Staunton Green 2020

What are your favorite environmental tips for the home? Please share in the comments section. Here are ore earth-friendly home tips for your living room and bathroom from SG2020 member Gena Adams:

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Helping the environment and reducing carbon emissions is as simple as making some changes in your kitchen. Here are recommendations from SG2020 member Gena Adams who will be providing tips for around the home:

Kitchen

• BYOB (bottle) of water.
• Pack your lunch in reusable containers.  Try snacktaxi.com for cute reusable bags that hold up well.  We use them in our lunchbox.
• Use cloth napkins that you can wash instead of paper towels.
• Bring your own bags to the grocery store.
• Purchase products in bulk to avoid excess packaging.
• Recycle plastic bags when you forget to bring your own bags to the store! (You can do this at most grocery stores.)
• Recycle your cans, bottles, paper and plastic. On your next trip to Charlottesville or Waynesboro fill your car with recyclables that the city does not accept and drop them in Fishersville at Sonoco Recycling. (UPDATE: Staunton now recycles plastics #1-#7!)
• Switch to a reusable or unbleached coffee filter.
• Join a CSA.  We use JMD Farm in Staunton.
• When renovating purchase Energy Star Appliances.  We upgraded six years ago and have saved hundreds of dollars.
• Don’t let the sink faucet run constantly when washing the dishes.
• Choose reusable instead of disposable products.
• Avoid plastic cups, especially those containing phthalates.  These are being phased out in Canada, the European Union and finally the US due to health concerns.

Thanks, Gena!

Local NBC29 reports the recent efforts by the City of Staunton to save energy and taxpayer money.

Some highlights:

• In the last 18 months, Staunton City Hall has cut energy use by 20 percent. Other city buildings have also seen double-digit drops
• Energy-use changes in the public school system alone have already saved the City nearly $70,000
• More efficient, modern air conditioning units installed in public buildings
• Encouraging new development to incorporate green practices — encourage, not legislate — (e.g. Western State Hospital)
• Investigating funds to replace school crossing signals with solar powered units and using water-based paints whenever possible

Watch the video here.

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Here’s a little-known Staunton, Virginia fact: there is a small but growing tribe of telecommuters living here. I know first hand about this growing trend. Technology allowed me to move back because I could retain my job in Boston; now I telecommute to Washington, D.C. This scenerio sounds pretty good for the local economy…after all, my city wages are spent locally!

Yesterday was a surprise: I met my first-ever telecommuter who works in Staunton… but lives in Georgia! This individual works for a local real estate agency. Yes, that means that although this person is spending “Staunton money” in Georgia, she is actually increasing the number and value of single-occupancy homes here in Staunton. So yes, telecommuting works and benefits both ways. It stimulates the economy in two places and broadens work opportunities for all.

Don’t even get me started on the environmental benefits, too! You know telecommuting contributes to reduce evils like traffic, air pollution, and reliance on foreign oil. But first:

How do you kick your commute and start telecommuting?

Glad you asked; Virginia is one of just a handful of states offering incentives for employers to encourage telecommuting. Yes, your boss can qualify for up to $35,000 dollars worth of incentives so you can work in your pajamas, or from the local coffee shop! There is a whole website, Telework!VA dedicated to explaining the work benefits of telecommuting.

Preference is given to companies in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Virginia Beach areas. However, since vehicle congestion is a state-wide problem, and many Staunton residents commute to nearby Harrisonburg or Charlottesville… there’s no harm in seeing if Virginia’s incentives would benefit you. Here are some common myths about telecommuting.

The bottom line is that telecommuting allows for more work opportunities in more places… and, one great side benefit is the environmental impact. Here are some Virginia case studies. For example, in the first year alone Virginia-based National Wildlife Foundation saved nearly 3,000 travel miles on the road!

Want to telecommute? Sweeten the deal when you talk with your boss by mentioning Virginia’s unique program.

Kudos to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel! The hotel recently debuted its rooftop garden in our historic downtown. The hotel minimizes stormwater runoff while also saving nearly 20 gallons of water a day from this project. Added bonus? The garden provides locally-grown food for guests! Click here to download a pdf providing more information.

Says an article from NBC Channel 29:

“The initiative is designed to be a low-cost, high quality alternative to trucking in produce from out of town.

Hamilton says he plans to have much of what he’s growing go from the garden to the dinner table quickly, “Super fresh, it won’t get any fresher–as a matter of fact in some instances it will be just minutes before, between the time the product is picked and actually served.”

The rooftop garden uses water from the hotel’s air conditioning unit to care for the vegetables.”

