In mere days the sole remaining coal-fired electric generating plant in Allegheny County is scheduled to cease operations, ending a decades-old air pollution horror story for so many local residents living, working, and recreating near the facility. While court documents and enforcement orders – one of which occurred as recently as Aug. 17, 2020 – tell the tale of Cheswick Generating Station’s dereliction in complying with air quality regulations, they don’t effectively illustrate the impact the facility’s emissions had on our friends and neighbors. That’s why GASP thought it was important to put the spotlight on the powerful work of  Pittsburgh-based photographer Lynn Johnson, who was part of a 2016 exhibit titled “In the Air” that explored the relationship between some of the area’s most prolific polluters and the people and places that surrounded them. We’ll let our veteran board member Roger Day tell you more. Roger produced this amazing video that lets everyone know that some air quality horror stories do have a happy ending: #LynnJohnson #CheswickPowerStation #airpollution #RogerDay #airquality

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) on Thursday announced in a press release that it has imposed more than $4.5 million in penalties against U.S. Steel for 831 uncontrolled push violations at its Clairton Coke Works facility. The violations occurred between Jan. 1, 2020, and March 15, 2022. Here’s what the release said: “Pushing is the operation of unloading, or “pushing,” finished coke from the oven into a traveling hot car to be transported and cooled. To contain emissions, a travel hood is placed over the vehicle outside of the coke oven door while the coke is pushed into the car. The hood forces emissions to pass through filters and then vents the emissions through a pushing emission control system (PEC). An uncontrolled push occurs when emissions that would normally go through the PEC do not, resulting in emissions that are not captured or filtered being released into the air. The US Steel Clairton Coke Plant is required to submit monthly process information reports to the Health Department, a requirement resulting from a previous enforcement order on July 23, 1990. Other pollution sources in Allegheny County must submit process reports on a semi-annual or quarterly basis. Air Quality staff reviewed the process information reports dating back to the start of 2020, as well as breakdown reports for the same time period, in determining the 831 violations. The process information reports covered by the order are available online on the Air Quality Program’s Compliance Status Report page.Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen has made air quality and enforcement a priority, in part by reorganizing the Bureau of Environmental Health and creating new positions focused on air quality enforcement. The Health Department has nearly doubled the enforcement section alone, from 13 staff members to 25, which allows the Air Quality team to more thoroughly analyze data and identify violations.“We are committed to protecting residents’ health and holding sources of pollution accountable,” Dr. Bogen said. “The Health Department expects 100% compliance, and this latest enforcement action further demonstrates our commitment to protecting air quality for all. I thank my staff for their continued hard work and vigilance.” In recent months, the Health Department has taken several steps to protect air quality. On October 5, 2021, the Health Department issued an enforcement order against Neville Chemical Company for violating emissions limits in their Title V permit. As part of its efforts to launch the Mon Valley Episode Rule, designed to improve air quality and signed into law by County Executive Fitzgerald in September 2021, the Health Department announced on February 3, 2022 that it had finalized review of all submitted mitigation plans, approving 10 and rejecting six (6). The six plans previously rejected have been re-submitted and are currently under review.On March 3, 2022, the Health Department announced a penalty of $859,300 against U.S. Steel for Article XXI Air Pollution Control violations and permit violations at the Clairton Coke Plant in the third and fourth quarters of 2021. Four days later, the Health Department announced a penalty of $1.8 million against U.S. Steel for 153 Hydrogen Sulfide exceedances recorded at the Liberty Monitor from January 1, 2020, through March 1, 2022. For the most recent enforcement order, the Health Department reviewed monthly data for uncontrolled pushes and found that they occurred at the PECs for eight of the plant’s 10 coke batteries. The penalty is based on several factors including the nature, severity, and frequency of the violations; the willfulness of such violations; and the impact of such violations on the public and the environment. The calculation for the penalty is based on the number of violations, compliance history of the Clairton Coke Plant, and the Title V Major Source status of