Archives For Environment
The former executive director of Rhode Island’s Economic Development Corporation wants to build a biomass to renewable energy plant along Providence’s waterfront on Allens Avenue, but he said the city needs to commit to freezing commercial tax rates to make the project happen.
An urban farm in Wilmington, Delaware. Photo (cc) tcd123usa
Providence Environmental Initiative Will Transform Vacant City-Owned Parcels into Urban Farms
‘Lots of Hope’ program awarded $100,000 by Rhode Island Foundation and Florida-based Local Sustainability Matching Fund
PROVIDENCE, RI – The City of Providence, in partnership with the Southside Community Land Trust and the Rhode Island Foundation, is embarking on a new initiative to convert city-owned vacant lots into productive urban farms.
“Lots of Hope is an innovative new program that will help to build a more sustainable and healthy City for years to come,” said Mayor Angel Taveras. “Providence has a vital environmental community committed to helping make the city more sustainable. Together, we are moving forward to transform Providence into one of the greenest cities in the nation. I thank the Rhode Island Foundation, the Local Sustainability Matching Fund and Southside Community Land Trust for partnering with the City of Providence on this exciting initiative.”
The Lots of Hope program will enable Providence residents to access low-cost, underutilized public land from the City along with technical assistance and hands-on support from Southside Community Land Trust. The program is financed by a $50,000 grant from the Florida-based Local Sustainability Matching Fund and a matching $50,000 grant from the Rhode Island Foundation.
The gist of the program is next month, all households are set to receive a new grey bin which will now be used for trash. The current green bins will be retrofitted with a blue lid and will now be your super duper single stream recycling bin.
Here’s all the details from the City:
Download a flyer explaining the program 
Providence Launches New Recycling Initiative Wednesday, September 26, 2012
‘Big Green Can’ barrels currently used for trash will now be used for recycling; larger barrel aims to increase recycling rates by making it easier to recycle.
Providence’s Big Green Can is about to get greener and recycling is getting a lot easier in the capital city.
Starting October 1 and continuing through the end of the year, every Providence household will receive a new, 65-gallon gray trash barrel. As soon as a gray can is delivered to a household, its large, 95-gallon ‘Big Green Can’ barrel currently used for trash will be used for recycling. Waste Management will replace the lids on the Big Green Cans with a bright blue lid and graphic instructions on the new recycling procedure.
The larger recycling barrel, coupled with the statewide transition to single-stream recycling, aims to increase recycling rates by making it easier for all residents to recycle.
“I am excited to launch this recycling program and make a new, stronger commitment to sustainability in Providence,” said Mayor Angel Taveras. “Cities that have implemented similar programs have seen increases in their recycling rate. That is great for the environment, and it is also great for our bottom line. It has never been easier to recycle and together, we are building more sustainable, greener future for our capital city.”
Residents should begin using their Big Green Can for all recyclables as soon as they get their new gray barrel for other trash. Recyclables don’t need to be sorted – simply put all plastics, paper, glass, metal cans and foil together in the Big Green Can.
These trees are just hanging out on a 195 parcel near the corner of Tockwotton and South Main Streets waiting for someone to plant them.
The goal of single-stream recycling is to dramatically increase the volume of recycable items collected, thereby extending the life of the state landfill. The new sorting machines can bundle a variety of plastics, such as coffee cups and yogurt containers. Selling bales of these plastics to recycling processors is expected to bring in additional revenue to the RIRRC and participating cities and towns.
Photo (cc) provbenson2009
The first of three wind turbines set to rise at the Wastwater Treatment Plant at Fields Point is set to have its blades installed.
Photo above from our Flickr Group and video below from WPRI.
The Providence Community Boating Center has announced that kayaking will be added to their programming this spring!
The simplicity of kayaking as an entry-level sport for anyone makes it attractive to get outside, get moving, and embrace a healthy lifestyle.
FREE recreational kayaking is now included with adult memberships! Paddle one day as a trial/guest member, or all season, + FREE guest! We want you to paddle with a friend, so you get up to 2 kayaks/ trip.
New to paddling? Join us for some basic instruction and a guided tour. FREE guided “RiverRomp” tours offer youth & families a healthy, active alternative to TV, video, and other indoor, static activities.
CBC will, of course, still be offering recreational sailing and sailing lessons this spring, but now a membership will also offer kayak usage and kayaking lessons!
An adult membership for the entire season costs only $195*, and basically gives you access to boats 7 days a week – with no boat rental fees and no maintenance obligations.
Only in town for a day, or worried about commitment? CBC offers a one-day pass for $75 – a great way to spend an afternoon before checking out a Waterfire.
More details on the CBC website including the 2012 Membership Application (PDF)
*packages and discounts available, too!
Roger Williams Park Ponds Restoration Public Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011, 7-9 p.m.
The Casino at Roger Williams Park
1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI
Hosted by the City of Providence and Narragansett Bay Estuary Program
Contact: Robert F. McMahon, Supt. of Parks, 401-785-9450
The Ponds: Roger Williams Park is the largest area of public open space in Providenceâ€â€a regional resource and a neighborhood park, with more than a million visitors each year. The centerpiece of the park is a 100-acre system of interconnected freshwater ponds, created when the park was built, flowing into the Pawtuxet River and Narragansett Bay. The ponds are important for boating, fishing and scenic value, yet they suffer from persistent water-quality problems, caused in part by storm-water pollution from local sources and urban areas upstream.
EcoRI News reports that the Narragansett Bay Commission has approved a $12 million construction contract to build three wind turbines at the Port of Providence.
The turbines should be operational by March of next year.
In other wind turbine news, WPRI reports that Deepwater Wind has submitted new plans for a 200 turbine wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Gator on the loose but not a threat: wpri.com
WPRI reports on the alligator that has been spotted recently in the Woonasquatucket River around Eagle Square. Apparently the DEM has no plans to try to remove it and assume it will just die in the winter (kinda sad).
