The Energy Co-op is honored to partner with the Clean Air Council to participate in this year’s GreenFest Philly. Both organizations have a long history of advocating for a cleaner future and the Co-op to excited to celebrate the common values that unite and grow our community. As the Clean Air Council celebrates its 50th anniversary, The Co-op is proud to be a supporter to allow the Clean Air Council to continue its mission for another 50 years.

Based in Philadelphia, The Energy Co-op is the region’s only non-profit, member-owned energy supplier. Established in 1979, The Co-op found a better way to buy energy. The Co-op offers clean electricity, green natural gas, bio heat and standard heating oil. By being a cooperative member and simply paying your energy bill, you can be sure that you are making a lasting impact. Don’t just choose your energy company; own it. You can join the Philadelphia Energy Co-op through their web site at www.theenergy.coop or by calling them at 215-413-2122.  

MOM’s Organic Market is the proud official sponsor of Greenfest Philly’s Kids’ Corner for the fourth year in a row. The 2017 MOM’s Organic Market Kids’ Corner features eco-friendly crafts and activities, games, and more. Budding environmentalists can climb a 25′ rock wall, learn about the environment, engage in kid-friendly onsite activism, and build make-and-take crafts! Kids’ Corner is excited to feature the following activities for 2017:

• Stick-lets Fort Building: Stick-lets brings kids, families, and adults together through play, imagination, and problem-solving. Kids’ can build their own Stick-lets fort at Greenfest.
• Caricature Art: Local illustrator Jay Rollins will draw a cartoon portrait of your young climate crusader! 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Clean Air Council.
• Seed Ball Making: State Farm’s Neighborhood of Good helps turn caring into doing. Kids can learn to make seed balls to plant at home or in local gardens.
• Story Time: Join children’s book author Alexandra Lindsay Fields as she reads the story of “Emma,” a baby calf on a wild adventure in search of fun, friendship, and, above all, freedom.

For the grownups, MOM’s Organic Market is a family owned and operated organic grocer in Bryn Mawr, Cherry Hill, and (soon!) Center City, Philadelphia. MOM’s is dedicated to supporting organics and furthering their Purpose: to protect and restore the environment.

MOM’s Organic Market walks the talk and has been 100% renewable energy powered since 2005. They have rooftop solar panels on two of their Maryland stores and have a MOM’s-designated solar farm in Kingsville, MD. Through purchasing Wind Power Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) in 2016, they offset the equivalent of 1,205 vehicles being driven for one year. They also train Environmental Restoration (E.R.) captains in each location, who serve as subject matter experts in preserving, protecting, and restoring natural systems within the store. “Being an environmentally friendly company not only helps the world to be a better place, it also helps our business’ bottom line by increasing employee morale and customer loyalty,” says Scott Nash, Founder & CEO of MOM’s.

MOM’s has always been on the forefront of green initiatives. They made history in 2010 by launching Plastic Surgery – banning the sale of plastic bottled water and replacing plastic used in stores with compostable items. They’re also big supporters of electric vehicles and want you to take advantage of free EV charging stations at their stores (MOM’s employees are even eligible for a subsidy towards the purchase of an electric or hybrid vehicle). Throughout the year, you can count on MOM’s to keep you informed on varied topics like natural and organic lawn care and proper tire inflation to keep your vehicle running as efficiently as possible. You might find yourself wondering why a grocery store cares so much about their footprint – MOM’s would tell you they believe climate change and environmental degradation are the biggest challenges facing humankind today. Through education, customers, employees, and other stakeholders can get involved and ultimately have a positive impact on their communities. For more information visit momsorganicmarket.com

Check out the solar array on top of MOM’s White Marsh, MD store!

Philadelphia’s largest environmental festival powered by solar energy to feature free bike valet, over 100 sustainable exhibitors and organic food and drink offerings

(August 23, 2017) PHILADELPHIA, PA – Clean Air Council announced today that the organization’s 2017 Greenfest Philly presented by Toyota Hybrids will be held on Sunday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the first time ever, the event will be held at Bainbridge Green on Bainbridge Street between Third and Fifth Streets. The festival will bring together more than 100 environmentally-friendly businesses and organizations in a festive outdoor marketplace. The popular day-long event attracts more than 15,000 socially conscious and engaged consumers. Greenfest will feature live music from popular local bands, MOM’s Organic Market Kids’ Corner with eco-friendly crafts and activities, a bike valet sponsored by Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Toyota Hybrids’ ride and drive experience, organic food and drinks, a beer garden, handmade goods, and innovative green businesses and products – with the whole event being powered by solar panels presented by The Energy Co-op. A celebration of local sustainability efforts, Greenfest Philly will provide ways to take action to protect clean air, support environmental advocacy, and much more.

