First Posted: 4/22/2014
Everything Natural, The Countryside Conservancy, Waste Management and R.N. DeMeck Roof Management Services, Inc. are inviting the community to celebrate Earth and Arbor Day on Saturday by “E-Cycling” unwanted electronics.
“E-Cycling is a hugely important project,” Everything Natural owner, Barry Kaplan said. “It is mandated by the state that e-waste may not be disposed of in the waste stream (landfills), yet there is no system in place to recycle it.”
E-Cycling, or electronics recycling, will begin at 9 a.m. on Barrett St., the side street of Everything Natural, 426 S. State St. and will end promptly at noon.
According to Kaplan, Waste Management will collect and transport the e-waste in a certified secure manner, so all information on computers remains secure; Countryside Conservancy volunteers will be on hand to help people unload their vehicles, and R.N. DeMeck Roof Management Services, Inc. will provide fork lift services.
“There are occasional E-Cycling events, but they most often charge by the car load or sometimes even by the piece,” Kaplan said. “Everything Natural always holds an Earth Day Open House and now for three years, the E-Cycling. We have been celebrating Earth Day for the entire time we’ve been open – almost 30 years, and we’re glad that we have been able to inspire others to celebrate and take action for Earth Day.”
The celebration will continue at Everything Natural from 1 to 3 p.m. with live music from Doreen Coleman, fresh wheatgrass juicing and sprouting demos with The Wheatgrass Grower (Ellen McGlynn), healthy food from Tao of Delicious Health, Young Living essential oil sampling and the introduction of brew master, Ryan Makinson, and his Clarks Cultures,“a brand-new company with locally brewed Kombucha that will be available for sale and sampling,” Kaplan said.
Leah Rudolph has chaired, along with Charles Sandercock and Diane Alberigi, the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Friends of the Earth: A Recycled Plastic Cap Project! After a successful bottle cap collection drive, 15 sculptures were created and will be on display in front of various businesses in the Abingtons from Friday through Sunday.
The Shade Tree organizations of Clarks Summit, Clarks Green and South Abington are hosting the second annual Abington Arbor Day celebration on Sunday at the Clarks Summit Fire Company hall at 321 Bedford St. from 2 to 4 p.m.
“One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen,” noted master gardener, Donna Zagrapan, who cited that quote from the U.S. Department of Agriculture via email. “This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people.
“We are looking to help our children foster an appreciation for trees and all they do for the environment. The Arbor Day activities help with this goal,” said Zagrapan, who also said the Gingko Biloba tree is her favorite.
“Besides being the oldest tree on earth and one of the tallest, it produces leaves with the most vibrant yellow fall color,” she said.
Planned celebration activities will include crafts using recycled products and a chance to meet Clarks Summit Mayor Patty Lawler, who will present a proclamation and man the recycled newspaper craft stand.
“It’s an honor to award the Proclamation to honor Earth-Arbor Day,” Lawler said. “As former Chair of Recycling programs in the Borough I’m serious advocate of preserving out natural resources and increasing the appreciation of the tree. The root system of the tree is valuable in storm water management. I think we overlook this as nature’s tool to aid us with small area flooding. Setting this day aside for Clark’s Summit to honor Earth-Arbor Day is essential.”
Winners of the “What is my favorite tree? Why?” poster contest will be announced and 12 individual prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners in first through fourth grades. Winners must be present to collect prizes.
Other Earth Day events for the weekend will include:
Create an earth piece of pottery at a Drop-In Pottery class at The Pottery Corner in the Abington Art Studio on Saturday 1 – 4 p.m.
Folks of all ages can create. The cost is $5/per piece. A free recycled craft, also open to all ages, will be offered at the studio on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.