Tag Archives: Earth Day

Learn about recycling, reducing waste in honor of Earth Day

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By Steve Faber
Kent County Department of Public Works

Kent County’s Waste-to-Energy facility. (Courtesy, Kent County Department of Public Works)

The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) is encouraging residents to learn more about recycling and reducing waste this Earth Day.

The DPW offers a variety of educational opportunities year-round so the entire community can learn how they can help the DPW achieve its ambitious goal of reducing landfilled waste by 90% by 2030.

“A great way to celebrate Earth Day is to learn how to reduce waste and create a cleaner environment for all, and our educational programming is perfect for people of all ages,” said Katelyn Kikstra, waste reduction educator at the DPW. “We’re proud to offer programming year-round so our community can be informed about where local waste goes and to generate excitement about recycling and renewable energy.”

Members of the public can tour the Kent County Recycling and Education Center and other DPW facilities and learn how Kent County’s recycling program works and what can be recycled. Guided group tours are available for groups larger than five participants to learn the ins and outs of recycling and watch machines and workers sort recyclables. For individuals or groups smaller than five, self-guided tours are available during recycling center open hours along with museum-style exhibits that explain the recycling process. The Recycling and Education Center offers open hours each Monday from 9 a.m.-noon.

“Earth Day serves as a great reminder to take advantage of our self-guided tours during open hours, or to reach out and schedule a guided tour in the coming months,” Kikstra said.

Residents can also learn about renewable energy and natural resources through a visit to the Kent County Waste-to-Energy facility, which processes up to 625 tons of municipal solid waste per day and converts it into steam through incineration in specially designed furnaces. The steam then goes through a generator to create electricity, which is used in-house or sold to an electricity supplier to be used in Kent County’s homes and businesses.

A bus tour of the South Kent landfill will educate attendees on personal decision-making regarding waste, landfill basics and renewable energy. Attendees will learn what everyone can do differently to help reduce landfill waste and create a better environment.

A full list of the DPW’s educational offerings can be found online. The DPW also released a spring-cleaning guide to help identify common household materials accepted at its facilities.

The Kent County Department of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste through various facilities and programs, including Waste-to-Energy, the Recycling and Education Center, North Kent Transfer Station and South Kent Landfill.

Earth Day event brings more than 80 people to help clean-up Wyoming parks

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Despite almost snow-like conditions, that lasted for only a few minutes, more than 80 people turned out for the city’s first park clean up in celebration of Earth Day.

Held on April 22 — the day set aside to celebrate Earth Day — area residents and community groups were encouraged to help clean up the city’s parks with this year’s focus being on Pinery Park, the Wyoming Senior Center, and Lamar Park.

Wyoming residents the Dean family, from left Mana, Marguita and Airrow,

Wyoming Recreation Supervisor Krashawn Martin said the city was pleased with the turnout and plans to make the park clean-up an annual event.

“We want to keep these places beautified and wonderful for all of us to enjoy,” Martin said.

Wyoming resident Marguita Dean and her family, Mana and Airrow, came out because they wanted to give back to their community, she said.

“We came because this is our park,” Marguita Dean said. “We use Pinery Park quite a bit and wanted to do something to help keep our park clean.”

The event also served as a kick off to the city’s Adopt-a-Park program. Throughout the summer, residents and community groups have the opportunity to help beautify and maintain the city parks. To get involved in the Adopt-a-Parks program, contact the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164.

Snapshots: Wyoming, Kentwood news you ought to know — weekend edition

3-bottom, Beer, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Local Business, Pets/Animals, Upcoming Events, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff

victoria@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Beer’s intellectual. What a shame so many idiots drink it.”

