Articles Written by Julie Hancher

This past Tuesday, April 10th, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Mayor Michael Nutter & city officials signed an official agreement at the Fairmount Water Works that recognized Philadelphia's Green City Clean Waters Plan as an innovative approach to storm water management.  This is huge - basically, Philly's setting the standard as a national model for green infrastructure. Sooo what does this mean to me? Does it sound like spanish to you? It means this: Philly's #1 again! I'm quite excited to share

When I stop home at my parents house, I try to give them some hints of what they're not recycling (and should) as the self-appointed 'recycle police'.  But then I see it... No paper, but a lonely tube, surrounded by tissues. Good news: Paper tubes from paper towels, TP, tape, etc., can go into your Single Stream Recycling! No extra effort. Recycle on!  (And try to use dishtowels instead of paper...) ;-)

Besides the temps creeping up, another exciting season is upon us: Music festivals. Yet, with hundreds of people rocking out to everything from the biggest bands to indie acts, I get a little scared about how thousands of people make so much music... and love... and waste. Be not afraid, music-loving environmentalists. The Sweetlife Food & Music Festival is coming to

One of the biggest challenges in the corporate world is convincing leaders or owners to incorporate sustainability habits into the workplace.  For the eco-minded individual, it can be a headache.  Finding out my prior employer took the 'recycle bins' and emptied them into the garbage frustrated myself and a colleague beyond belief (which inspired the birth of this very blog you're reading...) Luckily, local college students are trying to change

Hope you had a chance to prepare for a sustainable Easter this weekend!  Here's what you missed this week on the green front, as well some Photo Friday fun below:

Growing up Catholic, I was 'forced' to unplug & do nothing between 12-3 on Good Friday.  I'd avoid the computer, TV & other stuff in favor of a book or reflecting time.  It seemed semi-like torture as a child with only a computer and TV in the house.  Add that to laptops, smartphones & iPads of modern day... Whether you're Christian or celebrating Passover today (or neither), we can all learn something from a little 'unplugged' time... Try a day or weekend away from electronics.  (Make sure to unplug them to avoid sucking up the vampire energy.) Turn off your iPhone or Droid, leave your laptop at home and get outside. If you're strapped for cash,

Reader Ryan asks: Where can we recycle computer laptop batteries? Answer: Good news for you, Ryan!  You can recycle laptop batteries in a few places:

Don't frown urbanites. Even if you don't have grass in your city property limits, you can still grow your own food this season. I started planting seeds for the first harvest of my container garden last week.  Obviously I didn't inherit my dad's gardening skills regardless of my DNA, so it has taken some experimentation over the past 2 years.  (I was an Urban Dummy just a short time ago!)  Here's the basics if you're considering to plant this season.

Philadelphia residents can get involved in the recycling awards and have over 30 opportunities to win - with a grand prize of free groceries for a year! RecycleBank is sponsoring a Sweepstakes running from Sunday April 1st (aka it’s live now) until Saturday, June 30, 2012 to win by recycling.  Prizes include: