EcoBytes - Volume 1, Issue 2 (March 1999)

Welcome to Volume 1, Issue 2 of EcoBytes, the Center for Ecological Technology (CET) email newsletter. EcoBytes updates you on CET's activities in solid waste, energy, and sustainable development.

We encourage you to contact us for more information about any of our programs. You can reach us in Pittsfield at cetpitts@aol.com or (413) 445-4556 or in Northampton at cetnoho@aol.com or (413) 586-7350. For mailing list additions and deletions, please send a message to cetpitts@aol.com.

In This Issue:

• Family Fun and Learning at Greylock Glen
• Showing Off Adams’ Natural Assets
• Recycling Cooperative Plans to Double its Diversion
• CET Leads National Nonprofit Recyclers Council
• Don’t Miss CET at EnviroExpo!
• Coming Next Issue: Results of the 4^th Annual Textile Collection Drive

Family Fun And Learning At Greylock Glen

After two successful years of coordinating "Summer at the Glen," CET is expanding environmental education and recreation programming year-round at the base of Mt. Greylock in Adams, under contract with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management (DEM). CET, the DEM’s Division of Forest and Parks, the Appalachian Mountain Club, and the Berkshire Institute hosted a winter program Sunday, February 28. Outdoor activities included snowshoe walks and an introduction to winter survival skills. The evening program featured historians, authors, and outdoor enthusiasts who entertained families with stories about noteworthy events, issues, and distinctive people who made Greylock Glen what it is today. We will celebrate the changing seasons and the many natural, recreational, and cultural resources of Greylock Glen with additional family fun days throughout the year. Stay tuned for information about weekly hikes and interpretive programs this summer. Contact Joy Kirschenbaum in our Pittsfield office for more information.

Showing Off Adams’ Natural Assets

CET is working with the Town of Adams to promote its "trails and treasures" as part of an innovative approach to addressing long-term community prosperity. As a first step in promoting recreational assets, the "Sustainable Adams" citizen advisory committee is working with CET to produce a "favorite Hikes of Adams" brochure. The trails brochure invites people of all ages and abilities to enjoy hikes in Adams ranging from a gentle nature walk to a challenging trek to Mt. Greylock's summit. The advisory committee, whose members represent youth, seniors, businesses, families, government, historians, environmentalists, and other community interests, is articulating a vision for the future of Adams. Their priorities for the town include beautification, information kiosks and a visitors’ booth, promotion of the existing recreational amenities and renovation of historical buildings. These activities are part of a larger effort to implement a comprehensive sustainability action plan in Adams, with support from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation/Adams Fund and the Sudbury Foundation. For more information, contact Laura Dubester or Nancy Nylen in the Pittsfield office.

Recycling Cooperative Plans To Double Its Diversion

About 2,000 employees in more than 50 Pittsfield businesses are recycling their office paper through the Pittsfield Business Recycling Cooperative, a project of CET in partnership with the City of Pittsfield, the Chamber of Commerce of the Berkshires, and Cadmus and Cascades Recycling. Banks, printers, accountants, social service agencies, law firms, medical offices and government buildings have joined together to affordably recycle their office paper through the Cooperative. Participants are currently recycling about 14 tons per month, with a goal of 25 tons by this summer. Special features of the Cooperative include locked toters and cost-effective confidential document destruction. "About 95% of what we throw away is paper, and recycling is easy," says Rick Lombardi, of Riley, Haddad, and Lombardi, an accounting firm. "The confidential document shredding service saves precious time and we even save money on our trash disposal costs. We are grateful for CET’s assistance." For more information about the Cooperative, contact Jamie Cahillane or Laura Dubester in the Pittsfield office.

CET Leads National Nonprofit Recyclers Council

CET's Alan Silverstein is serving as co-chair of the National Recycling Coalition’s Nonprofit Recyclers Council (NpRC). The NpRC is a national network of mission-driven community-based organizations whose work includes waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting operations; research and public education; community and economic development; and environmental advocacy. The NpRC’s vision is to create a strong communications network to help nonprofit recyclers succeed, including a listserve and web site. Contact Alan Silverstein in Pittsfield for more information and a brochure.

Don't Miss CET At Enviroexpo!

Look for CET's Jim Desmond at the "Saving Money through Industrial Reuse and Recycling" session at the EnviroExpo in Boston May 5^th. Also, don’t miss the MassRecycles Buy Recycled Pavilion and Annual Event. For more information, visit www.enviroexpo.com.

Coming Next Issue:

CET's next issue of EcoBytes will reveal the results of the 4^th Annual Textile Collection Drive.