~ Ray Bradbury

Never fear, here’s more beer

Hopslam behind-the-scenes tour (photo supplied)

Because it’s never enough. Pike 51 Brewing Co. and Hudsonville Winery will host their annual IPA Daze festival at 3768 Chicago Drive, in Hudsonville, on Saturday, April 20. There will be live music and a special “Stogies and Stouts” event with a cigar rolling demonstration. And 25 wine choices, five wine slushy flavors, traditional hard cider as well as “cyser” and mead. Go here for the story. But, wait. There’s more! Watch out for next weekend when New Holland Brewing Company releases Dragon’s Milk Triple Mash (last released in 2017). The bourbon barrel-aged stout will be available—in Michigan only— starting Saturday, April 27.

Apathy gets expensive

Photo by Steven Depolo

Michigan’s U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D) will host a summit at Michigan State University on Earth Day to examine the rising costs to taxpayers from extreme weather and climate change. The event, scheduled for Monday. April 22, at 10:30am, in East Lansing, is open to the public and will be streamed live on Facebook. Read more here.

This will make you itch

Unhatched nit (just what you wanted to see, right?)

Nobody likes ’em, so why do they exist? We’ll leave that for you to ponder, but meanwhile, did you know that head lice are common among children ages 3 to 11? It’s true. They can live on all types of hair—straight, curly, dyed or natural. They are most frequently found on girls and are more prevalent among Caucasian children. YIKES. Here are some tips for getting rid of the little buggers. The lice, that is. Go here for the story.


Fun fact:

7 to 10 days

That’s the time it takes for a nit to hatch after a head louse lays an egg. After hatching, the head louse will require 7 to 10 days before becoming a fully grown louse. Besides the head, they can also be found on eyebrows and eyelashes. So, now you know.

Hello there, handsome! Hey, check out those claws.




Kent County Schools Go Green for Earth Day

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Twenty-eight schools across Kent County have been awarded with Michigan Green School certification in anticipation of Earth Day, celebrated April 22 each year. The schools participated in activities to learn about environmental topics, act on what they learned by doing service projects and share what they learned through outreach to their community and peers. 

 

After completing a list of activities covering topics like recycling, energy, environmental protection, or other environmental actions that suited the interests of the students, the schools submitted their applications to their Green Schools Coordinator, Kent County Department of Public Works Resource Recovery Specialist Lauren Westerman. To be considered a Michigan Green School, an achievement recognized by Governor Snyder and the Michigan Legislature through Public Act 301 of 2010, schools completed ten to twenty different activities relating to environmental studies. Based on the number of activities they complete, the schools are eligible for three different levels of Green School certification: Green, Emerald or, the top award, Evergreen. 

 

“These twenty-eight schools brought sustainability conversations into the classroom in really creative ways,” said Westerman. “From writing letters to President Trump to implementing a school uniform reuse room to adopting endangered species and taking a field trip to the Kent County Recycling Center, these schools have really invested me and energy into teaching the value of sustainability.” 

 

Schools that achieved Michigan Green School certification from Kent County include:

 

Evergreen School (completed at least 20 activities) 

Ada Vista Elementary, Ada
Cherry Creek Elementary, Lowell
City High Middle School and the Center for Economicology, Grand Rapids Emmons Lake Elementary, Caledonia
Grandville High School, Grandville
Highlands Middle School, Grand Rapids
Holy Trinity Catholic School, Comstock Park
Ke le Lake Elementary, Alto
New Branches Charter Academy, Grand Rapids
Northview Crossroads Middle School, Grand Rapids
Parkside Elementary, Rockford 

 

Emerald School (completed at least 15 activities) 

CA Frost Elementary Environmental Science Academy, Grand Rapids Congress Elementary, Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Montessori Public School, Grand Rapids
Grand View Elementary, Grandville
Meadow Brook Elementary, Grand Rapids
Murray Lake Elementary, Lowell
West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science, Grand Rapids 

 

Green School (completed at least 10 ac vi es) 

