Articles Written by Julie Hancher

Trying to get rid of that old computer, laptop, tablet, monitor or television? A new Pennsylvania state law, effective tomorrow, prevents you from throwing out electronics curbside with the rest of your garbage. (Not like you would, anyway...) Unless your municipality (Find out the 411 on this new rule, after the jump!)

Yes we can... Again....  Back on a cool November night, my BFF and I sat on her couch as Brian Williams announced Mr. Barack Obama had been elected for a second term as President of the United States. Environmentalists were quick to bash the competition like the Sierra Club, mentioning "we" won over the corporate fossil fuel giants: Despite the hundreds of millions of dollars the fossil fuel industry dumped into this election to elect Mitt Romney, we proved that corporations are, in fact, not people. Obama's next four years in office are crucial to the environment as my 850-word election eve post begged. Although he still has to get buy in from Congress on sustainability initiatives, the momentum could bring some great changes. Since today is Obama's inauguration, here are my 10 green goals for President Obama's 2nd term:

We lead busy lives and with places like HipCityVeg, it's easy to grab a quick snack or meal out. But what about all those plastic utensils they give for free? Isn't there an alternative to more disposable crap? (Find out, after the jump!)

Are you still staring at the wall, thinking you need to buy a new calendar for 2013? Do you love composting? The Ladies of Manure Calendar may just be the one... This calendar pledges to 'rethink all your waste, even your daily #1's and #2's. The Fertile Earth Foundation made a calendar full of beautiful women, with an end goal (as stated on their website):

After recently downsizing from a 1250 sq-foot trinity with a roommate to a 500 sq foot studio solo mi, I realized I had to make some changes. And not just the ‘there’s someone living with me and now there’s not” changes. From the luxury of having an entire living room, kitchen and ‘dining area’ to half the size, I too had to downsize. My dining room table was large enough to host Thanksgiving dinner. And two couches were more than enough for one of me. Step one was to start selling furniture that I didn't need. Although I wasn't looking to make a ‘profit’, how did I part with things that I could use 'someday'?

You know when you discover a new song, website, or life-hack iPhone app that seriously makes you feel like you've won the lottery? That's how I felt with Cardmunch. Even though I rarely print paper anymore, business cards are a necessity at networking events. I haven't met a 'green' friend who hasn't gone business-card free. It's difficult to remember someone's name, let alone company, etc., to look them up on LinkedIn the next day. Or what if the person isn't on social networks? (Find out my life hack secret, after the jump!)

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission presented The Future is Now: Philadelphia 2035 Update at the Center for Architecture (1218 Arch Street) last evening. A packed room (half-standing) for the "sold out" event, attendees from younger to well aged  made an appearance - including a surprise speech from Mayor Michael Nutter. Sustainability was a main focus of the city plan, both with current progress and future goals. The Citizens Planning Institute, a Philadelphia City Planning Commission project involving official education and outreach recognized its volunteer graduates during the program. Philadelphia 2035 is the two-phase plan for the physical development of our city for 25 years (2011-2035) using the "new" zoning code. Last night's discussion began with highlights of Philadelphia's progress in 2012, which was formulated into a 12 month "report" calendar for participants. Much of the progress was due to the Greenworks sustainability initiatives: (Find out about the Philadelphia 2035 recap AND what Mayor Nutter had to say about plastic bags to us, after the jump!)

Rebecca asks on our Facebook Wall: After collecting enough rubber bands to form a bouncy ball, what should you do. Here's a few ideas of where to recycle rubber bands:

Why environmentalists should shut up about "green" & make sustainability the status quo “You’ll be so mad at me,” my friend started our conversation. “I forgot my reusable bag in the car so had to take 3 plastic ones. Double bagged.” “Oh no!” I replied. Although I was slightly disappointed, I tried disguising my inner judgement. “I’m just not green like you.” By our conversation, you’d think I was born designated into this ‘eco-lover’ lifestyle. Just how I was born into a loud and Eastern-European-Irish mutt and whiskey-loving family. Was caring about the earth a genetic combination I was cursed into, just like my abnormally tiny eyes and obnoxiously loud laugh? (Find out more about why we should stop calling it 'green').