Year-end statement of initiatives, 2009

Brighton Farmers’ Market and recyclables

We maintained a table at the Brighton Farmers’ Market at Brighton High School, Sundays 9-1, May through November, collecting signatures for Curb Your Car Week, and providing information on rain barrels, electronics recycling, and green practices. We collected the following recyclables that are not collected curbside in Monroe County:

• 93 compact fluorescent light bulbs
• 99 pounds of plastic caps
• 183 CD’s
• 316 sneakers
• 344 pounds of batteries
• 458 pounds of #5 plastic
• We also collected crayons, corks, and more CD’s, but didn’t need to recycle them, because they are being used by art teachers and students in the US and in Iraq.

10% Challenge

We continued the 10% challenge, which encourages businesses and residents in Brighton and elsewhere to reduce their carbon footprint by 10%. In 2009, 36 residents and 4 businesses signed on to the challenge, bringing the total to 512 participants. Participants reported an average of 20% reduction in energy use. They accomplished their savings through actions such as changing light bulbs to compact fluorescents, using Energy Star appliances, recycling, eating local food, and purchasing wind power.

Curb Your Car Week

We held two more Curb Your Car Week events, in May and October, 2009. Participants pledged to leave their cars home for at least one trip during the week, by biking, walking, telecommuting, combining trips, or taking public transportation. Out of over 299 participants, 148 reported back a total savings of 9,767 miles, 412 gallons of gas and 7,828 pounds of CO2!  Twelve prizes were awarded, including “green” books, solar garden lights, and a free lawn-mower tune-up.

Green Energy Fair

Brighton’s second annual Green Energy Fair took place on Sunday, June 7, 2009, at the Brighton Farmer’s Market. Over 15 vendors and non-profits participated. The 350 visitors learned about recycling, solar and geo-thermal power, energy-efficient lighting and building supplies, sustainable food, and more. The day included a silent auction and children’s activities.

Web site

ColorBrightonGreen.org maintains a state-of-the-art web site for media and citizens to access sustainability resources and participate in events.

Outreach

Information about the work of ColorBrightonGreen.org was presented to many audiences, including Earth Day at Hamlin Beach State Park, and Our Fragile Earth at the zoo.  We provided children activities and developed a flyer on recycling for Earth Week at Strong Museum.

Partnerships with Brighton schools

We gave welcome packages to the new interim principal at Council Rock, Ms. Leslee Mabee, and to the new superintendent, Kevin McGowan.  The packages included “green” books for their libraries, a reusable grocery bag, a coffee mug, a package of compact fluorescent light bulbs, and local literature on sustainable gardening and food shopping. We also welcome a representative of Brighton High School’s GCO, Global Crisis Organization, to our committee, Mimi Fan. This student club works with us on fundraising and informational events. We also tabled and marched in BHS’s homecoming party and parade in September. We gave out certificates to the Brighton Schools for their participation in Curb Your Car Week.

Green Business Award

CoorBrightonGreen.org partnered with the Brighton Chamber of Commerce to award our second annual Green Business Award to the Bagel Bin for sustainable practices.

Green House of the Month

In August, we awarded the first Green House of the Month award to Ruth Morton of 179 Maybrooke Road, for energy saving practices such as organic gardening, passive solar, solar panels, use of energy star appliances, line-drying clothing, driving a hybrid vehicle, and others.

Incorporation

ColorBrightonGreen.org became its own corporation, and is able to accept donations and apply for grants requiring 501(c)3 status through the umbrella organization, CEI.

Tips of the Month

We put in place a process to send monthly tips to our e-news subscribers, to save money, energy, and the planet. Look for more of these in 2010. Subscribe to our list if interested.

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