“As we celebrate the Clean Air Council’s 50th anniversary, Greenfest Philly remains one of our most important and exciting events, as it brings together tens of thousands of socially conscious consumers  and businesses who support the fight to protect the environment at this most critical of times,” said Joseph Otis Minott, Esq., Executive Director. “Greenfest offers a brilliant opportunity for people throughout the region to exchange sustainable products, services, recipes and tips – all while enjoying a Sunday with their families in one of downtown Philadelphia’s most beautiful green spaces.”

New Festival Additions for 2017

The Clean Air Council’s Greenfest Philly event will feature a number of new and exciting activities for Philadelphians of all ages, all designed to help festival goers make more environmentally conscious choices and live more sustainable lifestyles. The new additions include:

Environmental Film Festival: Attendees will be treated to a free sneak peek of films from Philadelphia’s Environmental Film festival and expert commentary from the Film Festival’s founders.

Green Facts Everywhere You Look: Guests should also keep an eye out for Clean Air Council volunteers who will be strolling around with giant thought bubbles displaying compelling environmental facts and information.

Other Greenfest festivities this year include free yoga classes, succulent arrangement classes and vegan cooking demos. What’s more, there will be dining, shopping, samples and resources from an exciting group of environmentally conscious vendors and the event’s amazing sponsors. Guests can also test drive the all-new hydrogen fuel cell powered Toyota Mirai.

“Toyota and the Tri-State Toyota Dealers are very proud to be the Presenting Sponsor a 2nd year in a row for the 12th annual Greentfest Philly.  With Toyota’s ongoing commitment to the development of vehicles that help reduce carbon emissions and as a leader in the alternative fuel segment, we are thrilled to once again support the Clean Air Council and this year’s Greenfest,” said Paul Muller, President of the Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association.   “Toyota is committed to helping play a role in delivering cleaner air and environmental sustainability to our customers.  With a portfolio of eight Toyota hybrid models plus the addition of our fuel cell vehicle the Mirai, we are the leader in alternative mobility and have a large selection of both hybrid sedans and SUV models to fit our customers’ diversified needs. The newest edition to our hybrid line-up, the Prius Prime, will be on site for event goers to check out in this year’s Toyota Hybrid display. We also plan to bring a ride-and-drive and provide the ability for event goers to take a test drive in one of our hybrid models in addition to our FCV, the 2017 Mirai. The Mirai with a range of over 300 miles per tank and emissions that consist only of water vapor, Mirai is leading the world toward a more sustainable fuel cell vehicle. ”

This year’s Greenfest will be a zero-waste event and will prioritize accessibility for all attendees. Philadelphia Insurance Companies will provide valet bike parking for all cyclists to make it easy for attendees to get to Greenfest sustainably. Clean Air Council is dedicated to creating an event that gives the entire city of Philadelphia the chance to celebrate healthy living, interact with some of the city’s most environmentally friendly companies and support Clean Air Council’s ongoing mission to protect everyone’s right to breathe clean air.

For more information contact the Special Events Team at 215-567-4004 or events@cleanair.org.

About Clean Air Council’s Methane Education Program

Clean Air Council uses celebrated events like the Greenfest Philly to support and increase awareness and advocacy for a broad range of environmental and public health initiatives. Recently, Clean Air Council has focused a targeted campaign of research, public education and advocacy calling for state and federal regulations to curb methane pollution. Methane leaks can exacerbate respiratory diseases (such as asthma) and lead to lung and heart disease, even cancer. Despite public support for rules limiting current and future methane leaks, there are few laws on the books putting such safeguards in place.

About Clean Air Council

Clean Air Council is a member- supported, non-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting everyone’s right to breathe clean air. For more information about Clean Air Council, visit www.cleanair.org.