Bushnell Elementary, Lowell
Caledonia Elementary, Caledonia
Cedar Springs High School, Cedar Springs Cedar Springs Middle School, Cedar Springs Dutton Elementary, Caledonia
Forest Hills Central Middle School, Ada Forest Hills Eastern Middle School, Ada
Lee Elementary, Middleville
Lowell High School, Lowell
Paris Ridge Elementary, Caledonia 

 

Kent County Department of Public Works is the local county coordinator for the statewide Michigan Green Schools program, a non-pro t agency dedicated to assisting all Michigan schools to achieve environmental goals including protecting air, land, water and animals through good ecological practices and the teaching of environmental stewardship. The program started in 2005 as an idea of students and teachers at a school in Howell, Michigan and has grown to include more than 650 Michigan schools in 2016. 

Celebrate the Earth with Blandford’s annual FREE Earth Day Celebration!

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By Blandford Nature Center

 

Sunday, April 22nd marks nearly 50 years since the first-ever Earth Day around the world, highlighting the importance of caring for our home planet through environmental activism. Commemorate the occasion during our annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 21st from 12-3 pm at Blandford Nature Center located at 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids MI 49504. It is also the 50th Anniversary of Blandford Nature Center — what better way to rejoice at 50 years of getting people outdoors than with FREE general admission in the Mary Jane Dockeray Visitor Center.

 

In addition to free admission for the entire day, visitors will have the opportunity to explore all of the trails and check out the wildlife ambassadors, such as Baby the Barred Owl and Opal the Opossum in the Wildlife Education Center. Guests can take interpretive tours of the historical buildings including the one-room schoolhouse and log cabin or even partake in volunteer opportunities during an AM shift from 9 am to 12 pm and a PM shift from 1-3 pm. There will also be booths and vendors on-site from community organizations with a plethora of games and activities for families to participate in.

 

Photo courtesy Blandford Nature Center

“Earth Day is a chance to show the community all that Blandford has to offer for free while showing our appreciation for the Earth through stewardship,” said Renee Baker, Community Programs Manager.

 

There will also be booths and vendors on-site from community organizations with a plethora of games and activities for families to participate in.

 

The event is open to the public with free admission for all ages. Tickets and pre-registration are not required for entry. Please go to blandfordnaturecenter.org/event/earth-day-celebration/ for details.

 

Blandford Nature Center’s mission is to engage and empower our community through enriching experiences in nature. This is accomplished through: an active outdoor environmental lab, a team of passionate, knowledgeable people and a strong link from past to future promoting sustainability. Blandford offers a wide variety of educational and community programs to support this mission. For more information, please visit www.blandfordnaturecenter.org. Blandford Nature Center is a registered, charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

City of Wyoming’s 2017 Community Clean Up Day a resounding success

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This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

By Victoria Mullen

 

Well, the stats are in from the big Earth Day event at the 2017 Community Clean Up Day in the City of Wyoming and they are nothing short of amazing. Wyoming residents showed up in droves — the stats speak for themselves:

  • Approximately 400 vehicles went through the site
  • 15,000 pounds of electronics recycling — including 140 Tube TVs — were collected
  • 5,096 pounds of household hazardous waste was dropped off
  • 4,400 pounds of metal were recycled
  • 43 dumpsters were filled and
  • 60 tons of refuse hauled away by Plummer’s Disposal

Five Godwin and Lee High School students pitched in, and so did nine family and friends of City of Wyoming employees. And 44 City of Wyoming employees were on hand to make sure the big Earth Day event was a success.

 

The City of Wyoming once again answers the urge to purge with its Community Clean-Up Day

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, , , , ,

Residents unload trash into the dumpsters during last year’s Wyoming Community Clean-Up Day.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Neighbors helping neighbors. Parishioners loading up trucks. Friends helping seniors move items. These are the stories City Treasurer Nancy Stoddard collected from last year’s Wyoming Community Clean-Up Day. Stories she hopes to see repeated at this year’s event set for Saturday, April 22.

