Proactive Environmental Responsibility

The June 17th Green TEA Speakers Night (recently dubbed "Speaking Green") was a bit longer than our usual format but it was also an eye-opener and well worth the extra 45 minutes according to guests I spoke with at the end.

Lee Norton shared his presentation "The Climate Disruption", an update on stats covered in Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth - and the truth is.....we need to act and maybe faster than we thought. Lee left me feeling even more committed to making a difference.

Jennifer Wright spoke from the heart about why she started GreenShift, her green consulting firm. And left many of us inspired to talk to our employers about "shifting" in the green direction. Jennifer gave us hope. You can have a look at their consulting services and products at http://www.greenshift.ca/

And Ryan Fabi, Director of Environment Health and Safety at Bolton's Husky Injection Molding, gave us........even more hope. Now you have to admit that in these times plastic is not everyone's favourite word........but, as consumers, we've given it huge support in our marketplace, or, of course, it wouldn't exist. Yet, as a supplier of injection molding systems to the plastics industry, Husky has recognized it's environmental impact and implemented an array of programs, supplier requirements, and best practices to ensure that they are doing all they can to be environmentally responsible and negate, wherever possible, their own carbon footprint.

"Proactive Environmental Responsibility" ........Husky has made it their core value.....GreenShift is helping companies and residents live up to it......Lee Norton showed us what will happen if we don't..........

Skin Deep

At our April environmental speakers' night, as well as at our first "Kitchen Cosmetics" workshop, we spent time discussing the chemicals that are so pervasive in cosmetics and skin care products. The cosmetics database on the website Skin Deep, a project of the Environmental Working Group, came up a few times. One of Green TEA's Board members Rosemarie DuPont wrote us about her thoughts on the these fab websites and submitted them to us below........

About two years ago I was googling for a bit of research for an article I was writing and I hit upon this website http://www.ewg.org/ . The Environmental Working Group is a well organized and informative collective that seem to have a fair amount of clout in the United States. This Group has developed a Skin Deep Database http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ that informs the public on the toxicity levels in make-up, hair products, eye care, baby care, etc. It was an eye opening experience for me and I am now very careful and at the very least aware of what I potentially purchase.

In the Health/Toxics section of this website there is a subtitle called Our Food. It is here that you will find the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides. After reading all of the information about the pesticide levels and the number of pesticides that are sprayed on North American fruits and vegetables, I have switched to buying organic when I shop.

………..and if that isn’t enough information for you, here is another website that is very well written, with a whole lot of pertinent info on current products that are in the news: http://www.enviroblog.com/ There was a recent article on BPA’s that shocked me called “Thank you for buying our toxic plastic”.

I suppose there is a fine line on how much “stuff” a person can cram into their brain on what not to eat, what not to buy…….but I have come back to these sites time and again for solid insight into today’s marketplace, and am grateful that there are a lot of people out there that take the time and energy to keep the rest of us informed.

Note: Green T Environmental Awareness has launched a new program called Saving Face. The goal of the program is to help women make knowledgeable decisions about their skin care and cosmetic purchases and to teach basic skills in creating their own products with natural ingredients through our Kitchen Cosmetics workshop series. To register for an upcoming workshop contact Patti Foley at 905-951-0625 or email patti@greentcaledon.ca

Saving Face a lot of fun!

Surrounded by clays (pink, white, and even green), rose petals and salts, and with the light aroma of essential oils wafting through the air, last Saturday afternoon was a lot of fun and a great learning experience for the ladies who participated in our inaugral Kitchen Cosmetics workshop. Facilitator Carrole Blakeman downloaded plenty of information to this eager group who came seeking ideas for making some of their own skin and bath products from natural ingredients. This first in a series of workshops for our new Saving Face program was a big hit. We have one open space, due to a cancellation, in our June 27th workshop and a handful of seats left for our July 8th date. Want in? Give Patti a shout at patti@greentcaledon.ca

Let's hang out!

Looking for another idea to save money and energy? Take advantage of this beautiful breezy spring weather to hang your clothes outside to dry.

WWF Canada reports that, next to your refrigerator, your clothes dryer is the top energy-using appliance in your home. Need more convincing?

Using an outside clothes line to dry your clothes:
- makes your clothes smell fresh without adding chemical fragrances to them
- can make your fabrics last longer (need proof? no lint)
- will get you outside and into the fresh air and sunshine
- eliminate dryer noise
- reduce your greenhouse gas emissions
- reduce adding heat to your home in warm months
- eliminate static cling without the expense of dryer sheets

If yard space is restrictive consider a rotary (spinner-style) clothesline. For rainy days or winter weather you can use an indoor drying rack. These sturdy collapsible racks have come a long way and you can find everything from the tried and true wooden clotheshorse to large stainless steel models that easily hold a full load of clothes. In winter, drying clothes this way will add moisture to dry indoor air. If you find clothes too “crunchy” for your liking you can throw them in the dryer for 3-5 minutes once they are dry.

So…. let’s hang out!

Note: this article also appeared in the May 27th edition of Caledon Today e-Magazine. You can read and subscribe to this terrific (and free) online Caledon magazine at http://www.caledonmedia.com/

Fresh, organic, Caledon-grown - a win/win/win!

Thinking about going organic? Or about supporting Caledon farmers? Or visiting the new Bolton Farmers Market this summer? Did you know that you could create a win/win/win and combine all three?

Whole Village, a biodynamic farm nestled in the northwest corner of Caledon, supplies residents with fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit grown without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. You can buy a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share of this delicious produce and conveniently pick it up each Thursday at their booth at the Bolton Farmers Market. If you live in northern Caledon you may wish to arrange to pick it up at the farm or at the Orangeville Farmers Market (Saturdays).

