Our speaker today was Jon Chaffee from Sustainable Lebanon.
Jon Chaffee
Sustainable Lebanon
Ron Michaud introduced Jon and stated that he was a true change agent. Ron shared information about the work Jon did to improve housing in White River Junction, and then with the Lebanon Housing Authority. Jon is now using his change agent skills as he works for Sustainable Lebanon.
Jon began his talk by highlighting the partnership between Sustainable Lebanon and our Rotary Club. With our help we now have a very popular Styrofoam, polystyrene, recycling program. In particular, he thanked Bruce Bergeron for all he has done to make this event possible, from allowing us to use his property on Mechanics Street, to driving the polystyrene to the condenser in Gilford, NH.
Our polystyrene collections draw about 200 cars, and we fill two trucks with polystyrene. The last collection was driven to Gilford by Bruce Bergeron and Phil Bush.
The polystyrene events have garnered >$6,000 to help cover expenses. We discussed the possibility of the Lebanon Landfill getting a densifier.
Jon went on to talk about several of the initiatives that have been addressed by Sustainable Lebanon, including "Stop the Pipeline", green burials, decreasing plastic use, "Opt Up" a community power program and "Green the Ground".
Phil Bush distributing produce cloth mesh bags to our members
- No Pipeline Here: The group was able to stop the construction of a pipeline for natural gas that would not yield a cost benefit for the city, D-H, or Dartmouth.
- He talked about the solar arrays and how they can help defray some of the use of fossil fuels. He is in process of installing a solar array on his home.
- The use of plastics continue to be a concern. 50% of plastics manufactured are for single use. Of the single use plastics, only 9% are recycled. He distributed cloth mesh bags to all of us to use when we are buying produce at the supermarket/grocery store…in a small way this would help reduce the use of plastic. The bags were made by Mesh Bag Mamas, a local group of crafters.
- Mesh Bag Mamas is a group of craftivists who are working with the Co-op Food Stores leadership to install 1,000 handmade reusable 100% organic cotton mesh produce bags in a pilot program at the Lebanon Co-op. The point of the initiative is to give customers at the Lebanon Co-op the choice for a reusable produce bag instead of using single use plastic bags.
- They are nearing our goal with almost 600 mesh bag kits out for sewing.
- Natural Burials could be another way to cut down on the use of fossil fuels.
- In a natural burial:
- The body is not embalmed
- Grave depth is 3.5 to 4 feet, promoting aerobic decomposition of the body
- Only biodegradable materials are placed in the grave
- No cement vault is placed in the grave or covers the casket
- The natural burial area is maintained without the use of pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers.
- Natural burial is allowed in two municipal cemeteries in Lebanon: Old Pine Tree Cemetery and Section “F” of the West Lebanon Cemetery. Natural burial is also allowed at the Upper Valley Jewish Community Cemetery.
- In a natural burial:
- Opt Up – the Community Power Program was reviewed. You can read more at: https://lebanonnh.gov/1513/Lebanon-Community-Power-LCP
- Green the Ground is a project to encourage landscaping the attracts pollinators. He queried whether or not our club would like to financially support this project.
He noted that the mission statement for Sustainable Lebanon was included on the agenda, “to inspire, support, and advocate for sustainable practices in our community.” Though he reflected that the group firmly believes that when it comes to our environment, “the little things you do can be beneficial, especially when they are done with others.”
He ended his talk by asking us for ideas for projects to help the environment in Lebanon.
Learn more about sustainable Lebanon by clicking here.