Go Green 2013

BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY

“Rain chains” guide water into a rain barrel built by Green Planet Rain Barrels of Eau Claire.

VolumeOne’s Guide to making like a tree, and going green “GREEN

is the new black.” “Earth Day is every day.” We’ve heard these and other clichés countless times from those seeking to ride the 21st century wave of environmental awareness. Our annual green guide is designed to move beyond the catchphrases and give you good information that helps make everyday life a little greener, from recycling tips to the buzz on plastic bags to a Chippewa Valley superhero who wants you to recycle, as well as listings of Earth-friendly contractors, groups, and events that can raise your environmental consciousness.

WRITERS BARBARA ARNOLD, TOM GIFFEY • EDITORS TOM GIFFEY, TYLER GRIGGS, THOM FOUNTAIN • PHOTOS ANDREA PAULSETH • THANKS JEREMY GRAGERT

GO green ANDREA PAULSETH

CANIRECYCLETHAT? dos and don’ts about what to put in the blue bin and what to pitch

by Tom Giffey

I

f you’re taking the time to read this section of the magazine, you undoubtedly are the kind of person who takes pains to separate your recyclables from your trash. You rinse and sort. You fold and bag. And you probably feel pretty good about it afterwards. But sometimes you get a nagging feeling that you aren’t doing things right. “Should I be recycling that pizza box?” you ask yourself. “What about those No. 5 yogurt containers?”

Even with the best of intentions, conflicting information, half-remembered school lessons, and varying local standards can make recycling complicated.

With the help of the Eau Claire County Recycling Program, we’ve prepared this brief guide as a refresher course in what can – and cannot – be recycled, as well as an update on recent changes to recycling standards. (Please note that this information applies to people in Eau Claire County who have curbside trash collection or bring their recyclables to a county drop-off station. If you live outside the county or have a specific question, it’s best to contact your waste-hauling company or county recycling office.)

NEWSPAPERS

DO recycle newspapers and their glossy inserts.

DO put them in paper grocery bags if you wish.

DON’T put them in plastic bags.

DON’T tie them with string.

DON’T recycle them if they’re dirty. TIP: You may call the newspaper the fishwrap, but don’t recycle it if you’ve actually wrapped it around a fish.

CARDBOARD

DO recycle corrugated cardboard.

DO recycle other boxes, such as non-corrugated ones that hold cereal or crackers.

DO break down and flatten boxes.

DO remove all liners, food, etc.,

from

boxes.

DON’T worry if the cardboard is wet – as long as it’s only water. recycle boxes that are meant to be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, such as soda boxes or ice cream boxes.

They have a moisture-proof coating that makes it hard to break them down.

DON’T recycle cardboard if it’s dirty, oily, or covered in food. (In other words, pizza boxes are a big no-no.)

DON’T

OTHER PAPER

DO recycle office paper, magazines, catalogues, phone books, paper egg cartons, etc.

DO find out from your waste-hauling company how paper should be packaged.

DON’T recycle tissue paper, wax-coated paper, or paper contaminated with food, paint, oil, etc.

DON’T recycle packages that are meant to be stored in the fridge or freezer.

DON’T recycle “bathroom boxes” – i.e., boxes containing toothpaste, soap, or other hygiene products.

GLASS

DO recycle bottles and jars of all colors.

DO rinse them clean and remove their

U-Can Recycling, Eau Claire

caps.

DON’T

worry about removing labels – they’re OK. DON’T recycle dishes, glassware, window glass, ceramics, mirrors, or any other glass product.

CANS

DO recycle tin and bi-metal cans.

DO rinse them clean.

DO remove both ends and flatten as much as possible – this saves space in recycling receptacles and reduces cost.

DON’Tworryaboutremovinglabels–they’reOK.

ALUMINUM DO

recycle aluminum cans. TIP: You can even get money for them at the right place!

DO rinse cans clean and flatten them.

DO recycle pie plates and food trays, as long as they are clean of food residue.

DON’T recycle aluminum foil.

PLASTIC

DO recycle plastics labeled types 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7.

DO rinse clean, remove caps and lids, and flatten them.

DON’T recycle No. 6 plastics.

DON’T worry about removing

labels – they’re OK. DON’T recycle Styrofoam products.

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LIGHT BULBS

Regular old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs usually can’t be recycled.

However, in Dunn County they are accepted for 25 cents each at all area collection stations and at the Transfer Station and Recycling Center.

Florescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should be recycled.

Compact florescent bulbs (CFLs) – the new twisty kind that (usually) lasts forever – can be recycled at locations including: • Augusta True Value, 128 Lincoln St., Augusta, (715) 286-2217.

• Eau Claire Ace Hardware, 2618 Birch St., Eau Claire, (715) 836-7788.

• Gordy’s True Value, 111 W. Columbia

GO green St., Chippewa Falls, (715) 726-2510.

Florescent lamps – the long, tubular kind that look light “Star Wars” lightsabers – also can be recycled at: • Eau Claire Ace Hardware, 2618 Birch St., Eau Claire, (715) 836-7788.

• Advanced Disposal (formerly Veolia), (715) 839-9553.

• Waste Management, (715) 723-7241.

• Gordy’s True Value, 111 W. Columbia St., Chippewa Falls, (715) 726-2510.

• Gordy’s True Value (Lake Wissota), 17168 Highway J, Chippewa Falls, (715) 726-2515.

BATTERIES

• Common household alkaline batteries (the kind you put in toys and flashlights) can be safely thrown in the trash or recycled via Eau Claire County’s Clean Sweep program.

• Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at many retailers: Go to call2recycle.org and enter your ZIP code to find one near you.

• Button batteries (the little ones in watches, hearing aids, etc.), lithium, and mercury batteries should be recycled through the county Clean Sweep program.

• Old automotive batteries can be recycled free of charge by any retailer who sells you new ones. (Retailers may charge a nominal fee if you aren’t buying a new one.)

COMPUTERS

• Comprehensive Recycling, Mondovi, (715) 839-7899.

• First Choice Computer Recycling (FREE computer recycling for residents and K-12 schools), 525 Park Ridge Court, Eau Claire, (715) 833-2005.

• RAM Technologies, 2828 London Road, Eau Claire, (715) 834-9797.

• Salvation Army (computer must be less than five years old and functional), 521 N. Bridge St., Chippewa Falls, (715) 726-9506.

APPLIANCES

Under state law, most major appliances are banned from landfills: air conditioners, washers and dryers, dishwashers, dehumidifiers/humidifiers, freezers, furnace boilers, microwaves, stoves/ ovens, refrigerators, and water heaters.

However, the following companies can help you recycle them: • First Choice Recycling, 525 Park Ridge Court, Eau Claire, (715) 833-2005.

• Bridge Creek Transfer Station, Highway 27, 1 mile north of Augusta (no phone).

• Max Phillips, 3532 White Ave., Eau Claire, (715) 832-3431.

• Toy’s Salvage, 8010 Olson Drive, Eau Claire, (715) 834-6677.

• U-Can Recycling, 2318 Ridge Road, Eau Claire, (715) 834-6030.

PAINT

Latex paint can be disposed of with your trash as long as it has been hardened. You can do this simply by opening the can up and letting it dry; by adding a commercial hardening compound; or by mixing the paint with cat litter, vermiculite, sawdust, or ground corn cobs.

Oil-based and other paints used for marine, automotive, or hobby purposes should be disposed of during the Clean Sweep program.

MEDICATION

If you live in Eau Claire County, you can bring unwanted or expired pills, capsules, salves, creams or liquids to be disposed of at one of the following locations: • Altoona Police Department, 1904 Spooner Ave., Altoona, (715) 839-6090.

• Augusta Police Department, 145 W. Lincoln St., Augusta, (715) 286-2555.

• Fall Creek Police Department, 122 E. Lincoln Ave., Fall Creek, (715) 877-2177.

• Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Department, 721 Oxford Ave., (715) 8395055.

CLEAN SWEEP

Several times a year Eau Claire County holds a Clean Sweep event to help residents dispose of household hazardous waste. The remaining Clean Sweeps for 2013 will be Saturday, Sept.

14, and Saturday, Nov. 9, from 8am to noon at WRR Environmental Services, 5200 Ryder Road. (To reach WRR, follow Highway 93 south of Interstate 94, turn east onto Lorch Avenue (the first road south of I-94) as if heading to the car dealerships, and then immediately turn left onto Ryder Road, which goes south parallel to Highway 93.)

Materials accepted free of charge include pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, fertilizers, solvents, old fuels, cleaners, oil paint, varnish, lacquers, shellac, paint thinners, roofing tar, nail polish remover, lye, polishes, air fresheners, drain cleaners, and motor oil. In addition, latex paint, antifreeze, aerosol cans, dry cell batteries, and fluorescent lamps are accepted for a small fee.