the plant.U.S. Steel has 30 days to appeal or pay the penalty. A copy of this and all air quality enforcement actions can be found here.” GASP is reviewing the enforcement document and lauds ACHD for taking this latest, robust enforcement action. “Environmental laws and regulations protect public health. I think ACHD’s recent enforcement efforts validate what community members have experienced for far too long: that U.S. Steel is not even close to being the good neighbor it pretends to be in its public statements,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “In comments we submitted to ACHD last week regarding U.S. Steel’s application to renew its air quality operating permit for the Clairton Coke facility, we pointed out the permit is required by federal and local regulation to include a binding schedule of actions and benchmarks that will get this entire facility fully compliant with air quality regulations. Our comments also highlighted decades of failures on US Steel’s part to comply with air quality regulations.” He continued: “This most recent fine – and the several other before it this month – only reinforces our belief it’s time for U.S. Steel to admit its failures as a ‘good neighbor,’ clean up its act and invest the money necessary to ensure Clairton Coke can comply with the laws designed to protect public health.” \ #USSteel #pushingviolations #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #ClairtonCokeWorks #airquality

The $4.6 million fine Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) issued against U.S. Steel for more than 800 air quality violations last week made headlines but it wasn’t the only enforcement action taken against local air polluters. ACHD’s enforcement docket shows the department also took several actions related to asbestos violations. Here are the companies ACHD put on notice: IDR LLC and Watts Construction Co. for violations of the county’s asbestos-related air quality regulations while renovating a property at 3519 Penn Ave. A Jan. 20 administrative field order shows that ACHD ordered the companies to immediately stop all work and cease all operations for failure to perform an asbestos survey prior to renovation activities commencing. The order also required the companies to have the third floor of the property decontaminated by an ACHD-licensed asbestos-abatement contractor. They were also ordered to conduct air sampling. Lolev Brewing Company for violations of the county’s asbestos-related air quality regulations during renovations at 5247 Butler St. in Lawrenceville. ACHD on March 11 ordered the company to cease all renovations for failing to conduct and submit to the department an asbestos report as required. The administrative field order also indicated that the company also violated county air pollution regulations when it conducted abrasive blasting for paint removal without first testing it for lead content. ACHD gave the company 30 days to submit a thorough asbestos report and lab samples of the remaining paint. Yarborough Enterprises for failing to conduct an asbestos survey as required before the start of renovations at 1125 Romine Ave. in Port Vue. ACHD on Jan. 20 ordered the company to stop all work/cease operations at the property until a thorough asbestos report with bulk testing of the remaining materials, as well as air quality sampling. At this point, we think it’s important to give just a little more information on asbestos because so many people wrongly believe it is no longer an air quality issue of concern. It very much is – especially here in Allegheny County. When asbestos is left undisturbed it does not pose a health risk. During renovation or demolition, however, it’s common for old, brittle asbestos products to release tiny fibers. These tasteless, odorless fibers can remain suspended in the air and enter your lungs when you inhale. And once inhaled, asbestos stays there forever. Exposure to airborne asbestos fibers can cause serious health issues including asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and pleural disease.  And there is no safe minimum level of exposure to asbestos.  An estimated 10,000 cases of asbestos-related disease occur each year in the U.S. as a result of past exposures. It can take 20-40 years for some of these diseases to manifest, so we are currently seeing the results of exposures from the 1980s and 1990s now. Also of note: Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. And health officials say that the mortality rate for mesothelioma in Allegheny County is “significantly higher” than that of both Pennsylvania and the nation. GASP continues to remain concerned about the burgeoning number of asbestos-related violations in the county and thanks ACHD for taking action. ACHD also issued took action related to open burning: Brandon Tomcheck of 3109 Orchard St. in McKeesport was fined $1,700 for violating Allegheny County’s open burning rules. A March 3 enforcement order indicates inspectors visited Tomcheck’s home on four occasions