The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it. Psalm 24:1 - ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION TEAM TABERNACLE UNITED ...
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The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it. ~ Psalm 24:1 E N V I R O N M E N TA L A C T I O N T E A M • TA B E R N A C L E U N I T E D C H U R C H • P H I L A D E L P H I A , PA • 2 0 2 1
Introduction
“We belong to the earth; the earth doesn’t belong to us.”
We care about our sacred earth. We care about clean air and water, habitat diversity, healthy ecosystems. We care about
protecting the earth from the crisis of global warming and the disproportionate harms borne by the poor. As individuals,
families, and societies, we are called to limit and ultimately eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels, poisons, and
harmful chemicals.
This handbook, prepared by the Environmental Action Team of Tabernacle United Church (EAT), is intended to help
individuals and families in our congregation add best environmental practices to our lives. Actions needed by societies
and governments and how to impact them are not a part of this handbook.
Do our individual actions matter? It is sometimes difficult to believe they do. But it is like voting – each one counts!
We can proceed, knowing that we are acting together and supporting each other as Christians tending to the beautiful
planet Earth, the only one we have.
This is a handbook of actions: small, medium, and large. Let us act, and also pray, for our sacred earth.
To access this book electronically, visit www.tabunited.org.
iiContents
Introduction.................................................................. ii Appendix I Homemade Natural Household Cleaners .. 13
Water ............................................................................ 4 Appendix II Regional Recycling Resources .................. 14
Plastic............................................................................ 5 Appendix III Regional Public Transit Options ................ 15
Paper ............................................................................ 6 Appendix IV Facts about Recycling .............................. 16
Food .............................................................................. 7 Appendix V Composting Methods .............................. 17
Household Products & Management ............................ 8 Appendix VI Book Recycling ........................................ 18
Electricity & Lighting .................................................... 9 Appendix VII Food’s Carbon Footprint .......................... 19
Space Heating & Cooling ............................................ 10
Organic Waste.............................................................. 11
Recycling & Safe Disposal............................................ 12
iiiWater
Did you know? Actions you can take today: Actions requiring a moderate commitment or a
modest purchase:
Tap water is generally safer to drink than bottled water. Take shorter showers. Five minutes is a good goal.
Municipalities regularly test their tap water. There are Replace old toilets. New toilets by law use only 1.6
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
no standards for commercially bottled water. gallons per flush and have come down considerably in
Heat only the quantity of water you need. price.
Clean, safe drinking water is a human right, not a
commodity to be bought and sold. Avoid running water unnecessarily. If you like drinking Replace showerheads and faucet heads with low-flow
cold water, keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator. options.
Drink tap water, not purchased water. If you are offered To carry water with you on the go, purchase a BPA-free
bottled water at a meeting or party, gracefully decline! or metal bottle to refill with tap water. (If you get one
with a “straw,” you will like using it better than
To save water when pre-rinsing dirty dishes, run a little
uncapping and tilting a purchased bottle of water!)
water in one of the dirty bowls or pots and rinse
everything in it, rather than rinsing under running Install a rain barrel to collect rainwater from your roof.
water. This prevents the water from overwhelming the city
sewer system during a rainstorm, leading to river and
stream pollution. The Philadelphia Water Department’s
“Rain Check” Program will provide the rain barrel free of
charge. https://www.pwdraincheck.org/
Use permeable paving if you are planning a landscaping
project. This will prevent runoff into the overburdened
Philadelphia sewer system. Use pervious concrete/porous
asphalt or any brick or stone pavers set in sand. For a
discount, contact https://www.pwdraincheck.org/.
4Plastic
Did you know? Actions you can take today: Actions requiring a moderate commitment or a
modest purchase:
Plastic bags and other single-use plastic products are Avoid plastic packaging of food items as much as
made from fossil oil and emit greenhouse gases during possible. One way is to buy nuts, seeds, etc., from the Use your own reusable totes to bring your groceries
production and transport. They kill ocean life and last bulk section. home. The “moderate commitment” comes when you
several lifetimes in the environment when discarded. have to remember to take them to the store!
Save the clear plastic bags from the bulk section for
Plastic microparticles are found increasingly in the food
reuse the next time you shop there. And do the same in To reduce your use of single-use plastic bags for food
chain.
the produce section. storage, purchase reusable “stashers,” available at Target
and other outlets.
