| Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) http://www.eere.energy.gov/ Part of the U.S. Department of Energy, this website provides a vast array of information and links to organizations and resources on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, an office of the federal government, seeks to enhance energy efficiency and productivity; bring clean, reliable and affordable energy technologies to the marketplace; and enhance Americans' energy choices and quality of life. |
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| Renewable Energy Policy Project http://solstice.crest.org/ Learn about energy policy, energy efficiency, and forms of renewable energy such as hydropower, bioenergy,geothermal, wind, solar, and hydrogen. The Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) seeks to accelerate the use of renewable energy by providing information, policy analysis, and innovative strategies amid changing energy markets and mounting environmental needs by researching, publishing, and disseminating information, creating policy tools, and hosting highly active, on-line, renewable energy discussion groups. It is funded by a number of foundations as well as the U.S. Dept. of Energy and the U.S. EPA. |
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| Northampton Energy Resources Commission (NERC) http://www.city.northampton.ma.us/nhamptonenergy/Default.htm At this website, learn about energy conservation efforts in Northampton, view energy-saving tips, find out about NERC's future projects (such as ideas for the State Hospital, fuel cell and solar technologies, and promotion of mass transit), and read the Northampton Energy Policy for city and school buildings. The Northampton Energy Resources Commission, a municipal group, is charged with monitoring energy use in city buildings and schools, developing conservation programs, and otherwise promoting conservation of resources in the city. |
| SolarGuide Factbase www.ases.org (from home page, click on Solar Guide) This factbase is designed as an introduction to solar energy technologies, as well as a resource leading to more information. Four different technologies are covered: photovoltaics, wind, solar thermal (transfer of heat to liquid) and buildings (passive solar). Especially useful for those unfamiliar with the jargon are definitions of technical terms. The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the use of solar energy and promoting the widespread near- and long-term use of solar energy. |
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| Solar Energy Basics www.eere.energy.gov/RE/solar_basics.html Briefly describes how sunlight can be used to generate electricity, provide hot water, and to heat, cool, and light buildings. |
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| Solar Energy Advanced Basics www.eere.energy.gov/RE/solar.html Provides more detailed information on technologies, applications, and issues relating to solar energy. Topics covered include photovoltaics; passive solar heating, cooling, and daylighting; concentrating solar power; solar hot water and space heating and cooling; solar resource data; solar access; and green power. |
| Small Wind Electric Systems: A Massachusetts Consumer's Guide
www.state.ma.us/doer/programs/renew/sm-wind.pdf Provides a wind resource map of Massachusetts, discusses issues of practicality, what size turbine is needed, the basic parts of a small wind electric system, how much systems cost, sources for installation and maintenance support, how much energy the system would generate, choosing the best site for the system, connecting it to the grid, a glossary of terms, summary of state incentives, and a contact list. The Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources, a state government agency, implements energy policies, improves and streamlines energy regulation, promotes greater efficiency in all energy uses, reduces energy costs and mobilizes energy education. |
RENEWABLE ENERGY - Programs in Massachusetts
| Massachusetts Renewable Energy Programs
www.state.ma.us/doer/programs/renew/renew.htm Information and links to federal and state tax incentives; local windpower resources; biomass; landfill gas recovery; photovoltaics; and fuel cells. |
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| Massachusetts Incentives for Renewable Energy
www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/map2.cfm View information on personal deductions and tax credits, property tax exemptions, rebate programs, sales tax exemptions, and more. The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is an ongoing project of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by the North Carolina Solar Center. |
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| Incentives for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Massachusetts www.nesea.org/energy/ma_incentives.html Discusses tax incentives for renewable energy systems as well as energy efficiency programs in Massachusetts. The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is the nation's leading regional membership organization focused on promoting the understanding, development, and adoption of energy conservation and non-polluting, renewable energy technologies. They are located in Greenfield, MA. |
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| Companies Providing Residential Green-E Certified Products in Massachusetts