Clean Sweep is open to household waste from Eau Claire County residents (and from residents of the city of Eau Claire in Chippewa County).

Small businesses that qualify as very small quantity generators may also dispose of waste during the Clean Sweep.

(Businesses should call BJ Michalek at WRR Environmental Services at (715) 834-9624 to register and to get more information.)

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Eau Claire County Recycling Program: (715) 839-6159.

Dunn County Solid Waste Division: (715) 232-4017.

Chippewa County Recycling Program: (715) 726-7999.

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GO green

COMMITTEEAIMSTOBAGPLAST businesses, environmentalists seek common ground on reducing, reusing, and recycling

by Tom Giffey

T

he Eau Claire City Council stirred a bit of controversy earlier this year when it voted unanimously to form an advisory committee to explore ways to cut down on the use of plastic shopping bags. While many people – including council members themselves – thought this was a good idea, other residents bristled at the thought of the government micromanaging (or outright banning) their use of throw-away plastic sacks.

Snide remarks about Big Brother have since waned as the volunteer panel – officially the City of Eau Claire Sustainable Bag Committee – has quietly set to work compiling ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle the multitude of plastic (and paper) bags used by city residents: If Eau Claire consumers are typical of the nation as a whole, that’s an astonishing 21 million plastic bags each year. In addition to litter, these ubiquitous plastic sacks carry a host of environmental concerns, including the fossil fuels used to create, transport, and dispose of them – as well as the fact they may take years to biodegrade in landfills (if they decompose at all).

Considering all of the weighty environmental concerns society faces, “This should be something that’s solvable,” David Soll, the committee’s co-chairman, said of the disposable bag conundrum. “There’s some sort of consensus that we’re probably using more bags than we need to.”

The 14-member committee – which comprises two City Council members, environmentalists, businesspeople, trash haulers, educators, and other interested citizens – has been

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meeting for several months, and recently winnowed down a list of strategies in three categories: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Suggestions – which the committee will eventually hone, debate, and vote upon – ranged the gamut from carrots to sticks for residents and retailers.

There’s some sort of consensus that we’re probably using more bags than we need to.

– David Soll, co-chairman, Sustainable Bag Committee

REDUCE • An education campaign to encourage using fewer disposable bags.

• A possible per-bag fee.

• A phased-in requirement to use biodegradable and compostable bags.

GO green

TICBAGS REUSE

• Educating consumers about using reusable bags.

• Requiring retailers to offer a 5-cent credit for each reusable bag customers use.

• Encouraging retailers to offer other incentives for reusable bags.

RECYCLE

• Mandate curbside recycling of plastic bags. (Currently, only one Eau Claire trash hauler – Boxx Sanitation – takes plastic bags.)

• Educate consumers about recycling bags.

• Collect a fee on plastic items, then refund that fee when consumers bring them back to the store (a bit like an oldfashioned bottle deposit, but for bags).

Ecological challenges are often framed in black and white, with environmentalists inevitably pitted against business owners. (Which group is

RightOutoftheBag why you should always have reusable bags The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year.

Less than 1 percent of these bags are recycled, and it actually costs more to recycle one than produce one. (Christian Science Monitor) One ton of bags costs $4,000 to process and recycle, which can be then sold for $32. (San Francisco Department of the Environment) Plastic bags account for more than 10 percent of garbage washed up on the U.S. coastline. (National Marine Debris Monitoring Program)

described as wearing the black or the white hat typically depends on your political leanings.) The real world, of course, is much more nuanced, and the Sustainable Bag Committee offers a healthy example of a wide swathe of citizens getting together to hash out an issue cooperatively. Environmentally inclined committee members know that not every seemingly Earth-friendly idea actually works: Soll, an assistant professor of environmental students at UW-Eau Claire, noted that the city of Madison’s requirement that plastic bags must be recycled apparently hasn’t increased the recycling rate much. (It seems many Madisonians are still bringing their bags back to grocery stores, as they had for years, instead of putting them in curbside bins.) And businesses know that they must respond to their customers’ desires: Committee co-chairman Mike Buck, CEO of Consumers Cooperative Association (which operates Mega Foods), noted that Mega and other

Bags eventually break down and contaminate soils and waterways.

(CNN) Nearly 200 species of sea life die from bags.

