The Capital's Environmental Reporter is Pam Wood. She also puts together the Our Bay section of the newspaper. Send her any news you have at pwood@capitalgazette.com. And send it to us too!
Two caveats:
- There are many exhaustive sources for information on environmental issues on a global or national level. This is not one of them. Our emphasis is local, that is, mostly in and around the Annapolis area although we will include some more wide-ranging resources.
- And, this list is a work in progress. If we're missing something, please click on the email address at the bottom of the page and tell us.
Organizations
Services
Ecolistic Cleaning - A bio-based, eco-friendly
cleaning service.
Ecolistic Cleaning uses
Dyson HEPA vacuums, biodegradable
and safe cleaning
products, and care in your home.
Licensed, bonded & insured.
Make a positive impact on your
family’s health and prevent the
dangers of harsh toxins that enter
your daily environment.
Free, in-home estimate! 443 224–2631
Bay Forest Cleaners - A "wet" cleaners that has invested in the new green technology offering only organic solutions. Location:
956 Bay Ridge Road, in the Giant Food shopping center. Phone: 410 268-3806
Annapolis Community Food Gardens -
Teaching organizational groups – such as schools, churches, hospitals, residential facilities, apartment residents, and neighborhood associations – how to construct, manage, and maintain a community food garden. Contact Helen Loughrey, Executive Consultant.
e-cruzers, LLC - a “Green Transportation” company based in Ocean City, Maryland, but operating all over the state and beyond. The vehicles we use are 6-passenger GEM (Global Electric Motorcar) 100% electric carts that are street legal (on all roads 35 mph or less), have a maximum speed of 25 mph and produce “zero emissions”. They offer several types of shuttle service.
Read more ...
Recycling Old Cell Phones
Why not donate that old phone in a way that will help a lonely soldier stationed overseas call home more often. Cell Phones for Soliders gets paid by a recycler for every phone it collects and that money is turned into calling cards for our troops. From the website you can print out a postage-paid shipping label to sned in your phone. Win-win: soldiers get to call home and you recycle your phone responsibly.
Green Building Institute
Its mission is to foster sustainable building practices through education and example.
Green Meeting Industry Council
Read its report, The Future is Green: Charting a Sustainable Future for Meetings
Nautical Destinations
Go Green with Environmental Responsibility!
A “Bay friendly” charter program for the Chesapeake offering groups the option to arrange private charters “with environmental responsibility.” Working closely with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, DNR’s Clean Marina Initiative, Businesses for the Bay and Boat US Foundation, Nautical Destinations’ established criteria for their participating boats, caterers and other vendors involved in the charter. Offering both sail and power in Annapolis and Baltimore clients can choose from various yachts including “Lady Pintail,” “Duchess of Pintail,” “Blue Horizons,” and “Schooner Woodwind.” All boats and vendors have signed a “Green Pledge” to confirm their commitment to environmental stewardship ranging from biodegradable cleaners and clean fueling devices to providing reusable tableware and recycling trash. ND is a member of the Green Meeting Industry Council. A portion of each charter fee will be designated as a donation to Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Solar Energy Resources & Sustainable Building
See the Chesapeake Climate Action Network's write up on local sources, including Maryland solar grants.
TerraLogos Green Home Services
TerraLogos Home Energy Inspections© identify a home’s hidden energy leaks and provide a customized improvement plan for reducing home energy costs while improving comfort and health. See the company's online list of Green Links, "partners and green home improvement friends."
EPA's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program
It
helps the federal government "buy green," and in doing so, uses the federal government's enormous buying power to stimulate market demand for green products and services. Geared first to help federal purchasers, this site can help green vendors, businesses large and small -- and consumers so such things as:
* Find and evaluate information about green products and services
* Identify federal green buying requirements;
* Calculate the costs and benefits of purchasing choices;
* Manage green purchasing processes
Free On-Site Pollution Prevention Opportunity Assessments
The Maryland Department of the Environment offers businesses free on-site waste reduction assessments through the University of Maryland Technology Extension Service. These assessments are not inspections!
