Ask the shops/restaurants that you frequent to do the same
Attend an upcoming Sustainable Sewickley monthly meeting. E-mail sustainablesewickley@gmail.com for more information.
Also e-mail if you are interested in joining one of our initiatives.
Let us know if …
1. You would like to work with local schools to waste and encourage composting
2. You know of a local parking lot owner who may want an electric car charging station and/or you would like to join a monthly discussion group about how to raise awareness around EV usage (and plan EV events)
3.You would like to work on reducing single use plastics at shops/restaurants in Sewickley
4.You would like to work for a zero energy high school and more energy efficient buildings in our area
5. You would like to work on getting temporary “Re-Fill Store” events in Sewickley and tell us if you know of a retail store front that could be a site for a permanent “Re-Fill Store” location.
6. You would like to volunteer at Light Up Night or another zero waste event
Events and Initiatives:
1. Help Us with Zero Waste Events in Sewickley:
What is a Zero Waste Event? The Pennsylvania Resources Council’s zero waste team sets up stations where trash is divided into landfill, compost and recycle bins. After the event is over, PRC removes the recycled and compostable material which diverts it from the landfill. It’s a win win for the environment and a great educational tool for residents.
Our first Zero Waste Event was Sewickley Light Up Night in December of 2021. With donations from the community, the good work of the Pennsylvania Resources Council and over 15 volunteers – we had a 57.2% diversion rate, diverting over 520 lbs of waste from the landfill for that event! By continuing to improve its Zero Waste strategies through additional pre-event sustainable material sourcing, PRC can help Sustainable Sewickley towards its Zero Waste goal for the 2022 Light Up Night and for other Sewickley events. We CAN do this as a community!!!
2. Zero Energy Building Advocates for a Sustainable QV High School: Please see the flyer below that describes what a zero energy building is and why it is so important to include zero energy in the design of the new QV high school. Please support this initiative by contacting Quaker Valley School Board members, having conversations and sharing this information.
3. It is still possible to join the Quaker Valley Residential Compost Pick Up Program: go to http://www.zerowastewrangler.com for more information.
Curbside composting is available in Sewickley and neighboring boroughs through Zero Waste Wrangler. This program allows subscribers to compost all food waste, including bones, oil, paper towels, popsicle sticks, pizza boxes, and more. Check out their website to learn more and to sign up: https://zerowastewrangler.com.
Backyard Composting:
There are many different ways to compost in your own home or backyard! Whether you are interested in a Lomi, worms, or a simple pile, help is available! Reach out to us or to the Pennsylvania Resources Council for more information. https://prc.org/programs/conservation-workshops/backyard/
Recycling Information:
For information about curbside recycling, please refer to your municipality’s website or the Quaker Valley Council of Governments website, www.qvcog.org. If you would like to see more happening in the way of better local waste management, please contact your municipality.
For hard to recycle and e-waste – ECS&R has a monthly collection event in Evans City. They take just about anything, including electronics and household hazardous waste, and while there are fees associated, they are reasonable. Here’s more information: https://ecsr.net/
For hard to recycle and e-waste – Evolution E-Cycling is located on the Southside, and also have drop off locations at some self-storage sites. More information: http://www.evolutionecycling.com/
The QVCOG sponsors a Clean Stormwater Initiative to prevent storm drain/river pollution and drinking water contamination. Please use environmentally friendly lawn and garden products and properly dispose of oil, paints, and other household chemicals. For more information please refer to www.qvcog.org or www.sewickleyborough.org.
Solar Panel Information:
If you would like information about residential solar panels, please contact EIS Solar (www.EISsolar.com). Phone: 412-294-1741. Ian Smith, Director of Residential Consultations,412-714-6274 and Ian@EISsolar.com.
Solbridge Energy Advisors, LLC. Contact Greg Winks, greg@solbridgeEA.com. Phone: 412-901-6766.
You can take an online energy audit, get information about a whole-house energy audit or about appliance recycling and find out where you can get energy-saving appliances in the “Energy and Money Saving” area of www.duquesnelight.com.
