In the search for a sustainable (and cheap) solution to buying plastic planting cell packs we’ve discovered we can just make our own.  We found numerous instructions to make pots  online.  Here are a few examples: Rolled up round pots,  pots that require no fastening and  the one we picked.  We’re pretty happy with the last one even though it’s a little time consuming. We replaced the paper clip with a staple. They’re also square so  they seem to fit well in rectangle flat trays.  The main advantage to any of these designs is that they biodegrade so the plant and pot can go right in the ground. This lessens the chance of harming the plant in the transplanting process. We also won’t run the risk of getting the seedlings sick by reusing old cell packs that may have mold or pathogens in them.

This is a great opportunity for folks who can’t make it out to the ReSource to volunteer, or for anyone who wants to volunteer in front of the TV at home and not in the cold of the warehouse.  If you’d like to fold some pots for us–it’s easy–get some newspaper and practice and then bring us your finished pots or send an email to Greenspaces {at} buffaloreuse(.)org

 Over the next few weeks leading into spring you will be noticing some changes around the store.  Some minor, some major.  When people hear the word change, they tend to get timid, and say no we can’t.  I say yes we can.

That being said we will be rearranging some things throughout the ReSOURCE as well as making it simpler to navigate throughout and find what you are looking for, and even perhaps something you just cannot resist.  Here are two concepts that I have been working on and am more than willing to continue to work on with your opinions in mind.

I will be posting a concept for our theater over the weekend!  I am excited to share what we have come up with to serve our public better.

Duplicate stocks available at Buffalo and Rochester.

The UB Green Team is continuing its climate talks, a dialogue on contemporary and local environmental issues. The Spring 2010 series will introduce the campus community to issues such as waste reduction, community gardens and sustainable transportation. All of the Climate Talks begin at 7pm in the Allen Hall Theatre on the UB South Campus, across from Walgreens on Main Street

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2009 7pm Allen Hall Theatre, South Campus: Less is More: Promoting Recycling and Waste Reduction in Western New York

We hope to see you there!!!

Where: University of Buffalo Center for Fine Arts, Room 232

When: Tuesday, Feb. 23 @ 6PM (see poster below for future dates)

Be there for the launch of the Food and Emerging Media Speaker Series, and hear the opening speaker, David Szanto, give a talk entitled “Towards Intelligent Gastronomy: Equilibrating Human Food Systems.

Over the last year and a half, ReUse has participated in the discussion of diverting organic debris from the landfill. Landfills are really no place for vegetable waste and there are programs across the country which send that material to compost facilities and make much better use of it.  Composting also means JOBS! Buffalonians, you need to start asking for a compost facility; we need to start moving toward a lifestyle which supports the reuse of food waste and decreases the amount of non-degradable food packaging waste.
For our part, ReUse has started composting on a small scale–(we call it ReDOO)–at least as much as our neighbors will allow at this point. If you patronize Amy’s Place or Lexington Co-op you are helping build up our community gardens by contributing to the compost pile. Please tell them thank you from us the next time you go there for a salad or an omelette! Twice a week we receive or pickup the veggie waste, eggshells and coffee grounds and add it to your leaves, lawn clippings and shredded paper. We hope to add more diners and compost heaps on various gardens throughout Buffalo over the summer.
In the meantime, take advantage of the opportunity to educate yourself a little more about the movement toward a more sustainable WNY.
Gary Feinland announces a Free EPA WEBINAR SERIES: Food Waste Reduction and Management.
Food waste is the third largest stream of waste in the U.S. after paper and yard waste. The social, economic, and environmental impacts of food waste are enormous, including increased generation of greenhouse gas, negative impacts on sanitation and health, and the loss of potential improvements in soil health and food production.

To help address these impacts, EPA Region 2 is partnering with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Solid Waste Resource Renewal Group at Rutgers University to offer a series of webinars designed to provide education on the best avenues and methods of food waste management.

Generators of food waste, government representatives, and public stakeholders are encouraged to participate.

February 23, 1:00 – 2:30 pm (EST)
Overview of Food Waste, Climate Change Connection, and Waste Audits

March 10, 1:00 – 2:30 pm (EST)
Separation and Collection of Food Waste

March 17, 1:00 – 2:30 pm (EST)
Waste Reduction through Reuse

March 31, 1:00 – 2:30 pm (EST)
Composting and End-of-Life Management

April 7, 1:00 – 2:30 pm (EST)
Putting the Pieces Together and EPA Tools

For registration and information please visit www.trainex.org/FoodWaste

Gary Feinland
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Bureau of Solid Waste, Reduction and Recycling
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-7253
518-402-8705
www.nyrecycles.org

2 major networking opportunities–for businesses and students who might be looking into green collar career paths…

The next session of Senator Antoine Thompson’s Business Gets Green series:
Thursday, February 18th, 2010, 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Frank E. Merriweather Branch Library – 1324 Jefferson Ave (corner of Jefferson and East Utica)
Lots of free parking – 20 spaces in the library lot and ample, free, on-street parking

Also – Senator Thompson’s – 2nd Annual Buffalo Niagara Green Expo will be held at the Walden Galleria on Saturday, April 17th. Our next planning meeting for the Green Expo will be held on Tuesday, February 16th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Environmental Education Associates – 346 Austin Street (on the right just past where Grant turns into Military, and near the Grant St. exit of the 198).

Help Needed !!!!  They will have EXPO posters, postcards and banners on the 16th and need lots of help to get them out in the community. Please join us on the 16th if you can.
If you can help distributing posters, but can’t make it on the 16th, please contact Janet at 773-7149 janetmg {at} verizon(.)net or Mary at 833-2929 xt 117 mfisher {at} environmentaleducation(.)com. We are also looking for volunteers to help set up and staff the EXPO on April 16th and 17th (see #4 below).

“Ven a una Fiesta!” We can’t dance without you! Join everyone at ReUse on Friday, Februrary 19 for music and dancing at our fundraiser hosted by El Buen Amigo located at 114 Elmwood Avenue! Get your tickets now or at the door.

Enjoy Latin food & bebidos, a live band, a member of the Latin Jazz Project, plus a pre-show salsa lesson for those who don’t know which direction to shake their hips. We hope to see you there! Call 716-885-6343 for details.

For ticket information click here.

Ticket sales contribute to Buffalo ReUse’s mission of neighborhood revitalization and community programs.

Turns out the producers of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition were SO impressed with the City of Good Neighbors that they would like to make a return to Buffalo! This would be the FIRST TIME they have come to a city twice (can I get a “Let’s go Buffalo!” chant?). Says Casting Supervisor Morgan Fahey: “We are looking for the deserving people and inspiring families that America can really root for.”

To be eligible, a family must own their own single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives. Families can apply – or you can nominate a member of your community – by sending a short description of the family story to castingwesternnewyork {at} gmail(.)com. Each nomination must include the names and ages of every member of the household along with a description of the major challenges withing the home. All nominations must also include a contact phone number.

More info can be found at the Extreme Makeover website, which you can visit by clicking here.

The deadline for nominations is February 26th, 2010 so don’t delay!!! Let’s really show America what WNY is made of.

This Saturday (2/6) The Buffalo Tool Library will host a Circular Saw Skills & Safety Workshop at 158 Eaton St at 10am. We will demonstrate a variety of proper and safe cutting techniques.  You’ll get hands-on training; together, we prep materials and assemble shelves made from reclaimed lumber.  Through this project we will review the proper and safe methods of workspace preparation, material handling and tool use.  Close-toed shoes are a must; please dress warm.  Feel free to bring your own protective eye gear, some will be provided as well. This workshop is free to the public.  We look forward to seeing you.