ecoBurbank.org

Burbank to open EV car chargers next week.

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:47:00 +0000

The chargers will be free for 6 months then $2 an hour thereafter. According to one comment in response to The Leader's article - $2 is expensive compared to about $.33 when charging at home.

Read the article here

Locations of chargers in Burbank & LA County

Screening "Tipping Point - The End of Oil"

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:12:00 +0000

Gunter Pauli - The Blue Economy

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:24:00 +0000

Last April Gunter Pauli spoken at a Burbank Green Alliance event at Woodbury University. I managed to tape the event and will be posting soon. Doing a simple search of his name or "The Blue Economy"on YouTube will reveal his lecture.

Free Compost Workshops & Bins 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 07:18:00 +0000

Free Compost Workshops & Bins

Burbank residents are rediscovering the satisfaction of restoring the health and productivity of their soil by simply combining the leaf and grass clippings from the yard with food scraps from the kitchen. Workshops are free, fun for the whole family, and each Burbank household is given one compost bin (worth $100). Bins distributed at workshops or at Burbank Recycle Center. Call to RSVP (818) 238-3900

· March 23—6:30pm—8pm—Ralph Emerson Elementary—720 E Cypress Ave.

Plastic Bag mockumentary

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:48:00 +0000

A friend of mine was the cinematographer on this project

Upcoming Events- July & August

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:36:00 +0000

Backyard Composting – “Closing the loop on the Cycle of Life”
Learn to turning leaves, grass, and food scraps into rich soil for your yard.

Attend one of the following workshops and receive a free compost bin (for Burbank residents only).
Workshops are free, open to all and fun for the whole family.

Call Burbank Recycle Center to rsvp (818) 238–3900

Workshop Dates
· July 10th 9:30-11am Location: zpizza, 116 E Palm Ave., Burbank
· July 17th 10-11:30am Location: Burbank Recycle Center, 500 S Flower St., Burbank

Take Out Your Lawn Workshop
Swap that water-guzzling lawn with a beautiful, fragrant California-friendly landscape. Taught by Lili Singer

Workshop Dates
· July 28th Buena Vista Library, 300 N Buena Vista St., Burbank - 6:30 – 8:30pm
· August 18th Buena Vista Library, 300 N Buena Vista St., Burbank - 6:30 – 8:30pm

Call Burbank Recycle Center to RSVP (818) 238-3900

Burbank Annual Household Hazardous Waste Roundup

August 14th
1845 N Ontario St., Burbank
888 CLEAN-LA

Free Film Screening of "The End Of The Line"

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 06:37:00 +0000

Synopsis: “Learn how responsible choices will save our oceans and seafood industry!”

Date: Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Location: Woodbury University 7500 N. Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504

Reservations: $10 Suggested Donation (reservations and donations are not necessary but always welcome)

RSVP Online: www.gathergreen.com (or email info@burbankgreenalliance.org)

Flyer/Invite: http://bit.ly/aBiLT8

For More Info: www.burbankgreenalliance.org

Simple Idea = make roofs white

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:18:00 +0000

The Obama Administration's Energy Secretary was recently on John Stewart and had a simple idea. Next time you re-roof your house simply make it white.

Emerson Elementary's Green Team Tree project

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:13:00 +0000

In 2005 PTA parents at Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School in Burbank were concerned that the Kindergarden play area needed shade. After researching shade structures they realized that for less than 1/10 of the cost of one structure they could plant trees that would provide shade to students all over the school grounds. Two of the Emerson parents then went to a TreePeople Campus Forestry training where they joined with other school leaders across Los Angeles also learning how to green their campuses.

TreePeople provide a detailed how-to notebook, and Rachel Dawson, their Campus Forestry expert to train the parents and the Emerson Green Team was born. Lead by Derrick Kolus who coordinated all the planning with the city, the school district, and the school administration, and Karen Broderick who coordinated the parents, teachers and students to do the actual planting, the Green Team spent 7 months planning for the 2 days in April 2006 when they would plant 43 trees on the Emerson campus. With the hard work of a large, energetic group of parents and very helpful Burbank School District grounds staff all was made ready for the big planting days. Day one, all 520 students and their teachers participated in planting and naming their own class trees. On day 2 close to 200 community volunteers participated in planting the remaining trees. The entire Emerson community came together for this successful and meaningful event.

Andy Bishop headed the group that researched and decided which trees would go in each planting site and shepherded all the trees from the nursery into the ground. After the planting he took over the Leadership of Green Team as volunteers and students continued to water and care for the trees for several years until they were well established. Andy, who is still head of Emerson Green Team is interviewed for this video.