They are confidential, completely voluntary and non-regulatory. The purpose is to identify measures that can be taken to make the most efficient use of the energy, water and raw materials you use. You'll receive a report listing specific recommendations that protect the environment, your workers and save you money!
To learn more about pollution prevention and to schedule an on-site evaluation of your business, call MDE's Pollution Prevention Program at 1-800-633-6101 (ext. 4119) or visit the website.
Free Environmental Management System Implementation Assistance
Environmental Management Systems help organizations identify and manage both their regulated and unregulated environmental impacts. Benefits include a strong environmental compliance program, reduced environmental liability, increased efficiency, enhanced image with customers and the public, improved employee environmental awareness and a system for continual
improvement. Assistance is provided through workshops and on-site
meetings. Businesses that complete this program are fully prepared to certify to the international ISO 14001 standard for EMSs if they choose to do so.
To learn more, contact Laura Armstrong, MDE P2 Coordinator at 410-537-4119, larmstrong@mde.state.md.us
or visit the website.
Speakers
Gerald W. Winegrad
Topic: Maryland's and The Bay Region's Inconvenient Truth: The Bay is in Dismal Shape and Clean-up Goals are Not Being Met. What Needs to be Done and How Can We Achieve It?
Former Senator Gerald W. Winegrad presents a power point presentation and leads discussions on the status of Chesapeake Bay restoration and what needs to be done. He discusses the latest EPA Bay Program analysis and data on meeting the 2000 Bay Agreement goals and legislative proposals for restoring the Bay, including a re-worked Green Fund. Senator Winegrad will discusses the necessity of dealing with population growth, sprawl development and the loss of forest land and presents startling data on the impacts of such growth on the Bay's decline. He also details the increasing problems of stormwater runoff and agricultural pollution and the need to address these in order to restore the Bay.
Senator Gerald W. Winegrad is a former State Senator from Annapolis and was the leading environmentalist in the Legislature who was responsible for many great Bay initiatives including the phosphate detergent ban. He Chaired the Senate Environment and Chesapeake Bay Subcommittee and served on the Chesapeake Bay Commission for 12 years. In 2002 he was presented the prestigious Life Time Achievement Award by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. He is a Professor at the graduate School of Public Policy, University of Maryland, where he teaches a course on Bay restoration.
Rita Calvert
Topic: “Food for Life Balance” - Buy Fresh Buy Local Chesapeake Region & Chesapeake Food~Farm Tours
ladycalvert.com
Products
Info About Lead in LipstickBreathe Easy Cabinetry for Indoor Quality
Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company
A locally based micro-roaster of specialty coffees. Its central mission is to provide customers with the best coffee available and to improve and preserve our local watershed. Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company offers a full line of wholesale blends and single origins, and donates a portion of the proceeds from its ‘Tributary’ line of products to various watershed improvement efforts.
Using the most cutting edge and environmentally sound roaster in the world, CBRC roasts and packages its retail coffees on a just in time basis. They are proud to package their coffees in reusable and recyclable steel cans because of their low ecological footprint. Please visit the website for more information on purchasing CBRC coffee, and how you can join in the effort to restore the bay.
Clean Energy Corn - Corn Burning Stoves
See the Chesapeake Climate Action Network's write up on these stoves as a way to reduce the use of electricity and greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenfeet
An online store whose motto is "The Planet's Homestore - Leaving green footprints since 1997." They also produce the free "More Hip than Hippie" podcasts and emails with lots of good ideas.
MikoWheeler Fine Countertops
Countertop fabrication and installation in solid surface,
'green' materials. Custom projects including furniture
fabrication as well as boat countertops, in Mayo. Offering Neil Kelly and Breathe Easy Cabinetry. Green Kitchen & Bath specialists.
Information:
Andrea Wheeler at 410 798-9690
Shaklee Products
Local Distributor Helen Fitzgerald tells us that Shaklee has been committed to the environment for over 50 years and was the first Climate Neutral Certified Company. Helen can steer you toward the Green Product Line.