Tell us what YOU want to see at Greenfest Philly 2017! Between edible bugs, yoga, vegan cooking demos, kids’ activities, a rock wall, and more – Greenfest features a plethora of fun and sustainable activities for the entire family. However, we’re still going to add even MORE! Since you are the most important person at Greenfest, we want to know what you would like to see at the festival. Share your ideas:

What’s not to love about Halloween, everyone’s favorite season of tricks and treats? Costumes, candy, and pumpkins can be seen at every turn. But, what if those costumes, decorations, candy, and pumpkins are contributing to frightening amounts of waste or are full of scary chemicals? Probably not the treat you were expecting. According to the National Retail Federation, 7 out of 10 consumers plan on handing out candy and nearly half will dress up in costume or decorate their home – spending on average $82.93.

Here are some tips to keep your Halloween in check so that Hedorah the Smog Monster never comes to life. 

Use Your Pumpkin

Pumpkins are so much more than just decoration. Don’t let that deliciousness go to waste. Roast the seeds, carve the meat, make a body scrub, there are endless possibilities. We love these ideas: 28 Things You Can Do with Pumpkin Guts.

Skip the Smog

In 1971, the movie Godzilla vs. Hedorah (pictured above) featured an emissions-fueled monster that went on a rampage through Japan. Don’t fuel Hedorah. Get to your Halloween party emissions free! Use Clean Air Council’s multi-modal mapping tool Go Philly Go to plan your trip.

Upcycle Your Costume

Save money and have an impressive original costume by DIY-ing it or shopping for a thrift store costume. Even if you don’t have a specific costume in mind, sometimes seeing what is available will get the creative juices flowing. Pro-tip – ask friendly staff for help. They have seen all the merchandise and probably have some great ideas. We’ve scored great costume finds at Philly Aids Thrift and The Resource Exchange. Time crunch? Raid the closet of a family member or friend for free.

Make Your Costume Count

Show us how scared you are of the smog monster or the dangerous emissions from oil and gas production. Put on a gas mask, respirator, or dust mask and trick or treat in support of our #CutMethane campaign. Take a photo and share it on social media with the #CutMethane hashtag, you’ll join the many who have already participated.

Avoid a Candy (Wrapper) Nightmare

For health and safety reasons, individually wrapped Halloween candy is the norm. How can you stop those wrappers from becoming a landfill monster? Channel your inner middle-schooler and upcycle them into jewelry or crafts. Before you know it, it will be holiday season. Here are some homemade gifts that use candy wrappers: 11 Clever Candy Wrapper Crafts.

Alternatively, Terracycle offers candy and snack wrapper recycling. Keep that Captain Planet costume on for a few more days and organize a neighborhood or office candy wrapper collection. Terracycle Candy and Snack Wrapper Box 

Cure the Post-Halloween Hangover

Not sure what to do with costumes and decorations after Halloween? If you aren’t going to use them next year, donate them. The Halloween Helpers collect previously-enjoyed, gently-used Halloween costumes and donate them to children who may not typically be able to participate in this yearly celebration.

Did your trick or treaters score the motherload and now you have enough candy to feed an army? Do just that. Donate candy to Soldiers’ Angels Treats for Troops. 

Happy Halloween!

Get multimodal with GoPhillyGo on Saturday, October 22, as we combine SEPTA Regional Rail with bicycling to travel from Center City to Bristol Marsh, a GoPhillyGo featured destination, for an afternoon of bike exploration and nature walking.

We will begin the day at Suburban Station (16th St. & JFK Blvd) by taking our bikes on a reserved SEPTA Regional Rail car at 9:45 am to the Bristol Station. From there, we will bike-explore 15 miles of the Delaware and Lehigh Canal Towpath (D&L Trail). The D&L Trail, now part of the East Coast Greenway’s 3,000 mile bike-pedestrian trail  from Maine to Florida, was once a major shipping route during the Industrial Revolution. This is no-drop, leisurely paced ride (10 – 12 mph).

After the ride, we’ll break for a complimentary lunch at Bristol Marsh. Lunch will be followed by a Heritage Conservancy-led nature walk through Bristol Marsh. Heritage Conservancy works as a local partner to The Nature Conservancy to promote the ecological restoration and stewardship of Bristol Marsh. Bristol Marsh is one of the few remaining freshwater tidal marshes along the Delaware River. It is home to six rare plant species native to the Delaware River Basin.  After the nature walk, we will return to Center City at 2:11 pm by a reserved SEPTA Regional Rail car.