 

“We have the same goal we had last year when we put together the Community Clean Up Day,” said Stoddard, who is is part of the Looks Good Committee, one of three strategic planning committees made up of city employees. “That was to reduce blight in the City of Wyoming as well as beautifying the neighborhood. So we are excited to bring this event back to the community again, right on Earth Day.”

 

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a new location, North Godwin Elementary School located at 161 34th St. SW.

 

“When we first came up with this plan for these community clean ups, we looked at areas of the city that had a particular amount of complaints regarding the improper disposal of refuse and in doing so there are three areas that started to standout in the city,” Stoddard said. “So we are trying to do a clean up in each of those three areas. So this year we have switched it to that North Godwin area.”

 

Entrance to the site will be from the northbound land of Buchanan from 34th Street to the south driveway of the school. Southbound Buchanan traffic will not be permitted to turn left into the site. Traffic will exit from the site to northbound Buchanan only.

 

Stoddard noted that residents living in the area have been notified that Opal and Reiser streets will be closed on 34th Street along with the west end of 34th Street to Buchanan during the event. Residents are encouraged to enter and exit the area via Division Avenue.

 

The set up is similar to last year. Residents must bring a proof of residency or if the person is a property owner, a utility bill showing that, to enter. Upon entering, household hazardous waste and items for recycling will be collected by Kent County (for what is accepted in hazardous waste and recycling, visit the Recycle Kent website), and Salvation Army will be collecting gently-used items (for a list of accepted items, visit the Salvation Army website). The north end will have eight refuse bins from Plummer. The number of refuse bins was doubled from last year due to demand.

 

“We were ecstatic with the turnout [from last year],” Stoddard said. “Three-hundred thirty-six vehicles came through the lot that day. Fifty-one point four tons of garbage, refuse were removed from the city at that one six-hour event.”

 

There will be a charge for mattresses and box springs, $15 each, and tires, which must be cut in half, will be $10.

 

Many of the city’s employees will be volunteering their time again at this year’s event. Also, high school students may use the event toward their required community service hours needed to graduate. To do so, high students need to fill out a form with the city by 5 p.m. Monday, April 17.

 

Also, the Wyoming Public Service Center Yard Waste Drop-Off site, located at 2660 Burlingame Ave. SW, will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are no limits to the size of branches or shrubs, however, residents must unload the yard waste themselves and all containers must be removed from the facility.

 

For more information, visit the city’s website or call the treasurer’s office at 530-7284.

Blandford Nature Center to host grand opening of new Visitor Center on April 22

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, ,

 

By Katelyn Nettler, Blandford Nature Center

 

Earth Day 2017 will be a special day of celebration for Blandford Nature Center. On Saturday, April 22, Blandford will host the grand opening of the new Mary Jane Dockeray Visitor Center. All are welcome and the event is free.

 

Blandford Nature Center’s founder, Dr. Mary Jane Dockeray, recently celebrated her 90th birthday with a small party in the new auditorium.

 

“It’s just amazing how far we’ve come. I would have never imagined,” said Dockeray. “Blandford has always been an important part of Grand Rapids, but now we’re really blossoming! I can’t wait to see what’s next!”

 

The 11,000-square-foot, LEED-certified visitor center provides an open and welcoming lobby complete with stone fireplace, a large auditorium, an outdoor amphitheater, and an upgraded Wildlife Education Center that houses Blandford’s “Wildlife Ambassadors.” Many of the wood decorative features came from trees that were harvested as part of the construction process.

 

“When people see our new building, some are surprised that there aren’t more displays like you would typically see at a museum or old-style nature center,” stated Jennifer Brown, Blandford’s Director of Programs and Services. “That’s intentional. As a nature center that looks forward, we recognize that our visitors spend enough time indoors. We encourage our visitors to find more exciting things outdoors.”

 

The Mary Jane Dockeray Visitor Center at Blandford Nature Center

Dockeray and Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss are scheduled to give remarks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:30 p.m., and the grand opening itself will run from 1 to 3 p.m. Tours of the new facility will be available.

