DECEMBER 2019

CELEBRATE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON SUSTAINABLY

This season is such a special time to gather with friends and family, exchange gifts, and there’s so much to celebrate. Less joyous news? The US produces 25% more waste during the holidays!

Here are some holiday tips to reduce that number while creating some new holiday traditions:

1. Reduce: Have you had the gift talk with friends or family? Decide for yourselves whether you still want to be gifting and how. It can be a hard conversation to start, but you might find another solution: each one, gift one, for example.
2. Rethink: Have you ever thought about gifting a movement? Instead of buying something, think about making a donation to your recipient’s favorite non-profit or spend a day volunteering together. To help you on this search, read the Greater Washington Catalogue for Philanthropy Holiday Giving Opportunities!
3. Reuse: The US uses 8,000 tons of wrapping paper every year, equivalent to 50,000 trees! Can your wrapping be part of the gift instead? Consider putting your home-baked treats in a reusable container as a double-gift or wrapping a present in a scarf, cloth napkin, or reusable bag. All of these can make great gifts and can help you avoid packaging waste.
4. Recycle: Glossy and plain recycling paper can be recycled in your curbside bin. (Obviously, so can newspaper, if you choose to wrap in that!) Flatten any cardboard boxes, or at least the ones you don’t want to reuse, as well as cartons, like broth, eggnog cartons, and juice boxes - plus aluminum pie pans and cooking trays! Lastly, you can print some easy signs to label your home bins for a Zero Waste holiday party.

JOBS

DC Green Bank Executive Director/CEO
The DC Green Bank seeks its inaugural Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to launch this cutting‐edge, mission‐driven organization that will use public capital to increase access to funding for energy efficiency improvements and clean energy installation. The Board of Directors welcomes applications from visionary, experienced, and resourceful leaders ready to roll up their sleeves and build an organization from the ground up. The deadline for application is January 10. Learn more and apply here.

Potomac River Keepers Network, Sustainability Intern
The Sustainability Intern would work with the Potomac Riverkeeper to develop a web page and outreach materials to drive the reduction of trash and plastic pollution in the Potomac River.  The Potomac Riverkeeper protects the public’s right to clean water by stopping pollution. 
Learn more and apply here.

Institute for Market Transformation, Director, DC High-Performance Building Hub
Mayor Bowser just announced funding to create the DC High Performance Building Hub (“the Hub”), which will support Sustainable DC and Clean Energy DC goals of improving energy efficiency in our city’s buildings. This Director will create the strategic and long-term vision for the Hub to work with the local building community in market transformation towards dramatically improved energy performance. Learn more and apply here.

VOLUNTEER

H Street Farms

Date: Saturday, December 21 and 28, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: H St. Farms @ W.S. Jenks and Son by Cultivate the City, 910 Bladensburg Road NE, Washington, DC 20002

Join Cultivate the City at H. St. Farms -- the rooftop garden on top of W.S. Jenks Hardware -- which is a unique rooftop growing area that utilizes DC's unused space. With 3 greenhouses and many plants all year-round, H St. Farms encourages you to come get involved and have a try at a green thumb! Dress in clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, and dress appropriately for the weather and to be outdoors. For more information email hstfarms@cultivatethecity.com or click HERE.

Carpenter's Shelter Lunch Prep

Date: Sunday, December 29, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Carpenter's Shelter 5701-D Duke Street, Alexandria, VA, 22304

Carpenter's Shelter is a residential facility for adults and families transitioning out of homelessness. Nearly all of the residents who transition out of the shelter never return to homelessness. They are looking for volunteers to prepare and serve lunch for residents of the Carpenter's Shelter in Alexandria, VA. For more information, please register HERE.

EVENTS

Oh So Many Holiday Markets

Thanks to DSLBD, there’s a full list of holiday markets throughout the city! We’ve selected those that are still open for those looking to support small, local businesses, which helps us reach our Sustainable DC goal of doubling DC small business by 2032! Check out the whole list of markets here.

• Midlands Holiday Market: December 17th 6:00pm- 9:00pm, The Midlands, 3333 Georgia Ave NW
• Go Anacostia Holiday Market: November 30th- December 22nd, 8:00am-8:00pm, Maple View Flats, 2228 Martin Luther King Ave SE
• Winterfest at Wundergarten: thru Dec 22, 3-8p Friday, 12-8 Sat-Sunday 
• Downtown Holiday Market: thru December 23, 12:00pm-8:00pm daily, 8th and F St. NW
• BZB Holiday Gift and Art Show: 21, 23 and 24, 1510 9th St., NW

9 Reasons to Bike in the Winter, by WABA

Sustainability Defined

Housing Equity Report: Creating Goals for Areas of Our City

How To Use The Gifting Economy To Tackle Your Holiday Gift List

DC Zero Waste Inspectors Issue Warnings if You Aren’t Recycling Right