OAKLAND GREEN TEAM The Oakland Green Team works to improve trail connections and create attractive public spaces. The team will identify, advocate, and implement greening and bike/pedestrian activities throughout Oakland.
AGENDA February 19, 2015 – 6:00pm In Attendance: Kyle Winkler, Julien Comte, Michael Medwed, Mark Oleniacz, Carlino Giampolo, Robert Harper, Phil Garrow, Eric Boerer, Barbara Brewton, David Zwier Special guest: Kyle Winker, City of Pittsburgh recycling supervisor -
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General overview of City’s recycling services o Roughly 115,000 recycling points of collection in the City of Pittsburgh that are serviced bi-weekly. o Additionally: drop off sites, and bi-yearly compostable materials collection. o Enforcement of code violations and disposal of electronics All recycled materials eventually leave Pittsburgh. The materials are processed in a ‘materials recovery facility’ (MRF). To see how an MRF sorts and processes recyclable materials watch this video of a Waste Management facility: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GP3JuiX5BY#t=209 Reducing the amount and cost of materials that go to the landfill is one of the big reasons recycling is a positive thing for the city and the environment o The City currently pays $25 per ton of waste that goes to the landfill. The City currently has a recyclables ‘residue rate’ of 12%. This means that the company buying the recyclable materials the City of Pittsburgh collects assumes that 12% of the materials received will end up in the landfill. o In 2014 the City of Pittsburgh recycled roughly 16,000 tons; out of this roughly 1,600 tons were trash. Recycling electronics: a challenge, regulations changed two years ago and now the City can’t pick up electronics like TVs. Currently there isn’t a great system for enforcing the law. o Green Team feedback: this is a large issue in Oakland, especially during students’ move in and move out periods. o Best Buy will recycle TVs o Currently Construction Junction will recycle electronics unless they have broken glass. Enforcing code violations is a challenge because it requires having foremen drop their regular routines to testify in court. o Oakwatch hopes to work with the City to explore options for improving enforcement. Public Spaces i. South Oakland fruit trees: pruning workshop moved to Saturday, May 16, 2:00 pm ii. Joncaire Street hillside and parklet Parklet: potentially a Pitt Serves student leader project
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Carlino interested in project, group agrees this location is a good fit for Pitt Serves. iii. TreeVitalize: deadline March 20 iv. South Oakland hydroponics workshop: Sunday, February 22, 3:00-4:00 pm v. Spring volunteer days: March 28: University of Pittsburgh, ‘Be a Good Neighbor Day’ April 4: ‘CMU 1000+ Day of Service’ B.
Cyclists & Pedestrians i. Eric Boerer: updates - City looking at improving bike connections in Oakland. Improvements are being explored for Ellsworth Street, Bayard Street, and Neville Street. ii. Bike Share: station installation starting this spring - Eric Boerer proposed/volunteered to reach out to the new director of the Pittsburgh Bike Share to invite him to present at the Green Team. iii. Brainstorming - Conversation postponed until March.
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New Ideas i. Joncaire Steps: - Pat Hassett’s January presentation will be added to the Green Team’s site: http://www.opdc.org/programs-services/community/oakland-green-team/ - Provide feedback to greenteam@opdc.org
Next meeting: Thursday, March 19, at 6:00 pm at the Oakland Career Center, 294 Semple Street.