(World Wildlife Fund) Somewhere in the central Pacific, between California and Japan, floats an island of trash (mostly plastic bags) larger than Texas. (The Independent) By using cloth bags, we save six plastic ones a week.

That’s 288 bags a year. Or 22,176 in a lifetime. If one in five people in the U.S. did this, that’s 1.33 trillion bags in their lifetimes.

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local grocery stores have been selling reusable bags, offering a per-bag discount, and collecting used plastic bags for several years because of consumer demand.

Nonetheless, Buck added, “This is about changing behavior.” In other words, grocers and other retailers can make it easier for shoppers to reuse or recycle bags, but it’s up to those shoppers to do so.

“This is a societal problem,” Soll agreed. “This is not about ‘the retailers are bad.’ This is about how we’re going to come together and see how we can solve the problem.” Considering the complex interplay of consumer decision-making, environmental stewardship, financial cost, and other factors, “The problem is much, much greater than a paper or plastic grocery bag,” Soll said.

But as with any change, keeping more plastic out of the

GO green submitted photo

A REAL FORCE OF NATURE. ReCyclone, an Earth-loving superhero, was created to promote recycling.

EARTHFRIENDLYLEGEND local superhero ReCyclone wants you to use the recycling bin

by Tom Giffey

W

hile other superheroes routinely save the earth by thwarting evil geniuses or slaying otherworldly monsters, the colorfully clad ReCyclone takes a different approach: She’s saving the earth one bottle, can, and corrugated box at a time.

A mild-mannered recycling specialist by day, Amanda Dent becomes a ecoloving superhero when duty calls. Dent has transformed herself into her masked alter ego, ReCyclone, for a variety of public events in Dunn County.

The idea for ReCyclone originated last year when the Dunn County Solid Waste Division began a “Get Caught Recycling” program, and Dent and her colleagues decided it would be fun to have a costumed character who could “catch” and reward recyclers. The outfit – complete with green boots and gloves, a yellow cape, a blue mask, and a recycle-symbol bedecked belt – was created in March

by Ann Behrens, the costume designer

for the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre.

Behrens was also one of two people to suggest naming the character “ReCyclone.”

The name subsequently won a contest, beating the likes of the Landfill Avenger, The Diminisher, or Captain A.F.T.E.R. (Advocate for the Earth’s Resources).

Unlike most of her comic-book counterparts, Dent isn’t cautious about revealing her secret identity: “We made it so the mascot can talk and describe recycling and encourage residents and kids to recycle,” Dent explains. Unsurprisingly, ReCyclone has proved particularly popular with the younger set.

“You should have seen the kids just staring at me in the hallway,” Dent says, describing a recent visit to Boyceville Elementary School. In real life, Dent works for the recycling programs in both Dunn and Eau Claire counties, so she’s happy to bring ReCyclone to public events around the Chippewa Valley. For more information, call (715) 232-4017.

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GO green

green listings

The following programs, groups, and contractors are not the only ones in existence, but merely act as examples of resources available to wannabe greenies.

ADG: Architectural Design Group Banbury Place

Bldg D04 Suite 202, 800 Wisconsin St., Eau Claire • 715-832-4848, 715-832-4850 • www.adg-architects. com With over 20 years of experience, Architectural Design Group (ADG) has grown to become a leader in architectural and sustainable design. Our studios specialize in business, energy & technology, government & public safety, health & wellness, learning, living, and spiritual facilities

BELOW: Sun, sun, sun, here it comes.

Heritage Builders N6160 370th St., Menomonie • (715) 235-7910 • heritagebuildersmenomonie. com This home repair, remodel, and builder from Menomonie is dedicated to making homes more energy efficient. They also do drywall art.

Jim Erdman • (715) 235-8941 • jiminwis@yahoo.com

A certified site assessor, Jim will survey your property to find out if wind or solar energy systems could work.

MEP Associates 2720 Arbor Court, Eau Claire •

(715) 832-5680 • mepassociates.com This consulting firm specializes in designing mechanical, W Folsom St., Eau Claire • (877) 645electrical, plumbing, medical gas, and 7737 • sales@agoilpress.com • agoilgeothermal systems. press.com Our oil presses are ideal Mor for anyone who desires to produce e lis Next Step Energy Systems 124 1/2 their own plant based oils for bioting Graham Ave, Eau Claire • (715) a n s d co fuels, culinary arts cooking or direct 830-9337 • info@nextstepenergy. n tent consumption. Extracts oil from: V com • nextstepenergy.com Specialo l a u soybeans, sunflower seed, canola t izes in designing and installing rameO seed, sesame seed, ground-nuts, ne. diant heating and renewable energy poppyseed, inseed, flaxseed, peaGree org/ applications such as solar and wind nut, mustard seed, cotton seed, and applications. n more! Produces 80-110 gal./acre Red Cedar Solar • (715) 379-6315 • (with sunflower or canola).