Upcoming event for BGA

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:50:00 +0000

Have you made your reservation yet???

The next BGA Workshop is happening Saturday, July 11th at 2:30pm.

A Reel Green Workshop - Practical Eco-Solutions for the Entertainment Industry.

You don’t have to be in the Entertainment Industry to benefit. If you are a business that wants practical solutions, communication methods, and a plan of action this workshop will prove beneficial to you and your company.

Feel free to distribute flier and post where you see fit.

To RSVP, please respond to this email or send your request to info@burbankgreenalliance.org

A Reel Green Workshop

"Practical Solutions for the Entertainment Industry"

Upcoming Restaurant Waste Reduction Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:04:00 +0000

The following green event may be of interest to you.
Please note that the Burbank Green Alliance is NOT affiliated with this event.

The Recycle Center will be accepting RSVPs for this event. For additional information, please contact the center at 818-238-3900

UPCOMING EVENT

Restaurant Waste Reduction Workshop (PART 2)
April 15, 2009
from 2 to 4 P.M.
at the Burbank Recycle Center
(All Restaurants are welcome. Please feel free to attend even if you missed Part 1)

Sent to you on behalf of Stephanie Barger of Earth Resource Foundation:

Thank you so much for attending the Restaurant Waste Reduction Workshop on March 25th. We are so thankful for your attendance and your participation in helping the community reach the Zero Waste goal.

On Wednesday April 15th we are hosting PART 2 – Restaurant Waste Reduction Workshop, from 2 to 4 P.M. at the Burbank Recycle Center, 500 South Flower Street, Burbank, CA 91502 (818) 238-3900 (note new location). Seating is limited. Please RSVP by April 8th.

At this workshop we will cover the remaining topics in your workbook:
· Setting Goals
· Employee Training
· Communicating Your Mission to Customers
· Waste Audits
· Recycling Opportunities
· Composting Opportunities
· Green Purchasing Procedures
· Plastic Alternatives

One of us will be calling you to clarify expectations, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to invite your neighboring restaurants – all are welcome.

For our better world,

Stephanie Barger
Earth Resource Foundation
(949) 645-5163

Kreigh Hampel
City of Burbank
(818) 238-3900

Restaurant Waste Reduction Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:46:00 +0000

Restaurant Waste Reduction Workshop

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

2:00-4:00 p.m.

Community Services Building

First Floor Community Room
150 N. Third Street
Burbank, CA 91502

SEATING IS LIMITED
Please RSVP by March 20th
For more information call the Burbank Recycle Center 818-238-3900

Expect a fast-paced, hands-on, interactive workshop with down to earth results. Leave knowing how to identify, reduce and eliminate food service wastes common to all restaurants. Find out how others have reduced wastes and attracted customers by communicating a clear and confident mission! Leave with valuable information, resources and an action plan!

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
The benefits of reducing waste

Identifying opportunities, setting goals, finding helpSimple waste reduction - ask versus serve

Maintaining excellent health department ratings while reducing waste

What’s biodegradable, compostable and photodegradable really mean?

Waste reduction that can save money

Adding up many small opportunities and gaining big success

Enrolling staff, customers, suppliers and waste haulers

Bring your real life examples of supplies, costs and waste challenges to the workshop.

Sponsored by the Burbank Recycle Center
And featuring Earth Resource Foundation (www.earthresource.org) – Zero Waste Experts

Jessica Aldridge
Zero Waste, Event Coordinator
Burbank Recycle Center
500 South Flower Street
Burbank, CA 91502
Tele: (818) 238-3900

P Consider The Environment B4 Printing This Email

Burbank Green Alliance event on February 4th

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:43:00 +0000

Attend the Burbank Green Alliance Workshop…

ZERO WASTE FOOD SERVICE
FROM RESTAURANTS TO POTLUCKS

Leave the workshop with honest and inspirational examples
from organizations that have reduced and recycled food service wastes.

BUENA VISTA LIBRARY
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
2:00 - 4:00pm (1:30pm Check-In)

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
You work in a food service (or related) business.
You coordinate food service contracts or host meetings and events.
You want your organization to reduce food service waste.

*CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FLIER FOR MORE INFORMATION*

TOPICS
Food Service Waste & Alternatives to Disposables
Stephanie Barger
Founder and Executive Director of Earth Resource Foundation
Kreigh Hampel
Recycling Coordinator, The City of Burbank

Food Composting Overview
Eric Wilhite
Vice President of Supermarket Division
Community Recycling & Resource Recovery, Inc.

