Kate Kloss - Principal, Dan Rain, Harriet Jaffe, Mike Klugman and I (Leslie Trosset), have put together some fun green activities at Elsmere School in honor of Earth Day, Wed. April 22nd.
We've planned a variety of week-long activities and guest speakers, including:
In an ongoing effort to provide customers with a wide selection of gifts, the Paper Mill recently expanded their selection to include eco-friendly gifts for the environmentally conscious shopper.
Owner, Lauri Mendleson said that while a few customers have asked if she carries eco-friendly gifts, she expects the trend to be on the rise.
Recognizing the potential, Mendleson went on the hunt for green gift items during her annual summertime buying trip in New York City.
"There were some companies offering green gifts, but not nearly what I expected," said Mendleson. "I'll continue to be on the hunt and will expand our selection as the demand grows."
The Paper Mill grouped the green gifts together to ease your search. Here's a small sampling:
With the holiday gift-buying season upon us, Bethlehem Goes Green hopes you'll consider visiting the Paper Mill in Delaware Plaza for your eco-friendly gift purchases. Shop local, shop green.
Know of another Bethlehem-based store offering eco-friendly gifts? Leave a comment below or send an email to leslietrosset@gmail.com.
Recycling paper packaging from the dozens of products that enter our home each week helps reduce our trash by at least 50%. 
Instead of tossing the paper packaging, break it down and set it aside in a large bin or bag and then every few weeks bring it to the park and ride lot at the end of Rte 32 bypass. Look for a big bin labeled GreenFiber.
Once you start paying closer attention, you might be amazed how many of the products you buy contain paper packaging. Here, in this picture, is a small sampling of some of the products we buy that contain paper packaging.
Here's a sampling of what GreenFiber collects:
It's so easy to recycle this paper. Instead of throwing it away, we just fold it and set it aside in a big bag. Then, every few weeks when I'm heading to the Town Park, Line Drive ball fields, or a friends house, I make a quick stop at the park and ride bins and empty the bag into the Green Fiber bin.
Best of all, a company called GreenFiber takes the cardboard from bins all over the country and turns it into natural fiber insulation for your home or business! That's right, you can head right over to Lowes in Glenmont and buy it. Very cool.
Looking to go green in your business? Call GreenFiber and ask about their recycling plan where they pay you for your paper. They'll even bring a bin to your business.
If back to school shopping has you crying in your kids Abercrombie pockets, run, don't walk to Plato's Closet in Albany. 
My friend, Lisa told me about this great consignment store where you can buy Abercrombie, Hollister, Aeropostale, Gap, Express and many other name brand clothing for your teen or pre-teen daughter or son.
Jeans that would normally sell new for $65 go for $10 second-hand, shirts - $5-10.00. They have a full array of clothing and when my 11 year old daughter and I went recently, their racks were full of great back to school clothes and other items, such as:
Go Green: Buying second-hand clothing has certainly become much more acceptable these days, almost in vogue - but we need to do more to teach our children that it makes a lot of sense, financially and for the environment.
Plato's Closet will also buy name brand clothing on the spot. So rather than sending outgrown stuff to the clothing bins, sort out the name brand stuff, wash and fold it and bring it to Plato's to sell. Support recycling and support our Delmar residents - owners Kellie and Neil Robertson.
The girls section is the largest by far, but they also carry a smaller selection of teen and young adult male clothing.
Delmar residents Kellie and Neil Robertson bought the franchise after visiting a Plato's Closet in Springfield, MA and seeing how much her daughter loved the clothing thought it would be perfect for the Albany area.
Local Plato's Closets are located at 818 Central Avenue (near Westgate) in Albany and their newest one is at 90 W Campbell Road in Schenectday.
Share your Plato's story with us by leaving a comment! What was your experience like? Did you hit gold?
Get Greener Everyday.
-Leslie Trosset - Editor
Looking for plants and a little gardening advice? Then show up at the Voorheesville Cooperative Extension office on Sat. May 17 from 9am-1pm for their annual plant sale.
Their knowledgeable staff, including Master Gardeners will be on
hand to answer your tough gardening and lawn questions and to sell perennials, annuals, vegetables and herbs to benefit the Cooperative Extension.
Education demonstrations, soil pH tests, a bake sale, and other exciting activities will be going on. Hot dogs, chili, and vegetarian items will also be available.
Cornell Cooperative Extension's Plant Sale
When:
Sat. May 17th from 9am - 1pm
Where:
Voorheesville Cooperative Extention (behind Voor. Elementary Sch)
24 Martin Road
Voorhessville