Save the plastic containers from food packaging (yogurt,
etc.) and reuse them to store leftovers. Or donate them Make your own reusable bags for produce items and
to Tab’s community meals for our guests to use to take bulk items. A loose netting sort of fabric works well so
leftovers. the cashier can see the contents. If you’re up to it, insert
a drawstring; otherwise, just hem the top and use
Collect trash in your wastebaskets without using plastic
twist-ties.
liners, and empty the loose trash into your curbside trash
can for pickup. If you put food waste in your trash Get an additional curbside trashcan for occasional extra
(hopefully you don’t; see the Food Waste section), trash. Don’t use plastic trash bags–for anything!
collect it separately in small re-purposed plastic bags
before adding it to your otherwise-loose trash.
Don’t use liners in your recycling bucket, either. They’re
unnecessary. Besides, in Philadelphia, recycling
collected in plastic bags is sent to landfills!
Carry a small reusable bag in your handbag or pocket to
use when running errands. It could be a re-purposed
plastic bag to start. Remember to put it back in your
handbag for next time. In EAT’s Lenten initiative 2020,
we called it the “always” bag.
To avoid using single-use liquid soap dispensers, use one
once and then refill from a large refill bottle. Similarly,
select the largest size you can handle of any packaged
product.
5Paper
Did you know? Actions you can take today: Actions requiring a moderate commitment or a
modest expense:
The pulp and paper industry is one of the key drivers of Use both sides of sheets of paper.
forest loss in the world today. (Rainforest Action Refrain from using paper plates or paper cups. Don’t be
Set your printer to print double-sided.
Network, https://www.ran.org/) annoyed as you wash the resulting dirty dishes; celebrate
Choose paper with recycled content, including tissues the earth instead.
42% of all global wood harvest is used to make paper.
and toilet paper.
(https://www.theworldcounts.com/) When wrapping gifts, use reusable gift bags instead of
Remove your name from mailing lists of catalogs you single-use wrapping paper, when possible. Reusable gift
To print the Sunday edition of the New York Times
don’t use. bags come in both paper and fabric varieties.
requires 75,000 trees. (theworldcounts.com)
Remove yourself from all junk mail:
Big-ticket or big commitment actions:
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/
Plant a tree.
If you are a Philadelphia resident, you can sign up for a
“no circulars” sticker for your home:
https://www.phila.gov/services/property-lots-
housing/request-a-no-circulars-sticker/
Subscribe to your newspaper for the on-line version
instead of print.
Don’t keep paper towels in a handy dispenser. Make it a
little less convenient, so you don’t reach for them
without thinking.
Keep an old towel handy to mop up spills – don’t use
paper towels.
Use cloth napkins; have a different-looking one for each
member of the family and launder them weekly. You will
like them better than paper napkins!
6Food
Did you know? Actions you can take today: Actions requiring a moderate commitment or a
modest purchase:
The greenhouse gas impact of beef production is four To avoid food waste, buy only what you plan to use.
times that of pork or poultry! (New York Times, May 1, Planning weekly menus can help. So can monitoring the Commit to eliminating beef or meat from your diet
2019) contents of your fridge day-to-day. completely. Be vigilant about getting enough protein
from other sources, such as dairy, eggs, beans, and tofu.
Nearly 60% of the world's agricultural land is used for To support local agriculture, buy local. Ask your vendors
beef production, yet beef accounts for less than 2% of where they source their food. Go all the way! Become a vegan. Here you need to
the calories that are consumed across the globe. become something of a foodie; focusing on plant sources
To avoid the packaging, shipping and lugging of liquid
of protein is demanding but fun.
broths and juices, use concentrates instead, such as
Better Than Bouillon and frozen juice concentrates. Here’s a friendly way to be an almost-vegan: accept eggs,
butter, and milk as low-volume ingredients in baked
Commit to reducing your consumption of beef. You
goods, etc. You’re still making a tremendous
could plan to serve it only once a week, for example.
contribution to the environment.
For casseroles and spaghetti sauce, etc., try ground
turkey instead of ground meat. Another way to be a flexible vegan is to allow one
animal-food meal per week. This enables you, for
Limit yourself to eating meat once a day or once a week.
example, to be a less demanding dinner guest because
A flexitarian diet goes a long way!
you can “save” your weekly animal food meal for a
special occasion.
Big-ticket or big commitment actions:
Plant a garden!
Learn to can your bounty.
