The PEA Pod, December 2009

Piedmont Environmental Alliance The PEA Pod

December 2009

From the Executive Director

This weekend, my girls and I went out to finish (well, almost) our Christmas shopping. We had such a great time. It occurred to us, afterwards, that we made some very environmentally-friendly choices without being intentional about it. First, we stopped by the great new store, ReTale, on Burke Street in downtown Winston-Salem, where every item tells a story. This is a locally owned store that carries a lot of unique gift items, which are mostly used or crafted items. I have to add that this store is owned by two ladies who clearly have style. Every item had a bit of wit or personality. We chose a ceramic popcorn set for a Secret Santa gift. Next, we drove over to Fourth Street and parked at Caffe Prada. From there we walked down to Separk Music, where we marked a couple of items off of our very thoughtfully developed list. We walked back up to Caffe Prada for a little refreshment – gelato and a cup of coffee at one of Winston-Salem’s “green” coffee shops really hit the spot. We bought two more gifts at Caffe Prada’s cute little holiday bizarre. So, we made a big dent in our list by purchasing from locally owned stores and by driving all of two blocks. More importantly, we had a great time together and felt really good about our purchases. There are so many ways to make your holidays more eco-friendly – using recycled or no wrapping paper, using LED Energy Star lights on the tree, purchasing sustainably raised and harvested food for the holiday table, etc.  For my money, the most fun can be had by shopping local – meeting new people and building community. I hope all of you have a chance to visit ReTale, Caffe Prada, and other retailers in our on-line eco-directory for your holiday shopping and that you all find peace and joy this season.

Terri E. LeGrand
Executive Director

Be a Friend of the Fair

Be a Friend of the Fair by sending in your donation of just $150 for individuals, farms, and nonprofit organizations, or just $250 for businesses. Your financial support is needed to ensure the success of the 5th annual Piedmont Earth Day Fair. A team of volunteers spend countless hours putting together the Fair, the largest Earth Day celebration in northwest North Carolina. The Fair is a free community event produced by Piedmont Environmental Alliance, a grassroots membership organization working to improve the environment and quality of life in our community now and for future generations. Show your support for these volunteers and this work by making your contribution today. Friends of the Fair will receive the following benefits:

  • Listing on our website and in the Fair map, if desired;
  • A single 10’x10’ booth space at the Fair for businesses, organizations, and farms, if desired;
  • Premium booth location based on your organization’s needs and early booth assignment;
  • A one-year membership in Piedmont Environmental Alliance (1/1/10 – 12/31/10);
  • A one-year listing in the PEA eco-directory for businesses, organizations, and farms, if qualified;
  • An Earth Day Fair sponsor “button” for your website; and
  • An Earth Day Fair Sponsor window sticker, if appropriate

The Fair would not be possible without the hard work of our volunteers and the generous support of our sponsors. Thank you!

PEA Night at World Villages – Dec. 10th

Please join PEA at World Villages in Winston-Salem on December 10 from 6 – 8 p.m. for a Community Shopping Event.  PEA will earn 15% of total sales during this time! World Villages offers Fair Trade merchandise from over 37 developing countries.  When you buy an item at World Villages, you help artisans support their families with food, clothing, housing and education for their children.  Their main supplier of merchandise, Ten Thousand Villages, received an award for the most ethical company in May 2008.  World Villages is a GREAT place to find meaningful stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, Secret Santa presents and more. Please come and enjoy a fun night of shopping while you support PEA. 

Enjoy the Holidays While Minimizing Your Impact on our Planet

December is a time of joy, celebration, giving … and often excess. But you don’t have to turn your back on your eco-values to enjoy the holidays.  Adopt some of these simple suggestions to enjoy the holidays while minimizing your impact on our planet.

