The End of Waste forum. RSVP deadline TODAY!

Here's the info on the EPR event mentioned at last night's EcoParents meeting. Deadline to RSVP is TODAY!!

Public Forum: The End of Waste
Saturday, October 3, 2009 7-9 p.m.
Macalester College, Smail Gallery (Olin-Rice Science Center)

"On Saturday October 3, Helen Spiegelman, a community activist and waste policy
analyst from Vancouver, British Columbia, will speak about the concept of Extended
Producer Responsibility (EPR). EPR is a critical component of the Zero Waste
movement that is revolutionizing waste policy by shifting the focus from waste management
to waste prevention. British Columbia has the most advanced EPR legislation
in North America, but their experience highlights the importance of full community
engagement if EPR is to achieve its potential. She and a panel of experienced community
activists will explore how citizens can effectively engage in the shift to EPR
and create a Zero Waste future."

PANELISTS:
• Helen Spiegelman, Product Policy Institute & Zero Waste Vancouver
• Susan Hubbard, Eureka Recycling
• Lynne Pledger, Don’t Waste Massachusetts
• Tim Smith, Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise, Institute on the Environment
• Kathleen Schuler, Healthy Legacy Coalition & Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

Macalester College, Smail Gallery, Olin-Rice Science Center, 1600 Grand Avenue

*Please RSVP by September 30* to Jim Parker at jimp@eurekarecycling.org or 651-222-7678.

Learn more about producer responsibility in the Twin Cities at www.eurekarecycling.org.

Reminder: EcoParents Tomorrow Night (Tuesday)

Just a reminder:

Non-toxic Home Cleaning
Tuesday, Sept 29
6:30-8:30 pm
Linden Hills Park Building (43rd & Xerxes)

Bring a small lidded container if you want to make your own nontoxic soft scrub cleaner. We'll have all the ingredients available!

TWO GIFT BASKETS FOR GIVEAWAY

• Bucketful of Mrs. Meyers/Clean Day Nontoxic Products
• Linden Hills Natural Home - supplies for making your own cleaning products!

Hope to see you there!

Ordering sustainable seafood with confidence!

Last week, I had the good fortune of going out for a birthday dinner at Sea Change, the new restaurant at the Guthrie Theater, in the former Cue space. While this is not intended to be a restaurant review blog, I have to say that it was very very good! The design of the space is much brighter, more hip, and not as loud as when it was Cue. But the best part was being able to freely pick from the menu, knowing that the seafood on the menu was sustainably caught. I have always loved seafood...raw or cooked! But it has always been tricky to know what was ok to eat, both for environmental and health concerns, and what should be avoided.

Now...a restaurant that does the thinking for me! And nothing is sacrificed in terms of fine dining experience in exchange for being eco-friendly!

Of course, Sea Change is not the first nor only restaurant with a comitment to local or sustainable sourcing of its food. Lucia's, Spoonriver, Red Stag Supper Club, and many more are examples of other local fine dining establishments with such a focus, but Sea Change is (one of) the first such seafood places!

I ordered sturgeon, which I hadn't ordered in a long time because I thought it was a 'no-no'...and it was delicious!

Two other options for checking on your seafood choices when you're dining out (date night or Mom's Night Out):

• The Seafood Watch Guide from Monterey Bay Aquarium is available as a downloadable pocket guide to carry in your wallet, or a mobile application for iPhone or iPod touch! How cool is that?
• FishPhone from the Blue Ocean Institute will provide you with instant information about a seafood choice. Simply text "FISH" and the name of the fish in question to 30664 and they will text you back with their assessment and better alternatives to fish with significant environmental concerns! Blue Ocean’s Guide to Ocean Friendly Seafood is also available for online and for mobile users (different sites).

If you buy fish to eat at home, look for label from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). This international nonprofit organization uses independent certifying agencies to make sure fisheries are catching their fish in the most environmentally friendly way possible. The label now appears on more than 180 frozen, fresh, and smoked-fish products sold in grocery stores across the country, including Whole Foods and Target.

Organics Recycling Volunteer Opportunity at Lake Harriet Lower Campus

As you may know, Lake Harriet Community School's upper campus started organics recycling in the cafeteria last year. This year, they are planning to expand the program to the lower campus cafeteria. They are looking for volunteers to help the kids learn to separate organics from the rest of their lunch trash.

The time commitment is two lunch periods (11:15-1:35) per month.

If you can help, please contact Keren Price (kprice@pro-ns.net).

This is a fun and easy program that's a great way to encourage the next generation of recyclers!

Older SIGGs contain BPA in their liners!

In case you hadn't heard (it broke a few weeks ago when EcoParents was on vacation)...it turns out that SIGG water bottles made prior to August 2008 have BPA in the lining of the bottle! Boo. Yuck. BUT, SIGG maintains that there is no evidence that there is any leaching of BPA from the liner into the contents of the bottle. But, I for one, purchased SIGG bottles for my kids on the assumption that they were free of BPA completely.