7Household Products & Management
Did you know? Actions you can take today: Actions requiring a moderate commitment or a
modest purchase:
Many household products contain chemicals harmful to Instead of using indoor air fresheners, whose contents
the environment and human health. and even scents are toxic, open a window! Use mousetraps instead of mouse poison.
Select non-toxic options for cleaning and other A non-toxic insecticide that actually works against
household products. Look for green products from mosquitos: peppermint oil spray.
Seventh Generation or Mrs. Meyer. Check out
A non-toxic weed killer: white vinegar.
www.greenseal.com, a third-party certification agency.
When installing new wood flooring, consider selecting
White vinegar has many uses as a cleaning agent, as does
bamboo to preserve forests. Bamboo is actually a
baking powder. See Appendix I for a list of homemade
fast-growing grass, not a tree, and is very durable.
natural household cleaners.
Bamboo flooring has seen steady improvement in
If you are a cat owner, select kitty litter that is made of appearance in recent years.
natural eco-friendly materials such as wheat, corn, pine
When selecting carpet or furniture, look for third-party
residue, walnut shells, newspaper. These products are
certification such as Green Seal.
also lightweight and provide good clumping.
Highly toxic oil-based paints are being phased out in
Remove yourself from all junk mail:
favor of water-based (latex) paints. Also, pay a little extra
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/
and get latex formulations that are low or free of VOCs
If you use dry cleaning services, select a dry cleaner that (volatile organic compounds), available from major
uses eco-friendly products and processes. paint companies, such as Benjamin Moore.
Big-ticket or big commitment actions:
Avoid gasoline-powered lawn care tools such as leaf
blowers and weed-whackers; these gasoline engines
emit several times as much CO2 as an automobile
engine. Instead, use tools with rechargeable batteries.
Lobby your lawn care company or condo crew to do the
same.
8Electricity & Lighting
Did you know? Actions requiring a moderate commitment or a Big-ticket or big commitment actions:
modest purchase:
Electricity is only as sustainable as the energy source When purchasing a refrigerator or other appliance, look
that generates it; too often coal. Buy a thermometer for your refrigerator, so you can for the Energy Star certification to ensure the best
make sure that your fridge isn’t too cold (as well as not energy efficiency.
LED light bulbs use 90% less electricity than
cold enough).
incandescent. When purchasing a refrigerator: keep in mind that a
After making coffee, turn off your coffee maker and top-or bottom-freezer model is more energy-efficient
With rooftop solar panels, your monthly loan payment
store the hot coffee in a thermos. than a side-by-side model. Icemakers and water
replaces your electric bill.
dispensers increase energy use.
If you are a PECO customer, sign up for “energy choice”
Actions you can take today: and choose a provider that supplies electricity from When buying a clothes washer: Front-loading models
sustainable sources. Tabernacle Church receives its are more energy-efficient and use less water.
Clean your refrigerator condenser coils at least once a
power through PECO from The Energy Co-op. It costs
year, more often if you have pets. This adds to energy If you are purchasing a printer: An inkjet printer uses a
about 1% more.
efficiency. lot less energy than a laser printer.
Replace all incandescent light bulbs with LED. All
Wash and dry full loads of laundry; run only full If you have track or recessed lighting in your home that
features have greatly improved: brightness, color
dishwasher loads. take only incandescent or halogen bulbs, consider
temperature, appearance, cost, and dimmability. When
replacing the whole system in favor of LED.
Clean the lint filter of your clothes dryer after each load your CFLs burn out, replace them also with LED.
to improve air circulation and, therefore, efficiency. If you are replacing a gas water heater, consider
switching to electric (but only after you have selected a
Turn off or unplug electronic products, including
sustainable electric power provider!).
chargers, when not in use. This could be easier if they
are plugged into the same power strip. (It is an incorrect Buy an electric car. All the features have improved
perception that equipment will last longer if it is never steadily: range, availability of recharging stations, size of
turned off.) battery, cost. Recharge at home when possible after you
have selected a sustainable electric power provider.
Laptops use less energy than desktop computers.
Install solar panels to power your home. If you live in
Let hot foods cool down for up to an hour before placing
Philadelphia, you can do this through Solarize Philly. A
them in the refrigerator to reduce energy use.
federal tax credit of 22% is available through the end of
Decide what you want before you open the refrigerator 2021. (PhiI.Inq Oct.16, 2020) Basically, your loan
door. (“It’s not a museum.”) payment will replace your electric bill, which will be at
or near zero. The value of your house will increase.
