such a disposable world and in order to reduce our waste we should work towards being responsible by carrying and refilling our own bottles

Interesting Side Note:

By the way, I don’t know if I’d build a catamaran like the “Plastiki” with “compostable bottles. The “Plastiki” is a catamaran designed by David de Rothschild. 12,500 plastic bottles where used and the boat sailed from San Francisco, California to Sydney Austrailia last year.

Simple and responsible E-Waste solutions with Blue Star Electronics

Our computers are such a personal item. They are our lifeline, They contain a lot of secure information about us and we are always upgrading them to the latest greatest equipment about every 3-5 years.

So what is one of the most responsible ways we can reduce the clutter in our office, closets, warehouse or garage? Use a reputable and responsible company to dispose of all your e-waste as you do not want to throw it into your trash and you don’t want it going into the landfill.

Blue Star Electronics is a very reputable company located in Hayward, CA. They specialize in responsibly disposing, repurposing or recycling all your e-waste. In a nutshell, the highlights of their service include: picking up your e-waste, your items get sorted back at their Hayward facility for either destruction, re-marketing, and or the products are broken down and recycled. Blue Star Electronics supports a zero landfill policy and  nothing is shipped overseas to become another countries problem.

An extra benefit that they provide is erasing hard drive data utilizing software approved by the United State Department of Defense. Any proprietary materials are shredded or destroyed and you are issued a certificate of destruction.

They pick up all types of electronic equipment

Computer Systems Components (all types)
Monitors Keyboards and Mice
Printers Power Supplies
Circuit Boards Media - All Types
Data storage units- all types Sun//Cisco/SGI Equipment
All types of Test Equipment Raw Metals and Materials
Proprietary Equipment Semiconductor Equipment

TV’s VCR”S, DVD, CD Players and gaming consoles.

They have  several ways to pick-up e-waste. You can coordinate a community fundraiser. Delta Community Presbyterian Church recently had their youth group coordinate a E-Waste drive by passing out flyers and barbecuing hot dogs. Their efforts filled almost two semi trucks with computers, TV’s and various other electronics. The money they raised in collaboration with Blue Star Electronics is helping fund their Winter Youth Retreat.

If you are a large corporation Blue Star Electronics will bring a truck to your location and if computers can be refurbished they can be sold back to your employees on a private weblink.

Check out Bluestar Electronics here.

They are located at 23196 Foley Street, Hayward, CA 94545

Office: 510.259.1879 Fax: 510.259.0550

Or you can email them at recycle@bluestarco.com

You can request a pick-up by clicking here.

You can buy safer cosmetics. Read this.

Are you grossed out by all the nasty products used in our cosmetics to make us beautiful? Do you think you don’t have any ability or resources to purchase safer cosmetics? Well, if you are willing to check out a website called

Environmental Working Group, you may be pleasantly surprised. This dedicated organization is actively researching what goes into our cosmetics.  Their goal is to provide us with safer cosmetic options.

Since 2004, the Environmental Working Group has been working on a Skin Deep database. They are a founding member of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics which helps protect the health of consumers and workers by encouraging companies to phase out the use of dangerous chemicals and replacing them with safer alternatives.

More than 1000 companies have committed to producing safer cosmetic products by signing the “Campaign for Safe Cosmetics” and by voluntarily publishing their safety data.

The Environmental Working Group reviews are thorough and assigned specific and meaningful categories to insure fair and consistent scoring. They specialize in analyzing product types, use and composition, the target demographic, special product claims, brand and company information as well as animal testing.

Review their website and research how safe are the cosmetics you are currently using. If the cosmetics you are currently using don’t meet your expectations, The EWG skin deep database has plenty of new options for you to explore.

Check out these lipstick options

Revolution Organics

Read the EWG review here.

Boots Mineral Perfection Lipstick

Read the EWG review here.

