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Updated September 24, 2007
Co-Chairs: Rose Lerer & Ami Hughes
Report from the Mass Interfaith Power and Light Energy Audit (February, 2007)
Are you planning a home improvement project? Use green-friendly materials. For a deck, consider using Trex building material instead of lumber. According to the manufacturer, Trex is made primarily with recycled plastic grocery bags, reclaimed pallet wrap and waste wood. It contains no toxic chemicals and combines the best features of wood and plastic.
Suggestions for a Green Sanctuary
from the Earth Day Service, April 24, 2004
Items in [ ] are transcriber’s notes.
Recycling or Reduction
-E-mail newsletter to those who prefer that to a paper copy (5). [Assume that this meant Shooting Star but one person mentioned the Satellite. Of these, 1 person said "no newsletter mailed—only e-mail. Some disagreement on this."]
-Post the order of worship on the wall/white board/easel (3)
-More systematic recycling
-Study Xerox usage
-Use recycled paper (3)
-Recycle paper (4)
-Recycle [no specifics] (8)
-Recycle the trash
-Compost kitchen waste, coffee grounds, yard debris (7)
-Investigate why town won’t pick up recycling
-Use cloth bags for shopping
Energy Practices
-Energy survey to determine energy use and abuse
-Get a (free) church building energy audit by the power company
-change to energy saving light bulbs (7)
-use sensor activated lights in the bath rooms/church (2)
-lights off on bright days in sanctuary (3)
-Turning lights off when not in use (4)
-Turn the temperature down (7)
-Window and door weatherstripping
-Use electricity less
-Use less water (3)
-Low flow toilets
-Use energy efficient heating (2)
Landscaping Practices
-New native landscaping ideas—no lawns!
-Plant grass that grows slower so you can mow less, thereby conserving gasoline
-Rain barrels to collect water to water lawns
-No fertilizers on lawn (organic cow manure ok)
-Use less pesticides
Planting
-Plant flowers or trees (13)
-Don’t cut down trees
-Preserve precious plants and animals
-For cleaner air, bring house plants to church
Litter Control
-Pick up litter around church or along highways (12)
Kitchen
-Dedicate ourselves to the use of washable dishes—not paper or plastic (5)
-Instruct custodial and kitchen help to use environmentally friendly cleaning products (4)
-Freeze breakfast grease instead of dumping outside
Facilities Capital Issues
-Use "green" products in new projects to provide handicapped access bldg to bathrooms and sanctuary (2)
-Solar power panel (2)
-Use ceiling fans to distribute heat
-Paint church
-Get the oil tank out (3)
-Create an outdoor play area by the church after dealing with the old oil tank
Personal Transportation
-Walk, bike, or carpool to church or other places more often (10)
-Drive fuel efficient cars
-Encourage use of hybrids by giving people with hybrids reserved parking spaces
-Fuel cells
-Combine errands into one trip
-Turn off your engine when you park
Responsible Consumerism
-Use cloth diapers
-Buy gently worn clothes rather than new
-Buy local
-Buy less (2)
-Eat leftovers
-Vacation at green localities
-Become consumer aware of purchases
-Use organic food and drinks (5)
Miscellaneous
-Invest in green/socially conscious companies/periodically review (2)
-Have a reused/recycled art show
-Environmental classes in school
-Clean up the sanctuary after service
-Use your handkerchiefs in place of napkins and paper towels
-Cremate us
-Put some fruit around the church for animals
-Don’t pollute the air
-Don’t smoke cigarettes
-Collection for Sierra club
-Cycle of life is thru investment in replenishing
-Throw away curtains behind minister. Let in more light and lower heat bill.
-Model for future generations. Ex.: recycling, plant, care of earth, enjoy nature, take care of earth
-We could all go outside and have a nice nap instead of having Sunday service
-Add more green to offering plates
-Don’t shave before church—we’re all friends here