Category Archives: We Green DC

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Bag It

Photo courtesy of
‘String grocery bag’
courtesy of ‘bradipo’

Starting Jan. 1, if you want to tote your vittles or booze home from the store in a disposable bag, it’ll cost you 5 cents. All monies collected will go to the Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund to clean up the river.

Yesterday, DC announced the Skip the Bag, Save the River education campaign and, in a sign that someone’s thinking, that it would give free reusable bags to 122,000 low-income residents and senior citizens.

I am all for this. In addition to keeping the river clean, it could save DC residents money. Money spent on trash removal now is passed along in water bills and taken away from programs that help people. And it will lower the environmental costs of producing one-use bags from oil or trees, transporting them, and disposing of them.

One tip: Come Jan. 1, keep your empty bags by your door or in your car where they’re easy to see and grab.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Something’s Fishy

Photo courtesy of
‘A River Runs Through It’
courtesy of ‘Brian Knight Photography’

Here’s another good reason to use all-natural lotions and potions — they can help you stay a manly man or a girly girl. How’s that?

Well, earlier this week, a new report said that now 80 percent of the male fish swimming in the Potomac River have developed eggs. Since the river provides 90 percent of DC’s drinking water, this is reason to sit up and take notice.

What’s going on? Experts aren’t entirely sure, but they’re pointing an accusing finger at endocrine disruptors in the water. The good news — you can help! Put unused medicines in the trash (not down the drain), and choose personal care products without chemicals.

And guys, remember. If you get pregnant…there is something in the water.

Interviews, We Green DC
By

He Loves DC: Seth Goldman

Seth Goldman

I’ve long been a fan of Honest Tea. It’s flavorful with a light sweetness, it’s organic, and the company that makes it is socially and environmentally responsible.

Co-founder and TeaEO Seth Goldman brewed the first batches of it in his Bethesda home in 1998. Now with offices in downtown Bethesda, the company makes 37 flavors of bottled drinks, plus tea bags. When I was there in late October, boxes arrived bearing the first bottles of fizzy goodness from the newest line, Honest Kombucha, which is now available at Whole Foods in the mid-Atlantic region.

Plenty of people share my devotion. Last year, sales reached $38 million, and The Coca-Cola Company purchased 40 percent of Honest Tea.

I met Seth recently when Bethesda Green, a nonprofit he co-founded, launched its new Education Center and Green Business Incubator. Here, he shares with We Love DC readers some thoughts on DC, green, and tea.

Donna: How long have you lived in the DC area?

Seth: My wife and I moved to Arlington in 1990, and I worked on Capitol Hill for two and a half years. I went away to graduate school for two years. Then we came back to Bethesda in 1995.

What do you like most about DC?

There’s a lot of openness around community. I’m from Boston originally. It feels like DC doesn’t have the same kind of ethnic neighborhoods, but you don’t have the feeling of being closed off. In DC, whether you’ve been here for a year, or five years, or 10 years, it feels very easy to connect to the community.
Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Did Your Bottle Really Get Recycled?

Photo courtesy of
‘Dumpster empty’
courtesy of ‘Hugo90’

Have you ever wondered…do those soda cans you faithfully put in the recycling bin actually make it to the recycling center? Well, if you’re in the District, folks, the chances are hit and miss.

At least according to this Washington City Paper article, which an alert friend just forwarded to me.

If you own a business in DC, you have to have a recycling program. But once the recyclables hit the bin, the haulers are in charge. And that’s where the system breaks down.

This story says 75 percent of the city’s trash and recycling comes from commercial buildings, including multi-unit apartments and condos. Private haulers carry it away — sometimes separately, sometimes mixed together and bound for the dump.
Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Making Black Gold

Photo courtesy of
‘autumn mums’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

One way to make your houseplants or garden look healthy and lush like this — and not like mine, all spindly — is to enrich your soil.

And one way to do that is to make compost, known as black gold, from your kitchen scraps and yard clippings. Composting also keeps those potato peels and faded blooms out of landfills, incinerators, and wastewater treatment plants, so it’s good for the planet.

And yes, you can do it even if you don’t have a big backyard. Next Monday at 7 p.m., you can learn the secrets at How to Compost in the City, held in Shaw, by CarbonfreeDC.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Rally for the Planet, Tomorrow

Photo courtesy of
‘Mural’
courtesy of ‘kimberlyfaye’

Tomorrow, right here in DC, you can join people all over the world in an International Day of Climate Action sponsored by 350. (Why does the number 350 matter? Find out in this short video or check out the FAQs.)