Certified solar site assessments.

Badger State Inc. 2507 Fortune Drive, Eau SDS Architects 7 S. Dewey Street, Eau Claire • (715) 874-7777 • info@badgerstateinc.

Claire • (715) 832-1605 • info@sdsarch.com • sdcom This plumbing and heating contractor now offers sarch.com This LEED-certified architectural firm speresidential and commercial solar water heating. cializes in higher education, K-12 education, indusBubbling Springs Solar 408 Red Cedar St. #5, trial, commercial, community, religious, health care, Menomonie • (715) 231-1885 • bss@wwt.net • buband government projects, while focusing on energy blingspringssolar.com This family owned Menomonie conservation and sustainable design. business offers solar thermal collectors for hot water.

Tetra Tech 1837 County Highway OO, Chippewa Chippewa Valley Alternative Energy • (866) 460Falls • (715) 832-0282 • www.tetratech.com Provid8656 • info@startsomewhere.co • cvalte.com Dediing environmental engineering and consulting sercated to lowering heating costs using solar thermal, vices addressing complex water contamination, culwaste oil heaters, and biomass pellets. CVAE services tural resource management, and other environmental include Solar PV sales, design, accessories and instalconcerns. lation, solar site assessments; used-oil heater parts, reTiry Engineering 220 1/2 North Bridge St. (P.O. Box pair, troubleshooting, rebuilds and accessories; pellet 44) Chippewa Falls • (715) 723-6777, (866) 944-6777 mill sales, accessories and more.

• contact@tiryengineering.com • www.tiryengineerEnergy Concepts 2349 Willis Miller Dr., Hudson • ing.com Among other services, Tiry Engineering (715) 381-9977 • energyconcepts.us Energy Concepts provide clients with conservation designs that take provides turn-key commercial and residential soluthe environment into careful consideration. Services tions for all your renewable energy project needs— include dams, erosion control, water supply, wetland including wind, solar and high-efficiency Garn wooddelineation and restoration, air dispersion modeling, burning boilers. and anaerobic digestion services.

Focus On Energy • 800-762-7077 • Focusinfo@focu- Water Source Heating & Cooling 3650 Greenway sonenergy.com • www.FocusOnEnergy.com Focus on Street, Eau Claire • (715) 833-9001 • watersourcegeo-

AgOilPress - Cold Press Oil Extractors 3839

GREEN FAIR

NICK MEYER

LocalGREENbuilders/ contractors

Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state economic development, protect our environment and control the state’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas.

Celebrating 37 Yees...

EASIER TO BE GREEN

Sustainable Future Fest offers an earthy education Sustainable Future Festival • Saturday, Aug. 10 • plant sale begins at 9am, exhibits open 10am-4pm • Eau Claire County Expo Center, 5530 Fairview Drive, Eau Claire • 715-839-4712 • www.sustainablefuturefest.com • If you want to learn how to reduce your carbon footprint by changing your methods of consumption, diet, energy, and transportation, head to Sustainable Future Festival at the Eau Claire County Expo Center. “Several area organizations and businesses were interested in starting an event like this to increase awareness about what sustainability is and to showcase their sustainable products,” Erin LaFaive, Eau Claire County UW-Extension educator, said of the festival, now in its second year. Sustainable living is a lifestyle that attempts to reduce your use of the Earth’s natural resources. Economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and strong and healthy communities must be pursued together to achieve sustainability. The festival features nine presenters, 17-plus exhibitors, and a Master Gardener Plant Sale at 9 am, which features perennial and non-invasive plants from $2 and up (as well as some gardening tools). The presentations run the gamut of ecofriendly themes, from cooking to beekeeping: “Do It Yourself Solar Power Installation” by Steve Terwillinger; “Fermentation as Food Preservation: A Traditional Food Art Form (Just Like Grandma Did)” by Noel Kroeplin; “Building a Climate Change Justice Movement in the Chippewa Valley”

