The Greenest Streets in Fishtown
Street signs are green, right?
But how green are they really? According to Sustainable 19125, they can be a little greener. To see what we mean, just check out the new signs on the following blocks:
- 700 Moyer
- 1300 Earl
- 2300 Memphis
- 2400 Tulip
- 2200 Coral
- 2500 Gordon
- 2600 Salmon
These blocks in New Kensington and Fishtown have achieved "Green Block" status, an initiative that rewards streets for making efforts to become more efficient. How can you get your block on board?
Make sure that your neighbors all use Blue Recycling Bins that they can pick up at NKCDC (2515 Frankford Avenue) during regular business hours. Plastics #1 - 7 are now accepted.
Is each house signed up for RecycleBank to earn points for recycling? The limit is one bin per household. Each individual must sign out for his/her own bin. PMBC Block Captains and Green Guides can take multiple bins for their blocks if needed. Email sustainable19125@gmail.com for more information and visit their website for more tips.
[image via Sustainable 19125]
Related:
Read more about green tips for your home.
Philly Gets on Board with RecycleBank Program
We're happy to announce, after following the spread of RecycleBank rollouts, that the recycling rewards program is now city-wide. Recycling is a Philadelphia requirement, so why not sign up and get a little something back? There are so many businesses participating in the program that you can easily find a reward that you will benefit from. If you're not familiar with how the program works, you can visit the web site for more information, video demos, and an easy way to sign up to begin earning rewards.
We perused the rewards in Philadelphia and were happy to see that many of our favorite Philly businesses are listed:
Duross and Langel - They make amazing natural soaps and toiletries made with 100% recyclable materials.
Di Bruno Bros. - Best cheese cave in Philadelphia and both the Italian Market location and the Rittenhouse Square shop are responsible for delicious dinners and the impromptu picnic selections of many Philadelphians.
Fair Food Farmstand at Reading Terminal Market - Care to spend your rewards on just-picked veggies? One of the better spots to do so at.
Greenable - Need savvy interior or exterior building products or services from Philly's green building resource?
Mugshots - Recycle and get some coffee out of it? Those are motivating words. One of our favorite coffeehouses!
There are so many reasons to recycle and having these extra bonuses is like a big thank you from the city. If you live in a building that is not registered for this program, we urge you to let them know about it.
Related:
Recycling Pays in Cupcakes, Local Produce, and a Greener Port Richmond
Recap of Last Night's NLNA Meeting
Image: Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Ecological Sustainability is Just a Trend!
Sustainability - a word whose meaning borders on being an ethical term that encompasses the concept of living in harmony with the natural laws of the environment without depleting resources.
Eco-friendly - a loose term overused and misused in marketing that implies a product or action has minimal to no effect on the environment.
Some trends have really stuck, like jeans and democracy. Others, thankfully, have not stuck such as mullet haircuts and the Atkins Diet. Right now, words like green, sustainable, and eco-friendly are oh so very trendy, but it is inevitable that this “trend” will eventually become ingrained into our society and culture. Children are being taught the meaning of these words in elementary school. When I was a child growing up in the Philadelphia elementary school system some 30 years ago, we were still hiding under desks and building bomb shelters!
As educated consumers we will either make responsible decisions to participate in sustainable behaviors now or the Earth will force it upon us when she stops yielding to our demands. The implications of this reality on our economy is staggering and the effect is global. This trend has serious implications. If an elementary school student can understand that we all can.
On the subject of Real Estate and “green” trends in Philadelphia, rehabbers have an opportunity to create a revolutionary movement toward sustainability and eco-friendly development. We have so many opportunities to recycle homes with sustainable and eco-friendly trends as part of our rehabbing strategy. Even implementing one sustainable design element or system upgrade is a step in the right direction. It takes many little baby steps to eventually walk like a man or woman.
What rehab trends have you seen in your area? Have you had any success stories of retrofitting an existing home to implemented any “green” trends? Tell me about them.
Related:
Read more about ways to green your home and green building.
Green Cleaning From Dos Funny Frogs
Walking along Girard Avenue in Northern Liberties, you'll see a new storefront with a sign that reads Dos Funny Frogs. With a name like that, you have to stop and ask what they do. Set to open next Wednesday, this green cleaning service specializes in commercial and residential janitorial services using environmentally-friendly products. Why Dos Funny Frogs? Founders Alex Suarez and his mother Yvonne have Cuban roots, and she started the business to put her son through college, where he trained in microbiology and cell biology.
Whether you're looking for a daily scrubdown, monthly maintenance, or a one time clean-up, do it the Earth-conscious way by booking Dos Funny Frogs. You gotta love a name like that.
Call them for a move in our a move out, for a carpet cleaning, or even for your post construction needs. Office and lobby cleaning is also available.
