Happy Holidays to one and all!

Just a wish for all our readers to have a peaceful and conservation-minded holiday season! Even at this time of year, there are things you can do to protect the environment, preserve our natural resources, and lower your energy bills. Here are a few suggestions:

- If you are home with the Chrsitmas tree plugged in, why not shut off the other lights in the room? You will find the tree lights give off the most beautiful glow, and you'll be be saving energy!

- Have an extra trash bag handy whenever gifts are being unwrapped - you can add the paper and cardboard as you go, making it easy to bring to the Recycling Center on the weekend!

- Of course, you can save gift boxes and bags for re-use again next season!

- When shopping for your holiday meals, take a look at the containers your food is packaged in; Think: will you be able to recycle it? If you make an effort to buy food packaged in glass, cans, cardboard or #1 and #2 plastics, you will be able to lower your impact on the planet as well as your trash can!!

- With a house full of guests, consider lowering your thermostat; the extra body heat from your family members will more than make up for those few degrees!

May everyone have a safe Christmas and a very Happy (and of course, Green) New Year!

Make your own energy statement

Did you know that National Grid offers you a choice when it comes to your energy source? You can opt for your energy to come from a renewable source, such as wind, solar, biomass, or hydroelectric. Through their program called GreenUp , you can choose to have 50% or 100% of your home electricity generated through alternative, renewable sources, and it will only add an average of $6 -$12 per month to your electric bill. You will be helping the environment, and sending a message that alternative energy IS something consumers want as a choice. Signing up is free!! So check it out today, and sign up to make an impact on your world.

Eating? Really?! How is that good for the planet?

You may not think that buying produce locally is one way to improve the planet, but consider how much packaging is used to ship that produce from one side of the world to get to our local supermarkets? And how much fuel does it take to make that journey? If you are still not convinced, think about all the nutrients (not to mention flavors!) that are lost getting from that farm in Chile to the Pembroke table?
If you want another alternative, this is the time of year to visit your local farmer's markets, and see what FRESH food really looks like, smells like, tastes like.... It may be more of an effort, but you will be rewarded. Your taste buds and your planet will thank you! Oh, and did I mention you will also be supporting the local economy? Yeah, that too.
If you don't know where to find your local farmer's market, visit: http://www.ediblecommunities.com/southshore/

They should be able to point you in a yummy direction!

Hazardous Waste Day in Pembroke!

This Saturday, August 29, will be Hazardous Waste Day in Pembroke. The event will run from 9 am to 1 pm at the Recycling Center. If you have fluorescent lamps, products containing mercury, oil based paints, pesticides, and many other materials, bring it on! If you have questions about other items that can be dropped off, as well as the fees involved, you can contact the Board of health at 781-293-2718. Remember, recycle that waste! Don't throw it in the trash!!

Almost time for back to school!!

While those words do not make everyone happy, it is exciting to think that another year of great enviromental work is about to begin. PCMS has been on the DEP's GREEN TEAM since it's inception in 2004, and this past year, they were winners for the 2009 GREEN TEAM projects! (See the newsletter below) Congrats, and keep up the good work!!

http://www.thegreenteam.org/GT%20Awards%202009.pdf

The Story of Stuff

I saw a short movie this morning called, "The Story of Stuff", and it really got me to thinking. Now, I consider myself to be concerned about the environment; I recycle, I consider the packaging on the things I buy, especially at the grocery store, and I try to pass this along to the rest of my family. But after seeing this, well..... It made me think.
When you have 20 minutes, take a look.
http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Take Action! The Selectmen have!

You can join the Pembroke Selectmen in calling for an update to the current Bottle Bill. The link below will take you to the MassRecycle site, where you will see how to contact your legislators!

http://www.massrecycle.org/bottlebill/index.html

Expanding the Bottle Bill

Every year, hundreds of thousands of bottles, mostly of the water variety, end up in our landfills rather than in recycling bins. The Govenor has taken a step, in the FY10 budget, to bring these containers into the existing Bottle Bill. The Bottle Bill, enacted in 1982, refunded the nickel the consumer paid when they brought back a bottle or can rather than throwing it in the trash. This recycling effort has diverted 30 billion containers - yup, that's with a "B"- from landfills since its start. (MA Bottle Bill Return Rate Information FY1990-2007 ) Why should we be willing to fork over more nickels just to keep these containers out of the trash? The Sierra Club has it all laid out; some things you may know, others may be a surprise. Take a look, and see if it changes your view of that water bottle.
Ten Reasons To Support The Bottle Bill Update
http://www.sierraclubmass.org/issues/conservation/ubb/ubb_ten.html

Welcome to the Energy Committee Blog

This is the first post of the updated Energy Committee blog. We hope it will become a place for education, dialogue, and innovation sharing for the community of citizens in Pembroke. You can post comments and share links here, or send the Energy Committee an email. If you wish to reach us with ideas or activities you would like mentioned in the blog, email us at: pembrokeenergy@gmail.com.

And if you would like a link to our previous blog site:
http://www.pembroke-ma.com/