UUFS Green Sanctuary Committee

Recycling in Statesboro and Bulloch County

2009-06-10T09:15:00.002-04:00

Some of you have been asking about WHERE you can take WHAT -- here's as definitive a list as I was able to find (please know that these locations may have changed since this information was published). To learn more, go to http://www.keepbullochbeautiful.org/recyclingcenters.php.

Also, if anyone has information about other counties/cities in our area, please let me know. Thanks!

Bulloch County Recycling News:

2009-06-09T10:10:00.002-04:00

I learned about this tidbit from the Naturally Fayette website:

Bulloch County received one of four grants funded through Georgia’s Solid Waste Trust Fund to develop regional recycling collection infrastructure in the state. Bulloch County is in the process of establishing a regional recycling hub for southeast Georgia, which will make recycling in the surrounding counties of Candler, Evans, Effingham, Jenkins, Screven, Tattnall and Bryan much easier. The hub will be a single stream recycling center, meaning that it will accept recyclable materials mixed together, and then sort and market them for reuse. As part of this initiative, Bulloch County recently purchased recycling containers to provide single stream recycling collection to the residents in the City of Statesboro.

So I'll keep you posted as we hopefully see even more recycling possibilities opeing up in Statesboro and Bulloch County.

Reusable Bags website

2009-06-09T09:57:00.002-04:00

For those of you interested in learning more about reusable shopping bags -- or perhaps buying your own -- here's an excellent website: http://www.reusablebags.com. It provides lots of info about the issue from its many perspectives -- environmental, social justice, economic. Also, cool products, including my favorite reusable bag, the Chico bag (I've passed this around many many times because I'm just so gosh darn fond of it).

If anyone wants to get together and order some bags from this site, let me know and I'll put it together. E-mail me at my sapphiresays at yahoo address.

NYT Article: "Use Energy, Get Rich, and Save the Planet"

2009-04-21T13:34:00.002-04:00

An interesting take on wealth and the environmental crisis that revisions how we view affluance and its effect on the environment:

Click here.

Our UUFS audit document -- so far

2009-01-07T14:13:00.000-05:00

Dear All,

Here's the Exhibit B part of our application for Green Sanctuary candidacy. I'm plugging in info as it come to me, adapting as the year progresses. As soon as we have completed this document, we can start creating our Action Plan, which is the second step of the candidacy application.

Many thanks,
Tina

Exhibit B
Environmental Assessment Audit

Preamble

Our Fellowship owns its own building, which consists of a sanctuary, small RE room/office, large RE room, a kitchen, and three bathrooms. Our outside areas consist of a sand and gravel parking area, a small concrete patio at the back door, a play area for the children consisting of a sandpit and swing set. We have some landscaping and plantings, as well as some semi-naturalized areas. We have a small patch of lawn.

The building was constructed in 1999 on a concrete slab with frame construction, fiberglass insulation, gypsum wallboard, heat pumps, double pane windows and vinyl siding. It did not make use of recycled materials since those materials were not readily available in the area at the time. The sand pit was made from reclaimed railroad ties and is also with recycled plastic lumber and covered with
recycled window screens. The swingset is made of pressure-treated pine, which is not environmentally-friendly due to the arsenic in old pressure-treated wood (however, the arsenic should not become a problem unless the wood is burned or chopped into smaller pieces)

We have one part-time minister -- she has no separate office, but uses the smaller RE room.

1. Energy

What are your energy usage and current conservation patterns?

Current status: Average monthly electric usage (past 12 months). This electrical usage includes all the various usages of the building: weekly Sunday meetings, monthly socials, and all committee and RE meetings. The only outside usage is by the local AA -- twice weekly. This usage also includes a street light that we had installed due to some many of our groups entering and leaving the building at night in an otherwise very dark and somewhat deserted area.

For lighting, we use a mixture of fluorescent and standard bulbs. Our sanctuary chandeliers are dimmable and use regular bulbs in the front ones due to the prohibitive cost of dimmable fluorescents. We use compact fluorescents in the remaining lights There is adequate natural lighting so that for many services, we do not have to use the main lights at all.