So far more than a hundred nations are taking part, and thousands are expected at the biggest rally, starting at noon in Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park. After speakers, music, cultural performers, exhibits and more, the group will form a “circle of hope” across from the White House.

If a rally’s not your speed, consider the 14 other events in DC (search in your area), including a mass bike ride, a recycling raid, an organic and vegan food prep, and a joycott at Bourbon Coffee, to get you wired about saving the planet.

Farm Fresh, We Green DC
By

Farm Fresh: Redwood Restaurant and Bar

Photo courtesy of
‘Cherry Tomato & Watermelon Salad’
courtesy of ‘snapzdc’

Here’s another feature where WeLoveDC authors Donna (greenie) and Katie (foodie) have paired up to tell you about local restaurants that take on the challenge of being green. Donna will explain the logic behind the environmentally friendly trends, and Katie will tell you if the food tastes any good. It’s a rough life, but someone has to do it, right?

Katie: Located in the heart of Bethesda Row, Redwood Restaurant and Bar is sleek, clean and stylish. With high ceilings and unsurprising wood decor, it’s a huge modern space with some seriously tasty food. And not only that, they do a great job of sourcing their products from local farmers, and utilizing the Bethesda farmer’s market, conveniently located right outside their door. Donna and I were invited to explore Redwood’s local food, so we went one Thursday night and sampled the fare and heard from Executive Chef Blake Schumpert exactly how he chooses the produce and meats he uses.

Donna: I like that at Redwood, they spell out their philosophy toward local foods up front, with a statement from owner and CEO Jared Rager posted on the Web site and a shorter message printed on the menus, so there’s no mistaking: “We are an independent, locally owned restaurant that showcases a seasonal menu featuring the best mid-atlantic ingredients available. Our produce, cheese, meat, and seafood is naturally-raised, organic, or sustainable whenever possible and is sourced from local growers. We’ve assembled a wine list from around the world with a particular focus on small production vintners who practice sustainable viticulture – making wine in a way which is economically viable, socially supportive and ecologically sound.” Hooray!

Katie: So with a clear mission, and a farmer’s market right outside their door, Redwood is an excellent place to eat some savory fare while feeling good about your meal’s carbon footprint. Continue reading →

We Green DC
By

How to Buy Green

Photo courtesy of
‘U Street Organic Cleaners’
courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’

All I wanted was a soft, fluffy bath rug that would keep my shower-fresh tootsies off the cold tile and that wasn’t made in a way that beat up the planet. It seemed a simple enough request.

And so when on my trip to the store I found one with a sign saying “biodegradeable / environmentally friendly,” I snapped it up. True, it had no plastic backing, so it would biodegrade. But it was made of non-organic cotton (each year, 25% of the world’s pesticides go to grow cotton) and viscose, which I hadn’t heard of and hoped was some new environmental fiber. It isn’t; Wikipedia, which I’m using as a source here, says viscose is rayon and its manufacture causes so much pollution they’re closing its factories. So this wasn’t an environmentally friendly choice after all.

Sigh. What’s a greenie to do?

Even when you have the best intentions, it’s often difficult to know what to buy that’s truly eco-friendly. Luckily for us, three fine ladies gave a talk on this topic last Wednesday, at a meeting of the DC EcoWomen’s Green Economy Eco-mmunity. What are their pearls of wisdom?

Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Water, Water, Everywhere

Photo courtesy of
‘Falling Water’
courtesy of ‘photo_secessionist’

Perhaps you had enough of water over the weekend? If not, get thee to the DOME in Rosslyn at 7 p.m. tonight for a screening of Liquid Assets (see the trailer).

This third film in a green series sponsored by Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment promises to share the true importance of systems of water, wastewater, and stormwater treatment that we often take for granted.

I understand — at first glance it sounds a bit dry, no pun intended, but it can be fascinating to find out how things work. How does that water get from the river to your faucet anyway?

This film talks about what goes on far below our feet — and how to keep that clean water flowing.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Pepco Starts Giving Rebates for Energy-Efficient Appliances

Photo courtesy of
‘cool iceboxes’
courtesy of ‘mikkime’

If the rainy weekend has you thinking of home repair, now might be a good time to upgrade an old appliance if you’re a Pepco customer.

Yesterday, the local AC repair contractors company announced it will give cash rebates of up to $50 to residential customers in DC and Maryland who buy ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators, room air conditioners and certain energy efficient water heaters. You can buy these babies at any area retail store. The rebates would be on top of federal tax credits and lower electric bill you could get.

