Generating renewable energy from waste is a notable trend, as climate change and waste management tops the headlines in the environmental sector. According to GE, “methane from manure is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the fluid milk value chain while also representing a largely untapped source of renewable energy.”

New York currently has 6,200 dairy farms with more than 600,000 dairy cows. Manure from about 2,500 cows can generate enough energy to power about 200 homes. However, only 10,000 of these cows are utilized in energy production.

According to Roger George, general manager of GE Energy’s gas engine business for North America, the summit’s goal is to “jumpstart” future biogas-to-energy project developments through 2020. Based on information from the summit, pilot programs similar to New York’s may be implemented across the nation.

“New York’s dairy farmers have an opportunity to tap into a new source of revenue that will simultaneously help the state increase its renewable energy production and lower its greenhouse gas emissions,” George says, referring to New York’s “45 by 15″ program.

The the state plans to receive 45 percent of its energy through energy efficiency and the production of renewable energy, including from digester biogas, by 2015.

And the savings (both environmental and monetary) could be worthwhile, according to Rick Naczi, executive vice president at Dairy Management Inc.

“We’ve estimated that this could generate $38 million in new revenue for dairy farmers around the country and offset 2 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) annually by 2020,” says Naczi. “Increased adoption of anaerobic digesters would not only expand local jobs and strengthen local economies, but move the U.S. toward creating a more sustainable food system.”

The program is funded through a $1.50 tax on all new tires sold, which also helps pay for other recycling programs. But because of a $318 million shortfall in the current budget, $2.7 million was eliminated through June 2010 and all cleanups and recycling incentives have been suspended until further notice.

One of the larger collection facilities in Hudson was recently purchased by Magnum Recycling, which will attempt to convert the stockpile into rubber powder that can be turned into new tires.

This week, the company held a media event with state legislators in attendance to unveil the renovated facility and discuss its plans.

Another site, Colorado Tire Recycling (CTR), recently announced it has partnered to convert its tires into fuel and supply the fuel to Novo Energies Corp. CTR collects more than 12,000 tons of tires each year, but the state generates an estimated 4 to 5 million tires annually.

The fear is that those facilities that relied on state funding will begin stockpiling tires without actually recycling them, since it can cost more to generate crumb rubber from the tires than the current value of the material.

Colorado is not the only state where an environmental program was cut due to budget shortfalls. In Wisconsin, the Clean Sweep program that collected hazardous waste from 40 communities went under in March because its grant was removed. The University of Arizona lost its composting program in August due to state budget cuts as well.

One popular option is compost, as pumpkins are considered organic waste like any other fruit or vegetable.

First, remove any candles or non-organic decorations, as well as any remaining seeds so you won’t start growing new pumpkins in the pile.

But what if you don’t have access to a compost bin in your backyard? In Bluemont, Va., the week after Halloween is Pumpkin Chunkin’ time at Great Country Farms.

Residents can bring in a pumpkin to be smashed or dropped from various heights, and you can even smash it yourself. This year’s Pumpkin Chunkin’ lasts from Nov. 1-8.

In Mundelein Park, Ill., the laws of physics participate in the composting process. The District held its second annual Pumpkin Drop on Sunday, where anyone can roll their pumpkins down a hill and let it break apart at the bottom. Any remaining pumpkin pieces are then smashed and turned to compost.

While you may not have access to a unique pumpkin disposal event, it’s likely you’ll be able to find a yard waste facility nearby that accepts them.

On Oct. 29, U.S. and Mexican officials announced that more than $10.8 million in grant funds will be used to implement environmental initiatives on the border at Rincon reservation of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians in Valley Center, San Diego County, Calif.

According to the EPA, the funding will go toward the removal of 4 million abandoned tires, the cleaning up of 2,500 tons of hazardous waste, water sanitation, improved air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions from diesel trucks operating along the border.

“We need to pay attention to mutual issues of air and water contamination, drought, disease, terrorism, natural disasters and resource depletion,” said Bo Mazzetti, chairman of the Rincon Band. “These environmental problems do not recognize arbitrary national border jurisdictions, and neither should we.”

Dubbed the Border 2012 U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program, it will cover the environment and public health for 10 states on both sides of the 2,000-mile border.

“As partners, the U.S. and Mexico continue to face tough environmental issues along the ever-growing border area,” said Laura Yoshii, regional administrator for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “Our joint efforts have led to significant progress in improving the environment and quality of life for the U.S., Mexican and tribal communities of the region, and we look forward to even greater successes in the future.”