Green home remodeling in California

Homeowners interested in remodeling their homes in California should check out www.greenremodelforum.com. This locally managed website specializes in showcasing homeowners in California that are remodeling responsibly and with a conscience. Green Remodel Forum is quickly becoming a go to resource for useful information about green building methods as well as products and services to support your green remodeling project.

It’s free to join the forum. Some of the benefits of becoming a member of the Green Remodel Forum include:

• Connecting yourself with like minded people and affiliating yourself with known local experts.

• Collapse time and research by seeing what your neighbors have accomplished through the question and answer discussion forum.

• Easily locate green professionals in the building and energy management industry.

• Become savvy and knowledgeable about energy efficiency and how you can work towards a Zero Net Energy Home.

• Learn useful green tips of the day.

For most of us our belts are tightened due to the economy. We need to spend our money wisely. Usually our home is the biggest financial investment we make. Therefore, it is important to realize we are empowered to make positive changes in our purchasing power by supporting green building methods. As homeowners in this current market there are so many financial incentives to do the right thing such as focusing on significant energy efficiency rebates through PG & E, and leasing solar panels through Sungevity.

Green remodeling is a positive step that should be part of your decision making process. I challenge you to put more thought into what materials you buy for your next remodeling project and who is going to do the work. Your final objective is to remodel responsibly so that your home is not only visually pleasing but also a healthier and more energy efficient place to live.

Go to their Website Greenremodelforum.com

Find them on Facebook

Jet skis are harmful to the environment

You know jet skis are dangerous (and loud), but did you know that they leak as much as 30% of the fuel directly into the water? Ditch the machine in favor of a pedal boat or kayak and you’ll be doing the environment (and your waistline) a favor. ITbikes.com has several models (including a water bike!).

We have to remember and be reminded to be good stewards of our earth. We cannot continually follow our selfish pleasures and desires without experiencing consequences. The choices we make today to live a more sustainable life is not only good for today, it has a lasting impact on the future. Our children need to know we are protecting the earth and their future.

By making the decision to own a man powered boating vessel you have the opportunity to be aligned with nature without consuming, reducing or contaminating natural resources. What a great way for families to slow down and truly enjoy what nature has to offer.

Once you proudly own a man powered vessel. you need to visit Discovery Bay, CA where you have an opportunity to participate in the annual Paddle For Fame. It’s usually held in June at the end of the month.

According to the Delta Sun Times, Discovery Bay broke it’s own World Record Saturday, June 25th, 2011 for the largest raft-up of man-powered vessels. The unofficial count is 492, which beats last years record by more that 100 paddlers.The

Write Your Way to Social Change!

Let’s face it. Virtually everyone working for a social or environmental cause has to do some writing at some point.

You may be like I am, and love committing words to paper. If so, you are always on the lookout for new ways to bring your writing to life.

Or, you may never have intended to become a writer at all. You may be one of the many people who got into this field for other important reasons: an interest and passion concerning a certain issue, an urge to give something back to your community, a perspective you want to share, etc.

Either way, the fact remains: You may produce great work or come up with outstanding ideas but if you present those achievements or thoughts poorly they will not get very far. Effective writing engages your readers, provokes their critical thinking, and compels them to take meaningful action. It also leaves them wanting more. And the better you can do that, the deeper and broader your impact will be.

In the marketplace of ideas, those who can write well are seen as the “experts” at much more than putting words on a page. (Interestingly, the words “author” and “authority” come from the same Latin root!)

So, to get started on the right track, keep in mind the 3 fundamentals of effective social change writing, or what I call the “ABC’s of Copywriting”:

A: CREATE AND ADVANCE YOUR BRAND

Every piece you write—whatever its own individual purpose—should have one overarching goal: to help promote your “brand.” That’s your essence, your identity, your personality, your promise, your reputation. It is what your organization stands for.

Ask yourself: When someone hears about your organization, what set of images, attributes, feelings, and ideas do you want them to associate with it?

