by Erin Sullivan
Going green is a topic of conversation nowadays. Using reusable bags instead of one time use plastic bags, carpooling to work and eating locally grown food are just a few ways to go green. It’s not all about recycling although it should be on your priority list. Mayor Michael Nutter made a goal to make Philadelphia the greenest city by 2015 and there are many companies and artists who are helping make that happen.
- Recycling in Philadelphia is more rewarding than ever right now. Philadelphia Recycling Rewards is a company that rewards you with money off your favorite restaurants, free magazine subscriptions and gift cards just for recycling. It’s easy- visit and register on the website, place a sticker on your recycling can and earn points. If you are a Philadelphia resident this is a great program to get involved with for doing such a simple task.
- Green Philly Blog was created by two colleagues, Beth Funari and Julie Hancher, who realized their company wasn’t recycling even though they had the marked recycling bins. They wanted to see how they could help the community go green and create awareness through their blog. Their philosophy is that being green isn’t just about recycling it’s about what you eat, wear, even your transportation. Making little changes every day can help the environment. They have posted a Philadelphia green event calendars and tips on how to make everything from your car, your fashion and your relationships green. There are many city and park clean up days coming up this month and next. Green Philly also has a petition posted on their blog powered by Change.org entitled Reduce Plastic Bags in Philadelphia. The first line of the petition reads, “Each year, the average Philadelphian family takes home 1500 plastic shopping bags, which equals 100 billion plastic bags in America annually.” It’s shocking to read those number and you then wonder how many you have thrown out. Their hope is to implement legislation to reduce single use bag consumption, to help with Mayor Nutter’s goal. You can sign the petition, the more signatures the better, because their target audience is Philadelphia City Council and Mayor Nutter.
- Philadelphia artist and “legend” Isaiah Zagar has taken recycling to a whole other level. Zagar and his wife are the proud owners and creators of Philadelphia’s Magic Garden– a staple of South Street. It’s a maze of glass bottles, bicycle wheels, hand made tiles and shards of mirrors. When you enter it’s as if you are transported to a new world and you’re not in Philadelphia anymore. It’s just amazing, what would be trash to a normal person was transformed into art for all to see. Zagar created 55 mosaic walls around the city, so keep your eyes peeled for these works of art and please take a trip to the Magic Garden.
- While searching the web for green events and companies in Philadelphia, Philly Stake came up. It may peak your interest. According to their website it’s, “a locally sourced, recurring dinner in which money is raised for creative and relevant community engaged projects.” They hold events every three-four months and it’s organized by volunteers who want to help the community. Diners pay between $10-$20 for dinner and they are able to vote for a project they feel deserves the funding. Some passt grantees have been Therapeutic Garden for the Elderly and Philly Free! Teen Yoga. Participating in the dinners gives you a chance to taste locally grown food and help a project get moving. The upcoming dinner is set for June 23rd at Bartram’s Garden.
Please visit these websites and more to see how you can help Philadelphia or your home town become greener. All it takes is one “green” change to your life every day.