Switch off the “heated dry” feature on your dishwasher.
Instead, open the door to air dry your dishes.
9Space Heating & Cooling
Did you know? Actions you can take today: Big-ticket or big commitment actions:
Heat pump systems for space heating/cooling are now For the heating season, set your thermostat to a Replace your windows with double-paned windows to
standard in new construction. Heat pumps transfer heat temperature that is comfortable when you are wearing reduce your heating and cooling needs and to prevent
rather than generate it. No fossil fuels involved! An “air warm socks and shoes and a sweater. drafts. Good ones are expensive.
source” system uses outside air; a “ground source”
For warm weather, run your air conditioner with care Get an energy audit to determine if wall insulation or
(geothermal) system takes advantage of the constant
and consideration for the need. other interventions are needed.
temperature underground.
When you go away for a weekend or longer, reset your If you heat with oil, switch to natural gas, which is
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is methane gas captured
thermostat. somewhat less polluting. (Then opt for RNG, described
from organic emissions at feedlots and landfill locations,
above.)
etc. Using it in place of regular natural gas prevents the Avoid prolonged oven use in hot weather, forestalling air
highly polluting methane from entering the atmosphere conditioner use. Consider switching your heat source away from fossil
and provides a (somewhat) more sustainable gas to heat fuels. Install an air-source or a ground-source
If you have an open fireplace, use it only when the
your home. It relies on existing gas infrastructure and (geothermal) heat pump.
outside temperature is above freezing, so it will not pull
will therefore be phased out along with regular natural
as much house heat up the chimney. And remember to If you have an open fireplace, even better than glass
gas, at some point, in favor of truly sustainable energy
close the damper in the morning. doors (described above) is a stove insert. This will
sources.
provide considerable heat gain.
Actions requiring a moderate commitment or a
modest purchase:
Install a thermostat that permits automatic temperature
adjustment for hours when you are usually away at work
and for nighttime hours.
Install a whole-house exhaust fan to keep air circulating
and pre-empt the need for the use of air conditioning.
Ceiling fans help, too.
If you have an open fireplace, install glass doors so you
can maximize heat gain and minimize heat loss, and
prevent heat loss overnight.
If you heat with gas, switch to “renewable natural gas”
(RNG), which is marginally better. This is available to
PECO and PGW customers for a modest upcharge.
10Organic Waste
Did you know? Actions you can take today: Actions requiring a moderate commitment or a
modest purchase:
Putting food waste into landfills causes anaerobic decay If you know someone with chickens, find out if they
that releases methane gas, the most deadly greenhouse would like contributions of food waste for their Commit to composting your food waste. See Appendix V
gas. Composting food waste is an aerobic process of chickens. Examples might be watermelon rinds, for ways to do it: backyard composting, worm
decay, which is safe for the environment. corncobs, eggshells. composting, pickup service. It’s a win-win; prevents
methane emissions and creates compost!
Leaves and other yard waste do just as much harm when If you have a garbage disposal in Philadelphia, pat
trashed as does food waste. Contrary to popular belief, yourself on the back! The City filters out organics in its Take your fall leaves and other organic yard waste for
yard waste put out in leaf bags is NOT composted by the “Capture” program and creates fertilizer. If you live in composting. Three options in Philadelphia:
City of Philadelphia (as of this writing). another municipality, check with your water
1) During leaf season, the Philadelphia Streets
department.
Department provides 13 drop-off sites for yard
Recycle your Christmas tree. In Philadelphia, the City waste. https://philadelphiastreets.com/leaves
publishes two Saturdays in January with a list of
2) The Fairmount Park Organic Recycling Center
neighborhood drop-off sites. A more fun option: Take
(3850 W. Ford Road) takes as many paper leaf bags
your tree to the goats at Awbury Arboretum and watch
as will fit in your car for $16.
them munch away! But it will cost you $10. Your
neighborhood may have additional options. 3) If you subscribe to Bennett Compost for your food
waste, they will pick up your leaf bags upon request.
11Recycling and Safe Disposal
Regular Recycling Books Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)
Read your municipality’s recycling website carefully for The Book Trader, 2nd and Market, Take them to IKEA or Home Depot for recovery. Be sure
what, when and how. Check it periodically for updates. phillybooktrader@gmail.com, 215-925-2080. not to break your spent CFLs; they contain mercury.
The recycling of plastics in particular has seen changes.