Install a programmable thermostat to replace your old dial unit. Seal and insulate heating and cooling ducts. Replace single-paned windows with dual-paned windows and install insulated doors.
Incorporate a house wrap or extremely effective thermal insulation. This will allow you to use renewable energy.
Use Renewable energy: Use alternative energy sources like geothermal, wind, solar or hydro energy. Purchase solar panels. Use an electric heat pump instead of a gas or oil furnace. At a minimum, contact your energy provider and source renewable energy (local wind and solar) for your electrical needs. Install solar lights. Drive an electric car.
Buy Green Tags: If your energy company doesn’t offer green power, you can offset your carbon dioxide emissions by purchasing “green tags,” or compensatory energy credits that add renewable power to the grid equal to the power you use. Numerous green tag programs exist and can be readily be found on the internet.
Purchase Carbon offsets: Pay a company (can be found online) to further reduce your net emissions by planting trees or by taking up low-carbon technologies.
Adjust your thermostat: Turning you thermostat down 3 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and up 3 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 1,050 pounds per year. By using a programmable thermostat, you can automatically lower your monthly energy bill by giving your heat and air conditioning a break while you are asleep or out.
Use energy-saving light bulbs: Switch to LED light bulbs.
Buy Energy Star Appliances: Buy more energy efficient appliances.
Electronics: Reduce your use of energy reliant products, especially heavy consumers such as televisions and computers. Turn off computers when not in use.
Install tankless water heaters: Tankless water heaters fit on walls under sinks and warm only as much water as is needed, so there is little energy wasted.
Wash clothes in cold or warm water: Or better yet, line dry clothes.
Plant native plants and TREES in your yard: Reduce or eliminate your water thirsty lawn. Trees and plants sequester carbon emissions.
Grow your own food: No plastic packaging is required when you harvest your own food. No pesticides are used. No fossil fuels are used to transport your food.
Source local, recycled and easily recyclable materials for your home: Be mindful of how you dispose of waste. Compost. Reduce landfill waste as landfills emit an immense amount of greenhouse gasses. Use less plastic. Reduce.
Hire knowledgeable building professionals: If you plan to build or renovate a house or if you add an addition, hire an architect, builder and/or LEED certified consultant to guide the sustainable work on your home. Utilize resources/organizations for advice on the best sustainable practices to include those listed above and also others including water efficiency (low flow plumbing fixtures, insulated pipes, water reuse, rain gardens, permeable hardscape landscaping for optimal water flow etc).
“Do the best you can with what you have where you are”
Borough of Sewickley’s Sustainability Efforts:
If you are interested in learning more about the Borough of Sewickley’s Sustainability efforts (included in it’s Gold level Status in Pennsylvania’s Community Certification Program) please refer to the Borough’s Sustainability Plan in the Government section of http://www.sewickleyborough.org.
Local Sustainable Food Resources:
MAIL ORDER/DELIVERY (sustainable pasture-raised or wild):
Lewis Family Farm – LewisFamilyFarm.com – Rochester – organic grass fed beef, organic free-range chickens – get on email list to be notified of availability
Clarion Farms Beef – clarionfarms.com – at The Strip by Bar Marco’s on Saturdays or pickup in Clarion – grass and grain finished beef, regenerative
Barberry Longhorn Beef – barberrylonghorncattle.com – Sewickley – grass fed beef, eggs, bacon – pickup at the farm on Barberry Rd Wednesdays 3-5pm or Saturdays 12-2pm or contact Jeremy at 412-477-2678
Starr Valley Farm – StarrValleyFarm.com – Leechburg, PA – grass fed beef in bulk, pickup at farm
The Family Cow – yourfamilyfarmer.com – Regenerative- raw milk, beef, pork, chicken, salmon, cheese, fermented foods – pickup online orders at War Memorial Park Thursdays
Mill Creek Trout Farm – info on Facebook, also at Sewickley Farm Market or email millcreektroutfarm@yahoo.com
Harvie Local Meat/Produce/Bakery Delivery – EatHarvie.com – multiple Pittsburgh area farmers and producers ordered through one website and delivered weekly
LOCAL FAMILY FARM MARKETS (home grown produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, honey, grocery):
Shenot Farm Market – 3754 Wexford Run Rd, Wexford – produce, meats, fudge, local pantry items
Soergel’s Farm Market and Naturally Soergel’s – 2573 Brandt School Rd, Wexford
Dillner Farm Market – 4140 Sandy Hill Rd, Gibsonia, also at Sewickley Farm Market
Harvest Valley Farms – 6003 Cunningham Rd, Gibsonia
Janoski’s Farm Market – 1714 Lincoln Highway (Rt 30), Clinton
Look for “Local” designation on produce displays at Whole Foods too!
