We live in a world where the amount of food wasted is on the rise while the number of people who are food insecure is growing. In 2010, the United States wasted 33.8 million tons of food while 17.2 million U.S. households were food insecure.

Mix vinegar, some lemon juice and water in a spray bottle — cleans window, surfaces, tubs, mirrors and glass. Sprinkle baking soda in trash cans, recycling bins, laundry hampers and pet beds to keep odors down.

"Cows were made to eat grass. ... The two biggest things that harm a cow are grain and concrete. By kicking the cows outside and letting them be on the sod and letting them eat the grass, you can get rid of about 90 percent of your cow problems."

— Kevin Sullivan, dairy farmer

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Friday
May242013

Common Ground Found on Wetlands Bill

By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI News staff

PROVIDENCE — Developers and environmentalists are finding common ground on setting statewide standards for building near wetlands. Opponents of the bill have declared their tentative support to create a commission to settle the matter.<<Read more

Friday
May242013

Activists Rally Against School Siting Law Change

By FRANK CARINI/ecoRI News staff

PROVIDENCE — Opponents of a push to repeal a law enacted last year that prohibits the construction of schools on former industrial sites where there could be toxic vapor intrusion recently brought in a national figure to help make their point.<<Read more

Thursday
May232013

Senate Passes Farm to School Bill

By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI News staff

PROVIDENCE — More locally grown food could be incorporated into school lunches. The Senate recently passed a bill that promotes serving local fruits, vegetables and dairy products in school cafeterias. The state has helped fund Farm to School efforts since 2005.<<Read more

Thursday
May232013

Bike to Work Day Pedals Bicycling Benefits

By KYLE HENCE/ecoRI News contributor

NEWPORT — On Aquidneck Island, momentum is growing for bicycling, driven by a range of benefits presented by cycling advocates and tourism promoters alike, from reduced downtown congestion to community healthfulness.<<Read more

Wednesday
May222013

Seaweed: Much More Than Beach Nuisance

By MELISSA PALMISCANO/special to ecoRI News

Red tendrils and green blades churn in the waves like a giant salad in a spinner. Thin, wiry branches ensnare the ankles of those who are brave enough to wade through the shallows. But for 20,000 years humans have used macroalgae for food, medicine and fertilizer.<<Read more

Tuesday
May212013

Providence Streetcar Project Back on Track

By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI News staff

PROVIDENCE — Local officials are moving forward with their goal of bringing a streetcar line to the city, although there isn’t much optimism that funding will come through right away for the $130 million project. Initial plans call for a 2.5-mile streetcar route.<<Read more

Monday
May202013

Fluorescent Bulbs Can’t Go In Trash

By ecoRI News staff

Fluorescent bulbs, although energy efficient, contain small amounts of mercury and therefore are hazardous and must be disposed of properly. Also, virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled.<<Read more

Saturday
May182013

Be Aware: Lawn Chemicals Applied

By JOANNA DETZ/ecoRI News staff

The U.S. government has allowed most lawn pesticides onto the market without a full set of toxicity tests, using a loophole called a conditional registration. In fact, as many as 65 percent of the 16,000 pesticides were first approved for the market using this loophole.<<Read more

Wednesday
May152013

Anglers Help Monitor R.I.’s Marine Ecosystems

By KEVIN PROFT/ecoRI News staff

To effectively manage fisheries, Rhode Island officials require reliable data about the type and volume of fish being caught. Anglers help ensures that the state's recreational fishing regulations are effective, fair and based on sound science.<<Read more

Monday
May132013

Enjoying Life Without Heaps of Trash

By ALISON KIRSCH/ecoRI News contributor

PROVIDENCE — Two years ago, Colleen Doyle took out her trash for the last time. A few months later, she gave away her garbage can. Now, all the trash Doyle produces in a month fits in the palm of her hand.<<Read more