See other opportunities in Appendix VII.
If you live in an apartment building where private Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
hauling is involved, check with the building
Wire Clothes Hangers Includes oil-based paints, stains, thinners, solvents; used
management.
motor oil, rechargeable batteries, phone and hearing aid
Take to your dry cleaners for reuse.
Watch for special neighborhood or school projects that batteries.
reuse bottle caps, etc.
Computer Printer Cartridges Google “hazardous waste disposal Philadelphia” which
gets you in to the Philadelphia Streets Department
Styrofoam Staples and other companies have rebate programs
website where the dates and locations of their hazardous
whereby you can earn a refund or credit by turning in
Bring clean, dry Styrofoam packaging to Tab, where it is waste events are listed. A complete list of HHW items is
your used cartridges.
collected and delivered periodically to the one provided. You have to make an appointment, although
Philadelphia Sanitation Convenience Center (“dump”) Retrievr, https://retrievr.com/ this may be only during the pandemic. Be sure to
that accepts it, by our faithful congregational volunteer. package and transport your items safely.
If you have a PA auto license plate and have a lot of Cell Phones
Styrofoam to recycle, you can deliver it yourself at Medical Waste
Donate to the Zoo or ship to soldiers:
8401 State Road.
cellphonesforsoldiers.com. Crush prescription or non-prescription pills and mix
Another resource is Northeast Foam Recycling in North with coffee grounds or dirt before placing in your trash
Wales: 215-699-4541 Computers and Printers, Small Appliances in a sealed bag.
Goodwill Industries, multiple sites around the region.
Bubble Wrap, Styrofoam Packaging Peanuts Additional Resources
No apparent website, but you can Google and get the
Take these to the UPS store for reuse. locations. The Resource Exchange Recycling List,
https://theresourceexchange.org/resources/
Another resource is Northeast Foam Recycling in North There is concern about the responsible handling of used
Wales: 215-699-4541 computer equipment. It is said that the super-responsible Rabbit Recycling, https://rabbitrecycling.com/
entities are the ones that ask for a donation. Such a one This is a pick-up and sort service.
Clothing, Furnishings is the twice-yearly “Weird Waste Day” event in Mt. Airy
See also Appendix II.
sponsored by Weavers Way Coop and others. They take
If you don’t already have a favorite thrift store, check out
anything that plugs in. .
the list in Appendix II.
12Appendix I: Homemade Natural Household Cleaners
From The Philadelphian Green Book, pp. 11–13
All-purpose cleanser: Drain cleaners: Copper:
Three variations: Use a plunger or plumber's snake instead of drain Soak a cotton rag in a pint of boiling water with 1 tbsp.
cleaners. Then add ¼ cup baking soda followed by ¼ cup salt & 1 cup of white vinegar. Apply to copper while hot;
1. Mix baking soda and water to make a paste
vinegar. Wait 5 minutes; rinse with 2 quarts boiling let cool, then wipe clean.
2. Mix salt and water with a little vinegar. water. DO NOT use this method after trying commercial
Mildew Remover:
drain opener. Vinegar reacts with the chemicals,
3. Mix ¼ cup white vinegar and ½ tsp. of tea tree oil or Make a solution with ½ cup vinegar, ¼ cup 3% hydrogen
creating dangerous fumes.
lemon oil in a quart spray bottle of extremely hot peroxide in one quart of very hot water. Spray on and
water. Shake vigorously. Dusting: leave for 10 minutes. Wipe clean.
Add ¼ cup white vinegar per quart of water & apply with
Baking soda: Or mix 2 tsp. tea tree oil with 2 cups hot water in a spray
a tightly wrung soft cloth. Or use a microfiber dusting
Replaces scouring cleansers; deodorizes, removes stains, bottle, shake to blend, & spray on problem areas. Do not
cloth.
and softens fabrics when added to your washing rinse. Apply to copper while hot; let cool, then wipe clean.
machine. Wood and vinyl floor cleaner:
Grout:
Add 1 cup white vinegar to one bucket of mop water.
Bleach: Mix 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts water in a
Use oxygen bleaches. *Do not combine ammonia and Glass cleaner: spray bottle & spray on mold. Wait at least 1 hour before
chlorine bleach. This causes toxic fumes. Mix 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water in a spray rinsing.
bottle. Spray and then rub with a lint-free rag or
Borax: Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
crumpled newspapers.
