Philly

We're trying to be the greenest city in the USA, but we still have a long way to go (although Philadelphia's starting to get a little bit of street cred. However, each year we see more and more progress in our city of sustainable love. Here's the top 6 green initiatives outta Philly that we're proud of from 2012:

Did you know that those "free" plastic bags are embedded in your grocery checkout bill? And that each plastic bag you use costs you an estimated $.17 in taxes? Whether you reuse, trash or recycle those plastic bags, you're still paying an estimated $85 dollars each year for the Philly Water Department to clean plastic bags out of our waterways. Plus, those plastic bags (like diamonds) are never ever (like ever) going away. Even in the landfill, they'll keep your takeout and old flowers perfectly preserved. And often times, they end up in the oceans, killing wildlife and littering our lands. The good news? The solution is a LOT easier than we think.

United by Blue pledges to remove one pound of trash for every product sold. But these Philly-based philanthropists don't just stop at oceans... They help when it matters most. This past Saturday, 100 volunteers school 'bussed' their way up to Staten Island, New York for Hurricane Sandy assistance efforts. Since (find out more after the jump:)

A train derailed this morning in Paulsboro, New Jersey and instantly made national news. Why?

This year why not take a break from gifting traditional department store sweaters and ties? A refreshing alternative is available in the form of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Holiday Pop Up Store. PHS has taken over a storefront in a prime retail location in Chesnut Hill. The 400 square-foot space will be transformed into a holiday shopping haven, adorned with birch wood and green garland, accented with touches of glitter and mercury glass, and offering exceptional gifts for the garden, design, culinary, and Flower Show enthusiasts on your holiday list.

Why not balance out a local beer extravaganza with a talk about the state of our Carbon Dioxide emissions? I did just that by attending back-to-back Philly Beer Week-sponsored Bathtub Beer Fest and Bill McKibben's 350 Do the Math tour! (Find out about both events, after the jump).

Today is national America Recycles Day. Of course at GPB we pretty much think everyday should be recycle day. Nonetheless, I'm grateful for a holiday that commemorates the cause. America Recycles Day has been celebrated since 1997. AmericaRecycles.org encourages people and organizations to host events and activities that foster recycling education among colleagues, friends, neighbors and kids on or around this day. Yesterday Mayor Nutter announced that Philadelphia will celebrate America Recycles Day at several locations throughout the city. Here's a rundown on some of the events: (Find out how YOU can celebrate and more about this great day, after the jump):

The Philadelphia Marathon is grabbing tons of attention for offering up some prime 26.2 mile real estate for disheveled NYC should-have-been runners. But there's more attention on the way for the Philadelphia Marathon's sustainability efforts! As I pointed out with the Broad Street run, large running events produce a TON of waste. (Find out how the Philadelphia Marathon is becoming more sustainable and how YOU can help!)

The air's crisp and the leaves are turning color... which means that we'll be filled with an abundance of leaves on our streets, houses and curbs soon enough. Which leads to... Philadelphia's Bagged Leaf Drive 2012 (by the Streets Department) is approaching! What do you need to know for this year?