Previous+ECO+events

=(Back to ECO main page) = = Previous ECO Recycling Collections: =

May '11: Medications, 2 lbs. collelcted for take back program, as well as many **caps** and **batteries****.**

March '11: CDs and DVDs. , 28, to be donated to the Scrap Exchange**.**

February '11: Greeting cards, many boxes and bags, to be remade into new cards by children at St. Jude's Ranch.

January '11: Packing/Packaging materials, approx. 32 cubic feet collected, donated to a shipping store for reuse. The store, called Pack it! Ship it!, is located at 1201 Raleigh Rd. (Glenwood Square) in Chapel Hill and will gladly take packing materials at any time. Packaging material includes styrofoam blocks, "peanuts," plastic bubble wrap and air "pillows." You also brought 10 containers of medication, 5 pounds of batteries, and lots of caps.

December '10: Medications, 2 containers collected. November '10: Medications, 21 containers collected for the NCPA "take back" program October: Cell phones, 5 collected, to be donated to the Rape Crisis Center for reuse. September: First collection of Plastic Bottle Caps to be donated to [|Aveda's cap recycling program]. August: Eyeglasses, 13 pairs collected, donated to [|OneSight] (provides free eyewear and eyecare to those in need) June: Rigid Plastics May: Videotapes, 15 collected, to be refurbished or recycled by Wesbell Asset Recovery in RTP. March: Cell phones, 4 collected, to be donated to the Rape Crisis Center for reuse. February: Greeting cards, 17 lbs., to be remade into new cards by children at [|St. Jude's Ranch]; and holiday lights , 755 ft., to be recycled January 10: Packing/Packaging materials, approx. 15 cubic feet collected, donated to UPS stores for reuse November 09: Eyeglasses, 16 pairs collected, donated to [|OneSight] (provides free eyewear and eyecare to those in need) October 09: CDs and DVDs, approx. 50 collected

Every Month: Batteries, over 100 lbs. collected, taken to Solid Waste Convenience Center for recycling, and bags and bags of Plastic Bottle Caps.

= Previous ECO Events =

**Sept 2012:** Tour of Botanical Gardens Education Center. Eight church members paid a visit to the NC Botanical Gardens on Sept. 16 to see the completed new gardens and Education Center. Jim Ward, associate director of the Gardens explained in detail how the BG obtained the LEED platinum award (Leader in Environmental and Energy Design- Platinum is the highest level). Sustainability features include: a pervious parking lot, ground source heating and cooling, photovoltaic solar panels, large cisterns and underground storage to collect rainwater, native plantings, recycled and re-used building materials, rain gardens, lumber made from trees on-site, state of the art lighting, and computer controlled irrigation systems. Jim noted that implementing this cutting edge technology comes with considerable challenges and re-engineering. Not everything worked as planned, but issues are being resolved and the NCBG is making efforts to become even more sustainable. For instance, they are involved in an effort to track the effects of climate change on vegetation in cooperation with 10 other sites across the country. ** July 2012: Rain Garden Workshop. **Our own Susan McDaniels, certified Green Plumber, taught us (and showed us) a great deal about the important functions of rain gardens. By slowing down and filtering stormwater, they help reduce erosion, flooding, and pollution. **May 2012:** We had a great time sharing dessert and watching // [|Dirt! The Movie]  //. If you missed it and would like to borrow the DVD, email us at ECO@c3huu.org  This award-winning film tells “ the amazing and little-known story of the relationship between humans and living dirt. ” This movie is appropriate and recommended for older children (there are some brief scenes that may be upsetting to younger children). **April 2012:** Share the Plate for **Solar Cookers International,** and participation in the Earth Day service on Ethical Eating. **April 2012:** Third annual **Church garden workday** hosted jointly with Building and Grounds. Lots of weeding and mulching made the courtyard look great! **March 2012:** About 20 people joined us for a vegetarian potluck and a screening of // [|Forks over Knives]  //. This film “ examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.” If you missed it and would like to borrow the DVD, let us know. If you attended and have not shared your recipe, please email to ECO@c3huu.org so we can compile and share. **Fracking – Fact and Fiction:** Cecilia and Steve Warshaw teamed up in February and March to share some of what they learned //(or didn’t learn)// from attending a state summit, DNER pre-study hearing, STRONGER work session and a recent workshop at Duke about hydraulic fracturing of shale for natural gas. **January 2012**: About 16 people joined us for another delicious **local food dinner** (courtesy of Bob Weston) and a screening of [|American Meat]. This new film documents conventional and alternative methods of raising animals for food. One family drove //3 hours// to see the movie because they were so enthusiastic about Joel Salatin, the farmer featured in the film, and his farm which they had recently visited. **Tips for a Greener Holiday**: The holidays have a huge environmental impact. Click here for ideas on how to reduce your holiday footprint. ** November 2011: **About 30 people enjoyed Bob Weston's local food dinner and the movie [|Fresh], an uplifting documentary about reinventing our food system. We used the movie as a springboard for discussing the Ethical Eating SOC. **June 2011:** As you may know, delegates at the June 2011 UUA General Assembly approved [|Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice] as a UUA Statement of Conscience (SOC). ECO was able to have a small role in shaping some important wording in the document, with the help of Linda and George Thompson. We encourage you to read the SOC to learn more about how we as individuals and congregations can apply our UU principles to our food choices in ways that help sustain the planet. **May 2011:** After a delicious burrito dinner in the community building, sixteen people joined us in the sanctuary for a screening of ** The Economics of Happiness ,** an inspiring documentary about how we can revitalize our fractured world and make ourselves happier in the process. **April 2011:** Our Share the Plate for Piedmont Wildlife Center raised $1,500 to help support their education and conservation programs. We got to meet some of the critters that live there, too. **April 2011**: ECO and Building and Grounds hosted a joint grounds cleanup. Thirteen adults and two children came to help clear out invasive plants and spread pine straw. **March 2011**: Screening of [|King Corn], the award winning documentary about "two friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast food nation." In the Straley Room. If you missed it, you can borrow the DVD from ECO. Contact ECO@c3huu.org. **March 2011****:** **Workshop on home water efficiency****.** Susan McDaniel, church member and certified "Green Plumber," shared the latest and greatest in water efficient technology. Participants learned about ways to save water with low-flow fixtures and efficient water heaters. **November 2010:** **Soy Candle Making Class** with George and Linda Thompson. Eight people made 15 soy candles. Participants got to choose the color, shape and fragrance of their candles. Soy candles are earth-friendly because they burn much cleaner and longer than conventional paraffin candles, and the wax is made from soybeans grown in the U.S. as opposed to the petroleum-based wax most often made in China. **October 2010: Cleaner Hog Farms:** In October, ECO signed a letter urging the NC General Assembly to set a deadline for ending the use of open air manure lagoons, which are associated with serious environmental and public health problems. This would be an important step toward transitioning North Carolina industrial farms toward a more sustainable model. To see the letter click here:

**September 2010: Pedal Power**: Lots of people of all ages came by on September 19 to check out our bicycle event featuring Cycle 9 ([|www.cycle9.com] ), a Carrboro bike shop specializing in electric bikes, cargo bikes and folding bikes. The pedal-powered smoothies were delicious, too! Four used bikes were donated to The ReCYCLEry ([|www.recyclery.org] ) in Carrboro. ReCYCLEry volunteers were delighted to get them and will repair them and give them to new owners who may not otherwise have been able to afford a bike. = August 2010: ECO's Annual Retreat was held in the Manse. We reviewed our and made plans for the upcoming year. We decided to continue or repeat many of last year's efforts as well as introduce some new ones. Plans for 2010-11 include the following: = = June 4: Showing of A Sea Change: Fifteen people viewed and discussed this award-winning documentary about the lesser known consequence of global warming: Ocean Acidification, or the rising acidity of the ocean due to absorption of carbon emissions. The changing PH of sea water impairs the ability of tiny aquatic organisms to form their shells, which impacts the entire food chain. This moving film also offers hope for the possibility of addressing this serious problem. See ECO main page about borrowing this DVD or others from ECO. = = April 2010 = Earth Day Gardening Event. On a beautiful Saturday in April, ECO and Building and Grounds joined forces to learn about invasive plant species and why they matter, and then helped remove them from the grounds. We also did some caulking to to reduce heating and cooling leaks. **Share the Plate** for the [|"Plant 3 Million Trees on Mt. Kilimanjaro"] project sponsored by Interfaith Power & Light. You donated a total of $1250.00, which will buy 25,000 trees! Thank you for helping combat deforestation and global warming in this African region where the population depends on water from the rapidly shrinking ice cap. Click here or see the STP article in April's newsletter for more information.
 * Monthly recycling efforts
 * Workshops and films
 * Course or book discussion
 * Home energy audits
 * Share the Plate for a local environmental group.
 * Work with Building and Grounds to beautify our natural areas
 * Offer eco-friendly reusable bags for sale

= March 2010 = On March 13, guest speaker Bill Triplett shared some of the latest thinking and science about home energy efficiency in an informal workshop. **Feb - April 2010** Choices for Sustainable Living, a 7-session course designed by NW Earth Institute, was offered Thursdays from 7-9 pm starting Feb. 18. Topics included ecological principles, buying, food, and communities. There were different points of view in the group which generated lots of good discussion.