The rebates are the first in a series of energy-efficieny programs set to go in place this year. In a press release, Pepco said these programs are expected to save an estimated 165,000 megawatt-hours of energy over the next three years and avoid almost 117,000 metric tons of carbon emissions, equal to taking more than 207,000 cars a year off the road.

Energy-efficiency programs also can help reduce Pepco’s electric load and lower the need to build new power plants.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Trees Need Love, Too

Photo courtesy of
‘Hug a Tree’
courtesy of ‘Gwen Bubbles’

True, the cherry trees aren’t covered in fluffy blossoms right now, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need love. In fact, now that they’re alone and shivering with the onslaught of fall, they need it more than ever.

It’s hard finding a local source of high-quality plants for your landscape project needs,Twinwood Farms, a Texas tree farm offers native trees and grass for landscaping, they grow with biodiversity in mind and care about the environment and want to boost ecosystem productivity.

On Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m., people will be heading over to the Jefferson Memorial to give them a big group hug. Tree Hugger Day will include music, naturalist-led tree walks, and free gifts, including tree guides and historic trees you can plant.

Take a picture of your tree hugging, and you can enter it in a contest to win prizes from IKEA and American Forests. I find the category for “Strangest Hug” a little creepy, but do as you will.

If you luuuv trees, mark your calendar,

We Green DC
By

Four Seasons Tests Way to Make Green Energy from Cars

Photo courtesy of
‘Making energy on the go’
courtesy of ‘snapzdc’

Some day soon, you might power a streetlight simply by driving under it.

The technology that could make that happen was tested yesterday at the entrance to the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, with a special speed bump laid out in the driveway.

Called MotionPower, this first-of-its-kind energy harvester will convert a car’s motion into electricity, learn more about sustainable living at Hellotera. It’s meant for areas where people are slowing down, such as intersections, toll booths, garages, and the like.

Here’s how it works. Metal flaps in the roadway point up diagonally, with the lifted end farthest from oncoming cars which will get a free windshield replacement at Autoglassguru.com after going thought it many times. When a car rolls over them, they flatten down — and capture kinetic energy that otherwise would be wasted as brake heat.

This doesn’t have any adverse effect on the vehicles, though. You could even validate that if you were to perform a NAP Check via Autoverleden.nl. The side benefit? It helps slow vehicles, and causes less wear and tear on the car, said Meetesh V. Patel, President and CEO of the Maryland-based company that developed the system, New Energy Technologies, Inc.

Continue reading →

We Green DC
By

Here Comes the Sun: Solar Houses on the Mall

Photo courtesy of
‘Spain’s sun-worshipping house’
courtesy of ‘snapzdc’

The National Mall sure looks different these days, ever since they put in that new subdivision. What, you haven’t seen them? All those little houses run completely by the sun? Yes, it’s time for another Solar Decathlon!

In this event sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy every other year, 20 teams of university students from as close as Virginia Tech and as far away as Germany will compete in 10 contests to create the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house. While of course the teams use emerging technologies, the focus is on practicality. The home that wins will not be just the most energy efficient; it also must look great and be tricked out with modern conveniences. To get your home in to contest hire the solar installer croydon service now.

In other words, these homes are concrete examples (or wood or metal or aerogel examples) that going green doesn’t have to mean going without. Sun Rise Power and Gas Company in Pittsburgh, PA gives a green alternative in the Philadelphia electricity marketplace.

And that means the houses all look really cool. What kind of fun gadgets might you see?
Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

It’s a Green Weekend

Photo courtesy of
‘Gingko Rain’
courtesy of ‘geishaboy500’

This weekend has lots of fun green goings-on.

Friday night is the Extreme Green Gala at the stylist Mott House on Capitol Hill, with live bands, organic food, a cash bar, an art show and high-profile environmentalists. The last one was great, with everyone enjoying the patio there. It benefits CarbonfreeDC’s Extreme Green Neighborhood Makeover.

The Green Festival extravaganza is Saturday and Sunday, with 350 green businesses (great for holiday shopping) and dozens of community groups, plus 125 speakers including activist Dr. Cornel West; actor/activist Ed Begley, Jr.; and revolutionary journalist Amy Goodman.