www.green-e.org/your_e_choices/ma_home.html Green-e is a voluntary certification program for renewable electricity products. The Green-e Program sets consumer protection and environmental standards for electricity products, and verifies that Green-e certified products meet these standards. The companies listed at the link above provide electricity products and Tradable Renewable Certificates (TRCs, or "green tags"). www.resource-solutions.org |
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| State Energy Information for Massachusetts
www.eere.energy.gov/state_energy/mystate.cfm This site provides information on Massachusetts' resources in bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, solar, and wind energy; current renewable energy projects in Massachusetts; data on energy, electric generation and sales, rates, fuel mix, and emissions; and links to state contacts and other Massachusetts energy websites. |
| The Most Energy-Efficient Appliances http://aceee.org/consumerguide/mostenef.htm This list includes the top-rated appliances in the following categories: refrigerators and freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, room and central air conditioners, conventional air-source heat pumps, water heaters, furnaces, and boilers. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection. |
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| Energy Star Northeast www.myenergystar.com
Products on the Energy Star website include air conditioners, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, a variety of heating and cooling products, light bulbs, light fixtures, and refrigerators. There are also instant coupons and mail-in rebates available. Energy Star retailers can be searched by radius around a zip code. Links to consumer resources are also provided, including "Home Energy Saver," an online, do-it-yourself home energy audit tool. I highly recommend browsing this website, since it includes additional tips for energy efficiency, online tutorials, and other nifty features. ENERGY STAR Northeast is a consortium of energy-efficiency service providers and utilities companies who are dedicated to protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. The ENERGY STAR label helps businesses and consumers easily identify highly efficient products, homes, and buildings that save energy and money while protecting the environment. This voluntary labeling program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. |
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| Alliance to Save Energy: Resources for Consumers www.ase.org/consumer
Information on saving energy as well as fun, interactive tools such as the Home Energy Checkup, "Did You Know?" videos, and the Appliance Olympics (who will win the washer race, the refrigerator race, and the lamp race?). The Alliance to Save Energy, a non-profit coalition of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders, promotes energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and energy security. |
| Ecological Landscaping Association www.ela-ecolandscapingassn.org/index.htm This website contains information about ecological landscaping events, publications, and resources, as well as a searchable professional membership directory (as of April 30, 2004, this last item was marked "Coming soon"). The Ecological Landscaping Association (ELA) is a nonprofit, member-based organization of landscape professionals, homeowners, and community groups who believe in using landscape practices that are environmentally safe and beneficial. |
LANDSCAPING ISSUES - Native Flora
| Massachusetts Native Plant Committee www.massnativeplants.org The website for the Massachusetts Native Plant Committee includes lists of native plants, lists of growers and nurseries who specialize in whole or in part in growing native plants, a definition of "native plants" and why they are important, and tips on the best locations for viewing native plants. The Massachusetts Native Plant Committee is an ad hoc, voluntary association of botanists, landscape professionals, state and federal agency staff, and plant growers formed to share a common commitment to promoting better understanding of native plant values and issues in Massachusetts. |
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| Massachusetts Native Plant Committee www.massnativeplants.org The website for the Massachusetts Native Plant Committee includes lists of native plants, lists of growers and nurseries who specialize in whole or in part in growing native plants, a definition of "native plants" and why they are important, and tips on the best locations for viewing native plants. The Massachusetts Native Plant Committee is an ad hoc, voluntary association of botanists, landscape professionals, state and federal agency staff, and plant growers formed to share a common commitment to promoting better understanding of native plant values and issues in Massachusetts. |
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| Native Alternatives for Invasive Ornamental Plant Species www.mnla.com/OLGImages/Site0069/invasive_alternatives.pdf In this brochure produced by the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group, images and descriptions of commercially-available native plants are presented side by side with invasives. For example, beebalm, swamp milkweed, and blue giant hyssop are suggested as alternatives to purple loosestrife. There is a list of print and online information resources at the end. The Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association exists to promote the professional development of nursery and landscape owners, managers, and employees. |