by Kate Hale Wilson; “How Geothermal Heat Pumps Work” by Jesse from Water Source Heating and Cooling; “Garbology 101 – A Brief Pictorial Review of the 3 Million Year History of Garbage Disposal by Humans” by Terry Mesch; “One Family’s Story: Recovering from Western Civilization” by Kenton Whitman; “Citywide Compost Collection – Discussion of Eau Claire Possibilities” by Glen Fisher; “Hobby Beekeeping” by Ellen Sorenson; and “Rain Barrel Workshop” by Dan Zerr and Mike Erickson. (There is a fee for that last workshop to cover the cost of the barrel and materials, and the class size is limited, so call 715-839-6226 to pre-register.) –Barbara Arnold

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GO green thermal.com Providing geothermal heating and cooling systems to the Eau Claire area.

WRR Environmental Services 5200 Ryder Rd., Eau Claire • 800-727-8760 • wrrstaff@wrres.com • www. wrres.com Serving the community and the environment with services including solvent recycling, fuel blending, wastewater treatment, hazardous waste collection, hazardous material spill response, site remediation, chemical processing and more.

Green Groups

Chippewa Valley Alternative Energy Club Meets bimonthly • downtown Chippewa Falls, Chippewa Falls • (715) 271-1323 • slrobinson@clearwire.net This organization meets bi-monthly to discuss environmental topics with invited speakers as well as touring a variety of renewable energy sites and conferences.

Joining Our Neighbors, Advancing Hope (JONAH): Environmental Task Force • (715) 836-0010 • rev94doc01@centurytel.net • jonah.wisdomwi.org JONAH’s Environmental Task Force aims to live together in a mutually sustaining relationship with the Earth so the integrity for all is preserved and honored. They educate and inspire others to get involved in preserving our quality of life in the Chippewa Valley.

Lower Chippewa River Alliance (LCRA) Featuring

various programs, meetings, and work days • 715-8354829 • ellewolf1@hotmail.com LCRA was organized to support the conservation, preservation and stewardship of the Lower Chippewa River and Lower Chippewa River Basin extending from the Dells dam in the City of Eau Claire to the Mississippi River. LCRA organizes two educational open-car train rides into the Tiffany Bottoms each year. Train ride proceeds are donated to the Natural Resources Lower Chippewa River Foundation account, which provides funding for

prairie and oak savanna restoration, invasive species eradication and scientific research projects.

Sierra Club - Chippewa Valley Group Meets 7:30pm at Northstar Middle School (2711 Abbe Hill Dr., Eau Claire) first Wednesdays, October through May • (715) 835-4829 • wisconsin.sierraclub.org/chippewa This is a local chapter of the international environmental group based in San Francisco. Programs vary from slide presentations of trips to talks about environmental issues and suggestions of actions members could take.

Sustainable Dunn Monthly events (see website for details) • www.sustainabledunn.org This grassroots organization is devoted to promoting decisions that meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. Monthly programs are held covering a variety of sustainability topics. Its website includes “green” news, a discussion group, and loads of useful links.

Chippewa Valley Master Gardeners Association

Check website’s calendar of events for meeting times • 715-839-4712 • Erin.lafaive@ces.uwex.edu • www. eauclairemastergardeners.com The goal of this organization is to promote environmental stewardship in collaboration with UW Extension by developing an appreciation for and understanding of horticultural practices for all Master Gardeners and residents of the Chippewa Valley.

Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance (CVTA) Meets

monthly • 715-835-4835 • chippewavalleytransitalliance@gmail.com • www.chippewavalleytransitalliance.com CVTA is a united voice for transit riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians in Eau Claire and neighboring counties of West Central Wisconsin.

Citizens Climate Lobby - Eau Claire Chapter Meets

the first Saturday of every month at 11:45am (see contact info for location) • 715-829-8620 • halecl@uwec. edu • www.citizensclimatelobby.org CCL is a nonprofit, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. We train and support volunteers to reclaim their democracy and engage elected officials and the media to generate the political will for solutions that will stabilize the Earth’s climate.

Eau Claire Area Master Gardeners occasional events and meetings • 715-839-4712 • Erin.lafaive@ces. uwex.edu • eauclairemastergardeners.com This UW Extension volunteer group provides horticultural education, community service and environmental stewardship. The Eau Claire Master Gardeners community invites you to join its efforts to educate and beautify the area. They organize several events, seminars, plant sales, garden tours and we manage public gardens for all to experience.