= ** 100 Ton Challenge Results: ** Ten families reported their energy savings over the one-year challenge period in 2008-09. On average, they saved 2.8 tons of CO2 and 4860 gallons of water. These savings were achieved without major changes; i.e., without installing solar panels,etc. If we extrapolate from these 10 and assume the other 30 or so families who originally signed up did as well, we would meet our goal of 100 tons of CO2. Thanks to everyone who participated, and keep up the good work! =

=September 2009= Hank Rodenburg led a workshop on sea ling heating and cooling ducts in your house. Participants watched a short training video and saw a live demonstration. Leaky ducts are a major cause of household energy inefficiency, and you can reduce your bills and help the environment by sealing them. To borrow the training video, email Hank Rodenburg. =July 2009= On July 10, we showed **The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil.** This inspiring look at the way Cuba responded to their 1990 oil crisis can teach us a lot about what is possible for our own future. For more information, visit [|http://www.powerofcommunity.org].

ECO applied for CCCHUU to be selected as a solar panel "host" for a Duke Energy project. Unfortunately, the selection process in this area has concluded and the Church was not selected. Thank you for all the interest and support for our potential involvement! =May 09= =** On May 30, we held a retreat to evaluate our accomplishments and plan future events. Possible activities for 2009-10 include book discussions, recycling events, and adopting a garden at the church. The group also discussed becoming more involved in helping to shape church policies that reflect our care for the earth. **= =**April 09**= = = On April 17, twenty-two church members gathered to watch [|Earth: The Sequel], a PBS documentary about innovations in renewable energy. We learned about new solar and wind harvesting technology, tidal turbines, geothermal technology, and biofuel made from plant cellulose, to name a few. According to Fred Krupp and Miriam Horn, authors of the book by the same name and narrators of the movie, we have the technology to fight climate change; what we need now is the political will to make such efforts economically viable.

//April 3-4: Bridge to an Organic Future: Opportunities for health and the environment –// **//The 27th National Pesticide Forum//**  We were proud to be one of the co-sponsors of this conference, held mainly at the Century Center in Carrboro. The keynote address, “Putting Progress back in Progressive: The route to social justice, fair food and a sustainable environment,” was given by Jim Hightower at The Community Church on Saturday, April 4. For more information about this organization, visit[|beyondpesticides.org]

=March: Socially Responsible Investing=

On March 29, we hosted a program by Farnum Brown, vice president and senior portfolio manager at Trillium Asset Management Corporation. [|Trillium], based in Boston, is a leader in socially responsible investing (SRI). Mr. Brown educated us about Trillium’s mission of using shareholder rights as a lever to create positive social change in corporations while earning a financial return. It was an inspiring look at one way capitalism and sustainability can co-exist.

=**December 2008**=

====Throughout December, we offered LED lights for sale for those who wanted to replace their holiday lights. LEDs use 80-90% less electricity than incandescent ones, last up to 10 times longer and contain no mercury. We were also able to recycle old lights for those who dropped them off.==== =**November 08**= ====In November we had the pleasure of hearing from three local farmers. Brian and Joann Gallagher, from [|Castlemaine Farm] and Richard Holcomb, from [|Coon Rock Farm] spoke about their organically grown produce and livestock and their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs as well as other markets for their food such as farmers markets and local restaurants. We also got to taste some delicious chicken as well as other goodies with local ingredients. For information about other local farms with CSA programs, visit [|www.localharvest.org]==== = =

=**October 08**=

====On a gorgeous fall day we enjoyed a private tour of the partially finished [|Visitor Education Center] with Jim Ward, curator at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens. The goal is for the building to be LEED certified at the highest level, platinum. To achieve this rigorous standard, there are numerous environmental features such as geothermal heating and cooling, solar panels, "daylighting" to take advantage of natural light, rain-collecting cisterns, use of salvaged materials, and diversion of 90% of construction waste from the landfill. Jim and others are also working on getting a bus stop at the gardens. It takes a great deal of time and effort to achieve some of these objectives, but the result will be a beautiful facility with the smallest environmental footprint that is currently possible. The Visitor Education Center is slated to open in July, and when it does we are all in for a treat! Jim also talked to us about sustainable gardening using native plant species and the dangers of invasive plants.====



=**September 08**= On a Friday evening we gathered to share local food and a screening of The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard, a fast-paced video about the impact of all the "stuff" we buy, use, and discard on the health of our planet and people. We discussed ways we can intervene in the currently unsustainable cycle; as individual consumers, as members of organizations, and by seeking political action. For more information and ideas for how to make a difference, visit[|storyofstuff.org]

=**August 08**=

No program this month, so why not **create your own challenge**! Some ideas:

• Carpool to church, grocery store… for the first time • Buy and prepare an “unfamiliar” vegetable produced locally • Drive somewhere 5 miles under the speed limit (saves fuel); observe yourself and others • Ride a bus somewhere for the first time • Read The Omnivore’s Dilemma or something else environmentally related • Walk or ride your bike to a place you’d normally travel by car • If you’ve never been, make a trip to one of the many local farmer’s markets • Turn your A/C up 2 degrees

=**July 08**= EATF Presentation as part of the Straley Series:

About a dozen people attended the event, which was held at the Community Church after the regular Sunday service and included a delightful lunch. The coordinator was Lynn Harmon with Hank Rodenburg as moderator for the EATF.

Nils Brubaker and Linda and George Thompson spoke about their efforts to conserve energy and water which they accomplished with great results and very little or no investment.

Hank Rodenburg explained how the EATF was started, what was accomplished so far and what they expected to do going forward and the reevaluation of the activities of HEAT (Home Energy Action Team). He showed the major chapters of the movie “Kilowatt Ours” after which there was a discussion on energy and water with subjects ranging from ceiling fans via HVAC ductwork to rain barrels. It was suggested that we could study potential opportunities at the church for rainwater collection (especially after the recent flood) and a “green roof” over the sanctuary.

At the end Hank showed the training module on ductwork for those interested.

There was an EATF table with tip sheets, savings worksheets, a “kill-a-watt” meter, duct tape, a smart strip power bar, and brochures on the UNC “2007 sustainability report”, the “Chapel Hill Sustainability Community” and the “Bushman Rainwater Storage Products” (large systems from 300 to 2500 Gallons)

=**June 08**= Showing of [|Escape from Suburbia], which documents the way some communities in Canada and the U.S. are responding to the prospect of oil depletion. Available for loan.

=**May 08**= "Locavore" potluck and program, featuring Dr. Natalie Sadler of the board of directors of the [|Carolina Farm Stewardship Association](CFSA), and Nancy Pekar, committed locavore who has been featured in the News and Observer series on local eating. Dr. Sadler spoke about the benefits of eating locally and organically grown food, both for health and the environment. Among other things, she reported that according to USDA data, the amount of nutrients in conventionally grown fruits and vegetables has declined rapidly over the past decade. Nancy Pekar spoke about her experiences with joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), and learning to adjust her cooking habits. Instead of choosing recipes and then hunting for ingredients, she has learned to see what's available and then plan meals around it. She also spoke about children and vegetables and recommended some cookbooks. You can find articles about Nancy and her family in the print archives at [|newsobserver.com.] You can find out more about why and how to eat locally at the CFSA link above.

Second screening of Kilowatt Ours.

=**April 08**= Talk by NC Senator Ellie Kinnaird on public policy.

=**March 08**= Showing of [|Kilowatt Ours], a one-hour documentary about electricity, coal, and what we can do. Available for loan from Hank Rodenburg.

**Medication Collection Instructions:** Meds can be pills or liquids (4 oz. or less if liquid), in original container, OTC or prescription. //Please note that we cannot take controlled substances.// //Prescription numbers starting with 2 or 4 are generally controlled; numbers starting with 6 are not.// For a partial list of controlled substances (common examples are most sleeping pills, pain pills, and anti-anxiety medications, as well as the cold medicines that you have to show i.d. for when purchasing) see []. For privacy reasons you are asked to mark out the patient's name on the prescription label, as well as any other identifying information such as address, phone, or date of birth. An ECO member will ask you questions to determine eligibility but will not read or handle the medication. The collection will be attended or locked up at all times while at church.

**About the program:** A few members of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA®) offer a “take back program” for safe disposal of medications, excluding controlled substances. The reason for collecting medicines in this way is to help prevent unsafe use of medications as well as to prevent them from ending up in our water system by being flushed down toilets and drains, or by leaching into the groundwater from landfills. Our collection will go to Briar Creek Pharmacy in Raleigh. Only 9 pharmacies within 100 miles of our church are part of this program. See [|www.disposemymeds.org/] for information on the “take back” program, participating pharmacy locator and a link to federal guidelines for safe disposal if there are no local “take back” programs.

**Feedback wanted** about medication collection: ECO would like to know whether this a useful service for church members. We'd appreciate it if you could take a moment to email us at ECO@c3huu.org with answers to the following questions. 1) Have you brought or do you intend to bring unwanted medications to this collection? 2) If not, why not?