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| Native Plant Nurseries at Nasami Farm (Whately, MA) www.newfs.org/nasami/index.htm Owned by the New England Wild Flower Society, Nasami Farm is a 75-acre property on North Street in Whately, MA. The Society anticipates opening the Nasami location on weekends beginning Saturday, April 24th through Sunday, June 6 for some early purchases. See the 2004 Preliminary Native Plant Availability List at www.newfs.org/nasami/04avail.htm. The New England Wild Flower Society also owns and operates the native plant nursery at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA, and has a lot of information about native plants on its website. The New England Wild Flower Society promotes conservation of North American native plants through education, research, horticulture, habitat preservation, and advocacy. |
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| Native Plant Guide www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/nativeplants.cfm The National Wildlife Federation provides a searchable database of native plants by region. Search for trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, grass-like plants, vines, or cacti. The National Wildlife Federation provides individuals, organizations, businesses and government with accessible, hands-on conservation education and action opportunities, leadership training and development, educational curriculum, information outreach and networking opportunities. |
LANDSCAPING ISSUES - Non-Native/Invasive Flora
| Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) http://invasives.eeb.uconn.edu/ipane/ A comprehensive database of invasive and potentially invasive plants in New England, searchable by species, common name, life form, or keyword. Each entry includes common and scientific names for the plant, images, a thorough description, reproductive/dispersal mechanisms, distribution, history of introduction in New England, habitats, threats, management links, links to additional information, and a long list of references, as well as a map function showing plant distribution by state, county, or town. IPANE is primarily based at the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut. |
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| Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States http://www.invasive.org/eastern/ This web site covers identification characteristics, distribution, and control options for 97 tree, shrub, vine, grass, fern, forb, and aquatic plant species that are invading the eastern United States. For each species, a menu of control options is presented. Invasive.org is a grant-funded joint project of The Bugwood Network, USDA Forest Service, USDA APHIS PPQ, the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forest Resources and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Dept. of Entomology. |
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| Noxious Weeds http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi?earl=noxious.cgi The USDA's National Resources Conservation Service maintains the PLANTS Database, which includes this section on noxious weeds. View the Federal Noxious Weeds List, state noxious weed reports, invasive plants of the U.S., and introduced plants of the U.S. The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The NRCS assists private land owners with conserving their soil, water, and other natural resources. |
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LANDSCAPING ISSUES - Pesticide Use
| Grassroots Environmental Education http://www.grassrootsinfo.org/ This website covers issues such as organic lawn care, kids and toxins, and common exposures to toxic substances. For organic lawn care in particular, they provide tips for an easy-care organic lawn and alternatives to pesticides. Grassroots Environmental Education is a non-profit organization dedicated to researching and disseminating information about pesticides and other toxins and their impact on human health and the environment. |
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| Lawn Pesticide Fact Sheets http://www.beyondpesticides.org/lawn/factsheets/index.htm Beyond Pesticides has assembled fact sheets on the hazards of chemical lawn care and alternatives for safer lawn care. These fact sheets include information on: Beyond Pesticides began in 1981 as the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides, a non-profit membership organization that was formed to serve as a national network committed to pesticide safety and the adoption of alternative pest management strategies which reduce or eliminate a dependency on toxic chemicals. |
IDENTIFICATION OF LOCAL FLORA AND FAUNA
| Wildlife Program of MassWildlife www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/dfwwld.htm The Wildlife Program website contains guides to wildlife and plants in Massachusetts, what to do about sick or injured wildlife, the "Living with Wildlife" information series, and more detailed species information. Here, you can find information about beavers, black bears, Canada geese, cottontails, coyotes, fishers, foxes, moose, wild turkeys, reptiles and amphibians, birds, snakes, bats, and rare plants and animals. MassWildlife is short for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, a state government agency. The conservation - including protection, restoration, and management - of Massachusetts' fauna and flora is the statutory responsibility of MassWildlife. Specifically, MassWildlife's charge is the stewardship of all wild amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and freshwater and diadromous fishes in the state, as well as endangered, threatened, and special concern species, including native wild plants and invertebrates.