In addition to thorough cleaning throughout your property, they also offer special extras, like laundry service and grocery shopping should you need it.
Right now, they're running a May special. If you book your cleaning by May 15, you'll receive your 5th one free.
We welcome this green business to the neighborhood.
Related:
Cool Home Tips From GRID Philly’s May Issue
Tour the PECO Green Roof
Interested in green roof technology? Haven't been on a green tour yet? Then wait until you see PECO's 45,000 square feet green roof in Center City. It's the largest green roof in all of Philadelphia, and you can go on a tour of it on April 20 and every third Tuesday through October. PECO has strived to become an environmentally responsible energy company with a $15.3 million initiative, which included the roof installation and a Crown Lights system at their Center City headquarters.
You can find out tour details on the PECO Roof page on the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society website.
Related:
Take a Green Tour Through Fishtown and Kensington
Read more about ways to green your home and green building.
GRID Celebrates One Year with Yards and Philly’s Forward-Thinkers
GRID Magazine chose the Yard's Tasting Room for their first anniversary fête. Mugshots Catering, Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op and Birchrun Hills Farm all catered the event, so there was quite a spread of cheese, crudite, and yes, vegan meatballs. The Yards was flowing.
It was a mild evening that the sun held on to for as long as it could. Bikers and walkers made Delaware Avenue lively once again. The Tasting Room was filled with readers, writers, and business owners that have been featured in the magazine and were out to toast to the sharing of sustainable ideas for Philadelphia. Happy birthday, GRID!
Yard's was an excellent venue decision and is worth checking out if you're looking for a beer adventure that's off the beaten path or want to host a social gathering.
Related:
Cool Home Tips From GRID Philly’s May Issue
What’s Brewing at Yards: The Tasting Room
Recycling Pays in Cupcakes, Local Produce, and a Greener Port Richmond
In January, we mentioned RecycleBank's roll-out in Northern Liberties. Now, we're happy to announce that the program, which rewards households for recycling by tracking an ID sticker on bins, is in Port Richmond and North Philadelphia. With so many businesses participating in the program, there are many rewards to choose from, and we're proud to see that several of these are local and independent businesses. Even Fishtown's Whipped Bakeshop has signed on, offering discounts off their sweets with redeemed RecycleBank points. Greensgrow Farm is also on the list, as well as ShopRite and other businesses with locations in and near Port Richmond. For more information and to sign up, visit https://www.recyclebank.com/.
Explore more about Life in Port Richmond. Ready to search for Port Richmond properties?
Related:
Recap of Last Night's NLNA Meeting
The Sweetest Block in Fishtown: Whipped Bakeshop
Cool Home Tips From GRID Philly’s May Issue
We're pouring through the latest issue of GRID, Philly's sustainability-savvy mag (you can read issues online or find it at numerous local businesses) and as always, we learned a thing or two.
- Urban and rooftop gardening (page 10)
- Upgrading your hot water heater (solar water heaters can lower your bill by 50-80%) (page 12)
- Find out where to drop off your household hazardous waste (page 13!)
- Read about eco-friendly architecture (page 16)
- Make the most of local asparagus season with these spring recipes. Yum. (page 30)
If you like what you read, go celebrate GRID's First Anniversary on Saturday, April 10 at the Yards Tasting Room (901 N. Delaware Ave.), from 5-8 pm. And don't forget about Saturday's Philly Spring Cleanup!
Related:
What’s Brewing at Yards: The Tasting Room
Keep Up the Sweep Up: Volunteer for the 2010 Philly Spring Cleanup
Take a Green Tour Through Fishtown and Kensington
We just found out about an exciting tour that happens tomorrow, April 8, at 2pm. The Building Industry Association of Philadelphia's Green Committee will visit six green homes throughout Fishtown and Kensington. Builders, buyers, and anyone interested in learning more about green technology in the home will see how these buildings are changing the game and making sustainable homes extremely affordable, stylish, and savvy. The tour includes the Ice House, 100K House, and two projects from Postgreen - Skinny Project and Passive Project, followed by a post-tour happy hour at Memphis Taproom in New Kensington.
Register tomorrow at The Ice House (1247 East Columbia Avenue)
$50 for BIA, DVGBC and GPAR Members/$65 for Non-Members (price includes happy hour)
$10 surcharge for registrations received April 5 or later
Related:
Read more about ways to green your home and green building.
An Investment in Shade: Free Trees for Your Street
Apply for a tree from the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association and bring a little more shade to your block. Having a tree in front of your property can help cut home energy costs and it can increase your home value. Not to mention the benefits you add to your local environment. Submit your application by Friday, April 2 to be included in the Fall 2010 planting. You can download the form at the NLNA site.
Read more about green tips for your home.
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