Getting to Zero Waste, Closing the Loop on Organics
Marialyce Pedersen
Senior Program Research Representative
The Walt Disney Company

SEATING IS LIMITED. RSVP NOW!

Contact Burbank Recycle Center
818-238-3900 or Zerowaste@ci.burbank.ca.us
(If you have already received a confirmation there is no need to RSVP again)

Disposing of e-Waste

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:17:00 +0000

CNET TV has a nice video on e-waste disposal

Sustainable Dave

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:21:00 +0000

A good friend and someone who is certainly looking at the bigger picture and leading the good fight is Sustainable Dave.

I helped him shoot this video and he has been very helpful with ideas and influences. Dave has taught some classes on sustainability in the Burbank schools

visit his blog sustainabledave.org or 365daysoftrash.com for more info.

Check out his other videos too

Drought Tolerant Landscaping Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:00:00 +0000

Drought Tolerant Landscaping Notes
12/9/08

1. Garden Design
http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/gardendesign.html

Basic Principles of Landscape Design
http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/principlesoflandscapedesign.html

2. Landscaping Cloth
http://store.the-landscape-design-site.com/

From
http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/landscapefabric.html

"Measuring and overlap is another area where do it yourself make a common mistake. Try and remember that where two sheets of material meet, there needs to be a three to six inch overlap. This will help insure that weeds and grasses don't find their way to sunlight. So, also remember when figuring amount needed, to allow a little extra for the overlap.

Keep it completely covered from sunlight. Sunlight will do more natural damage than anything else. A good fabric will last virtually forever if covered completely from sunlight. So don't skimp on your groundcover and replenish yearly as needed.

Securing pins are often offered as a necessary accessory to weed barrier. This is true if you're using a cheaper material as they tend to shrink. As far as holding the material down while you work? You don't have to waste your money on them. You can simply hold the cloth in place as you go using your chosen groundcover.

Not all landscaping fabrics are alike. Home center and off brands most usually have the word "professional" or "commercial" on their labeling. And a lot of the time they don't quite live up to their labeling (I'm being nice here).

Here's what to look for:
A good quality product should be tougher than you are. You shouldn't be able to tear or stretch it easily and it should have a stiff quality to it. It shouldn't be flimsy and limp like regular cloth.

Test it before you place it in your landscaping. Next time you're at the local home center, try tearing a piece of it with your bare hands. If you can tear it or stretch it with your bare hands, chances are that weeds and grass can and will grow through it.

When shopping for professional fabric, you'll find many different types such as spunbond, woven, non-woven, and needle punch from many different manufacturers. And you'll find it in different weights as well."

Woven Weed Restrictor, 4.7 oz,

http://www.mrdrip.com/fabric.htm

* 3' x 250' = $118.45
* 4' x 250' = $146.26
* 5' x 250' = $182.89
* 6' x 250' = $219.39
* 8' x 250' = $304.20
* 12' x 250' = $473.85 (shipped via truck to commercial address ONLY)

2. Gravel Mulch

Pea Gravel (washed for landscaping)
one cubic yard (covers 80 ft square) about $70.00
Delivery charge: At least $60.00 - $70.00

3. Cost per 1000 Square Feet: $1340.00

Gravel plus delivery: $945.00
Landscape Fabric: $165.00
Plants: $200.00 (10-20 plants, depending on size. Mexican and Santa Barbara Slavia?)
Soil Amendment: $30.00
Watering System not included: ??

4. Plant smaller plants if possible.

5. Helpful links

http://www.ecoburbank.com/

http://www.californianativeplants.com

http://www.bewaterwise.com/

http://www.rsabg.org/

How About some algae

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:48:00 +0000

BACKYARD COMPOSTING CLASS - December 3rd

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:25:00 +0000

TITLE: BACKYARD COMPOSTING CLASS
DATE: Wednesday, December 3rd
TIME: 7:00pm – 8:30 pm
WHERE: Burbank Recycle Center.
REGISTER: Call 818-238-3900
INFO: Learn how to make rich chocolate soil for your garden! Free composter to Burbank Residents! Please be advised that the classes do become quite full and it is best to RSVP.

Drought Tolerant Yard

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:45:00 +0000

This video is also available on YouTube

We recently visited Burbank resident Kurt Ballash to show us his drought tolerant yard and explain some of the why & hows. Kurt explains the concept of "water harvesting"- the idea that one collects or harvests the rain/sprinkler water so that none or very little water makes it to the storm drain. This leads to a large reduction in your yard's water usage and in turn lowers your water bill.