See also: printouts: "Plant Identification Books at Forbes Library" and "Animal Identification Books at Forbes Library." |
ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY OF RHC'S LAND
| >The scope of this topic is very broad and will involve primarily off-line research. As a result, I will not begin to work on this section until after my Online Information Services project is over. Ideally, I would like to include a bibliography of works on environmental history at the municipal, county, regional, and state levels, as well as investigate who previously owned the land, municipal land surveys, old maps, etc. Once I am physically transplanted to Northampton, this research will be much easier for me to conduct. |
REDUCING USE OF FOSSIL FUELS - Transportation Options
| Sustainable Transportation http://www.nesea.org/transportation/ The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) has a portion of their website devoted to the topic of sustainable transportation. Included are strategies for reducing the environmental aspects of transportation, information on green cars, electric vehicles on the market, educational materials, and information on the "Tour de Sol," the Great American Green Transportation Festival. |
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| Getting Around Clean and Green in the Pioneer Valley www.nesea.org/education/pioneer/map_main.html This map points out bike paths, bus routes, places to walk and hike, and many other features of cities and towns in the valley. |
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| Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) www.pvta.com/ The PVTA operates the local bus system. Visit their website to learn about schedules, maps, fares, passes, and how to load your bike onto the front of a bus. See also: printouts of the closest bus routes to Rocky Hill, #41 and #44 |
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| Peter Pan Bus www.peterpanbus.com/ Travels to destinations throughout the Northeast. The bus stop in Northampton is located at 1 Roundhouse Plaza.(Note: As of April 2004, a one-way adult fare to Boston cost $25; to NYC, $38; and to Washington, DC, $72.) |
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| Amtrak www.amtrak.com/ The closest train station is in Amherst on Railroad Street, which is serviced by the "Vermonter" train route. This route runs north-south from St. Albans, Vermont, through Amherst, down to New York City, all the way down to Washington, DC. For more information about this route, go to www.amtrak.com/trains/vermonter.html. (Note: As of April 2004, a one-way adult fare to NYC was $47 and to Washington, DC, $99.) The train station in Springfield, at 66 Lyman Street, is also serviced by the Vermonter as well as the "Lake Shore Limited" (Chicago-Boston). |
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| Local Bicycle Shops (in alphabetical order) These shops were located using www.superpages.com and searching for bicycle dealers within a certain radius of Northampton.
Competitive Edge Ski and Bike
Hampshire Bicycle Exchange
Highland Hardware and Bike
Laughing Dog Cyclery
Northampton Bicycle
Peak Performance Bicycles
Rogers, F.J.
Southampton Bicycle Center
Valley Bicycles Limited
Valley Bicycles Limited |
REDUCING USE OF FOSSIL FUELS - Alternatives to Gas-Powered Tools
| Guide to Choosing and Using a Manual Reel Mower www.reelmowerguide.com/ Dispels myths, provides cutting strategies, and provides details on particular models. Also visit www.cleanairgardening.com/choosingmower.html for comparisons between manual reel mowers and electric lawn mowers.Clean Air Gardening, based in Dallas, sells environmentally friendly lawn and garden supplies. For this section, I was planning to include resources explaining the polluting effects of gas-powered lawn mowers, snow blowers, chain saws, and the like. I have found a number of commercial sites with electric or manual alternatives for purchase, but have yet to find an article or website that makes the case for not using gas-powered tools. I will continue searching. |
FOOD CHOICES - Off-Site Sustainable Agriculture
| What is Community Supported Agriculture and How Does it Work? www.umass.edu/umext/csa/about.html
A wonderful introduction to the importance and mechanics of community supported agriculture, also known as CSA. Part of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Extension School's website. |
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| Robyn Van En Center for CSA Resources www.csacenter.org/ Offers a national CSA farm directory, resources, referrals and links, publications, products, online postings of events, and technical assistance and support. Use the farm directory to find local CSAs. The Robyn Van En Center for CSA Resources is based at Wilson College at the Fulton Center for Sustainable Living in Chambersburg, PA. |
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| Local Harvest www.localharvest.org/ Search for purveyors of organic food, including farms, CSAs, farmers markets, restaurants, food co-ops, and mail order products. LocalHarvest maintains a public nationwide directory of small farms, farmers markets, and other local food sources. Their search engine, using Open Source software, helps people find local sources of sustainably grown food, and encourages them to establish direct contact with family farms in their local area. |
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| National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture www.sustainableagriculture.net/ Provides opportunities for activism on sustainable agriculture at the federal level. Issues that they work on include competition and concentration, genetic engineering in agriculture, organic, social justice, rural development, stewardship incentives/conservation, sustainable livestock, and the Farm Bill. The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture is a network of diverse groups whose mission is to shape national policies to foster a sustainable food and agricultural system -- one that is economically viable, environmentally sound, socially just, and humane. |