The firestorm surround this discovery has rocked SIGG's reputation, for sure. SIGG'S CEO recently issued a letter addressing the controversy and announcing a voluntary exchange program.

Not sure if you have an 'old' SIGG bottle (with BPA in the liner) or a truly BPA-free one? Here's how to tell. Look inside your bottle,

• if the liner has a shiny, coppery-bronze finish, it's the OLD liner (on the right)
  

• if the inside has a dull yellow pale coating, it's their new "ecocare" liner (on the left)
  

Again, SIGG maintains that their old liner (used prior to August 2008) is a "proprietary water-based epoxy liner thoroughly tested and showed absolutely no leaching of BPA." But, the company also admits that it was less than forthright and clear in its communication and marketing of its bottles.

So, what to do??

• SIGG is offering a volunatary exchange program. You just have to pay for inbound shipping and SIGG will send you replacement bottles with their new EcoCare liner. (Note: they can't guarantee the exact same design, as their designs change from year-to-year.) Visit the exchange program website for details and to print off shipping labels. Exchange program is good through October 31 only.
• If you feel so burned by SIGG, there are other options for BPA-free and phalate-free reusable bottles. My understanding is that KleenKanteen, Thermos, and Safe Sporter are made from stainless steel, not aluminum, and therefore do not need a liner.
  
• There are also safe plastic options...HONEST! Check out the Safe Plastics Guide from IATP. Look for cups/bottles made from polypropylene or polyethylene. "Safe" plastics for food include #1, 2, 4 and 5. Avoid Polycarbonate, which is marked #7, although other non-polycarbonate are marked #7 as well (since #7 is 'other plastics').

On a personal note...as parents, all we can do is make the best decisions we can make with the information available at the time. If you, like me, have been using a SIGG bottle for the past few years to avoid BPA (as well as waste), I don't think it's worth beating yourself up! I actually trust SIGG when they say that the liners don't leach BPA. But, now knowing that they contain BPA, I will take advantage of the exchange program and get new BPA-free SIGG bottles for my family. (Heck, the lids needed replacing anyway...)

Southwest Light Rail Public Hearing this Thursday

Interested in hearing more about the proposed expansion of light rail to the southwest metro? The current proposal is to run from downtown to Eden Prairie, through St. Louis Park & Hopkins.

Southwest LRT Public Hearing
Thursday, September 17th 6:30pm
Eisenhower Community Center Theater
1001 Highway 7 Hopkins, MN 55305

To sign up to testify email swcorridor@co.hennepin.mn.us; sign up will also be available at the hearing. Comments will be limited to three minutes in length.

For more about the Southwest LRT project, visit www.southwesttransitway.org

Thanks to EcoParent Karen B for the heads-up on this meeting!! Post a comment with your thoughts, if you go!

Organic Bob TONIGHT - Start Next Year's Gardens Without Digging

Sorry for the late notice, but if you're free...here's a great FREE event for organic (and painless) gardening!

Start Next Year’s Gardens without Digging
Monday, September 14th, 7 – 8:30pm, Linden Hills Park Building Art Room.

Without digging, you say? Impossible! Organic Bob will give you a couple of methods of creating rich organic garden beds this fall, for next spring, without the back-breaking process of digging. Let the microbes do the work for you, for healthier soil and a healthier you.

These workshops are free, but e-mail Sharon Kennedy at lindenhillswater@gmail.com to register or with your questions. Cosponsored by the LHiNC Environment Committee Waterkeeper’s Project and the Linden Hills Co-op.

Non-toxic Home Cleaners - next EcoParents meeting!

Mark your calendars for our next EcoParents meeting!

Non-toxic Home Cleaning
Tuesday, September 29
6:30-8:30 pm
Linden Hills Park Building (43rd & Xerxes Ave S)

Come and learn from fellow EcoParent Evan all about alternatives to traditional around the house cleaners. Traditional cleaning products are typically filled with some pretty nasty chemicals. Evan will bring us a bunch of recipes that she has tested herself...along with her tips and stories!!

More info to come soon...but mark your calendar now!

We're baaaack!

Well, it's September...which means Linden Hills EcoParents is back, after taking August off. I still have the entire grant report to write, but will try to get the blog rolling again! And check back soon for updates on new meeting dates and topics.

In the meantime...mark your calendar for the next installment of the speaker series from Linden Hills Power & Light.

Tuesday, Sept 8 -Windows for your Soul
7:00 pm
2720 W 43rd Street
free for LHP&L members, $5 donation for non-members

Considering new windows? Not all replacement window products qualify for the tax credit. Learn what a "u-value" is and what Solar Heat Gain Co-efficiency (SHGC) number you need to look for. Are new windows the right solution? Old windows can perform as good as or better than new windows and even a good new window will last only 25 years or so. Come and meet our window experts, including a window restoration specialist who can show you how to fix your own windows - and how to tell if they should be replaced. Erin Hanafin Berg - Preservation Alliance.

Click here to RSVP. More information about the LHP&L Speaker Series is available here.