As November kicks off, football season is in full swing as NFL stadiums average nearly 100,000 fans at each game. While that’s a lot of hot dog buns and foam fingers, it also adds up to a lot of waste. And although more stadiums offer recycling, most of us don’t bring our party waste into the game for disposal.

So, let’s pull down the truck tailgate, fire up the grill, play our fight song and keep an eco-conscious head on our shoulders. Here are six ways to green your tailgate without skipping out on the fun:

1. Don’t Dwell on Disposable

The truth is, you’re probably not going to bring a complete china set to your tailgate. While disposable seems inevitable, you can make smarter purchases.

Preserve tableware is made from a thicker resin of plastic that allows multiple uses. Also, Preserve’s products are made from 100 percent recycled polypropylene (plastic #5 or PP).

Plastic #5 is a plastic that is not as widely accepted in curbside recycling programs as other resins like PET (plastic #1), so it’s a great use of a hard-to-recycle plastic.

Solo Cup Company has a line of products made entirely of post-consumer recycled PET. Bare by Solo cups are made from about 20 percent recycled PET, providing a market for the billions of pounds of plastic bottles that Americans recycle annually.

2. Get Crafty With Tablecloths and T-shirts

How many T-shirts do you own with your team’s logo splashed across the front? Now think about how many of these you actually wear. Chances are there are a few stuffed in the back of the drawer, victims of your dryer’s infamous shrinking abilities. But don’t throw away these little gems. After all, you probably have great memories wearing them.

Create a funky tablecloth for your next tailgate using your old T-shirts and clothing with your team’s colors. You will need a sewing machine (or a love for hand-sewing) for this one. Up the ante even more by adding in other sports teams for different seasons (we’re talking to you Jets/Mets fans!).

Don’t have a sewing machine? Cut up your clothes to make cool, reusable napkins for your tailgate. All you’ll need is a pair of scissors.

3. The Great Debate Solved: Charcoal vs. Propane Grills

Before diving into this one, we want to point out that we are not trying to step on any grillmaster’s toes. The debate between charcoal and propane is a tough one: Which one produces more flavor? Which is cheaper, faster? And most importantly, which is more eco-friendly?

We consulted a recent study by Environment Impact Assessment Review to answer this one. Drum roll, please…

According to the study, “the overwhelming factors are that as a fuel, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is dramatically more efficient than charcoal in its production and considerably more efficient in cooking.” The two grilling methods were defined by their overall footprint, with charcoal using 998 kg of CO2, almost three times more than propane, which weighed in at 349 kg.

ScienceDaily reports that as fuel, LPG is “dramatically more efficient than charcoal in its production.” When purchasing a propane tank, make sure there is a trade-in option. Most retailers will let you bring in an empty tank in exchange for a decent discount on your next tank.

4. Go Loco for Local, Obsess Over Organic

You can’t have a proper tailgate without the perfect game day snacks. This is a great opportunity to use your favorite organic recipes and seasonal fruits and veggies.

Fresh out of quick and easy organic ideas? We really like Whole Foods’ recipes, which currently features some fall favorites. You can also check out Local Harvest for the latest information on seasonal foods in your area.

But organic goes beyond your plate. Fill your cup with some fancy schmancy organic beer at your next tailgate. Brewed with organically harvested barley and hops, organic beer is said to be tastier and better for the bod. For the extra ambitious, try brewing your own beer.

We sometimes associate going local or organic with higher costs. Don’t stress the added expense. Share cool recipes with your tailgating friends and have a potluck party. Not only will you spread the healthy, eco-friendly vibe, but you will also save some serious dough…and time!

5. Use the Sun to Blast Your Tunes

What’s a tailgate without music or memorable game replays? Don’t waste your car battery by using its radio. We’ve found a cool solar-powered portable outlet. This is perfect for that iPod sound system or throwback boombox.

For hardcore fans that tailgate in the snow (hey Green Bay lovers!), sometimes a sweatshirt and blanket just isn’t enough for those all-day outdoor tailgates. While most heaters consume a lot of energy, solar-powered generators supply renewable energy and have a much lower footprint.

But be prepared to shell out up to $1,000 for one of these little guys. If that’s just not feasible for your budget, you can create your own solar-powered generator using parts you can buy at the local hardware store or online.

6. Don’t Bail on Recycling

It’s a no-brainer. One of the easiest ways to go green is to recycle your waste. So don’t leave your recycling smarts at home and be sure to put  a clearly marked bin out at your tailgate. The U.S. EPA estimates that 75 percent of our waste is recyclable, so there’s a good chance someone will have a plastic bottle or cardboard box to toss in the bin. For even more eco-cred, bring along a separate bin for composting. Check out our easy-to-use cheat sheet to get the process started.