The answer is your brand. To promote it, you will need to:

• Emphasize your uniqueness.
• Show that you share goals and values with your readers.
• Give your readers good reasons to trust you.
• Project professionalism.

B: ENGAGE YOUR SPECIFIC READERS

Your writing must be reader-centered and not writer-centered. You have to shift your attention, and your pre-occupations, from yourself to your readers. After all, they care about themselves, their communities, and their impact much more than they care about you or your organization.

To write is to engage in an intimate conversation with your readers. And for that you need to know whom you are addressing, and—most importantly—what they want to get out of conversing with you.

C: EMPHASIZE BENEFITS MORE THAN FEATURES

Do you know the big question on the mind of every reader of your organization’s material? It’s this: “What’s in it for me?” As far as your readers are concerned, it’s all about the benefits you can offer them.

Ask yourself: How will your service or product improve the lives of your readers and their community, in the short and the long term?

Our stakeholders want to find ways to benefit both themselves and the world around them. So we might want to edit their big question to now read: “What’s in it for me and us?”

So my friend: the world needs to hear from you—now! Sharpen your pencils, check the ink in your pens, or get cozy with your keyboard. Practice, practice, practice and get as much feedback as you possibly can. Just don’t forget to be patient with yourself and to celebrate your successes. Happy writing!

Dalya F. Massachi is the author of the award-winning book, “Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact.” Check out her website: www.dfmassachi.net.

(Uplifting Green Guest Blogger)

Have you ever lit a soy wax candle from Tierra Verde Soy Candle Company?

Don’t you hate lighting a candle that doesn’t have any scent? Does it take away the ambiance or mood or make you feel like you are missing an integral part of the candle experience? Have you ever lit a soy wax candle? If you haven’t got any worthy candles to light, you should investigate the titillating soy wax candle scents created by Jeanette Maurer, Partner and Co-Founder of Tierra Verde Soy Candles

Tierra Verde Soy Candles was conceptualized in June 2010 by Jeanette and her brother Bill. The economy and favorable circumstances brought the two of them together in realizing a vision that they wanted to step away from corporate America and be different by creating a quality sustainable product that was useful and kind to the earth. Tierra Verde means “green earth.”  The soy wax candles are produced locally outside Turlock in a 3,000 square foot “pour room” as creating soy wax candles is difficult without a controlled temperature.

A portion of Tierra Verde’s profits are donated to a non-profit horse rescue farm called “Heaven Can Wait” which is located outside  San Luis Obispo. It is home to many retired race horses or horses that are injured or abused.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Jeanette at the San Francisco Green Festival in April 2011. I had to stop at her booth as my eyes feasted on the beautiful array of recycled alabaster glass. My nose enjoyed following the wafting scents as I inhaled the high quality aroma of each candle. I received an extra benefit from Jeanette as she educated me on the benefits of purchasing soy wax candles from Tierra Verde Soy Candle Company

Soy wax candles purchased from Tierra Verde Soy Candle Company are:

• produced from a natural and renewable resource.

• non-toxic and water soluble so it is easy to clean up.

• contained in stunning recycled alabaster glass

• clean burning candles that burn longer at a very touchable temperature

• eco friendly the lid is biodegradable with flower seeds that you can plant

• refillable so you can continue to use your favorite candle glass

Their candles are a versatile product that sells well in spas, salons, casinos and gift shops. They make affordable and memorable gifts. You can catch Jeannette at various spa shows or order on-line. If you can’t wait to try them you can purchase them at the following local Bay Area locations:

Artistic Edge (925) 454-0369
21 S Livermore Ave
Livermore, CA 94550

Charlottes Web
2160 Railroad Ave
Livermore, CA 94550

http://www.ci.campbell.ca.us (408) 866-2119
51 North Central Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008

Frizelle Enos
265 Petaluma Ave
Sebastopol, CA

Skinsense (925) 283-7546
925 Village Center #1
Lafayette, CA 94549

Good Vibrations 530-258-GOOD (4663)
278 Main St.
Chester, Ca 96020

KURE Wellness Retreat 925 837-7600
145 E. Prospect Avenue Suite 202
Danville, CA 94526