  • Buy local – This term is getting a lot of press lately for good reason.  Buying local reduces transportation costs while supporting your community retailers and farmers.
  • Buy used – There are many local consignment shops or other retailers that specialize in “gently used” items.  Etc. Consignment Shoppe on Jonestown Rd in Winston-Salem is a great place to buy high-quality second-hand items at affordable prices. They carry a large selection of clothing, children’s wear, furniture, electronics, books, games, and more.  PEA members receive $5 off your purchase.  http://www.peanc.org/content/etc-consignment-shoppe
  • Plan your trips – A little planning will save you gas money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; combine errands, map out your shopping routes, and carpool to events.
  • Avoid disposables - Remember to take your own bags with you into stores when shopping; use washable utensils, glassware and plates and cloth napkins for parties.
  • Purchase an eco-friendly tree – buying a real tree is more environmentally friendly than a fake tree, but the best choice is a tree grown without chemicals.  Our favorite local spot is Reed Island Farm, a “cut-your-own” farm one hour North of Winston-Salem.  Since you’ll be driving, bring family and friends and make a day of it in the mountains. We aren’t aware of any places closer that are as eco-friendly.  If you know of a place, let us know.  http://www.reedisland.com/RIF/rif.htm  http://www.mtrogersfraserfir.org/realvsfake.html
  • Re-use whenever you can - Cut off the fronts or inside messages from holiday cards you receive to make gift tags; wrap your gifts with newspaper, brown paper bags with a brightly colored ribbon, the Sunday comics, reusable fabric and cloth ribbons, or old calendars or catalogs.
  • Reduce waste  - Send e-cards or set up a holiday blog, rather than mailing cards.  Decorate with greenery, flowers, leaves, berries, nuts, pine cones, gourds and fruits instead of plastic, paper or electric decorations; compost your greenery after the holidays.
  • Green your meals - Buy local and/or organic whenever possible; consider vegetarian alternatives or purchase humanely and sustainably raised meat options.
  • Reduce energy - Consider forgoing electric holiday lights; or, if you enjoy lights, use LED lights that consume one-tenth as much energy as conventional holiday lights and last much longer.
  • Give gifts of charity – local eco-favorites include donations to PEA (of course!), Piedmont Land Conservancy and Yadkin Riverkeepers.  Many non-profit organizations have gift memberships.  PEA will send a holiday card and Chico shopping bag to announce your gift.

Where Do You Get Your Clothes Dry Cleaned?

Your choices affect our planet.  PEA Partner Dry Cleaning Station is the only “green” dry cleaner in the Triad (PEA members receive a 5% discount).  Did you know that most dry cleaners use a carbon based cleaning solvent called perchloroethylene (perc for short) that is an air and water pollutant regulated by the EPA as a hazardous waste?  It is linked to cancer, neurological disorders and reproductive problems in humans, especially those who work or live next door to a dry cleaning facility were perc is used.  There has also been some speculation as to the safety of wearing freshly dry cleaned clothing at least once a week, as well as the residual release of perc from garments hanging in your home.  The government and dry cleaning establishments are taking steps to regulate and limit the risk, but most (an estimated 85%) dry cleaners are still using perc.  Read more.

Landfill Disposal Bans

On October 1, 2009, a plastic bottle disposal ban went into effect in North Carolina as a result of the passage of House Bill 1465 during the 2005 legislative session.  But, did you also know that used motor oil filters and wooden pallets were also banned from landfill disposal on that same date?  Probably not, because most of us use plastic bottles much more often than oil filters and wooden pallets in our daily lives.  Did you know that there are numerous waste disposal bans in our state, many of which have been in place for more than 15 years?  Other landfill disposal bans include:

  • Aluminum cans
  • Antifreeze
  • Lead acid batteries
  • Used motor oil
  • Used appliances
  • Whole scrap tires
  • Yard waste

Future disposal bans exist for computer equipment and televisions to become effective on January 1, 2011.  Read more.

PEA to Host Environmental Exchange on Business Recycling:  Jan. 27th

Recycling is easy if you live within city limits and are provided free pick-up at your home.  But recycling is not as easy for businesses.  With the new plastic bottle ban in effect, we’ve received many emails asking about local recycling services for businesses.  PEA is hosting a workshop on the topic January 27th from 5:30-7:00 pm.  We will send out information in early January about this event, but please mark your calendars now.

Not a PEA Member Yet? Join Today!

Please join and become part of the solution for a sustainable future. To become a member, you may join on-line or download the membership form from our website and mail it to us. PEA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported solely by membership dues and donations.

©2009 Piedmont Environmental Alliance      e-newsletter by Kilpatrick Design