Composting is catching on as “going green” becomes the norm, and worm composting is a great first step before you commit to a large compost pile.  But you may wonder wonder, why compost in the first place? Well, we’re glad you asked…

Composting is one of the most satisfying types of recycling based on the fact that, unlike that plastic bottles you send to the recycling plant, you can watch this recycling process every step of the way. In addition, the waste reduction impact can be huge.

In fact, the U.S. EPA estimates that each American throws away an average of 1.3 pounds of food scraps daily. The combination of this  food waste, along with yard trimmings, makes up 24 percent of our nation’s municipal solid waste stream.

Vermicomposting is simple to setup and minimal maintenance is required. Not only is it a great option for your trash bin, but it’s also a perfect way to fertilize your household and garden plants!

Sound intimidating? We thought the same thing, so we decided to “break it down” and tackle it one step at time.

What is vermicomposting?

“Vermicomposting” is using worms to decompose your organic waste. “Vermicompost” is a mixture of decomposing food, bedding and castings (worm manure). Plain and simple, when worms eat organic waste, it is excreted in the form of nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Vermicomposting is different from other compost systems because it can be done inside, requires less maintenance and space and produces more fertile soil amendments.

Back to top

What are the benefits of vermicomposting?

Just to name a few:

• Recycling kitchen food waste – Waste disposal costs are reduced and you send less to the landfill, plain and simple.
• Producing soil amendments or fertilizer – Vermicompost is much more fertile than products of other composting methods.
• Education in your backyard – Watching nature do its thing can be entertaining and fascinating – regardless of your age.

Back to top

Where can I vermicompost?

One of the greatest benefits of vermicomposting is its versatility. You can set up your bin indoors or outdoors, as long as it remains at a temperature between 40 and 80 degrees. Try to avoid overheating or freezing by keeping the bin out of direct sunlight and indoors during cold months. Some good places are kitchens, garages, patios and laundry rooms.

Establishing worm compost bins in workplaces and schools is a growing trend. Start one by setting up the bin and encouraging your co-workers or students to contribute their food waste.

Back to top

How can I get started?

Just like any recipe, the key is in the ingredients. Lucky for us this recipe is pretty simple. Your base is your bin, mix in some worms, add a splash of bedding and stir in your organic waste…viola!

Bin

You can either buy or build your worm farm. Ready-made plastic bins are available at many retailers and garden centers.

If you want to make one on your own, the best materials for vermicompost bins are wood or plastic storage boxes. Bins made of polystyrene may leach toxins into the compost. If you want to have organic vermicompost, avoid these kinds of bins.

Bins need to be between 8 and 16 inches, based on the fact that worms are surface feeders. Also, the size will vary depending on the number of people contributing waste to it. The recommend size is 2 square feet of surface area per person, or 1 square foot of surface area per pound of food waste per week.

The two main requirements for the bin are ventilation and coverage. A few small holes in the top and bottom of the bin should provide enough air. A lid is necessary to keep fruit flies and other insects and rodents from joining the worms at the compost party.

Worms

The optimum compost worm is a red worm, or red wiggler. These worms reproduce quickly and can eat more than their own weight in food each day. Note that these are not the same as the earthworms you see on the sidewalk after a rainstorm.

It is best to use 2 pounds of worms, or about 2,000 worms, for each pound of daily garbage. The average family of four generates about 7 pounds of compostable waste each week.

Many online retailers sell red worms and will deliver them to your door. Other good places to find them include:

• Fishing bait shops
• Garden centers
• Compost and manure piles (if you’re really adventurous)

Bedding

Just like humans, worms require a bed. The differences are, they prefer their bed to be moist and they eat it, rather than sleep on it. Bedding must be put down before the worms go in the bin. The most common bedding material is damp newspaper strips, but the following will also work:

• White paper
• Cardboard (with no wax coating)
• Non-glossy magazines
• Straw
• Coir (coconut husk fiber)
• Brown leaves

Contents

Once your bin is setup, it’s time to start feeding your worms. The worm-to-food ratio should be 2-to-1. Bury food at least 3 inches into the bedding, changing locations each time. But before burying it, remember that worms do not have teeth. It is much easier for them to eat if the food is blended or frozen and then thawed to be smaller and softer.

The following items can be put in the bin:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Eggshells
• Grains
• Coffee grounds
• Tea bags
• Grass clippings and other yard waste

It is not recommended to compost meats, dairy products, oily foods and bones because of problems with odors and pests. Worms also do not like onion skins or citrus, so these may be used, but should be kept to a minimum.

Many people wonder if they can compost their pet waste in a worm bin. While it should not be composted in the same bin as your food scraps, a separate vermicompost bin for animal waste would work well. Castings from this bin should not be used in food gardens, but flower gardens and perennial beds will flourish.