Your CSA share will provide you with nutritious, fresh, organic, Caledon-grown produce for the season, from approximately mid-June to the last week of October. You have the choice of purchasing a small or large share. The small share is $500 so over a 20-week growing season that would equate to a cost of $25 per week for your farm-fresh veggies. The large share is $700 and can feed a family of four or two vegetarians. The small share provides a bit more than half of the large share and is suitable for a small family, a couple or a single vegetarian.

Crops will include greens such as lettuce, spinach, chard, kale, herbs and green onions, plus carrots, tomatoes, peppers, squash, beets, onions, parsnips, potatoes and corn, all harvested fresh as they come into season.

Last week my family and I visited Whole Village and tasted yummy samplings of mustard greens, kale, and arugula, as greens are one of the first things ready for harvest. We were very impressed with the farm and the knowledge and dedication of the people working the fields. We purchased a small CSA-share and look forward to picking it up fresh each Thursday at the Bolton Farmers Market and “topping up” with other locally-produced food and treats.

For more information, or to purchase a Whole Village CSA-share, contact Graham Corbett at (519) 942-0168 or email him at csagarden@wholevillage.org

For more information about the Bolton Farmers Market contact Sandra Dolson at the Town of Caledon at (905) 584-2272 or email her at sandra.dolson@caledon.ca

The rain didn't dampen any spirits at the Palgrave Eco-Fair

Fair trade coffee, local home-baked treats, info about local environmental groups, locally-crafted jewellery, a drum circle, a plant sale, corn gluten & other organic products, rainbarrels for sale, a busy day despite the downpours!

June 27th 2009 "Kitchen Cosmetics" Workshop

Concerned about the chemicals in store-bought cosmetics? Looking for some natural alternatives? Join us for Kitchen Cosmetics, a workshop hosted by Green TEA and the Caledon Library. Have fun while learning how to create lovely skin, body and bath care products with ingredients found in your kitchen. Workshop facilitator Carrole Blakeman is a certified aromatherapy practitioner with a background in alternative health including studies in homeopathy. You'll learn the basics of scrubs, masks, lip balms, and salves and see demonstrations of techniques and ideas, plus get samples to take home! This exciting three-hour workshop will be held at the Bolton Branch of the Caledon Library.

Workshop Fee: $25 for Green TEA members; $30 for non-members. Your material costs are included in the workshop fee. Light refreshments will be served. Only 20 seats available so PRE-Registration is necessary. To register contact Patti Foley at (905) 951-0625 or patti@greentcaledon.ca

Note: Our first workshop (scheduled for June 6th) was a speedy sell-out and the second workshop (June 27th) is already 50% booked - so RSVP quickly to reserve your seat!

Kick Your Greening Up a Notch!

Looking to go greener, at home or at work? Green T Environmental Awareness (Green TEA) now collects used inkjet and laser printer cartridges, as well as old cell phones.

Working with a reverse logistics company we are participating in a program that processes and recycles these items, diverting them from our landfills. As a non-profit organization, Green TEA even receives a small donation on select items.

It is estimated that over 300,000,000 empty printer cartridges are generated in North America every year. Add all of the “previously enjoyed” cell phones to that number and it’s easy to see how tons of electronic waste could potentially head to our landfill sites.

So give us a shout! We’ll be happy to arrange for pick ups (within Caledon) and can even provide you a collection box to get started. And why not ask around at work; many employers are eager to show their green community spirit!

Contact Patti Foley (905) 951-0625 or patti@greentcaledon.ca

Earth Day Caledon 2009 - Thank you ANDREW WELCH and company!

Local resident Andrew Welch teamed up with his friend Jay Mowat from Erin Radio and together brainstormed an idea for Earth Day 2009.

Caledon Library, Orangeville's Booklore, and others sponsored the event to cover advertising costs and Caledon's historic Claude Church offered up the venue.

Billed as "a fabulous evening of entertainment to benefit the environment" Earth Day Payback was a big success and proceeds raised will be soon forwarded to 2 local environemental non-profits, Green T Environmental Awareness (Green TEA) and Caledon Countryside Alliance (CCA).

Our thanks goes out to Andrew and Jay and all the musicians and other area celebs who made this special Earth Day evening one that we'll remember for years to come. You folks are stars of the best kind!

April's Green TEA Night

After a long and REALLY cold winter an awesome display of new life is just what makes April the perfect month for Earth Month! And here in Caledon we celebrated it in appropriate style. We experienced an amazing Green TEA Environmental Speakers Night on the 16th that drew almost 70 people.

Guest speaker Kate Agosta gave a down-to-earth (pun intended) presentation about alternatives to the traditional grass lawns for those of us who are no longer enthused with watering, fertilizing, aerating, spraying, weeding, overseeding, and then FINALLY mowing down GRASS! Carrole Blakeman gave a real eye-opener of a talk about chemical-ridden cosmetics and, at audience-demand, agreed to do a workshop for us in early June on how to make your own cosmetics with natural ingredients. Take note ladies - this workshop will fill up fast so when you hear the word....register fast!

Paddy Running Horan was on hand to offer up some pesticide and herbicide alternatives now that the Ontario-wide Pesticide Ban is taking effect (as of April 22nd) and 3 wonderful ladies from the Town of Caledon gave us updates about the Ban plus the Bolton Farmers Market and the Town's own Environmental Progress Report. Thank you Noreen Knight, Sandra Dolson and Sara Peckford!

Lastly I want to thank the folks that came out and participated on the Green T-eam for the April 19th MS Walk - we did great! Final figures yet to come but I know we raised somewhere in the vicinity of $600 - not too shabby for a first-time team!