between Dec. 22, 2021, and Feb. 16 following numerous residential complaints and found evidence of illegal burning of construction materials. The order states inspectors provided information on the regulation and provided Tomcheck with information regarding Allegheny County’s Open Burning regulations and issued two formal warnings. “At each visit, resident stated he would change behaviors or stop. Burning activity continued after warnings,” the document stated. Tomcheck was given 30 days to pay the fine and was ordered to “cease burning activities until a compliant burn area has been established.” The order also indicates that Tomcheck failed to return a voicemail as well as a written request for a phone call.” Then, on March 25, police were dispatched to a fire at Tomcheck’s residence, according to the order. Of the $1,700 civil penalty, $900 was assessed as a “gravity-based component.” Little background on that: ACHD’s Civil Penalty Policy allows the department to assess a fine that reflects the potential harm that the violation may have on the public or environment and the severity of the violation and the level of cooperation from the violator. If you’re saying to yourself right now, “What’s the big deal about woodsmoke” then we are GLAD you asked. Here’s why: Wood smoke contains very fine particles able to reach deep into the lungs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “fine particles can trigger heart attacks, stroke, irregular heart rhythms, and heart failure, especially in people who are already at risk for these conditions. Fine particles can (also) make asthma symptoms worse and trigger asthma attacks.” Wood smoke contains dozens of air toxics including known human carcinogens benzene and formaldehyde. We have more information on wood smoke on our blog. Our friends at Environment and Human Health Inc. also have many resources regarding wood smoke on their website. You can read more about Allegheny County’s open-burning rules here. The Allegheny County Health Department also took action against a local school district and transit company for violations of Pennsylvania’s Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act: ABC Transit of McKees Rocks and the Sto Rox School District were issued a warning letter from ACHD on March 4 that provided formal notice that the department had received multiple complaints from residents about buses idling excessively at 1105 Valley Street. The letter also indicated that inspectors observed buses idling for longer than five minutes over a 60-minute span prior to loading students – which violated the Diesel-Powered Motor Act. The company and district were ordered to provide ACHD a compliance plan detailing how the issue would be resolved within 30 days or face possible fines. GASP applauds ACHD for taking action on complaints submitted by residents and hopes it will continue to be responsive to the concerns of folks living near air pollution sources. #AlleghenyCountyOpenBurningRegulations #asbestosabatement #YarboroughEnterprises #alleghenycountyairquality #WattsConstructionCo #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD

Many of us use natural gas in our day-to-day lives, including cooking on gas stoves. PSE’s team of researchers will be collecting and analyzing samples from residential natural gas from April 18-20 in Pittsburgh. The non-profit research institute is seeking participants for the new study, which “aims to improve our understanding of the relationship between indoor air quality and human health and the potential health hazards of unburned natural gas.” It’s a pretty straightforward process: A pair of researchers will collect a sample of unburned gas from your stove and analyze it for air pollutants. This process takes about 15 minutes and does not affect the stove in any way. Bonus: Those selected to participate will be given a $25 stipend. “We hope local residents take advantage of this opportunity,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Cambell said. “A burgeoning body of scientific research shows the air pollutants that gas stoves emit can have negative health impacts, often exacerbating respiratory conditions like asthma. By participating, you’re not only helping an important research project but you will also get to find out what air pollutants are in your kitchen when you cook.” Just a couple of caveats: To participate in the study, you must live in or near Pittsburgh and have a natural gas stove (not propane). Not sure? No problem! You can ask PSE! Sound interesting? Sign up here. Still on the fence? Check out this video explainer: Editor’s Note: For more information about the study, visit the project website here, and to learn more about PSE Healthy Energy visit its website here. #methane #PSEhealthyenergy #airpollutants #emissions #TheKitchenProject