The building uses a heating and air conditioning system. We are able to keep the air conditioning usage at a minimum, however, because we have ceiling fans in the sanctuary and shade provided by large trees outside.

Water heating is

We have three appliances. Our refrigerator was purchased in 1999 with energy efficiency in mind. Our microwave is also small and efficient, mostly used for reheating, not cooking. OUR WATER HEATER

Evaluation: Our biggest area of improvement concerns our water heater. At present, we are turning it off except for Sunday services. Other options include eventually replacing it with three small instant electric water heaters, putting it on a timer, or converting it/replacing it with solar (our site is not ideal for this because of all the trees, but it is an option). Another area of improvement would be to switch to dimmable fluorescents in the sanctuary. Replacing our appliances with Energy Star models at replacement time is another consideration. Renewable energy credits are also an option to explore, one the congregation expressed an interest in learning more about in our congregational audit.

2. Recycling and Reusing

What are local recycling procedures and what is your level of compliance?

Bulloch County accepts two kinds of plastics -- Plastic (PET #1) and Plastic (HDPE #2) only. Other items that affect our congregation that can be recycled include:

Mixed paper and magazines
Newsprint (may be placed in paper bags)
Corrugated Cardboard (no cereal boxes, etc)
Plastic (PET #1)
Plastic (HDPE #2)
*Plastic Bags (#2, #4)
Glass (brown, green, clear)
Metal cans (aluminum and steel)
Scrap Metal (appliances, etc)
Electronics
Batteries, CFLs, Cell phones, Ink cartridges

Within the city of Statesboro, yard waste and “white goods” (appliances and other things too large for garbage cans) can be placed on curb side to be picked up. Currently there is no curb side pick up of recyclable items (this system was tried in the past and was not successful).

Current status: We have no congregational recycling program. What recycling we do is done on an individual basis, which means it's very hit or miss.

Evaluation: The UUFS performance in this category is very weak. We would do well to implement a recycling policy and provide the materials necessary to sort and transport our recyclables, as well as make use of the curb-side recycling of any large items.

3. Non-disposable materials (use and purchases)

What are the existing policies for use of non-disposable materials, environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies, etc.?

Current Status: While no official policies exist, we are willing to investigate ways that we can increase our use of environmentally-friendly products. At the present time, we use ceramic coffee cups during refreshment time/potlucks, but disposable plates and utensils and paper napkins.

Our cleaning is done by MicroEarth, a local company that uses only environmentally-friendly cleaning products, including all natural window cleaner, surface cleaner, disinfectant, toilet cleaner, sink cleaner, air freshener and dusting agent. The floors are vacuumed using HEPA filters instead of insecticides to cut down on dust mites. The vinyl floors are steam mopped using distilled water.

The cleaning products that we purchase are dishwashing liquid and soap for the dishwasher. They are presently store brands.

Our paper products --

Current Routine Purchases:

Office supplies:

Evaluation: We are doing well in this area, but can improve. We should continue using MicroEarth as our janitorial service. Suggested changes include purchasing environmentally-friendly soap products, purchasing recycled office supplies, and asking that members donate recycled paper products.

5. Landscaping

Our church building was constructed on land that once included a house. As many trees and shrubs were left to grow rather than being uprooted as was possible. This included many pecan trees plus very tall oak trees that provide much shade for the building.

The original landscaping that was done around the church building was done by a landscaping firm that planted both natives and non-natives that were known to be able to tolerate our heat, dry conditions, and sandy soil. Since then, the landscaping committee has planted many natives in the front, side and back yards, as well as non-natives that do well here. (We have a local botanical garden and 2 nurseries that are very knowledgeable about native species.)

Two thirds of the front yard is planted in lariope rather than grass, which needs no mowing and most years doesn’t need watering. Native perennials and non-natives that do well in dry conditions have been planted in the front and back yards.

Most watering is done per individual plant with a hose rather than an overhead sprinkling system. Soaker hoses are sometimes used also. We don’t water established native trees, shrubs and perennials unless they show signs of stress. The grass has been mowed with an electric lawnmower the past 3 summers. The large backyard has no grass. The grass, which is only in the front and on one side, has been watered only once or twice a year during the years we’ve had drought conditions – which has been at least 5 of our 9 summers here.

