If you have seen a Goodwill truck on the back roads or highways of Northern New England, you may have noticed this sticker displayed on the back.

About two years ago, the majority of the Goodwill fleet of trucks switched to biodiesel.  Twelve out of the sixteen trucks currently operate on fuel that contains 5% biodiesel.

The trucks on biodiesel go through roughly 68,000 gallons of diesel each a month. Because 5% of that diesel is biofuel, Goodwill saves 54,776 pounds of carbon from being emitted in the atmosphere each month!

While we are excited about this accomplishment, Goodwill continues to look at further ways to decrease our fuel intake as we work together to decrease our carbon footprint.

For more information about Goodwill’s environmental initiatives, please visit our Green page.

What is your organization or business doing to reduce your environmental impact?  Please leave a comment and share your stories!

So many projects, so little time!  Below is roundup of crafts and repurposing projects I read about over the last week.  I’m off to Portsmouth this afternoon for the Teen Refashion workshop – pictures to follow!

How to make a Summer Halter from an Old T-shirt

If you have not yet visited Threadbanger, now is the perfect time!  They release weekly video tutorials on how to make your own clothes – from repurposed t-shirts to halloween costumes.  The videos are very detailed, giving step by step instructions, and are a great introduction to repurposing.  This week’s post features Megan Nicolay’s transformation of a t-shirt to a halter top – be sure to check out her latest book, 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt.

Crafty Reuse Ideas for Old Shower Curtain Liners

Crafting a Green World had a great post on how to reuse an old shower curtain liner once it has reached the end of its usefulness.  They suggest using to kill weeds in your yard or to create your own mini-greenhouse!  Read the how to’s on these projects and more over on their site.

Leaf Silhouettes

And finally, my favorite craft of the week: leaf silhouettes.  I actually found this on Martha Stewart’s site (!) – but they found artist Jenny Fowler on Etsy, who makes leaf silhouettes out of tiny leaves – the effect is amazing.  They did not have instructions on how to make your own, so I found this tutorial that will help you get started.

Dear readers,

I invite you to join us for our second annual Goodwill Bridal & Prom Showcase on Saturday, April 18, from 9 am to 1 pm at the Augusta Retail Store.  We will have hundreds of new and gently used wedding dresses, prom dresses, and other formal wear at amazing prices.

Admission is Free

Free prize drawings and refreshments

Meet with Wedding Professionals

We will be giving away raffle prizes every half hour and volunteers from Miss Maine will be modeling different styles of dresses.  This is an event you shouldn’t miss!  Be sure to check back here over the next few weeks for information on green weddings, frugal tips, and more.

Many thanks to our sponsors who are helping to make this event possible:

Miss Maine

Sweet Sue’s Gifts

White Flour Catering

Tranquil Gardens Hair Studio

Sarah Cross Photography

Bronze Tanning Salon

Maple Hill Farm Bed & Breakfast Inn.

For all our readers in New Hampshire, this is from Project Laundry List, a non-profit based in NH who is working to make “air-drying laundry acceptable and desirable as a simple and effective way to save energy.”

We have highlighted Project Laundry List in a previous entry and we really like this new art exhibit they are promoting in the Steeplegate Mall in Concord, NH.  The exhibit is displayed at Gallery One in Nashua.

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Here is the article from Project Laundry List:

The Electric Clothesline Ready for Spring Display

Exhibit will connect energy use with energy supply

Concord, NH – The Electric Clothesline exhibit, created and built by artist Matt St.Onge, will be on display in the rotunda near BonTon at the Steeplegate Mall from March 6th until April 3rd.

The Electric Clothesline is a scaled down version of standard power lines. It shows the correlation between drying clothes and where the energy comes from. The power transformer is made from a stainless steel, foot-pedal trash can. Its partially open lid alludes to, and warns of, our partially damaged environment.

The three power lines represent a family. A mother, father, and daughter each have their own powerline/clothesline.

The exhibit is designed to simply reinforce awareness of the effect that power production with gas, oil, and coal has on our environment. It is yet another reminder to seek renewable energy sources, and hopefully, it is interpreted in a subtle and respectful way.

By simply looking up in the air, The Electric Clothesline was inspired while driving through Penacook, NH. The power lines looked like giant clotheslines in the sky. A connection was made that to operate a clothes dryer; the power must first be transmitted through these lines. This led to questions that we are all facing today about our energy production.

“I’m going to miss having The Electric Clothesline in my living room.” Said Matt. “The best part is inviting people over to see my art. They look over, around, and through the piece trying to find my art… only to realize, Oh my God! I thought you were drying your clothes! This IS the art!”

About Matt St.Onge

For two seasons, Matt has searched for an art medium to work with. As a member of the Manchester Artists Association, as well as attending countless museums and galleries, he found a calling.

With a background in mechanical design, it’s natural for Matt to design and build artwork of a 3D nature. Dubbed “Home Depot Art”, Matt loves to merge basic building materials into items that convey a message.

The next project is titled The Invisible Trees exhibit. It is a multi-item showing that portrays a vivid contrast between “invisible” trees and the colorful man-made objects that we attach to trees. A mild funding source is needed.

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Makesa Creations, 37 Alice Drive, Suite 31, Concord, NH 03303, (603) 769-7491 MatthewStonge@Yahoo.com

Hey readers!

Goodwill kicked off its annual spring fundraiser yesterday.  This year we are doing something a little different.  We are raising funds to support Goodwill’s green initiatives to help lessen our impact on the environment.

For every dollar you donate in support of the Give Green-Get Green initiative between March 2 and March 31, you will be entered into a chance to one of three Visa gift cards.

(1) – $500 Visa Gift Card

(1) - $250 Visa Gift Card

(1) – $250 Visa Gift Card

All 25 retail stores in northern New England are participating in the Give Green-Get Green fundraiser.

What do the donations support?
As one of the early recycling leaders, Goodwill is committed to increasing its effort to help the environment while improving the lives of those we serve. This retail initiative will help Goodwill’s programs and services become “greener” by helping Goodwill purchase items such as:

* Low water use toilets and urinals

* Bike racks for some of our retail stores and other locations

* Shrubbery and other items that help to improve Goodwill’s “green spaces”

* Replacement windows and improved insulation for our buildings

* …as well as other items that help us serve our program participants while improving the environment

Questions?

Please call Rich Cantz at (207) 774-6323 x2315.