The cost of this event is $10*. The $10 covers your SEPTA fare and lunch. This event is limited to 15 participants.

Buy your tickets TODAY!

Go to registration page.

Fill in personal and payment information.

Select Other and enter $10. The $10 is an event fee, it is not a tax-deductible donation.

Under Anything else we should know, enter GoPhillyGo at Bristol Marsh.

Join the Facebook event page to stay up-to-date on the ride!

Registration deadline is Monday, October 17.

Bristol Borough-area residents, and those coming from outside of Center City are welcome to attend. To join the bike-exploration and nature walk, meet us with your bikes at the Bristol Station at 10:20 am. Please email Erika Reinhard at ereinhard@cleanair.org to let us know we should plan to meet you.

This is a self-supported ride, we highly suggest bringing a spare tube and repair kit. All riders must wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road.  Please bring a lock to safely secure your bike while we are on the nature walk. We encourage riders to pay attention to the weather forecast and to dress appropriately. We also suggest wearing high visibility clothing and to bring a water bottle and snacks. Use of Indego bike share is not permitted. If you have a dietary restrictions, please contact Erika Reinhard.

*The $10 fee is not a tax-deductible donation.

For more information, please contact Erika Reinhard, Sustainable Transportation Outreach Coordinator, by calling 215-567-4004 ext. 111 or emailing ereinhard@cleanair.org.

Arrive at Greenfest Philly emissions-free with GoPhillyGo and Kidical Mass PHL! GoPhillyGo and Kidical Mass are hosting a family-friendly bike ride to GreenFest Philly on Sunday, September 11. Anyone is welcome to ride with us; even adults without children. However, all children must have an adult accompany them. This is an all-inclusive, beginner friendly ride and any kind of adult bicycle is welcome. For children, we discourage training wheels as our city streets aren’t very smoothly paved. We do not allow balance/push bikes or scooters on the ride. Kidical Mass riders follow all the rules of the road and tend to ride very slow. Meet-up is at 10:00 am on Sunday, September 11, at Fitler Square (23rd St. & Pine St.).

From there we will ride together, on the road, 1.8 miles to Headhouse Row (2nd St. & Pine St.). This is an all-inclusive, beginner friendly ride and any kind of adult bicycle is welcome. For children, discourage training wheels as our city streets aren’t very smoothly paved. We do not allow balance/push bikes or scooters on the ride. We will ride as slow as our slowest ride and will have a person who rides sweep in the back as well.

At GreenFest Philly, you will find restrooms, complimentary Philadelphia Insurance Companies bike valet (3rd St. & South St.), complimentary MOM Organic Market healthy snacks, complimentary iced coffee and MOM Organic Market Kids’ Corner featuring eco-friendly crafts and activities, games, and more. Additionally, the Indego bike share station at 2nd St. & South St. will be offering free rides for the first 30 minutes of a trip — use code Greenfest16. There will be no organized group trip back to Fitler Square. Please RSVP here. View the route here.

When: Sunday, September 11, 2016 @ 10:00 AM

Start: Fitler Square @ 23rd St. & Pine St.

End: Greenfest Philly, Headhouse Row (2nd St. & Pine St.)

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gpg-kidical-mass-family-friendly-ride-to-greenfest-philly-tickets-26789283468

Route: http://bit.ly/2ahnf5E

GoPhillyGo + Kidical Mass Ride Guidelines:

Kids on bikes: no training wheels or scoot/balance bikes (bikes without pedals).

Kids MUST have an adult watching them (no more than 3 kids per adult).

Adults MUST stay with their own kids.

Helmets required.

Sunscreen suggested.

Bring water.

No organized return trip.

About Greenfest Philly:

Greenfest Philly is the largest environmental festival in the Philadelphia area. With over 100 exhibitors and vendors, Greenfest is the place to learn about living sustainably while having fun! This event has something for everyone: shopping for local green wares, great food, live music, live demonstrations, kid-friendly activities, and more. Greenfest Philly will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2016 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in the historic Headhouse Square.