 

Along with Blandford, representatives from 13 other local environmental organizations that together make the Grand Rapids Conservation Collective are scheduled to attend the grand opening celebration. The Collective, which is a semi-annual gathering of like-minded organizations, showcases the work being done across the community on behalf of the environment. Organizations will have materials and activities that demonstrate the role they play in the larger conservation movement in West Michigan.

 

“We appreciate the support of everyone who has made this project possible. From our volunteers to our donors to our community partners, their help has made this a dream come true,” said Jason Meyer, President and CEO of Blandford.

 

Meyer said Blandford is continuing work on the original visitor center that is slated to be named the Peter M. Wege Environmental Education Center.

 

Supporters of the project include the Wege Foundation, the Meijer Foundation, Mary Jane Dockeray, and over 450 other donors from around the world.

 

About Blandford Nature Center:
Blandford Nature Center’s mission is to engage and empower our community through enriching experiences in nature. We envision a thriving, diverse community that supports a healthy, natural world. This is accomplished through: an active outdoor environmental lab, a team of passionate, knowledgeable people, and a strong link from past to future promoting sustainability. Blandford offers a wide variety of educational and community programs to support this mission. For more information, please visit www.blandfordnaturecenter.org. Blandford Nature Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

It doesn’t have to be a hassle: Recycling Technology

3-bottom, Non-Profits, Recycling, Tech Trends, , , , ,

Recycling Technology

By: Deidre Doezma-Burkholder

 

Earth Day is a day we are supposed to take time to take care of this planet we call home. We live here, and just like no one likes a messy house, a messy earth isn’t something fun to be in. I always try to do my part… I recycle, a lot. My recycling bin is nearly always filled to the brim by the time collection day comes. I donate clothes that are still in good condition but no longer fit my current styles. I even recycle my egg cartons to a neighbor that has several laying hens!

 

However, even I can get lazy with recycling, especially when it comes to technology. Technology feels like a little more effort needs to be put forth. Most of our technology goods can be recycled… but where? How? Ugh, I’ll just deal with it later.

 

ComprenewWell my friends, later is now! This year is the year that we clean up our technology that we have cast aside. Let’s start with Comprenew.

 

Comprenew is a company headquartered in Grand Rapids that has over 20 recycle drop-off locations throughout Michigan, including four refurbished electronic retail stores. The revenue generated goes directly back into the community by funding Comprenew’s educational and workforce development programs.

 

On Earth Day, Friday, April 22, Comprenew will be in downtown Grand Rapids along Monroe Center in front of Rosa Parks Circle collecting CRT’s, for certified recycling. Residents can drop off unwanted CRTs, for a small fee, from 8am to 2pm.

 

Best Buy has a large recycling program with a goal of recycling 2 billion pounds of electronics – from batteries, cameras, appliances, and even your phone – by 2020.

 

Looking to upgrade your phone? Best Buy and certain cellular providers offer trade-in value for you phone.

 

Have an iPhone that is past its prime? Check out what Apple is doing with old phones they are getting back. Liam was recently introduced to the world and this is a pretty cool recovery robot. Speaking of Apple, through April 24 Apple is donating 100% of the proceeds from participating apps and in-app purchases to help support WWF.

 

Kent County Recycling Facility
Kent County Recycling Facility

Lastly, if you really want to see the tech behind recycling, make sure to schedule a trip to our own Recycling Facility. Kent County allows scheduled tours of their three facilities to help educate kids on what happens after the recycling truck stops by.

 

With all this great, new technology coming at us faster each and every year, it’s important to recycle the old once we’ve moved on to the new. Recycle today for a longer tomorrow.

 

Deidre owns and operates Organisum: Technology Services, a business serving the West Michigan area. In her free time she likes to hike & bike local trails with friends and family when she isn’t pinning, instagram’ing or Netflix’ing.