Back to top

What should I do if…?

If everything is balanced, your bin will be self-sustaining until you are ready to use the compost. However, if problems listed below arise, various actions may need to be taken.

My bin smells!

If working properly, a vermicompost bin will not smell, so a smelly bin can mean one of many things:

• Too much moisture
• Too little oxygen
• Too much waste

To fix these problems, try stirring the contents of your bin, adding more fresh bedding or reducing the addition of foods with high moisture content.

My worms are trying to escape!

This may signify that your worms are unhappy. There may not be enough food or moisture. But don’t fret, you need not have nightmares of worms crawling around your house. Simply put a light over the bin and maintain the conditions of the bin well. Your worms should be more than happy to stay and feast on your waste.

There are pests!

Pests are usually attracted to the smell of meat and dairy, so make sure you are not putting any of those products in your bin. Bugs are also drawn to moisture, but if fresh bedding is added to soak up any extra moisture, they will be turned off. Keep the lid closed to ward off any other pests.

Back to top

How can I collect my vermicompost?

Your newly collected compost can be used by spreading a thick layer around the base of outdoor plants. It will act as a fertilizer, seeping into the soil when watered. Mixing vermicompost with topsoil, vermiculite or perlite and coir in equal parts will make excellent potting soil.

Here’s how to collect it:

1. Move the contents of your bin to one side, filling the other with fresh bedding. Place new food scraps in the new side until the worms have migrated to the other side. Harvest your vermicompost after about a month.

2. Spread a tarp or sheet of plastic in the sun or under a bright light. Dump the contents of your worm bin into the center and separate into smaller piles. Worms are afraid of light, so they will burrow to the center of the piles, and you can remove the rings of worm compost from around them. Then simply put the pile of worms back in the bin with fresh bedding and more food.

3. Remove between one-third and one-half of your bin, including the worms, and simply place it in your garden soil. Add fresh bedding to your bin and continue composting food.

Back to top

But these tires don’t last forever. Whether it’s an irreparable flat or loss of tread, eventually tires need to be replaced. Some tires can be retreaded for a second life, but what happens to those that are due for disposal? Let’s break down the ins and outs of recycling and properly disposing of your worn out wheels.

The Great Rubber Mountain

If you don’t see value in recycling tires, let us introduce you to the concept of stockpiles, acres of tires stacked by the thousands in one concentrated area.

Tire stockpiles can lead to a number of unpleasant situations:

1. They are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and vermin, especially when they are filled with rainwater.
2. They are prone to catching fire. Since tires are made largely of oil, they are difficult to extinguish (some can last for months) and produce an acrid, black smoke.

Stockpiles are of such concern that states must spend money to clean them up, and there are businesses that focus solely on collecting tires for recycling.

Fuel ‘er Up

The EPA estimates that 45 percent of all scrap tires are burned for energy, also known as tire-derived fuel (TDF). Since the average tire contains five gallons of oil, they can generate comparable energy to crude oil or coal.

More than 40 percent of TDF goes to cement kilns, but other uses include paper factories and electric companies. This means that keeping tires out of landfills affects the ground you walk on, the paper you write on and the lights in your home and office.

The trick with TDF is that tires must be shredded first, since whole tires would be too large for a furnace. Shredding recovers much of the metal in a tire, such as the rim and lead weights used for balance. The metal can be extracted and recycled, leaving crumb rubber to use as fuel.

The Dirt on Disposal

There are ways that tires can be recycled into new products, and most of these uses take place after shredding, since there is more demand for crumb rubber than whole tires.

Crumb rubber can be used as the surface for playgrounds, because its soft padding helps prevent injuries. However, there has been recent debate over this use because of the potential toxins that tires may release, including lead and mercury.

Shredded tires are also used as an additive for playing fields, since they provide a strong retaining wall that improves drainage. This leads to stronger grass and a reduced chance of field-related sports injuries.

Tires even have a purpose in construction, because rubber tends to absorb sound. Rubberized asphalt can be used to make longer lasting roads that produce less traffic noise and is popular in many states. Its absorbing qualities also makes it ideal for running tracks, causing less stress for legs.

Lastly, tires can be recycled into new tires by converting them back to synthetic rubber. This is not a common solution because of the cost involved. But in the future with improved technology, it could be a more mainstream solution.

The Next Time You Get a Flat

The most important question still remains: How do you actually recycle tires? For starters, many retailers that sell tires will accept a limited number when you make a purchase. If you’re in the market for new tires, be sure to ask if recycling your old ones is an option.

