GridPhilly, Author at Grid Magazine

#041 September 2012

The Tide Is Turning: Save money by making your own toxin-free laundry detergent

story by Leah R. TroianoAs with many household products, we rarely look closely at the ingredients. But next time you’re in the laundry room, check out your detergent. Some common ingredients are:

Phenols Can damage your lungs, heart, kidneys and liver, and are easily absorbed into the skin. Deemed toxic by the National Institutes of Health
Optical

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August 10, 2012

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Get Moving: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia to lead monthly Fun Rides

Photo via visitphilly.comThe Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is on the move! With 400 miles of bike paths and lanes, a 150 percent increase in bicycle commuting, and new safe traffic patterns, biking in Philadelphia is quickly becoming the norm. To encourage its current and future projects, and to get more people out on bikes,

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August 5, 2012

1 min read

#040 August 2012

In the Zone: Zone 7 acts as matchmaker to farmers and chefs

story by Liz PachecoThirty-seven floors above Philadelphia, Zone 7 founder Mikey Azzara is talking local food. He’s at R2L restaurant in Liberty Towers, overseeing the delivery of potatoes, greens and herbs to Chef Daniel Stern. Azzara and Stern spend a few minutes chatting, mostly about the difficulty Stern once had in sourcing locally. Some farms

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August 2, 2012

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City Spending: The Merchants Fund offers another round of grants to local businesses

Image via shelfconsumed.com.While the challenging economic times don’t seem to improving, The Merchants Fund (TMF) is offering local Philadelphia businesses another chance to stay in the black. TMF, a private fund that evolved out of the Mercantile Beneficial Association, is set to award another round of grants to keep local Philly businesses stable and viable.

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August 2, 2012

1 min read

#040 August 2012

PRooF Positive: Rooftop agriculture tested on West Philadelphia rowhome

story by Lauren MandelRooftops are becoming prime locations for Philadelphians to fulfill their tomato-growing obsessions. While prominent rooftop gardens in Center City and Manayunk are already raising crops in containers and buckets, the local organization Philadelphia Rooftop Farm (PRooF) is trying another very promising approach.

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August 1, 2012

1 min read

#040 August 2012

Barrels of Fun: Mt. Airy artists beat the blues

While useful, the typical blue rain barrel isn’t exactly beautiful. So, when the Philadelphia Water Department donated five barrels to the Mt. Airy Business Improvement District this past April, the Mt. Airy Art Garage, a community art nonprofit, volunteered their creativity. Neighborhood artists were recruited and soon word spread, attracting more local artists—adults and kids—to

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August 1, 2012

1 min read

#040 August 2012

Down the Drain: City program diverts food waste from landfills

story by Liz PachecoWhile the city of philadelphia isn’t planning to start a composting program anytime soon (see our interview with Mayor Michael Nutter on p. 12), efforts are being made to divert food waste from landfills.
In May, Mayor Nutter and the Streets Department launched the Clean Kitchen, Green Community pilot program. The program is

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July 31, 2012

1 min read

#040 August 2012

City Blotter: Sustainability legislation passing through City Council

BenchmarkingPassed June 21, 2012Requires commercial buildings of more than 50,000 square feet to track, measure and report energy and water use. Benchmarking is expected to save tenants and building owners money as well as encourage energy efficient practices. Takes effect in one year. Complete StreetsVote postponed until Fall 2012Revises Philadelphia’s traffic code to meet the

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July 31, 2012

1 min read

#040 August 2012

Counter Intuitive: Make your own toxin-free kitchen cleaner

story byLeah R. TroianoIf you’re using typical household cleaning products to tidy your kitchen, chances are you’re also using some highly toxic chemicals. In an independent, peer-reviewed study by Silent Spring Institute, a public interest organization, more than 200 products were analyzed for hazardous chemical content. Nearly all the products tested, including many marketed

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July 30, 2012

1 min read

#040 August 2012

Recycling Challenge: VCRs

story by Samantha WittchenFACT: The International Association of Electronics Recyclers estimates that on average 400 million consumer electronic products are thrown out each year.
PROBLEM: As more people switch to DVD players and online video services, VCRs are being kicked to the curb. But when VCRs go to a landfill, they also bring heavy metals

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July 30, 2012

1 min read

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