Issue 31 | November 2021
Good and Green News & Updates
Stop by and Say Hi! at the Good and Green Booth
We hope to see you at an upcoming Sunrise event!

Visit the Good and Green booth at the Cultural Festival (11/13) to learn how we can build a plastics-free culture, and the Arts & Crafts Festival featuring Winter Wonderland (12/10) to learn about gardening for wildlife.
If You're Thinking about Going Solar There's Still Time to Join the Broward Solar Co-op 2021
Residents and small businesses of Broward County are still eligible to join the 2021 Broward Solar Co-op. The Co-op closes to new members at the end of November. If you want to learn more or have any questions about going solar, and the Broward Co-op, there is a virtual Florida Solar 101 Workshop scheduled for Wednesday, November 17, at 6:00 pm. If all rooftops had solar in Broward County, those solar panels would generate nearly 64% of the total electricity used in the entire county. 

Dream In Green in the Classroom
Dream in Green Academy, provides dedicated environmental sustainability education to
students in public, private, magnet and charter schools across Miami-Dade and Broward
counties. Schools can also enroll in the Green Schools Challenge 2021-2022 which is a long-term, whole-system approach to water, energy and
resources efficiency in schools. The program
engages students in hands-on, educational
activities that save water, and energy as well as
exposes the school community to links between
water, energy, waste, environment, climate
change and community sustainability. Grants of up to $350 for schools to implements green initiatives are available.
Broward Leaders Resilience Roundtable
The City of Sunrise participated and shared highlights at the 4th Annual Broward Leaders Resilience Roundtable on October 1st. Sunrise shared updates that included: 626 streetlights upgraded to LED, 21 facilities tracked using EnergyStar Portfolio Manager, 17 hybrid vehicles added to City Fleet, 23,703 linear feet of pipeline installed to bring reclaimed water throughout the Sawgrass International Corporate Park, and a new sustainability educational video series launched with 2 episodes showcasing our Community Wildlife Habitat partnerships and efforts. Stay tuned for the 2021 Summary Report to be published soon!

Go Green This Holiday Season
Pass Up Plastics
Today, wrapping paper is often laminated, and may contain additives such as gold and silver coloring, synthetic glitter, and plastics – making it non-recyclable.

If every American family wrapped just three presents in recycled or reusable materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.
Want more ways to cut down on holiday waste?

Take the Sunrise Pledge to Pass Up Plastics, and try out these plastic-free tips:

  • Choose a real tree and check for local tree recycling programs that will turn used trees into chip mulch (Markham Park is typically a Broward County Chip-a-Tree site). If you do purchase an artificial tree, be sure to use it for at least 10 years to minimize its environmental impact.

  • Remember to bring reusable bags on shopping trips. They also make great gift bags – or gifts!

  • Skip the plastic straws at holiday parties.

  • Invest in a reusable advent calendar you can refill each year, instead of a disposable version.

  • Pack holiday leftovers (and food gifts) in reusable containers.
There are a ho ho Whole lot of Ways to Reduce Holiday Waste
Did you know that 25% more waste is created each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve across the U.S.? That’s about one million tons more per week during the holiday season.

This year, make your holidays joyous in spirit and gentle on the environment. Here’s how:
Green Your Gift-Giving Habits
  • Shop Sunrise! When you buy local, you help support our local economy. You also cut down on gas by driving shorter distances. And you can save money: See page 4 of this issue for details on our new Shop Sunrise incentive program for merchants and customers!

  • Make It. Bake a cake or cookies, or jar homemade jam or pickles. You could also knit, sew, build, or create art. Use the holidays to spark your creativity – and have some fun!

  • Go with Experience. Give experiences as gifts – such as dinner certificates, tickets to the movies or a show, or passes to a local museum – instead of things. You can also give your time and skill by volunteering, or donate to a charity or service organization in the name of a friend of relative who supports that cause.
Rethink Your Lights
LED holiday lights are 80% more energy efficient than incandescent lights, and they last longer. You can even find solar-powered holiday lights that you can use outdoors to save on your electric bill, and eliminate the need for extension cords.
Learn More
Visit our Good and Green booth at the Sunrise Arts & Crafts Festival/Winter Wonderland this December 10th to learn more about going green, and take home an eco-friendly holiday giveaway while supplies last!
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