We use compost to enrich the soil and fertilize only with homemade (blood meal, bone meal and wood ashes) and/or organic fertilizers. For pests, we have used fire ant bait and diatomaceous earth and have used Roundup yearly to kill “weeds.”

Evaluation: We are doing well in this area. Our Earth-based Spirituality Group has suggested that it can donate a composter for church usage; this would make composting even easier, especially for materials from potlucks and other social events.

5. Purchasing and Investing

What existing church policies govern purchasing and investing decisions? Are your investments in keeping with your environmental and other social values?

Evaluation: No such investments or policies for such exist at this time. Our fellowship maintains A BANK ACCOUNT at BANK.

6. Religious Education

What current religious education programs relate to the environment for both children and adults?

Children:

Earth-based Spirituality Group
What can you recycle?
Save the rainforest philanthropy ($1100 earned)

Adults:
None

Evaluation:

7. Worship

Earth-based Spirituality Group

How well does your worship integrate the wisdom of the Earth?

Evaluation:

8. Social Action

How is caring for the Earth a part of your overall social action program?

Evaluation:

9. Other Issues

Water usage:

Current: Our current water bill is prorated at $12.00 per month. We use ????? on average. Most of this is used for ????.

Evaluation: Rainbarrels?

Grounds Report by Cynthia

2008-10-15T08:26:00.000-04:00

Our church building was constructed on land that once included a house. As many trees and shrubs were left to grow rather than being uprooted as was possible. This included many pecan trees plus very tall oak trees that provide much shade for the building.

The original landscaping that was done around the church building was done by a landscaping firm that planted both natives and non-natives that were known to be able to tolerate our heat, dry conditions, and sandy soil. Since then, the landscaping committee has planted many natives in the front, side and back yards, as well as non-natives that do well here. (We have a local botanical garden and 2 nurseries that are very knowledgeable about native species.)

Two thirds of the front yard is planted in lariope rather than grass, which needs no mowing and most years doesn’t need watering. Native perennials and non-natives that do well in dry conditions have been planted in the front and back yards.

Most watering is done per individual plant with a hose rather than an overhead sprinkling system. Soaker hoses are sometimes used also. We don’t water established native trees, shrubs and perennials unless they show signs of stress. The grass has been mowed with an electric lawnmower the past 3 summers. The large backyard has no grass. The grass, which is only in the front and on one side, has been watered only once or twice a year during the years we’ve had drought conditions – which has been at least 5 of our 9 summers here.

We use compost to enrich the soil and fertilize only with homemade (blood meal, bone meal and wood ashes) and/or organic fertilizers. For pests, we have used fire ant bait and diatomaceous earth. I don’t remember using anything else. We have used Roundup yearly to kill “weeds.”

What We Need Researched:

2008-09-08T12:50:00.003-04:00

Please choose at least one of the following topics to research. I'll need the results in a written format by October 5 so that I can put them in our audit document. You can e-mail those to me at sapphiresays@yahoo.com.

Utilities
Average monthly electric (in dollar cost)(summer)
Total Usage monthly electric (in kilowatts)(last fiscal year)

Average monthly water usage (in ?????) (last fiscal year)

Local recycling options (Mary Margaret-- DONE!)

What we purchase (paper products)

What we purchase (cleaning products)

What we purchase (Fair Trade products)

What we purchase (office supplies)

What we purchase (other)

Environmental RE for Kids over past year

Environmental RE for Adults over past year

Sunday topics related to environmental issues (Teresa)

Social action projects related to environmental issues

History/ Environmental impact -- playground equipment/sand pit (James -- DONE!)

History/ Environmental impact -- Microwave (Elizabeth)

History/Environmental Impact -- Water Heater

Grounds maintenance (Cynthia -- DONE!)
Landscaping
Use of native species
Water usage
Pesticides

History/Results of recent Kids' Save the Rainforest activity

.

Rain Barrels on Sale at Lowe's

2008-09-07T14:06:00.003-04:00

In the Garden Center at Lowe's, you can find Fiskars big green rain barrels. They're on sale for $29.98 (James reports they may not ring up right, so you may have to remind the cashier that they are indeed on sale -- like the sign says -- and not the $79.99 that they are ringing up). Plus he says you'll want to make sure all the parts are there.

The barrels are very large -- 50 gallons -- and then have a spigot and a stand, plus connectors that hook it to your down spouts. They're a great way to make the most of all the rain that's been coming our way lately. We have one, and are very pleased.

Read more at this link.

Welcome for the 2008-2009 Year!

2008-09-07T09:05:00.002-04:00

Greetings!

Thank you for serving on our Green Sanctuary Committee. A Green Sanctuary is a congregation that lives out its commitment to the Earth by creating a sustainable lifestyle for its members as individuals and as a faith community.

The main purpose of this committee is to facilitate planning and provide support to the congregation as we strive to reach Green Sanctuary certification. We are already doing a lot of this work; the committee's job is to coordinate and document and help everyone -- not just those on the committee -- carry on this important work.

Here are our members for the 2008-2009 year:

Tina Whittle -- Chair
Josie Blankenship
Greg Brock
Elizabeth DeWester
Cynthia Frost
Sonya Huber
Mary Margaret Jones
Marky Lloyd
Jessie Lussier
Mollie Murray
Caren Town
Relinda Walker
James Whittle
Teresa Winn

Fundraiser at First Friday/ Farmers' Market

2008-06-11T16:25:00.002-04:00

The UUFS Older Kids RE Raises over three hundred dollars for the reforestation drive at two lemonade stands, on June 6 and june 7.

A Trip To the Organic Farm

2008-06-11T16:24:00.000-04:00

This Sunday, June 6 we’ll take a REAL “Field Trip” to the fields of Walker Farms. Come early so we can figure out some carpooling. Also, please feel free to invite others who may have an interest in organic foods and sustainable living.

RE Kids Plan to Make a Difference

2008-06-11T16:19:00.002-04:00

Sunday, June 1, the children in the older Religious Education class presented the program "RE Kids Plan to Make a Difference" at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro. This was facilitated by Michelle Zeanah, member of the CRE Teaching Team. The children explained what they were doing and how to support their efforts to do good in the world by raising $1000 to plant trees in the rainforest.

Survey Results Available!

2008-05-06T18:35:00.001-04:00

Click here to see the summary of our responses to the My Personal Ecological Footprint survey.

Survey, Survey, Get Your Red Hot Survey!

2008-03-05T10:54:00.008-05:00

If you have any feedback on the survey itself, please post as a comment by clicking on the word "comments" at the end of this post -- you can do this anonymously if you wish.

Thanks for your participation! Looking forward to hearing from you!

Click Here to take individual environmental survey for adults

Click Here to take individual environmental survey for young people

Potluck Plus Kick-off a Success!

2008-02-08T21:15:00.000-05:00

The Green Sanctuary-hosted Second Friday Potluck Plus was a success, with over twenty adults and five children attending. Shari Barr and Tina Whittle coordinated. Our evening concluded with a viewing of the movie Everything's Cool which addresses the issues of censorship, misinformation and manipulation of the media in the fight for environmental awareness. And we debuted compostable dinner plates instead of disposable ones!

Our pre-dinner committee meeting also went well, with six members and friends attending.

All in all, a great start.

Sample Chartering Statement

2008-02-07T10:06:00.000-05:00

Chartering Group: Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Board of Directors

Committee Chair(s): Jane and Dave Parishioner

Mission Statement:

The UUCC Green Sanctuary Committee’s mission is to plan and organize activities and involve the members of this congregation to bring about positive environmental changes in three arenas:

• Personal lifestyle choices

• Congregational activities

• The broader community

In so doing, we will also pursue recognition as a Green Sanctuary Congregation.

Membership: Membership on this committee is open to anyone in the congregation.

Governance: This committee shall have a Chair (or Co-Chairs) who will provide updates and seek guidance from the congregational Board of Directors.

Officially Approved!

2008-01-09T09:02:00.000-05:00

The UUFS Executive board officially approves our status.