A natural bleach alternative that kills mold and bacteria; Mix ¼ cup baking soda & ½ cup vinegar, pour into bowl,
deodorizes; removes stains; and boosts the cleaning Lemon juice: let stand & brush well.
power of soap. Bleach alternative that removes perspiration and other
Remove rust stains by rubbing with a pumice stone.
stains from clothing. Removes gum, tarnish, and dirt.
Carpet stains:
White Vinegar:
Immediately apply club soda or equal parts white Lemon & tea tree oil:
Water softener, removes mildew, odors, cuts grease,
vinegar and water; blot dry; repeat; and then clean with Disinfectants.
removes stains.
a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.
Silver:
Wood Polish:
Cornstarch: Line a pan with aluminum foil & fill with water; add 2
Rub with 1 tbsp. lemon oil mixed with 1pint olive oil.
Starches clothes, absorbs oil and grease tsp. each baking soda & salt; bring to boil & immerse
Buff with soft cloth.
silver; polish with soft cloth.
Deodorizers:
For more information about safe, effective and
Use an open box of baking soda in closed spaces and Brass or Bronze:
cost-efficient cleaning products, please visit:
refrigerators. Sprinkle it on carpets & upholstery, wait 5 Polish with a soft cloth dipped in a lemon juice & baking
www.goodhousekeeping.com.
minutes, vacuum. Simmer cinnamon & cloves or put out soda solution.
white vinegar in open dishes.
13Appendix II: Regional Recycling Resources
From The Philadelphian Green Book, pp. 15–16
Clothing Furniture & Household Items Baby Equipment & Toys
Call these locations for exact information: • Salvation Army - Phone: (215) 787-2800; will pick Maternity Care Coalition - Phone: (215) 972-0700;
up large items will pick up large items
• Salvation Army – Phone: (215) 787-2800
• St. Vincent de Paul Society - Phone: (484) 704-7153
• Goodwill Industries - Location: 2200 W. Passyunk Used Medical Equipment
Ave.; Phone: (215) 463-5054 • Pathways PA: Phone: (215) 397-4260; household Including wheelchairs, walkers and more:
items to set up apartments for abused women and
• Goodwill Industries - Location: 5050 Parkside Ave.; • JEVS Human Services - Phone: (215) 854-1800
children; will pick up furniture
Phone: (215) 879-1570
• Purple Heart Foundation - Phone: (215) 638-1020 Used Eyeglasses
• Pennsylvania Hospital - (215) 316-5151
• Uhuru Furniture - Location: 832 N. Broad Street; • Associated Services for the Blind - Phone:
• Project HOME – Location: 1515 Fairmount Avenue;
Phone: (215) 546-9616; will pick up furniture. (215) 627-0600
Phone: (215) 232-7272; Pickup is available
• The Jewish Relief Agency - Phone: (215) 281-1101 • Lions Club
• Goodwill Industries - Phone: (856) 406-2468
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore: 1829 S. 19th Street
14Appendix III: Regional Public Transit Options
From The Philadelphian Green Book, p. 17
• Enterprise CarShare: www.enterprisecarshare.org
• SEPTA: (215) 580-7800 http://www.septa.org/service/rr_schedules.html
• SEPTA Paratransit/Senior Citizens Connect Shared Ride Program: www.septa.org (215) 580-7145
• PATCO: (215) 922-4600 www.ridepatco.org
• NJTRANSIT: (973) 275-5555
• River Line:1-800-626-RIDE www.njtransit.com/riverline
• RiverLink Ferry: (215) 925-LINK
www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/places/riverlink-ferry
• PHLASH: www.phillyphlash.com
• Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (215) 242-9253 https://bicyclecoalition.org
• ZipCar: www.zipcar.com 866-4ZIPCAR
15Appendix IV: Recycling
From The Philadelphian Green Book, p. 5
Why Recycle Properly? Facts about Recycling
• Conserve resources for future generations. • Recycled paper reduces virgin paper consumption
by 60%.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions that create global
warming from landfills and mining raw materials. • Recycled steel saves 60% production energy.
• Provide a new supply of valuable raw materials to • Recycled newspaper saves 40% production energy.
industry.
• Recycled plastics saves 70% production energy.
• Create recycling jobs.
• Recycled glass saves 40% production energy.
• Stimulate the development of greener technologies.
• Incinerating 10,000 tons of waste creates 1 job.
• Reuse saves energy. Landfilling the same amount creates 6 jobs.
