NorthJersey.com (Wyckoff, NJ): Non-profit lights way to energy efficiency in Wyckoff

Posted September 1, 2010 by OneChange

Volunteers will distribute energy-efficient light bulbs next weekend to remind residents that making small changes matter when it comes to environmental protection.

Organized by the township's Environmental Commission and Project Porchlight, volunteers will hand out compact fluorescent light bulbs door to door starting at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11.

Project Porchlight is a non-profit organization which has coordinated the effort through the state's Clean Energy Program. It is being funded by the state Board of Public Utilities, which is promoting energy efficiency and the need for a clean environment.

The commission is asking anyone over 18 to meet at 9 a.m. Sept. 11 in the West Wing Conference Room in Town Hall to help with distribution.

Officials from Project Porchlight will give a 15-minute presentation on the program and offer safety tips for door-to-door distribution.

Brian Bigler, chairman of the Environmental Commission, said beforehand, Project Porchlight representatives will map out routes for distribution.

Bigler said that as part of the project, volunteers will document the homes receiving light bulbs, which were found vacant and which declined a light bulb. Volunteers will also distribute information about the town's Nifty Fifty program.

Nifty Fifty is a town initiative that encourages residents to reduce the amount of waste they place at the curb by increasing their recyclables.

Last year, township residents recycled 29 percent of their trash. Increasing the rate to 50 percent could result in a savings of up to $100,000 per year, township officials say.

Project Porchlight needs an accurate count of those who want to volunteer. To get involved, e-mail wyckoffbooth(at)wyckoff-nj.com.

E-mail: weinberger(at)northjersey.com

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