Show your appreciation for Stonewall Jackson Hotel’s green roof efforts by recommending the hotel to visiting friends and family.

If you’ve wanted to set up an environmentally effective, money-saving rain barrel, here’s your chance. Staunton resident Jenelle Watson is coordinating a large delivery of rain barrels at The News Leader loading dock on June 27th. Your pre-made barrel will cost just $65.

The full article and details:

Here’s the deal: The Rain Barrel Co. supplies product to more than 77 retail stores in 7 states. Their barrels hold 55-plus gallons and are designed with a brass spigot for garden hose attachment. Each barrel has a lid and screen to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water. They also are equipped with a side-brass overflow and are made from plastic recycled food-grade barrels.

Given the response I got to the idea of a rain barrel workshop last year, I’m willing to bet that Cindy is right. And at a price of $65, I bet there are more than 20 of you out there who share my interest. That’s why, with the help of The News Leader, I’ve tentatively scheduled a delivery date at 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 27 at The News Leader’s loading dock/back parking lot at 11 N. Central Avenue in Staunton. Because Cindy’s truck can hold only 54 barrels at a time, she strongly recommends reservations. Those can be made by contacting Cindyn3@bellsouth.net or (919) 602-6316.

I’ll check in with Cindy next week to see how response is coming. In the mean time, feel free to let me know if you’ve reserved a rain barrel by writing to me at jenellewatson@gmail.com

I’m looking forward to seeing you — and meeting Cindy — on the 27th!

Here are some great things Staunton residents are already doing to protect our water supply.

Act quickly so you can see “HOME”, for FREE!

HOME is a harrowingly beautiful 90 minute documentary, narrated by Glenn Close – see synopsis below.  But hurry, it will only be available on YouTube for three more days! It may change and/or reinforce your outlook of this fragile, incredibly beautiful and interdependent world we call home…and the urgency for all of us to act decisively, collectively and individually, one act at a time.

Synopsis
In 200,000 years on Earth, humanity has upset the balance of the planet, established by nearly four billion years of evolution. The price to pay is high, but it is too late to be a pessimist: humanity has barely ten years to reverse the trend, become aware of the full extent of its spoliation of the Earth’s riches and change its patterns of consumption.
http://www.youtube.com/homeproject

Thanks, City of Staunton!

It’s now possible to recycle plastics marked #1 – #7. Please note: containers still need to be rinsed but they can all go in the same bin. No caps or lids!

The city should be applauded for this great step.

Direct from the SDDA newsletter:

• More Plastic Can Now Be Recycled in Staunton. The City of Staunton is pleased to announce that plastics #1 through #7 may now be recycled. Typically these plastics are containers used for beverages and food products. Please rinse all containers and discard the caps. The different plastics do not need to be separated by type but must all be placed in the same bin.

To identify what type of plastic you have, look on the container.  Usually the identification code can be found near the bottom of the container.   The plastic identification code is a triangle with a number inside it.  If the number is 1 through 7, it is recyclable.

Used plastic utensils, plastic plates/cups, toys, PVC pipe and Styrofoam will not be accepted. Any contaminated loads will not be accepted for pickup.

DON’T FORGET. Cardboard recycling continues in the Central Business District on Fridays only. [Great time to pick up free cardboard if you need it, check in the morning before 10am! - Katie]

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By Bruce Dorries, Staunton Green 2020 Charter Member, for Staunton’s News Leader, June 6, 2009:

Switchgrass sounds like something a school marm out west on the ol’ prairie would apply to the backsides of unruly students. In fact, Panicum virgatum, a native, grows very well right here in even the poorest of soils.

It could prove a rich, renewable source of energy in these parts. Switchgrass might have the power to help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels while benefiting farmers and wildlife. No one is likely to become a switchgrass baron or insanely wealthy from trading grasses futures, but the hardy perennial (a.k.a. wand panic grass) has great potential for augmenting farmers’ incomes and our nation’s need for reliable, domestic sources of energy.

About a dozen local farmers turned out in Verona recently to hear federal agriculture and Virginia Tech officials make a pitch for the grass as a more sustainable, economical form of cattle feed, as low-cost poultry house bedding, and as a renewable biofuel.

Click here to continue reading at the News Leader’s website.

As non-partisan citizen action group we feel it’s important to be transparent and share our mission, goals, and objectives with you.

Please review. We invite you to join us. 

Staunton Green 2020

Mission, Goals and Objectives

June 5, 2009  

Vision

Bringing the Green economy and sustainable living to every Queen City resident. 

Mission

We assist the city of Staunton and its residents in reducing carbon emissions by 20% and increasing renewable energy sources by 20% by 2020.  

