Residents of Miami-Dade County, be on the look-out for your new blue recycling containers.  The 65-gallon blue containers with an attached lid and on wheels look similar to our green garbage containers.  Miami-Dade County began distribution last week.

From the Miami-Dade County press release:

“The new recycling carts make it easier for every resident in our community to recycle, which in turn helps the environment.  Miami-Dade County government is leading the way in protecting our environment from hybrid vehicle fleets and Home Chemical Collection Centers to the Artificial Reef Program and the New Park and Open Space System Master Plan. Recycling is one of the easiest ways of preserving and protecting our natural resources,”   said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez.

Katy Sorenson, District 8 Commissioner, will be hosting a FREE Hurricane Preparedness Workshop this weekend.  In partnerships with the Village of Palmetto Bay and Town of Cutler Bay, this workshop will include safety tips and free giveaways to all attendees.  Max Mayfield, former Director of the National Hurricane Center, will be the featured speaker.  For more information, see the Press Release or call Commisioner Sorenson's office at 305-378-6677.

There will also be a supply of high-efficiency showerheads at the event, so bring your old showerheads to trade.

See you there!

So how many caught the June 4th launch of Discovery Channel's Planet Green - a 24 hour "eco-lifestyle" television network?  One of the programs, Greenovate, has actually been around for a while; first on Discovery Channel then on TLC.  It is similar in format to "This Old House" or other home improvement/remodeling shows, but with a "green" twist.  I particular like the emphasis on increased re-sale value, in addition to environmental sustainability and utility savings.

I usually report on local events, but the news that Global Green USA’s first green house in hurricane ravaged New Orleans has been completed is cause for celebration. 

From the May 15 press release:

The Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC, has just issued a report (based on 2005 data) ranking the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area at 28 out of the 100 largest metropolitan areas for best overall carbon footprint.  We ranked ahead of all other Florida cities included in the study.  The Tampa/St. Pete/ Clearwater area ranked 47th, while Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice and Jacksonville were towards the bottom with 81 and 80 respectively.  Cape Coral/Ft. Myers ranked 70, Palm Bay/Melbourne/Titusville scored a 59, and Orlando came in at 54.  Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, along with several other Florida cities, did even better in the portion of the study that examined only per capita carbon emissions from residential use.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released their "Top Ten" lists of utility companies' "green power programs."  Per the U.S. Department of Energy's website:

NREL has compiled extensive data on utility green power programs and produced the following "Top Ten" lists of program characteristics and results: total sales of renewable energy to program participants; total number of customer participants; customer participation rates; and the lowest premium charged to support new renewables development.

And Florida Power & Light made two of the lists:

The Dade County Bar Association in partnership with Miami-Dade County Consumer Services Department is hosting a "Lunch 'N Learn" for Landlords, Tenants, Lawyers and Property Managers.  The seminar begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch, and continues until 2:00 p.m.  The seminar will cover Landlord/Tenant law  with particular attention to eviction procedures and security deposit returns.  This information is, in my opinion, a "must know" for every landlord, property manager or tenant out there.

From the article:

The seminar will be co-presented by Carolina Lombardi, a Senior Housing Attorney for Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. who represents tenants, and Michael Birnholz, a private attorney who represents landlords.  They will discuss eviction procedures and the management of security deposits to help attorneys, landlords, property owners and tenants understand their rights and responsibilities.

Event: 

05/06/2008 - 11:30am - 05/06/2008 - 2:00pm

Did you know that a high-efficiency washing machine can reduce energy use by up to 70% and reduce water use by up to 50%.  Did you know that Miami-Dade County is offering you even more incentives to “go green” with a new high-efficiency washing machine?

Florida State Public Service Commission is expected to rule today in favor of "net metering" that will require Florida Power & Light to buy the excess power produced by homeowners and businesses using solar panels.  It's about time!  This ruling will be one of the key factors, in my opinion, to encourage homeowners and businesses to install renewable energy sources like solar panels.  Combine this with tax credits/rebates, direct savings on utilities and better solar technology, solar power in the Sunshine State just makes sense.

All five luxury homes in Quinn’s Crossing were set with explosive devices today.  Four of the devices worked, completely destroying three of the homes and severely damaging the fourth.  The homes were part of the 2007 “Seattle Street of Dreams” luxury home and garden tour.  From their website: 

“Our Mission since 1983 is to serve our community by organizing and producing the most professional luxury home tour imaginable by effectively showcasing our show participants in their endeavors, providing stimulating new ideas for our show patrons, and supporting local charities serving children in need. Our 37 day summertime event showcases the newest trends and most innovative ideas for luxury home building, architecture, interior design, and landscaping….all on one street. Each of our luxury show homes 'compete' for your vote on a variety of 'Best' categories such as kitchen, interior design, home technology, landscaping, architecture, master suite, etc… Results are announced near the end of the show.”   

“The theme for our past summer event was focused on green and sustainable building. Each home shared a message of how various aspects of new home construction, architectural design, landscaping and home furnishing could be more environmentally sensitive, ecologically responsible and sustainable. These homes showcased some of the newest innovation in green building and design. One of the homes received the first Five-Star BuiltGreen ratings ever awarded in Snohomish County. Each of the five Street homes was BuiltGreen rated, a proud achievement for each builder involved. We stand behind our efforts to showcase and promote sustainable construction methods… Nearly 75 percent of the land in the Quinn’s Crossing is dedicated to open space and trails. We were proud to promote the various environmental and ecological attributes that made up the Quinn’s Crossing community.”