Last year, two local news organizations teamed up to publish an explosive series that explored the mental health impacts of air and water pollution in western Pennsylvania and sounded the alarm about the increasing evidence that residents in the region are likely suffering changes to their brains because of their environment. The reporting also uncovered the growing gap in mental health care as more people are traumatized by worsening climate change. You can – and should – check those stories out here. We also highly recommend you check out a panel discussion GASP hosted with the series authors, Julie Grant of The Allegheny Front and Kristina Marusic of Environmental Health News: This week, Environmental Health News published an absolute must-read editorial calling for action. You can read the entire opinion piece here, but we were particularly struck by its ending: It is time we give the same focus to the environmental causes of mental illness. Recognizing preventable causes of mental illness is an urgent issue. Roughly one in five U.S. adults and one in six U.S. children experience mental illness each year. And 50% of mental illness begins by age 14. We hope our reporting continues to be a wake-up call for those who fund and conduct research on mental illness, as well as for policymakers in charge of regulating toxic chemicals. No child—or adult—should suffer mental illness due to pollution. Our brains are complex, beautiful, and fragile. Let’s work to understand how we can best protect this gift. “GASP echoes the concerns that are so succinctly laid out in the editorial,” our Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “We pledge to do all we can to champion this issue and join EHN in calling on scientists, health organizations, funding agencies, and fellow environmental groups to draw brighter lines between pollution and mental well-being.” #JulieGrant #airpollution #pollutionandmentalhealth #EnvironmentalHealthNews #KristinaMarusic #airquality

We get it: With all the gloom and doom related to climate change and air quality, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and anxious. But rest assured, there are little things that we can all do in our everyday lives to help “be the change” we want to see in our environment. Our Fresh Voices for Clean Air participants helped craft some specific actions you can take TODAY to help take action on air quality issues locally. Unfamiliar with our Fresh Voices for Clean Air Program? It’s an innovative initiative that paired a small group of high school students from Allegheny County with a group of their peers in Birmingham, Ala., for a 10-month collaborative partnership. Throughout the past year, the cohorts in each city regularly gathered via virtual meetings to participate in discussions with each other and guest speakers both to learn more about air quality and to build skills that will help them become more effective environmental advocates. By the end of the program year, participants created, developed, and executed an air quality-related project of their own choosing, with the support of adult mentors in both Pittsburgh and Birmingham. This is one of them. The partnership between air quality-focused non-profit organizations in Pittsburgh and Birmingham reflects our cities’ similar industrial and environmental history. A century ago, Birmingham was nicknamed the “Pittsburgh of the South.” Both cities have experienced some of the worst air quality in the nation. Discovering and discussing the similarities and differences between experiences in these two regions will be a key component of the collaboration. You can learn more about our Fresh Voices program here. And you can learn about those actions here: #airpollution #airqualitymonitoring #SmellPGH #FreshVoicesforCleanAir #airquality

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) Tuesday announced its intention to relocate the Air Quality Program’s primary air pollution monitoring facilities from Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood to the City’s North Side in 2023. \ The move highlights the best of the Air Quality Program but also leaves questions unanswered about transparency and decision-making in county leadership. The “best” was on display Tuesday morning in a technical presentation of what will go into the move. Suffice it to say transferring equipment just a few miles downriver will be far more involved than most would think. The Lawrenceville monitoring site currently serves as Allegheny County’s primary air quality monitoring site and houses the most complex and complete array of government agency air monitoring instrumentation in western Pennsylvania. The technical gear and gadgets measure toxic pollutants, the criteria pollutants like particulate matter, and ozone-forming pollutants, among others. In addition, these measurements go beyond monitoring ambient air for threats to human health; the measurements and subsequent analysis are designed to help the EPA better understand the causes and patterns of air pollution. By using precision, standardized, and continuously calibrated instrumentation, data collected at this site is comparable nationwide. With that mission at stake, ACHD reported that