Terracycle opens Retail store downtown Princeton.

PhillyEcoCity has covered the activities of West Trenton based Terracycle Inc.  several times, most recently in this post: Terracycle or How to Turn your Trash into Gold

Until now, Terracycle has been selling its products from kites made of Oreo cookie wrapping material to school bags made out of drink pouches and wall clocks made out of vinyl records  through major national retail chains such as Target and Wall Mart and more recently through its website.

What is new at the 2009 GreenFest Philly?

In no particular order here is a short list of some of the new green offerings I noticed at the 2009 GreenFest Philly:

Can you convert a 1998 Volkswagon Vanagon from gas to electric in 5 days?

In the 60s, VW beetles and vans gained fame as sub-$2,000 cars hippies preferred for road-tripping and head-tripping, all the while saving a few petro-dollars on the side (esp. diesel versions).   In June that spirit returned to Lansdale when Bucks County Renewables held a 5-day hands-on workshop to teach participants how to convert cars from gas to electric.  This is a burgeoning movement nationwide.  I heard about the workshop when one of the participants, a globe hopping techie, texted me for acccomodations through the great traveler hosting network www.globalfreeloaders.com.

And yes! the conversion worked.  For all the details on the 2009 project, see www.e-vanagon.blogspot.com.   A similar 2007 project is shown in this  video.

Danger in the Kitchen: Radioactive countertops

Source: By KATE MURPHY July 24, 2008 NY TIMES
From PhillyEcoCity contributor: Muze

SHORTLY before Lynn Sugarman of Teaneck, N.J., bought her summer home in Lake George, N.Y., two years ago, a routine inspection revealed it had elevated levels of radon, a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. So she called a radon measurement and mitigation technician to find the source.

How about a Wind Mill for your House?

New firm believes it’s got the power

Wind Mills are too noisy, too big and clunky, and they kill bats and birds. Naysayers abound when it comes to harnessing the wind and converting Mother Nature’s fury into energy via a wind turbine or, as it is better known, a windmill. Karl Douglass, an engineer with a degree from Drexel University, went about trying to do something about it, and he believes he has.

Let’s Introduce SEPTA to NextBUS!

A few months ago while waiting for the bus on Ridge Ave, I analyzed all the deterrents for people like me who have cars but are committed to mass transit and are using trains and buses more. The R8 runs on a reasonably reliable schedule, but buses seem much less predictable, since traffic is such a huge variable. It’s incredibly stressful to walk a mile to the #9 bus stop and then not know how long I’ll be waiting.

Inspiration from Washington DC, Philadelphia and Portland OR. Recycling, Hazardous Waste and old electronics…

Last week, residents of Washington DC had a chance to dispose of their hazardous waste and old electronic apparatus in an environmentally safe way. Something strange happened: 3 to 4,000 people showed up creating a total traffic nightmare that paralyzed the neighborhood where the collection center is located for the whole day. Washington DC public works officials expected about 1,800 people to drop off items based on the past attendance to the twice a year event. Read more details on the small planning mishap right here.

That news item moved me to check Philadelphia’s own setup to handle hazardous domestic waste.
Well, finding the right information is a bit of a treasure hunt.

The One minute Carbon Footprint Calculator

Today being Earth Day and the Democratic Primary Elections in Pennsylvania, I can state that we have more than 50% chances that the next administration will create a carbon tax and make carbon offsets mandatory for industry.

So, it is high time that you figure what is your carbon footprint. That is YOUR carbon footprint, not your neighbors’, not your wife’s, not your boss carbon footprint. Yours.
Estimating your carbon footprint typically takes working through a lengthy questionnaire covering your carbon consumption habits. I would typically loose focus or patience rather quickly.

Here a simple to use and efficient Carbon Foot Print Calculator: Use it and change your carbon diet, change your Life.

Go visit: http://oneminute.zerofootprint.net/