It is possible to have a beautiful yard and conserve water.
BWP in association with thre Metropolitan Water District of Southern California offers free landscape classes. Call them at 818.238.3730 for current class schedule as the website is out of date.

More INFO:

Tree of Life Nursery grows native California plants and has a great resource page

Harvesting Rainwater - Brad Lancaster

Water Harvesting - Tucson Water

Mission Statement

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:14:00 +0000

ecoburBank.org is a channel / blog to promote small things Burbank residents are & can do that can effect the planet in a positive way. If a lot of people make small changes it will result in something BIG. Most of these changes only require a change in thinking and require very little effort to do. An example of this would be to simply not use a straw in your drink when you go to a restaurant or not use a lid and straw at a fast food restaurant. Think it doesn’t matter? Our contemporary way of life is based on disposability , use something for a short time and throw it away. That straw will be around for thousands of years yet you only used for 30 minutes.

A more obvious choice is to use reusable bags instead of plastic ones when ever you shop - the problem there is remembering to use them!

Most of the ideas we have will have little or no monetary cost, in fact most changes actually save you money.

We intend to do this by starting small ourselves.

Producing short video pieces to showcase how Burbank and it’s residents are doing the green thing. These videos will also demonstrate things we can start to do that will help the planet. we hope to air them on Channel 6 on Charter Cable.

In addition the videos, along with a corresponding introduction/article, will be posted on the ecoburbank.org website. In order to post the videos on the net it will be uploaded to a video site such as youtube or blip.tv where anyone can view it 24/7

Some upcoming videos we hope to do. 

Some residents have planted vegetable gardens to grow some food -
Some residents have removed their grass and planted drought tolerant yards 
Things we can do at home, such as reduce our use of paper towels in the kitchen (saves you $$$) 
Speak to a few folks who own a NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)and how they use it in   Burbank.

We also hope to do some videos on what the city is up to with regards to it’s green agenda and some of it’s policies.

Do you know why the city does not accept styrofoam (#6) and why it is so bad?
Did you know the city offers free composting and water smart landscaping classes?

Check out our website and let us know what you think.

Landscaping workshops

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:32:00 +0000

Burbank Water and Power, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Water, offers free landscape classes.

It is a 4 class program held on Saturdays from 8:30 am to Noon. Areas covered are:

Basic Landscape Design
Landscape Plants
Sprinkler Systems
Water and Fertilizing

Class size is limited.

The BWP conservation webpage needs updating so you should call BWP’s Conservation Services at 818-238-3730 to reserve your space. As of this writing the next workshop is in August at the Buena Vista Library.

The Story of Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:57:00 +0000

I found a link to The Story of Stuff. Kreigh at the BRC mentioned it in a recent conversation and it is an eye opener. Below is a short clip.

Click on the link above to watch the full 20 minute video

Al Gore's "Repower America Challenge"

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:05:00 +0000

Al Gore spoke in Washington today and announced his "Repower America Challenge". A 10 year initiative to end our reliance on carbon based fuels and at the same time make us energy independent. As he puts it "Our dangerous over reliance on carbon based fuels is at the core of all three of these challenges, the economic, environmental, and national security crisis. We're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet"

Visit wecansolveit.org for more info on what you can do

Welcome

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:07:00 +0000

ecoburBank.org is a TV channel/blog to promote small things Burbank residents are & can do that can effect the planet in a positive way. If a lot of people make small changes it will result in something BIG.

We intend to do this by starting small ourselves.

Producing short video pieces (2-5 minutes) to showcase how Burbank and it’s residents can and are reducing their imprint on the planet. Think Huell Howser
In addition to airing on channel 6 on Charter cable the same video clips will be available through this website.
Addition articles, tidbits and found videos

Some upcoming videos we hope to do.

A resident is growing some of their own food

A resident has removed their front yard grass and planted a drought tolerant garden in it's place

Speak to a few folks who own NEV and how they use it in Burbank.

Reycle your cell phone

noreply@blogger.com (Burbank Eco) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:14:00 +0000

Though not Burbank specific not many people recycle, donate, or reuse their cell phone. Whatever you do don't through it in the trash. OSH in Burbank has a small box at the information area to deposit a phone for reuse. Amazon now ships postage paid envelopes for used cell phones to go to our troops with every order. And of course the Burbank Recycling Center will accept it as e-Waste.