Eau Claire Climate Action Now (CAN) • 612-220-

1970 • eauclairecan@gmail.com • www.facebook. com/EauClaireClimateActionNowcan CAN’s mission is to organize to fight climate change through education, advocacy, and bold proposals that sharply reduce fossil fuel extraction and emissions by fostering a clean energy economy and creating sustainable communities. CAN takes on the moral responsibility to use their collective power to influence the city, county, state, nation, and world to respond appropriately and end climate change.

Eau Claire Garden Club 2nd Mondays, 7-9pm • First Baptist Church, 416 Niagara St., Eau Claire • 715855-7749 • To educate members in all phases of gardening, promote civic beauty, and promote conservation of Natural Resources. Summer meetings consist of tours of local gardens.

Foodlums See website calendar for meeting times

and other Foodlums events • foodlums@gmail.com • www.foodlums.blogspot.com The Foodlums make up UWEC’s new academic and social organization serving both the university and the broader Eau Claire community. The organization sponsors events such as public lectures, creates service learning opportunities for Eau Claire and beyond and raises awareness of sustainable, local and delicious foods.

Green Drinks See contact info for meeting times • Eau Claire • greendrinks.org (Note: As of July 2013 Green Drinks Eau Claire is inactive but is likely be reivived in the near future.) Green Drinks is a a social opportunity for people to relax and talk with other like-minded environmentalists about ideas, events, and issues going on around our community. For more information, join our Facebook group or visit greendrinks.org. www.uwstout.orgsync.com/org/ greensense • Find GreenSense on Facebook GreenSense is UW-Stout’s student environmental organization since 1990. GreenSense clean up Galloway Creek, participate in an Adopt-a-Highway program, clean up the campus, and manage annual events at UW-Stout including RecycleMania, Earth Week events, a film festival, and they sponsor environmental speakers.

GreenSense

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Tainter Menomin Lake Improvement Association, Inc. PO Box 185, Menomonie • rverdon@att.net •

www.tmlia.org The Tainter/Menomin Lake Improvement Association is actively engaged in activities to promote Tainter Lake and Lake Menomin, along with those bodies of water which are immediate to the lake, namely the Red Cedar River and the Hay River. Their aim is to support the protection and improvement of Lake Menomin and Tainter Lake waters by providing educational information on water quality and environmental issues affecting these bodies of water and their corresponding watersheds.

The UWEC Conservationists • www.uwec.edu/con-

serve/index.html The purpose of The Conservationists is to strengthen ecological awareness and environmental ethics in the community and campus. The primary goal is to work with the community and university in restoration, conservation, and management efforts.

UWEC Student Office of Sustainability • 715-836-

GO green 4646 • stusen65@uwec.edu • www.uwec.edu The Student Office of Sustainability is a Student Senate commission responsible for allocation of the green fund. The green fund is comprised of student segregated fees for the purpose of improving sustainability at UW-Eau Claire.

UWEC Watershed Institute for Collaborative Environmental Studies • 715-836-4175 • boulteje@uwec.

edu • www.uwec.edu/watershed/index.htm The mission of WICES is to unite the efforts and expertise of faculty, staff and students across disciplines, enhancing the strong liberal arts experience offered at UWEau Claire by fostering interdisciplinary education, scholarship and community outreach. Its core goal is for UW-Eau Claire students to develop an increased environmental awareness, vital ecological literacy, a commitment to conservation and sustainability, and a respectful, appreciative, and ethically intentional relationship between human society and the natural world

in the Lower Chippewa River Watershed and beyond.

Wisconsin Bike Fed 715-955-4596 • matt.andrews@

wisconsinbikefed.org • www.wisconsinbikefed.org The Wisconsin Bike Fed, celebrating 25 years of bicycle advocacy in 2013, is a statewide organization representing thousands of members across Wisconsin and has staff based in Eau Claire. Its mission is to inspire, motivate, and unite a strong community of civic, business and political leaders, motorists and bicyclists to move bicycling forward in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Green Building Alliance • 414-224-9422 • info@wgba.org • wgba.org This organization’s mission is to promote ecologically sustainable development practices and provides resources such as an annual conference, educational forums and site visits to demonstration projects.