scouting for an appropriate site began in the summer of 2021. In addition, the move is subject to EPA approval and will be part of a proposal open to public comment that should be published this May. “Moving the monitoring site to an Environmental Justice Community as well as the significant planning and effort that have gone into the move point to this being a win for air quality and public health,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “But we still have questions as to why the move is taking place, and that’s troubling.” Without comment or explanation, the technical presentation Tuesday noted simply “[r]emaining on the Clack Campus (in Lawrenceville) is not an option.” It was mentioned that other ACHD programs with offices on the Clack Campus would also be moving, but no details were offered. Also not mentioned: where the non-monitoring portion of the Air Quality Program would end up. It seems clear that Allegheny County is making way for some new use of the site, but details were sketchy on that as well. ACHD Chief Operating Officer Patrick Dowd was quick to point out that the Lawrenceville Community would benefit from a new use of the site but did not elaborate on exactly how. The Clack Campus is 5.2 acres of land adjacent to Pittsburgh’s Arsenal Park but also it is also 5.2 acres of land in a very hot real estate market. When asked about what relocation and related costs the Air Quality Program will incur, Dowd replied that there will be costs and benefits, but referred to county leadership as the best place to point budgetary questions. “Mr. Dowd was correct on one point: the Clack Campus is a county-owned property and as landlord, the county can ask its health department tenants to move on,” GASP Staff Attorney Ned Mulcahy said. “But Mr. Dowd didn’t convince me the Air Quality Program’s best interest – and therefore the best interest of cleaner air and public health – were the county’s primary motivations here.” He continued: “That property was donated to the county in 1957 for public health functions. The county would show itself as an awfully cruel landlord if the ACHD programs asked to relocate don’t benefit from any sale of the Clack Campus.” #PatrickDowd #airqualitymonitors #particulatematter #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #LawrencevilleUnited #Clackcampus #ACHD #airquality

Allegheny County Health Department leaders on Monday night proposed a long-term “spending framework” for its Clean Air Fund, saying that “considerable challenges lay ahead” that will require a more strategic approach to how that money is spent. As if ripped from the pages of a drama class textbook, the discussion that ensued over this and other matters related to the Clean Air Fund had the set-up, confrontation, and resolution of a classic three-act drama. Air Pollution Control Advisory Committee proceedings will never make for a box office smash hit, but a lot went on Monday night, not much was decided, and the potential impacts on air quality are worth reporting. First, the set-up. On the Allegheny County Health Department balance sheet there exists a specific pot of money that holds all fines and penalties received by the Air Quality Program known as the Clean Air Fund. By regulation, this money must be spent on activities “related to the improvement of air quality within Allegheny County” and that “will increase or improve knowledge concerning air pollution, its causes, its effects, and the control thereof.” While regulations also spell out potential uses of the fund, the department has the freedom to choose the projects and set the procedures. GASP has taken issue with both historically (see more on that here). During his presentation (which you can view here), ACHD Chief Operating Officer Patrick Dowd said the department had been tasked with being “more deliberate” with how Clean Air Funding is doled out so it could act as a “catalyst for long-term change.” This would be accomplished by funding direct allocations, partnerships, and ACHD operational expenses. Specific ideas included funding for equipment, research and development, greening efforts, consultants, and education. Ending with a suggestion that regulations be changed to allow ACHD to use up to 50 percent of the fund balance annually – the current allocation is just 5 percent – struck an awkward note, but unfortunately, this presentation didn’t generate the discussion we – and likely also ACHD – had hoped for. As the silence and lack of lively debate went on, it became clear it was time for Act Two: Confrontation. Also on the agenda last night were Clean Air Fund requests, one of which was submitted by U.S. Steel and rejected by ACHD involving the company asking for Clean Air Fund money for a locomotive emissions-reduction project. After a detailed explanation of why the department chose not to consider it for funding, a circular and extended discussion – perhaps “argument” is a better word – by Air Advisory Committee members Mark Jeffrey and Chip Babst followed. The two – uncannily in unison – were adamant that the department did not have the authority to deny the application on its own. ACHD asserted it had such authority. Again: think “circular.” Ultimately, the item was tabled. This only ensures that the duo will get a second chance to belabor their point. This of course was a perfect segue into the “resolution” contained all third acts. After all the verbal acrobatics over vision and procedure for the Clean Air Fund, Mr. Dowd introduced his last bit of business for the night: a Clean Air Fund request for a health research project. The $30,000 proposal – said to have been personally submitted by ACHD Director Dr. Debra Bogan – was to design a research study to measure the impact of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) on the health of Allegheny County residents. Partners would include the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Duquesne University. Committee members narrowly voted to recommend that the Allegheny County Board of Health approve and fund the project. For inquiring minds that want to know: Jeffrey voted no and Babst abstained. Close scene. “As performances go, we’d have to give it a mixed review,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “Our stance on the Clean Air Fund hasn’t changed. We agree ACHD needs to take action to better utilize Clean Air Funds, but also believe they need to take on the related issues of funding procedures and transparency.” He continued: “Seeking input is a good step and seeking funding for the health study is a better step, but continuing to entertain individual applications ad hoc is a waste of resources, unfairly favors insiders, and is many, many steps in the wrong direction.” #H2S #hydrogensulfidestudy #CleanAirFundrequest #hydrogensulfide #DrDebraBogen #PatrickDowd #AirPollutionAdvisoryCommittee #AlleghenyCounty #alleghenycountyairquality #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #CleanAirFund #ACHD

As expected, the infamously-litigious U.S. Steel Corp. has appealed a March 7 Allegheny County Health Department enforcement order for illegal hydrogen sulfide emissions from its Clairton Coke Works. In the 23-page appeal filed April 5 and posted to the ACHD website this weekend, the company asks an Allegheny County hearing officer to vacate the order and the $1.8 million fine that came along with it. U.S. Steel used the usual appeal argument: That ACHD “abused its discretion and acted unreasonably, arbitrarily, capriciously, contrary in fact and law, and in a manner not supported by evidence.” You can read the entire brief here, but be sure to get some popcorn first because things got dramatic quick, with U.S. Steel invoking the Russia-Ukraine conflict and homeland security. “It’s disappointing but not at all surprising that U.S. Steel has doubled down and taken zero responsibility for the all-too-often sky-high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in the Mon Valley even though the company’s own data shows the Clairton Coke Works is the greatest H2S emitter in the county,” GASP Executive Director Patrick Campbell said. “U.S. Steel has repeatedly said how much it cares about its Pittsburgh area ‘family’ but then invests in green tech elsewhere while dragging regulators through the courts when they try to make it clean up its act and it’s cringeworthy.” GASP staff is reviewing the documents, remains deeply concerned about our area’s hydrogen sulfide issue, and will continue to keep you posted. #H2S #hydrogensulfideexceedances #hydrogensulfide #USSteel #MonValley #alleghenycountyairquality #emissions #AlleghenyCountyHealthDepartment #ACHD #ClairtonCokeWorks #airquality

A 113-page Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report published in November dissected one of America’s most egregious contributions to greenhouse gas-causing Climate Change: Food waste. Potent greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane are created when that food waste begins decaying in your local landfill. Experts estimate that about one-sixth of our methane emissions are caused by wasted food. Stanford University notes that nationally, the greenhouse gases emitted by landfills equate to emissions generated by 23 million cars. Surprised? Then buckle up, because there are more damning statistics ahead. The most outrageous may be this one: More than one-third of the food produced in the United States is never eaten; wasting the resources used to produce it, transporting it, and creating myriad environmental impacts. Food waste is the single-most common material dumped in landfills and incinerated nationally, contributing as much as 25 percent of municipal solid waste that’s disposed of in landfills and combusted. The magnitude of the environmental impact of food waste is laid out nicely in this image from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): One of the fixes? Reducing and preventing food waste. So, this Earth Week, we wanted to explore what specifically YOU and your family can do to help stave off