And the Solar Decathlon opens on the National Mall; a small village of solar homes constructed by teams of students will be open for you to roam — and see how good life can be without an electric bill.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

River Art: Water, Wings and Wildflowers

Courtesy of Washington Printmakers Gallery

Courtesy of Washington Printmakers Gallery

River lovers, here’s some art you might like — soft, colorful images of the Potomac River, C & O Canal, and other local spots by Yolanda Frederikse. They say her secret is painting in plein air, sitting quietly and looking closely, to capture the delicacy of wildflowers or to spot birds and other wildlife along winding waterside footpaths.

Her monotypes — watercolor painted on lithographic plates on site, then printed through an etching press in her studio — plus screen prints and watercolors are now on display at the Washington Printmakers Gallery near Dupont Circle.

Tomorrow at 1 p.m., just in time for lunch, this DC artist will give a talk on her work. You can catch Water, Wings and Wildflowers until Oct. 25.

We Green DC
By

Making Bethesda Green

Cutting the vine

When most organizations celebrate an opening, they cut a ribbon. The folks at nonprofit Bethesda Green, which launched its new Education Center and Green Business Incubator yesterday morning, had a different idea. Shiny ribbons made from petroleum aren’t good for the planet, so they strung an invasive vine across the building’s entrance and chopped it up with giant shears.

In doing so, they opened Maryland’s first green business incubator, which will provide offices and support to entrepreneurs and create green jobs for the community. So far eight start-ups are involved, focusing on everything from rain barrels to sustainable food to charging stations for electric cars.

In addition, the new center will be a hub for people like you and me who may like to volunteer for planet-friendly projects. It’s off to a great start. Since forming just last year, this group has led a variety of projects, including adding 15 recycling bins to downtown Bethesda, hosting a local farms tour, researching ways to turn local restaurants’ used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel, collecting 180,000 pounds of used electronics, recycling toner cartridges for businesses and even reusing crayons for kids.

The celebration continues through Saturday, with an open house from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. focusing on sustainability in the community.
Continue reading →

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Rhinos with Glue-on Shoes?

Photo courtesy of
‘DSC_3464’
courtesy of ‘randystoreyphotography’

Mere days after Happy the Hippo left the National Zoo to go live with a harem — or as We Love DC author Carl suggests, pushed out by gentrification, the arrival of the elephants — comes the promise of more fun stories of zoo animals.

On Monday night at Shirlington’s Signature Theatre, former National Zoo Director Lucy Spelman will give a talk about her book, The Rhino with Glue-on Shoes and other surprising true stories of zoo vets and their patients. In addition to up-close-and-personal accounts of the zoo’s residents, she’ll talk about the special bonds between human and (very large) beast.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Sprout Happy!

Photo courtesy of
‘mung’
courtesy of ‘rayb777’
To be honest, I never thought of growing sprouts in my kitchen over the winter. But I like the name of this class – “Sprout Happy!” – that will be held in North Bethesda on Saturday morning. And they promise you’ll learn how to grow live, organic food inside for just pennies.

Hmm, houseplants that you (and not just your cat) can eat. This sounds simple and fun.

The Daily Feed, We Green DC
By

Another Reason to Play Hooky

Photo courtesy of
”
courtesy of ‘Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie’

Tomorrow afternoon, more than 100 bicyclists will be arriving in our fair city, fresh off a 300-mile journey that began on Saturday in New York City. They make up the Brita Climate Ride, which supports climate and bicycling advocacy projects.

Slip out of work early tomorrow (you know, when it will be sunny and 67 degrees), and you can join them for their final three miles and the D.C. Climate Ride Rally on the West Lawn of the Capitol to call for action on climate change and renewable energy.

Show up at Thompson Boat Center parking lot at 3:15 sharp to ride, or greet the riders at the rally itself at 3:45. Tell your boss you’ll be right back at that report, just as soon as you save the planet.

Adventures, Life in the Capital, Special Events, The Daily Feed, The District, The Great Outdoors, The Hill, The Mall, We Green DC
By

National Public Lands Day 09/26

Photo courtesy of
‘Cleaning Up the Potomac’
courtesy of ‘mtngirl9999’

Looking for something to do Saturday? How about volunteering at a local National Public Lands Day site.

Tomorrow marks the 15th anniversary of this event to preserve and protect America’s natural heritage.  Last year brought out more than 120,000 volunteers at over 1,800 locations to assist public land managers with hands-on projects.

You can find 6 events taking place in DC at various locations, like: Kennilworth Aquatic Gardens, Rock Creek Park, Kingman and Heritage Memorial Park, the Lincoln Memorial, President’s Park and National Mall & Memorial Parks.