Recycling the same amount creates 36 jobs!
• Save extra fees for “trash-contaminated” recycling
loads. • Using scrap steel instead of virgin ore to make new
steel uses 40% less water and creates 97% less
mining waste.
☼ National Institute of Health: www.nems.nih.gov
16Appendix V: Ways to Compost Food Waste
When food waste is put into the trash and goes to landfill, Solar Digester Community Solutions
it emits methane into the air as it decomposes
This system has been developed to digest, not compost, You could get lucky and find a neighbor who already has
(anaerobic decay). Methane is a much-worse-polluting
food waste. The “green cone” is partially buried in an a back yard composting system, willing to add in your
greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Turning food waste
area of your yard that gets 4 – 6 hours of direct sun year food scraps; or a community garden/food co-op/urban
into compost avoids that problem as it decomposes
round. Solar heat with a microbial starter converts the farm.
(aerobic decay) and, instead, produces organic fertilizer.
waste into small amounts of hydrogen and carbon
Here are some ways to compost your food waste:
dioxide. Empty the residue every 1 – 5 years.
greenconeusa.com
Back Yard Composting
Involves mixing food waste with “brown stuff” (leaves) In-Sink Garbage Disposal
in 1:3 proportion, and then turning it all periodically, in
The use of a disposal can be considered composting in
a tumbler or with a shovel. Requires labor, a supply of
the City of Philadelphia because of the water
dead leaves, and a bit of outdoor space. More
department’s “capture” program. (Who knew?) This is so
information: https://cleanphl.org/wp-content/uploads/
effective that the city requires all new construction to
2018/02/Backyard-composting-l0l.pdf
include a garbage disposal. If you live outside
Philadelphia, check with your municipality.
Worm Composting
Worms are confined to a container in the basement, Pickup Service
garage, or anywhere you have space, which can be
Let somebody else collect and process your food waste!
outdoors in the warm months. The worms consume the
(For a price) The service supplies a bucket which they
food waste and produce excellent compost in the form of
empty weekly. The city-wide services are Bennett
their castings (poop). Requires some start-up fine tuning
Compost, Philly Compost and Circle Compost; and
and attention (no long vacations). A nice activity to do
Kitchen Harvest (suburbs only).
with children.
17Appendix VI: Resources for the Recycling of Books
The following used Philadelphia bookstores take donations of used books. Most do not take textbooks, encyclopedias, or
large quantities. Call ahead for hours, parking, and any additional restrictions on quantity or type of books.
Better World Books. Betterworldbooks.com. Project HOME Books, 1523 Fairmount Ave.,
All books in good condition accepted. (215) 232-7272
Look for the bright green drop box in the parking lot.
The Second Mile Thrift Center, 214 S. 45th St.,
Drop boxes: (215) 662-1663
Hardback books only. They sell them to a wholesaler.
• South Philadelphia Shopping Center, 2301 Oregon
Ave. 19145. The Book Trader, 7 N. 2nd St., (215) 925-2080
One bag at a time
• Riverview Plaza, 1400 S. Columbus Blvd. 19147.
• Noble Town Center, 901 Old York Road, Jenkintown
19046.
Book Corner, 311 N. 20th St., (215) 567-0527
By appointment during the pandemic
Bookhaven, 2202 Fairmount Ave., (215) 235-3226
Up to 10 boxes
Helping AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room
(book location), 710 S. 5th St., 215-922-3186
House of Our Own Books, 3920 Spruce St.,
(215) 222-1576
Small quantities only
Last Word Bookshop, 220 S. 40th St., (215) 386-7750
Mostly Books, 529 Bainbridge St., (215) 238-9838
No political subjects or cookbooks
Molly’s Books and Records, 1010 S. 9th St.,
(215) 923-3367
They’re pretty particular
18Appendix VII: Food’s Carbon Footprint
Food’s Carbon Footprint
Livestock farming produces from 20% to 50% of all
man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
3.5
Shrink That Footprint’s chart shows that a meat lover
has the highest carbon footprint at 3.3 tons of
3.0
greenhouse gas emissions. A vegan diet has the lowest
carbon footprint at just 1.5 tons CO2e (Carbon Dioxide
Equivalent). You can reduce your food print by a quarter 2.5
just by cutting down on red meats such as beef and lamb.
The carbon footprint of a vegetarian diet is about half 2.0
that of a meat-lover’s diet.
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
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