Earth’s Eye by Wendall Berry, Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, Pathways To Our Sustainable Future by Patricia DeMarco, Deep Economy by Bill McKibben, Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming Edited by Paul Hawken, We are the Weather by Jonathan Safran Foer and The Hour of Land by Terry Tempest Williams.
Future Sustainable Sewickley educational programs to be announced
Join us and lead an initiative
Let’s come together and sow the seeds for a brighter tomorrow!
Get involved! Email us at sustainablesewickley@gmail.com to find out how you can help with sustainability efforts in the Quaker Valley and surrounding areas. Post ideas, activities, events and local volunteering opportunities on our Facebook page. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
Here is a list of lifestyle choices that you can make to support sustainability:
When you order food from restaurants, talk to the owner about going plastic-free with their to-go containers.
Volunteer to help at a Zero Waste Event. Donate to support zero waste events.
Take the One Bag Challenge! Sustainable Sewickley is challenging you (with a family of four) to limit your trash to one 13 gallon bag per week. Reduce your trash to one bag per week!!!
Buy locally, reuse, and repair. Bring your used electronics to hard-to-recycle events. Put items you don’t need on local Buy Nothing groups on Facebook. Donate to and buy from thrift and second-hand shops
Recycle plastic shaped like jars or jugs, glass (take it to a glass recycler), aluminum and paper/cardboard (properly!) and use reusable bags when you shop. Use reusable mugs and containers for coffee and beverages.
Use public transportation, carpool, ride your bike and walk. Fly less.
Think about a green approach (energy efficient appliances, a home energy audit, choosing a clean energy supplier, extra insulation, solar panels etc) for your home.
Have a home energy audit done on your home and improve the efficiency of your house. www.getenergysmarter.org
Compost your food waste. Learn how at a free online webinar through www.prc.org
Eat local food, support small farms and shop at farmers markets. Follow a plant-based diet or limit the amount of meat that you eat.
Purchase an electric or a hybrid car. Work to get more electric car charging stations installed locally.
Say no to all single-use plastics including plastic bags, plastic straws, plastic cups and plastic cutlery.
Stay away from pesticides, fertilizer and weed killer. Plant native plants and limit the size of your lawn that needs to be mowed.
Follow, support & invest in sustainable companies or organizations. Donate money to nonprofit groups that further sustainable activities. Divest from unsustainable companies.
Look at these goodies from the our local farmers market! We love that they are all locally grown, but what’s wrong with this picture? Work for change!
C. Making lifestyle and consumer choices to limit our use of resources
D. Meeting our needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs
E. Creating a balance between our natural systems, our economic system and our social system
F. Supporting local sustainable efforts …
Reuse, Reduce, Compost & Recycle
Ask the shops and restaurants that you frequent to do the same
Attendan upcoming Sustainable Sewickley monthly meeting. Meetings are held at the Sewickley Public Library (please wear a mask). Or E-mail sustainablesewickley@gmail.com for the Zoom link.
Let us know if …
1.You know of a local parking lot owner who may want an electric car charging station
2.You would like to work on getting more recycling/better in our area
3.You would like to work on getting temporary “Re-Fill Store” events in Sewickley or if you know of a potential retail site that could work for a permanent Re-Fill store location.
4.You would like to work on reducing single use plastics at shops/restaurants in Sewickley
5.You would like to work for more energy efficient buildings in our area
Sustainable Sewickley 