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The success of Bethesda Green is due to the generous contributions of many local businesses. We would like to thank the following companies for their support.
Honest Tea
Calvert
Federal Realty
My Organic Market
Reznick Group
Creative Parties
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw
Pittman LLp
The Gazette
Clean Currents
Amicus Green
Klausner-Bender & Associates, CPA
Cartridge World
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A Special Thank You to the Bethesda Green Recycling Bin Sponsors: |
The Coca-Cola Company/Honest Tea
The Greenhouse Family
Susan Konch and Family
Pat Mazuzan & the Town of Oakmont
Marci Steiner
Jay Hellman
MD-DE-DC Beverage Association
CycleLogic
Jeremy and Daughters
The Robert Corno Family
DAI
Shady Grove Fertility Centers There are still a few opportunities to sponsor a recycling bin in downtown Bethesda. If you're interested, please contact Dave Feldman at
dave@bethesdagreen.org.
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As we move into August, we appreciate that the lazy, hazy
days of summer are soon coming to an end.
Hopefully, we have a few more weeks to relax, enjoy downtime with family
and friends and get away for some sunshine and barbeques.
After summer, we shift our focus and begin preparing our
families to return to school. Bethesda Green will also begin a new school year.
In September, 'Back to School' will be the first of many
themes created to help us all understand the what's, why's and how's of going
'green.' Each month, we will weave
a new topic into our newsletters, newly designed website, activities and
speakers programs to sort out both the complexities and opportunities that
going 'green' presents. Future topics will include Energy Efficiency,
Recycling, Green Purchasing, Health & Wellness and many more.
'Back to School' is also about making new friends. So in September, we will start several
new outreach programs for different groups in the community. Our first group will be with students
interested in supporting green activities and education programs. We continually provide volunteers
opportunities to receive community service hours and have recently started a
Facebook account for students to join (already +75 strong). We are also looking for a student to
sit on our board of directors.
'Back to School' is also about education and we will be
launching a newly revised website to reflect our growth. We will showcase best practices
throughout the community, sponsors who support our program, links to important
resources, a calendar of events and much more. We will also have more frequent events with partners
like the BCC Chamber of Commerce who are looking closely at sustainability
issues.
So, we hope you enjoy the rest of the summer and look
forward to seeing you in September.
Best regards
Dave Feldman
Implementation Director, Bethesda Green
CEO, Livability Project
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Bethesda Green at the Big Train |
June 27th was "Bethesda Green Night" at the Bethesda Big Train. Staff and volunteers wore the new Bethesda Green t-shirts while working a table with Bethesda Green literature, sign-up sheet, and t-shirts for sale. County Councilman and Bethesda Green Board Member Roger Berliner threw out the opening pitch and fun recycling facts were read off in between innings. For more on the Bethesda Big Train, click here. |
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Summer Community Outreach |
Volunteers and staff
are exhibiting  at a table at the Bethesda Farmers Market in Veterans'
Park on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Those who frequent the Farmers Market
or simply pass-by can now learn about about Bethesda Green and why to
eat local and organic foods. For more information on the Bethesda Farmers Market, click here.
Organic Farmers Jerry & Joan Risner
Reasons to buy local food: -Produce ripens longer
-Support the local economy
-Reduce carbon footprint &
preserve farmland
-Appreciate fresh, seasonal
food
Reasons to buy organic:
-Higher nutritional value
-Improve soil and prevent
erosion
-No pesticides,
antibiotics,or GMOs
-Clear cost of production
Bethesda Green Volunteers Dylan Reilly,
Brandon Levy & David Brand
Bethesda Green is also partnering with the Montgomery County Solid Waste Division to educate pedestrians on the expanded curbside recycling program, which applies to the recycling bins around downtown Bethesda. Volunteers have been working a couple times a week at a table across from the Bethesda Green recycling bin at the corner to Bethesda Avenue and Woodmont. For information on the expanded list of plastics now accepted in curbside recycling, click here. Back to top |
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Working Group Update
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The three working groups met in July for the last time this summer. Each meeting had a high attendance and several new faces. Working group meetings will resume in September at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center (4805 Edgemoore Lane, Bethesda). An update on the working group activities is as follows:
Recycling and Sustainable Materials
An e-cycling event has been scheduled in early November in partnership with the MC Solid Waste Division. The committee is currently searching for a location.
We are working with Several businesses on CFL (Compact Florescent Light bulbs) drop-off and committee members are working to find an economical solution.
Additional projects underway include toner cartridge recycling, school and business specific programs, commercial paper recycling, and reducing restaurant carry-out waste.
Next Meeting: 4:00pm Wednesday, September 10
Education, Outreach, & Marketing
The Strategy & Coordination sub-group has developed new literature for the farmers market and general outreach.
The Chamber of Commerce has made "green" a top priority in the coming year. They will be creating a committee to work with Bethesda Green on sustainability issues.
The Education & Events sub-group will begin a monthly theme series starting with 'Back to School' in September. Other topics include Energy Efficiency, Recycling, Green Purchasing and Health & Wellness.
The Content & Communications sub-group is focusing on reviewing and updating website content for the new Bethesda Green website to debut in September.
Next Meeting: 4:00pm Thursday, September 11
Energy Efficiency, Renewables, and Carbon Reduction
Bethesda Green will be supportinga home audit program, which will provide homeowners with the opportunity to increase the energy efficiency of their homes through the Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program.
The Carbon Offset sub-group is working on a program that will help local businesses and residents find the best deals for clean renewable energy, such as wind power and solar panels, as well as for purchasing carbon offsets.
Next Meeting: 4:00pm Wednesday, September 17
Sustainable Transportation
This working group will be starting up in the fall. Dates will be announced in upcoming newsletters.
If you would like to get involved in a working group team on one of the above projects, contact Cindy Powers at cindy.powers@gmail.com.
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Congratulations to Bethesda Green Co-Founder Seth Goldman for Winning The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber's Community Service Award! |
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This award was presented for an outstanding contribution to the welfare of the citizens of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area.
At a recent celebration of the 10th year anniversary of his business, Seth Goldman displayed on the wall at the Honest Tea headquarters the quote 'Those who say it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the people doing it," which well describes Seth Goldman's contagious optimism.
Goldman understands what it takes to start a business, grow it into a major success, and all the while give back to the community where he lives and works. He is an advisory board member of First Peoples Worldwide, a non-profit that promotes the rights and interest of indigenous peoples. He also serves on the Board of Net Impact (formerly, Students for Social Responsibility), and on the home front, is the president of the Somerset Elementary School Elementary Foundation. In 2007, in partnership with Councilman George Leventhal, Goldman founded Bethesda Green.
Also, congratulations to Dave Dabney, a fellow Bethesda Green board memeber, and Jeff Burton & staff of Bethesda Urban Partnership for recieving the Rick Masucci Goodwill Award on behalf of the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce.
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