Patio Fireplace 925.648.0293
3426 Camino Tassajara
Danville, CA 94506

Sonoma Home (707) 939-6900
497 1st Street West
Sonoma, CA 95476-6608

Trinidad Trading 707.677.0711
460 Main Street
Trinidad, CA 95570

University Art Annex Palo Alto (650) 328-3500
267 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301

El Camino Hospital Gift Store (650) 940-7000
2500 Grant Road
Mountain View, CA 94040

The Gardens at Heather Farm Sustainable Gardening in Walnut Creek

If you are embracing the fresh spring breezes and are looking for an ongoing display of the beauty that spring bestows upon Contra Costa County, then it’s time to visit The Gardens at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek.

The Gardens have received several accolades. First, the non-profit organization was established in 1972 as a volunteer educational facility with a focus on creating and maintaining a sustainable environment. Their primary mission is “to educate and inspire the community about sustainable gardening and stewardship practices that preserve and protect our environment.”

The Gardens at Heather Farm has a wide variety of environmental education field trips and classroom presentations that can be interweaved into grade school curriculum. The text book teachings are brought to life through interactive presentation and hands-on activities. To access youth programs, click here.

Adult gardening programs are also available. You can learn how to design your garden, how to attract pollinators to your yard and flower arranging. to access the calendar. Click Here

Second, they are a certified wildlife habitat. You have the opportunity to see many different species of wildlife such as river otters and many different waterfowl such as bufflehead and other birds like the white breasted nuthatches. Of the many garden settings one that is worthy of mentioning is the waterfall garden. If you look closely you will see Caddisfly larvae on the rocks bottom which is an important bio-indicator that the water is pollutant free, clean and fast flowing.

Third, they are a certified Contra Costa County Bay Area Green Business. They are associated with many other like minded individuals, and businesses that continually strive to protect, preserve and sustain our environment.

This purpose driven organization is mainly supported through many volunteers and various fundraisers. You can be a garden volunteer or an instructional docent.

Third, they are a certified Contra Costa Bay Area Green Business so they belong to a network of like minded individuals, groups and businesses that share a common goal of continually working towards protecting preserving and sustaining our environment.

The Gardens at Heather farm have over 20 different types of gardens for your viewing pleasure. Probably one of the most spectacular one to view is the Cowden Rose Garden featuring 1000 roses. You can even have a wedding in a gazebo right next to this garden.

The Gardens at Heather Farms are definitely a Contra Costa backroad you should keep plugged into your GPS as you will want to visit the gardens each time the seasons change to get the full scope of what this location offers.

Obtaining Transparency in Recycling Through Green Halo

What is the purpose of Green Halo? Green Halo Systems is a fully integrated web based management system that provides the necessary tools for contractors, recyclers and other businesses to transparently comply with local, state and federal recycling guidelines.

This online line software resource allows you to track, report and follow projects in real time with precision and accountability. The Green Halo project is taking a giant step forward in supporting the green movement and should play a very important role in meeting the newly enacted CAL Green guidelines.

Over time, Green Halo should be able to accurately predict how fast the momentum of the green movement will progress as builders join forces with like minded sustainable suppliers so the price of using the right materials will become more affordable. Building design techniques should take a giant leap ahead with the objective of designing with less waste. These trends should be easily visually documented in a short period of time.

As a big advocate of reusing and recycling I look forward to observing what creative and innovative ideas develop for repurposing the waste and recycled items that are introduced through this program.

Wouldn’t it be a great goal to eliminate the need for our landfills? By removing recyclable material from our landfills we can definitely slow down the rapid need for more landfill space. Our common goals should be to educate and train businesses and consumers how easy it is to change a few habits. Over time we can all collectively make a difference.

Check out Green Halo here.

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