food waste and the climate change-causing greenhouse gases it produces. Volunteer to Be a Food Rescue Hero One thing you can do locally to make a HUGE difference when it comes to food waste and food insecurity is to become a Food Rescuer with 412 Food Rescue. For those who might be unfamiliar with 412 Food Rescue: The nonprofit is dedicated to preventing good food from entering the waste stream by redirecting it to local people experiencing food insecurity. They partner with food retailers, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations to connect surplus food with individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity. “With the help of 2 trucks, 1 van, and thousands of volunteers who we call Food Rescue Heroes, we are able to rescue perfectly good but unsellable food that would otherwise be wasted and redirect it to people who need it,” 412 Food Rescue’s website explains. It’s made a HUGE impact locally: Its efforts redirected more than 20 million pounds of food in the region, which equates to 18 million meals. That rescued food mitigating 11 million pounds of CO2 emissions in the process. Learn more about becoming a Food Rescue Hero on 412 Food Rescue’s website. Get Into the Composting Game You can cut down on the amount of your household food waste by composting. Defined as “the act of collecting and storing organic material like plants and food scraps so they can decay and be added to soil to improve its quality,” your compost pile needs three basic components: Brown material – This includes dead leaves, branches, and twigs. Green material – This includes coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable scraps, and grass clippings. Water Keeping that organic material out of landfills has a significant climate change impact, but that’s not all: Composting cuts down on the need for chemical fertilizers and can help remediate contaminated soil. For those who’d like more information on composting, the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) is currently offering a workshop that covers the importance and benefits of composting, the process, setting up a compost pile, proper maintenance, and ways of using finished compost. Participants will receive a free garden EARTH compost bin with attendance. This bin is an ideal for urban and suburban areas and has an 82-gallon capacity. The cost is $70 a person or $75 couple. You can view a list of the upcoming webinars and in-person workshops of the PRC website. The EPA has a great FAQ on composting on its website, too. P.S. There is also a local service that helps “turns kitchen scraps into garden gold.” That’s Worm Return, a service that The Allentown-based company contracts with local businesses and households to keep food scraps out of landfills by providing composting services. And if you live in the 15128 zip code, you could also check out Ecotone Renewables, a company whose mission is “closing the food loop” by transforming otherwise wasted food and turning it into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertilizer. Since its inception, the Swissvale-based business has repurposed thousands of pounds of food waste. More Quick Tips for Preventing Food Waste at Home There are many other ways to stave off food waste at home. Here are some tips from the National Resource Defense Council (NDRC): Plan ahead. Before you head out to the store be sure to create a meal plan and make a grocery list to prevent impulse purchases that will just go to waste. Don’t forget those leftovers. Find ways to utilize all the food you purchase. Repurpose leftovers into new meals and cook or freeze food to ensure you can eat it later instead of tossing it in the garbage. Consider how you store it. Proper storage of food can increase its lifetime and reduce spoilage. The DCNR’s interactive Save the Food storage guide offers tips, tricks, and info to keep your food fresh and tasty. Understand those food labels. The NDRC was clear: Food expiration dates have little to do with food safety. You might be surprised to know that they are not federally regulated and aren’t even relevant numbers for consumers. The various sell-by, use-by, and best-before labels are generally just indicators of when food will be at its peak quality. Experts advise folks to rely on their senses of smell and taste to determine if food is spoiled. Check those temps. Check the temperature setting of your fridge. Keep the temperature at 40° F or below to keep foods safe. The temperature of your freezer should be 0° F. Make space. Create a designated space in your fridge for foods that you think will be going bad within a few days. Get virtual help. Download an app like Kitche or Nosh that are designed to help reduce food waste in your home by keeping track of what food is in your pantry and providing recipes to best utilize them. Have other tips or resources? Leave us a comment below. #airpollution #greenhousegases #foodwaste #EcotoneRenewables #composting #EarthWeek #emissions #412FoodRescue #EPA #airquality