K&B True Value Store
K&B True Value at 912 Forest Drive (you may know the store as Hardware House) has been family owned and operated since 1974. Majority owner Jared Littmann applies his background as environmental engineer and environmental lawyer to the business and he has brought in hundreds of environmentally-friendly products, ranging from organic fertilizers for plants and lawns, to chemical free household cleaners, to paint solvents, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), and much more. Last year was the store's first annual Earth Day celebration and it will be expanded upon this year over the weekend of April 19 & 20. They will celebrate by giving away tree saplings for free, offering sale prices on environmentally-friendly items, giving away free popcorn, and offering live demonstrations on tankless water heaters. Meanwhile, K&B has started to improve or reduce its environmental impact by improving energy efficiency and expanding recycling activities. Jared is always looking for new ideas on products to offer customers and projects he can undertake (like a green roof).
Sustainable Green Home Solutions
Offering garden composters, composting toilets, rainwater harvesting products (rain barrels)
How to...
How can you tell if the fruits and vegetables you're buying are really organic -- that is, pesticide-free?
Click here for a handy video that will help you tell if it's conventional, organic, or genetically modified.
From the Spa Creek Conservancy ... but applicable to concern about any body of water
- How to Wash and Service Your Car for a Clean Creek - Keep Trash, Oil, Solvents and Toxics Out of Our Creek
- How to Control Erosion/Restore Your Shoreline with Natural Vegetation and Habitat - Bring Back Life to Our Creek's Shoreline
- How to Manage Your Lawn, Garden, Pets & Work Site for a Clean Creek - Make Our Creek Fishable & Swimable
- How to Wash and Service Your Boat for a Clean Creek - Keep Trash, Oil, Solvents and Toxics Out of Our Creek
- How to Reduce/Improve Runoff from your Roof, Driveway, Parking Lot - Keep Our Creek Clean & Alive!
Ideas for recycling from Ideal Byte
- Earth911 - enter your zip and the item you want to recycle to find local recyclers.
- Aerosol cans - most curbside programs will take them.
- Aluminum foil - most curbside programs will take them.
- Autos - donate them to nonprofits; it's tax-deductible, but there are rules. Ask your tax expert.
- Caps and lids - most curbside programs will take them if you separate them from the container.
- Construction items (pipes, siding) - some curbside programs take them; if not, contact a building materials reuse organization. Here's a list of them in Maryland.
- Household items (appliances such as refrigerators, curtain rods, lawn chairs, pots, pans, tools) - some curbside programs will take them, but in most areas you have to drop them off at a recycling plant.
- Paper clips - most curbside programs will take them if they are kept together (put them inside a small cardboard box you are recycling anyway).
- Staples - hard to recycle, but note that you don't typically need to take them out when recycling paper.
- Wire hangers - take them to your dry cleaner; some curbside recycling programs will take them.
Publications
Edible Chesapeake is a quarterly publication that celebrates the abundance of local and seasonal foods in the Chesapeake watershed. They celebrate family farmers, fishermen, food artisans, chefs, and other food-related businesses, as well as the consumers, home cooks and restaurant-goers who support them.
Taste of the Bay Magazine is a free, monthly cultural magazine serving readers in the Anne Arundel and Calvert counties. Ten issues are produced per year, with two joint issues; July/August and December/January. It is distributed to over 250 specifically chosen locations throughout Annapolis, the surrounding areas, and the Eastern Shore, and mailed to many Anne Arundel County residents. Topics include restaurants, antiques and shops, art and cultural points of interest, home, garden, and family, and healthy and beauty resources.
Chesapeake Bay 2006 Health and Restoration Assessment Report
Major changes in managing growth, agriculture needed to save Bay, by Gerald W. Winegrad, published in September 2007 issue of Bay Journal (publication of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay).
Natural E-Source Newsletter
Free, sent out via email monthly by the Maryland Maryland Department of Natural Resources. It contains information about the natural world and news, offers, and a Just for Kids section.
Register to receive the newsletter
Other Information
What is Anne Arundel County's Critical Area Program?
starboard@annapolisgreen.com
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PO Box 3376 ♦ Annapolis, Maryland ♦ 21403
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