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters - Eau Claire • 715-225-3344 • info@conservationvoters.org

air filtration for energy efficiency. The audits usually • www.conservationvoters.org A nonprofit, nonparcost $300, but are for a limited time offered for $45, tisan organization dedicated to electing conservation and the inspections are done by Focus on Enleaders, holding decision makers accountable ergy program professionals. Last year this and encouraging lawmakers to champion was offered to the City of Eau Claire and conservation policies that effectively more than 1,300 people participated. protect Wisconsin’s public health and s g n This year it is for those in… natural resources. listi

Programs Energy Audits • xcelenergy.com Xcel

e at Mor ent t n o c rg/ and ne.o O e m Volu n Gree

Energy offers a Community Conservation Program in which small businesses and area residents can audit buildings to check heating, air conditioning, lighting, windows, doors, and

Energy Service Corps • feneislm@

gmail.com • energyservicecorps.org/ schedule The Eau Claire chapter of Energy Service Corps’ mission is to educate the Eau Claire community on ways they can increase the energy efficiency of their homes and save money on monthly bills. Two Energy Service Corps members will arrive at your house at a scheduled time to look at how energy is being used in your home and recommend ways to make your home more efficient. Takes 30-60 mins.

UPCOMINGGREENEVENTS Community Days at the Forest St. Community Gardens Second, Fourth Saturdays until Aug. 24, noon-

2pm • Forest St. Community Gardens, Eau Claire • Learn about the history of the Forest Street gardens on a tour, participate in current volunteer projects, bring the little ones for kid-friendly garden activities, or talk with an Eau Claire Area Master Gardener or Garden Member. Activities will vary each month.

Eau Claire USGBC Webinar: A Study of Turning Existing Buildings into Smart Buildings Jul. 26,

noon-1:30pm • register at www.wgba.shuttlepod.org/ USGBCWebinars; SDS Architects, 7 S. Dewey St., Eau Claire • $15, $10 WI Green Building Alliance members • www.sdsarch.com USGBC’s vision of green buildings for everyone depends on accessible, quality education that ensures professionals throughout the industry are highly trained and knowledgeable. The Wisconsin Green Building Alliance is offering USGBC’s online LEED and green building education with our new Webinar Subscription.

Simply Green Jul. 29-Aug. 1, 10am-12:30pm (Grades K-2) and 1:30-4pm (Grades 3-5) • Register with the Eau Claire Parks & Recreation Department, 915 Menomonie St., Eau Claire • $35 (resident discounted fee: $5) • grades K-5 • 715-839-5032 • www.eauclairewi.gov/pr Kids meet in neighborhood parks to learn about nature, the earth, wind, sun and water.

Chippewa Valley Sustainable Future Festival Aug.

10, 9am • Eau Claire County Expo Center, 5530 Fairview Drive, Eau Claire • (262) 951-6115, (715) 8395084 • www.sustainablefuturefest.com The Chippewa Valley Sustainable Future Festival focuses on educating people about creating a more sustainable lifestyle through workshops and speakers. This event is free and open to the public.

USGBC Webinar: Closing the Gaps between Design, Construction, Operations & Maintaintenance Aug.

23, noon-1:30pm • Webinar; register at www.wgba. shuttlepod.org/USGBCWebinars • SDS Architects, 7 S. Dewey St., Eau Claire • $10 for WGBA Members, $15 for Non-Members • 715-832-1605 Register online.

Presented by SDS Architects.

Green LifeXpo Energy Exposition Aug. 24 • Milt Lunda Memorial Arena, Jackson County Fair Park, River Falls • www.GreenLifeXpo.com • Find us on Facebook Learn about renewable/alternative energy, recycling, conservation, and sustainable living with exhibits, tours, speakers, prizes, food, and workshops for kids.

2013 Downtown Menomonie Cleanup Aug. 26,

5-7pm • Visitor Center, 342 E. Main St., Menomonie • (715) 235-2666 • www.mainstreetmenomonie.org Meet in front of the Visitors Center on Main Street plastic gloves, garbage bags and some small brooms provided. Feel free to bring garden gloves or any other tools.

2013 Eau Claire County Clean Sweep Sep. 14, 8amnoon; Nov. 9, 8am-noon • WRR Environmental Services in Eau Claire, located at 5200 Ryder Road, about 1/4 mile south of Interstate 94 • www.co.eau-claire. wi.us Clean Sweep is an annual program sponsored

by Eau Claire County for the safe disposal of hazardous household wastes generated in resident’s homes.

Check website for a list of materials accepted at nocharge, materials accepted for a fee, and materials not accepted.

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