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| Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/
Vast compendium of information on organic food production, sustainable agriculture, and community supported agriculture. If you have a question or need links to other sites on this topic, AFSIC will probably have what you need. The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC) is one of several topic-oriented Information Centers at the National Agricultural Library. The Library, located in Beltsville, Maryland, is the foremost agricultural library in the world. AFSIC specializes in locating and accessing information related to alternative cropping systems including sustainable, organic, low-input, biodynamic, and regenerative agriculture. AFSIC also focuses on alternative crops, new uses for traditional crops, and crops grown for industrial production. |
FOOD CHOICES - On-Site Organic Gardening
| Organic Gardening: A Guide to Resources www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/org_gar.htm This comprehensive bibliography includes sources published between 1989 and Sept. 2003. Topics include: general organic gardening resources; garden design, landscaping, and lawns; organic production techniques; soil fertility and composting; growing organic fruits, vegetables and herbs; ornamental plants and flowers; pest, weed, and disease identification and control; and organic lifestyle items such as recipes, memories, and inspiration. Compiled by Stephanie Boehmer at the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (see description of AFSIC above). |
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| Northeast Organic Farming Association: Massachusetts Chapter www.nofamass.org/index.php The NOFA/Mass website provides information about organic land care, educational workshops, conferences, newsletters, and local events. A great place for information about local organic growing. NOFA/Mass is a community including farmers, gardeners, landscapers and consumers working to educate members and the general public about the benefits of local organic systems based on complete cycles, natural materials, and minimal waste for the health of individual beings, communities and the living planet. |
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| Kitchen Gardeners International www.kitchengardeners.org Tips for home gardening, recipes from around the world, thought-provoking articles on food and agriculture, events, and a newsletter. Kitchen Gardeners International (KGI) is a new non-profit network whose mission is to promote and celebrate kitchen gardening in its many international forms as well as the many benefits -- health, environmental, gastronomic, lifestyle - - that go with playing an active role in one's food production and preparation. |
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| Slow Food U.S.A. http://www.slowfoodusa.org The international Slow Food movement is all about enjoying life and resisting the overly hurried lifestyle that appears to be epidemic in the Western world today. Slow Food members organize into local chapters to share thoughts, ideas, and cooking. The movement began in the 1980s in Italy, where a university dedicated to the principles of Slow Food was recently opened. Slow Food U.S.A. is an educational organization dedicated to stewardship of the land and ecologically sound food production; to the revival of the kitchen and the table as centers of pleasure, culture, and community; to the invigoration and proliferation of regional, seasonal culinary traditions; and to living a slower and more harmonious rhythm of life. |
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| Epicurious Recipe Searchhttp://eat.epicurious.com/recipes/enhanced_search/index.ssf/?/recipes/enhanced_search/index.html Looking for a recipe? Search by type of cuisine, type of meal, main ingredients, preparation method, season or occasion, or just plain keyword. The database includes recipes from the magazines Bon Appetit and Gourmet. Epicurious is produced by CondéNet, a subsidiary of Advance Internet Inc. |
| MasterComposter.com www.mastercomposter.com/ This website includes information about building compost piles, compost ingredients, types of manufactured bins, how to build your own bin, equipment, worm composting, soil incorporation, in-soil ingestion, trench composting, mulching, composting toilets, how to use compost, a terrific glossary of terms, how to compute the carbon to nitrogen ratio, a composting message board, newsletters, book reviews, and links to other sites about composting. A great reference. If you have never heard of compost or composting before, start with www.mastercomposter.com for a nice introduction. MasterComposter.com is a division of Tynes Industries, owned by Mary Tynes, a Master Composter from Texas. She created the website in order to educate the public about diverting waste from landfills, source reduction methods, basic information about home composting and resources for additional information, and local classes and events on composting. |
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| Northampton Landfill and Recycling Center www.nohodpw.org/Landfill/landfill.htm There are two recycling centers in Northampton: the Landfill Recycling Center is located at 170 Glendale Rd., and the Locust St. Recycling Center is located at 125 Locust St. The website provides hours, detailed information about what materials can be recycled, houshold hazardous materials, and guidelines for following the Truck Load Covering Ordinance when transporting solid waste materials. See also: COMPOSTING, above. |
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CLEANING PRODUCTS THAT ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
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OUTFITTING THE COMMON HOUSE KITCHEN
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