Do you have a broken item you think could be fixed, but want some advice on how to do it? Bring it to a Green Acton FixIt Clinic, offered several times a year in collaboration with the Acton Memorial Library! (Next FixIt Clinic is Feb. 24; see more below.) FixIt Clinic coaches offer advice, tools,… Continue reading →
Thinking about Fertilizing? Test Your Soil First!
Contributed by Christopher Edwards and Martha Rounds, Green Acton Toxics/Pesticides Subcommittee To take good care of a lawn or garden in Acton, simply buying an off-the-shelf fertilizer and spreading it once or twice a year can be tempting. This guide offers great information on fertilizing your yard in a way that is better for your… Continue reading →
Creating a Lush, Healthy Lawn without Synthetic Chemicals
Many people love their lawns. In the post–World War II period, they became a symbol of domestic status and beauty, and at the same time became more uniform and “greener.” And though it may seem odd to think about environmental damage and lawns at the same time, “chemical” lawns actually cause significant damage to the… Continue reading →
A Whole-of-Government Approach to Tackling PFAS in Acton
by Kim Kastens, Chair, Green Acton Water Committee PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — comprise a family of harmful chemicals that is found in tap water and in many consumer and industrial products. This post suggests that a whole-of-government approach — one that enacts collaborative efforts across municipal departments and boards toward a shared… Continue reading →
UPDATE: Webinar Recording Now Available: Creating Sustainable Lawns
You can now access Green Acton’s March 22 webinar with organic turf management expert Chip Osborne. So whether you couldn’t make the live event, or just need to see this great session once more, you can here: Creating Sustainable Lawns: A Webinar with Chip Osborne
Coming January 1, 2023: New Plastics Bylaw Goes into Effect
On New Year’s Day 2023, Acton’s new Polystyrene and Disposable Plastic Reduction bylaw goes live. See flyer below, and the QR code, for more information:
Sustainable Holiday Gift Wrapping
Contributed by Carolyn Davis, Green Acton Materials/Plastics Subcommittee Do you want to save money and help the planet this holiday season by reducing trash? Green Pro Tip: make your own wrapping paper! Americans spend about $8 billion a year on wrapping paper. Not only is that a lot of money for something that gets ripped… Continue reading →
Greener Ways to Avoid Tick Bites
Contributed by Chris Edwards, Chair, Green Acton Toxics/Pesticides Subcommittee Ticks can bite and cause serious diseases, such as Lyme disease, all year. Although tick infection is commonly assumed to be a summer ailment, the tiny bugs can survive even in near-freezing temperatures, waiting for passengers. Surprisingly, October and November are periods of heightened activity in… Continue reading →
Greener Ways to Avoid Acton’s Mosquitoes
by Chris Edwards, Chair, Green Acton Toxics/Pesticides Subcommittee While you’re enjoying the outdoors in Acton, it’s important to protect yourself and your loved ones from being bitten by mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other insects, since these critters can carry harmful viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Unfortunately, some of the most effective repellents have environmental and toxic… Continue reading →
FAQ: Understanding Acton’s Polystyrene Ban
At the May 2022 Annual Town Meeting, Acton voters joined more than 50 other communities in the Commonwealth in approving a new bylaw related to polystyrene (aka Styrofoam™). The goals of the bylaw are protecting residents’ health and reducing a significant source of plastic pollution. The Polystyrene and Disposable Plastic Reduction Bylaw will allow Acton… Continue reading →