Goals

1. Work with the city to employ carbon reduction strategies that create economic opportunities and reduce taxpayer obligations (e.g. “weatherization for all campaign” that employs the unemployed; energy conservation programs).
2. Develop education efforts that provide city residents information and action steps to work in a coordinated fashion toward carbon neutrality.
3. Support individual, commercial, non-profit and city efforts that are socially responsible and lead to increased use of renewable energy and decreased use of fossil fuels.

 Initial Objective

Support the City Council in creating a Green Economy Commission that will accomplish the following:  

1. Join ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (www.icleiusa.org) to get the tools, support and strategies for reducing our carbon footprint.
2. Plan and conduct a source inventory of Staunton’s greenhouse gas emissions within six months of establishing the Commission.
3. Recommend and propose a 20% reduction in carbon emissions from 2008 levels for the year 2020 within one year of establishing the Commission.
4. Recommend and propose methods for generating local renewable energy (e.g. switch grass, water turbines, geothermal, solar, etc.).
5. Investigate the development of a Clean Energy Financing Program to make affordable, and create incentives, for homeowners and businesses to install energy efficient appliances and clean energy generators.
6. Promote Green entrepreneurship and seek ways to create sustainable Green jobs within the city as well as reduce municipal, residential and commercial energy bills.

The Commission will consist of a diverse group of residents committed to timely accomplishment of these goals and objectives.  

Secondary Objectives:

1. Create Staunton Green 2020 subcommittees that promote:

• Municipal, commercial and residential solutions
• Incentives that lead to the adoption of practices
• Funding support through grants, relief through taxpayer savings and economic benefits

The subcommittees will address the following: 
 
Education and Outreach Bruce and Gena

• Public awareness
• School involvement
• Action learning
• programs

Energy Conservation 

• Energy audits
• Rain barrels
• Green retrofit
• LEED/Earthcraft

 Waste Reduction Brian and Gena

• Recycling
• Composting
• Plastic reduction
• Improved “to go” containers
• Styrofoam reduction

Green Business Entrepreneurship Brian, Chris & Katie  

Clean Energy generation

• Geothermal
• Solar
• Water turbines
• Switch grass

Local Food & Agricultural Outreach Brian and Katie

• Farmer’s Market
• Garden programs
• Community Supported Agriculture
• Restaurants
• Grocery Stores

 
Sustainable Land Use and Redevelopment Chris & Bruce

• Alternative transportation
• Comprehensive plan and urban development
• Storm water run-off
• Reforestation
• Native grasses and flowers

 
 

1. Collaborate with governmental entities, non-governmental organizations, and businesses, such as the following, to accomplish these goals:

• Augusta Farm Co-op
• Belle Grae Growing Center
• Blue Ridge Community College
• Central Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Pedestrian Committee
• Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Historic Staunton Foundation
• Lewis Creek Watershed Advisory Committee
• Mary Baldwin College
• Staunton Creative Community Fund
• Staunton Downtown Development Association
• Staunton Earth Day Planning Committee
• Valley Conservation Council

 
 
Definitions

Carbon Neutral:

The process of offsetting carbon-producing activities with those that either reduce or capture carbon, thus neutralizing the net amount of carbon released in the atmosphere¹. While the United States accounts for only 5% of the world’s population, it accounts for 20% of global energy usage and 20% of global CO2 emissions ². 

Carbon or Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

Direct greenhouse gas emissions can include tailpipe emissions of CO² from motor vehicles, methane from landfills, and hydrofluorocarbons from leaking refrigeration or air conditioning equipment. Indirect greenhouse gas emissions arise from coal and other fossil fuel-based energy generated to power residential, commercial, and industrial activities. Indirect emissions also arise from fossil fuel combustion used in the manufacture, transport, storage, disposal, and recycling of commodities and manufactured products³.  

The scientific consensus is that society must reduce the global emission of greenhouse gases by at least 80% by mid-century at the latest, in order to avert the worst impacts of global warming and to reestablish the more stable climatic conditions that have made human progress over the last 10,000 years possible⁴.  

Renewable Energy:

Energy generated from natural resources—such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat—which are naturally replenished⁵.  

Sustainability:

The World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) articulated: “[to meet] the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” ⁶ 
 

1. http://www.sustainabilitydictionary.com/c/climate_neutral.php
2. http://www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/documents/Green%20Jobs%20FINAL.pdf
3. http://www.sustainabilitydictionary.com/c/carbon_footprint.php
4. http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/html/faq.php
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy
6. http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/42/ares42-187.htm