Your state may also have a waste tire plan, which would be headed by your state environmental department. Many states require recyclers to file for a permit to accept tires, so they will also know of locations that accept tires for recycling.

If you can’t find anywhere to dispose of your old tires, consider a way to reuse them. You can build a tire swing for the kids, use them as a planter in your backyard, “make sushi” or even build a house!

The “MLB Green Team” was out in full force during Game 1 of the World Series this Wednesday in New York City. Members encouraged fans to recycle by passing around bags to make the process as easy and convenient as possible.

But the sustainable initiatives don’t end with the last pitch of Game 7. According to MLB.com, the franchise has made reducing the footprint of its stadium a priority.

Recycling and composting have cut down the venue’s waste by an estimated 40 percent. Leftover food is donated to shelters, soup kitchens and other community food programs throughout the Bronx.

The organization also recycles its cooking oil, producing biodiesel fuel. This has amounted to a savings of 8,879 gallons of oil and production of 7,192 gallons of fuel.

Fans will also find fully recyclable paper products, energy-efficient lighting and low-flow plumbing throughout the stadium. These small adjustments have resulted in almost 207,000 pounds of CO2 emissions saved per game. Games played at Citizen Bank Park will also all be offset with 100 percent renewable energy credits from WindStreet Energy.

Other baseball stadiums have adopted similar initiatives, including the Texas Rangers and the Washington Nationals.

Levi Strauss & Co., Goodwill and students at the University of Memphis have taken on the charge of reducing that number with two separate projects.

A partnership between Levi Strauss & Co. and Goodwill is attempting to divert more clothing from landfills by promoting donation of unwanted clothing, as well as encouraging sustainable washing practices. The program, called “A Care Tag for Our Planet,” will replace the care tags on all Levi’s clothing beginning in January 2010 with tags that read, “Machine wash cold, line dry when possible and donate to Goodwill.”

According to the TerraPass Footprint, between 85 and 90 percent of the energy used by a washing machine goes to power the water heater. A switch of all U.S. washers to cold water would mean a savings of about 30 million tons of CO2 per year.

“As a company built on values, we have long worked to promote sustainability in how we make our products and run our operations,” John Anderson, president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co., told Ad Age. “This initiative uses our global voice to empower hundreds of millions of consumers around the world to join us by providing simple and actionable ways to help care for our planet,” he said.

But Goodwill and Levi Strauss & Co. are not the only ones taking action to keep clothing out of landfills. Students at the University of Memphis are partnering with Habitat for Humanity to collect old jeans to be used as insulation for homes. The project is called “Cotton: From Blue to Green.” A collection drive is aiming to recycle between 500 and 1,000 pairs of jeans. The used cotton will then be recycled into insulation for a new home.

Brad Robb, vice president of communications for the Cotton Board told My Eyewitness News.com that recycled cotton is environmentally friendly. “Not only is it just as good as regular insulation, you don’t have to use gloves. It’s not itchy, so that’s a plus,” he said.

Both of these projects are attempting to change the way Americans view clothing. Instead of being a disposable good, the programs prove that nearly all items can be reused or recycled and made into a usable, new product.

The argument centers around the use of “black liquor,” a byproduct of the wood pulping process which is often used in combination with traditional fuel sources to power paper mills. According to Marcal, paper companies have been using “black liquor” as fuel to run their mills since the 1930s. Since the 2005 bill, paper companies have tapped into $6.6 billion of tax credits available from the Alternative Fuels Provision for their use of this byproduct.

“There is no greater hypocrisy than to have the paper industry, widely regarded as being culpable for an element of global warming through commercial deforestation, putting its hand out for billions of taxpayer dollars from the remnants of dead forests, under the guise of alternative fuel production,” said Spring.

In June, an amendment to H.R. 2967, which provides the alternative fuel and alternative fuel mixture credits for “black liquor,” was introduced in Congress after President Obama’s budget plan called for a reduction in the tax credit funding.The amendment would deny the alternative fuels excise tax credit for fuels derived from the production of paper or pulp, such as lignin, wood residues or spent pulping liquors.

Last week, Marcal, along with a coalition of 26 environmental groups, expressed its support for the amendment.

The coalition, which includes groups including Greenpeace and the Environmental Defense Fund, sees the tax as an added incentive to an industry manufacturing paper products directly from the nation’s forests rather than available recyclable sources.

“The massive payment adversely biases the free market in an ecologically harmful way,” the coalition stated in an appeal letter to Congress. “The losers include more environmentally responsible producers using recycled paper content. Such mills, which are critical to developing a green jobs economy, are being put at severe disadvantage.”

H.R. 2967 is currently under consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee.