2020 has been a challenge, but Sustainable Wellesley volunteers have worked tirelessly throughout the year to keep the focus on hopeful, achievable progress on urgently needed climate action. Connecting our community of nearly 4,000 subscribers through our newsletter, action meetings and workshops, our aim is always to engage, educate and advocate for a healthier, sustainable future.
If you like what we do, please consider a donation today – online or by check – to cover the costs of outreach and communication, insurance and occasional fees for speakers and consultants. We are grateful to you for your support and enthusiasm and look forward to the promise of a new year. Thank you! Tomorrow is Election Day.
Make a plan to vote if you have not voted yet. Encourage friends, neighbors and family to vote as well. Voting in person? Here is where you need to go between 7 AM to 8 PM. Have a Mail-in ballot? Return it to the box at Town Hall on or before the close of the polls tomorrow (8pm). Call to Action on Potential MBTA Service Cuts
NEWS FROM THE SIERRA CLUB: The Sierra Club has joined over 30 organizations in calling on the T to make no permanent or long-term decisions regarding potential service cuts before the legislature concludes the session, prioritize a means tested fare program to make transit affordable for those who need it the most, and ensure that critical transformative capital investments move forward. Read the joint statement here. Click here and here for more information about the service cuts. But most importantly, Please tell the T how service cuts will impact your life by providing public comments at the Board meeting on Nov 9. Dear Community Members,
On August 31st, Wellesley’s Select Board voted to amend the Town’s Traffic Regulations to include an Anti-Idling violation. This violation, which has a $15 fine, mirrors the state anti-idling violation, which has a $100 fine. Specifically, the regulation states that no person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit the unnecessary operation of the engine of a motor vehicle while the vehicle is stopped for a foreseeable period of time in excess of five minutes, upon any way. In partnership with the Sustainable Energy Committee and Sustainable Wellesley, I requested this new Traffic Regulation amendment as an alternative to officers giving out the $100 citation. This new traffic regulation gives Wellesley officers the option to issue a warning, a $15 ticket, or as mentioned a $100 citation when they encounter someone leaving their vehicle running for over 5 minutes. In the days and months to come, increased enforcement of the anti-idling law by Wellesley police officers will take place. Look for Wellesley Police officers at the schools’ drop-off and pick-up lines, in front of frequently visited restaurants and businesses, and other locations in Town. The goal is to educate and remind Wellesley citizens about the energy waste, harm to our environment and adverse health issues caused when individuals needlessly leave their vehicles running for a lengthy time. Some facts to consider before you leave your car running:
Please help us in this very important effort by complying with the law. Not idling is a choice, and choosing not to idle is better for your car, saves gasoline and helps reduce emissions that cause global warming. It is one of the simplest and most effortless things we can do to help our environment and our health, not to mention saving you money and a possible ticket. Sincerely, Chief Jack Pilecki Wellesley Police Department This was the topic at the Sept. 30th Green Collaborative meeting. Thanks to the 3R Working Group who hosted the well attended Wa$te Wi$e Welle$ley zoom meeting.
If you missed it you can watch it here. You will hear from speakers Jamie Manzolini, Superintendent of Wellesley RDF; Kirstie Pecci, Director of the Zero Waste Project and a Senior Fellow at Conservation Law Foundation who focuses on waste reduction and zero waste solutions; and Chris Beling a Member of the Assistance and Pollution Prevention Unit in the Office of Environmental Stewardship of the EPA who has worked on food waste issues for over 25 years. These interesting and knowledgable speakers discussed the growing waste problem and the number of challenges recycling is facing. The current scale and pace of waste generation is unsustainable. Municipal solid waste (MSW) includes disposed of items from homes, schools, and businesses such as furniture, mattresses, clothing, food scraps and appliances. Between 1990 and 2017 total municipal solid waste in the US increased by nearly 30% to about 268 million tons. Food waste comprises about 15% of total MSW. Americans discard an estimated 40 million tons of food every year which equates to 80 billion pounds of food. The manufacture and use of products, as well as the management of resulting waste via landfills and incinerators, create greenhouse gas emissions thereby contributing to climate change. Landfills and incinerators also release toxic chemicals. Toxins make their way into air, land and water for uptake into plants, animals and humans. Toxins bleach coral reefs and disrupt food chains while plastics fill waterways and harm aquatic life. Simply put, let's all work to minimize the trash sent to incinerators and landfills. Wellesley’s RDF, a leader in municipal waste management, is exhibiting its resiliency continuing to recycle and to divert food waste in the face of a difficult international recycling market and the pandemic. The RDF processes roughly 7,500 tons of municipal solid waste, 5,500 tons of recyclable material and 80 tons of food waste annually. Because of on-site separation of high-quality materials at the RDF, Wellesley is able to sell certain recyclables like cardboard and newspaper for top dollar. The RDF still faces challenges but is doing well despite the current climate. Learn more on how you can do your part by watching the video here, and taking actions to reduce your waste.
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