Announcements for 3/5/21 Show

​Sustainability Office request for comments. The deadline is this Tuesday, 3/9/21
The office of sustainability has re-opened up the survey period for comments on the climate playbook for us to comment. 
Please fill out the survey! It only takes two minutes
The Trash Academy suggests people comment on the following:
As we continue to see our trash and recycling mingled and incineratedin Chester, Camden and Conshohocken and dumped in our landfill, we are horrified! We want to make sure that we speak up that this is unacceptable, and the climate plan for Philly, fails to take this on. It is an environmental justice issue, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, especially communities of color.   Incineration is now the largest source of air pollution in Philly. 
SUGGESTED COMMENTS: 

• Reassessment of the zero waste plan with goals, and benchmarks with dates to increase diversion from the landfill and stop incineration.  
• Increased funding for the Streets department to transition to a trash system that is designed for urban communities- the collection system itself is increasing trash on the streets and comingling.
• We need a mechanism for the chief reliance officer to enforce compliance with the climate plan for city gov't departments  
• Investments in greening in disinvested communities across Philly

 
 
Recycling Clothing and Electronics in Philadelphia
Retrievr is picking up these items for a limited time for free.
Go to their website:  https://retrievr.com/
Or text “Pickup” to 757-703-3824
You need to:

• provide your address to make sure you’re in their coverage area
• give brief rundown of what you have to be recycled (there’s a list of what they accept)
• schedule a time

• bag or box up the items and put them on the stoop

 
 
EPA Annual Environmental Justice Grants
Supporting vulnerable and overburdened communities disproportionately affected by environmental health risks. In one program, five grants will be awarded of up to $50,000 each within each of the EPA regions. In another program, 2 cooperative agreements of $160,000 each within each of the 10 EPA regions.
Proposals are due by 5/7/21.
For the former program:  https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-small-grants-program.
For the latter program:  https://www.epa.gov/environmental-justice/environmental-justice-collaborative-problem-solving-cooperative-agreement-0.
For more information on grants, funding and technical assistance:  https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-grants-funding-and-technical-assistance.
 
 
Climate Justice Grants
Supports and amplifies the voices of communities experiencing environmental injustices.  Believes those closest to the problem should be at the forefront of the solution.  Supports organizations with grants of up to $20,00 each to help them implement a six-month climate justice initiative
please click here to see our 2021 Climate Justice for All Project Grants RFP. 
To complete and see application:  this link.
Office hours every Thursday from 4:00-4:30 EST.  Those wishing to attend the office hours should contact them by email:  [email protected] 


Give Feedback to Environmental Justice Policy of Pennsylvania
DEP will be hosting two (2) sessions to gather feedback on revisions to the EJ Policy.  We are writing to invite and encourage you to attend either session and provide us with your feedback.  A timeline and key elements of the EJ Policy revision process can be found on the Office of Environmental Justice webpage.  The date and time for each session can be found below:

• Monday, March 22 

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Join full WebEx videoconference
Join with audio only: +1 (415) 655-0003
Access code: 132 679 9501
*Registration is required to join this event through videoconference.  Registration is not required to call-in.
 

• Wednesday, March 31

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm 
Join full WebEx videoconference
Join with audio only: +1 (415) 655-0003
Access code: 132 677 4271
*Registration is required to join this event through videoconference.  Registration is not required to call-in.
The Office of Environmental Justice is focused on incorporating a meaningful community engagement process to ensure inclusive community voices around the creation of a new EJ Policy. Our office would like to hear and consider feedback from environmental justice stakeholders across the Commonwealth as we move forward to develop a revised EJ Policy.
Specifically, DEP’s Office of Environmental Justice is seeking input on the following questions:

• How can the EJ Policy address communities’ environmental justice concerns?
• What worked and what were challenges with the current EJ Policy?  
• How can we improve the public participation process within the policy?
• How can DEP address environmental justice concerns in addition to permitting?  What are your suggestions about addressing EJ through this policy in addition to permitting? 
• DEP currently delineates EJ Areas based on race (>30% minority) and income (>20% in poverty).  Do you feel that the current definition, or any definition, of an Environmental Justice Area is effective?  What revisions would you recommend for identifying vulnerable communities? Note that there is no federal definition as the US EPA intentionally does not create a definition for EJ Areas or communities, though their EJSCREEN tool is available and uses a variety of factors.

Additional details concerning the sessions can be found on the Office of Environmental Justice webpage or contact our office with any questions.  We hope you can make it!
 
Philly Spring Clean Up
April 10 9am-2pm.  Aplications due by March 29. City offers limited supplies to help with cleanup.
Click here to complete the application online
https://philadelphiastreetsdepartment.cmail20.com/t/r-l-tllkdddt-kkdyyktldh-j/

Mailed application: Download the application here (pdf). https://philadelphiastreetsdepartment.cmail20.com/t/r-l-tllkdddt-kkdyyktldh-t/

Mail completed application to:
Keith Warren
Deputy Commissioner - Sanitation Division
City of Philadelphia - Streets Department
730 Municipal Services Building
1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19102