Awesome Event Today!

Title: ConsciousConscious Nosh: Ethical Eating
Date: Friday Jan 28
Time 6-8pm
Location: 618 S. Michigan 2nd floor (Stage Two Lobby)
Event info: Cosponsored with the Columbia Hillel, we will share a dinner and conversation about food production as it related to the environment. This dinner will take it’s structure from a Jewish tradition of having a seder (ceremonial dinner) celebrating the holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the “Holiday for the Trees,” also known as Jewish Arbor Day. This event is sponsored by the Recycling Program and Hillel's Around Chicago: Arts in the Loop.

Come Check it Oou!

Reduce Reuse Recycle and ReThink

Kennedy, Blankenship Face Off on Environmental Issues | Clean Skies

Kennedy, Blankenship Face Off on Environmental Issues | Clean Skies

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Rebates and Discounts: Cash for Appliances

Remember "cash for clunkers"? Well now there are financial incentives to upgrade to a more efficient appliance. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has collected more than $12,000,000 from federal stimulus money to provide this opportunity for Illinois residents. Retailers will offer 10-15% off Energy Star qualified appliances at point of sale and there will be an additional rebate available ranging from $50-100 for recycling the old appliance too:

This will happen in 2 phases:

1) DCEO will offer rebates on heating and cooling equipment (furnaces, central AC, heat pumps, water heaters) starting later this winter and offer the program until the funds are depleted.

2) DCEO will offer an appliance rebate campaign this spring (targeting Earth Day) lasting no more than a few weeks, offering rebates through retailers on Energy Star white goods (refrigerators, washers, dishwashers, freezers, room air conditioners), If funds are remaining, the white goods rebates may be offered for a second period, probably in the fall.

Unlike "cash for clunkers" you don't have to trade an old appliance in to qualify. What's even better? Consumers will not be required to haul their bulky old appliances to the dealer in exchange for a new one.

For more information visit Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Did you know...

Presents are wrapped to be unwrapped: According to the EPA, holiday wrapping paper is a large part of the 25% increase in waste generation between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Be creative the next time you are wrapping a gift! You can reuse gift bags, bows and event paper, but you can also make something unique by using old maps, posters, cloth or even newspaper. Flip a paper grocery bag inside out and use stamps or markers to create your own wrapping paper that's environmentally friendly and extra special for the recipient.

what we plan to do this semester

As this semester comes to an end, everyone here at the Recycling Program is busy planning events for the spring. Aside from our monthly newsletter and documentary screenings, here are some things to look forward to...

February-
-week of accountability...make sure you are recycling always, but especially during February because if you get "caught" we will reward you!

March-
-Our second sustainability swap! You bring us inconvenient recyclable items (batteries, electronics, cell phones, etc) we give you free energy saving CFLs!

April-(Earth Month!)
-ECO Fair!
-Park Clean Up
-Green Film Fest

May-
-Beach Clean UP
-Annual Dorm Donation Drive. As you move out of your dorm, donate all that clothing you just don't need anymore and someone less fortunate will benefit from your kindness!

There's lots more where this came from so check back here as well as the official Columbia College Recycling web page www.colum.edu/recycling for more info!!

Week 1: Update from Copenhagen!

Leaked Documents, protests tens of thousands strong, false promises, people fighting for their livelihoods..These are all things we have seen at the first week of the Copenhagen Climate Talks. Island Nations have banded together like never before to prove a point at this all important conference. This isn't just about economics but this is about life and death. Countries like Tuvalu remind us that they will be underwater if drastic changes aren't made. Other developing countries are losing water sources and are being devastated by an increase in natural disasters.

Stay Tuned,
Neale Baldyga