FISD’s Miller Leaves a Recycling Legacy…and Plenty of Friends Friday, May 28th, 2010

Frisco Independent School District’s annual Recycling Awards were announced on Thursday, May 27. To see a PowerPoint presentation of the winners, click here.

By Bill Sullivan

When Dianne Miller arrived in Frisco 18 years ago, the city – then more of a town, really – didn’t have any kind of organized recycling program. In those days, she would pack her car with recycling materials from her job at Frisco Middle School and take them home.

“I’d load up my little Honda Accord every Friday and put it all in my recycling in McKinney,” she recalls with a smile.

Seventeen years later, Miller was in the stands at a Frisco RoughRiders game at the Dr Pepper Ballpark. As part of a PTA fundraiser, hundreds of Frisco Independent School District campus recycling coordinators, Green Team members and their families were in attendance.

“I have to admit, I got all misty-eyed,” Miller recalls. “Here were all these people because of recycling. That was probably the biggest moment of gratification for me.”

These days, Miller, a teacher at Fowler Middle School, has other reasons to be sentimental. After nearly two decades in Frisco schools, she is leaving her job as FISD’s Recycling Coordinator and moving to Dripping Springs, where she’ll be working in staff development at that district’s middle school.

“It looks like the perfect fit for me,” she said. “I’ll be going back to canoeing, hiking, and things like that.”

She leaves behind a remarkable legacy. She also will say goodbye to plenty of friends, including Frisco Environmental Services Manager Pippa Couvillion, who was working as a volunteer when the two first met in the early 1990s.

“Pippa and I have always gotten along,” Miller says. “That was what made it work. Pippa is very outgoing. She was enthusiastic, and I was too.”

Couvillion is well aware of that shared history, and of Miller’s role in making recycling a way of life in Frisco schools.

“I first met Dianne Miller when she was a Science teacher at Frisco Middle School, (which later became Staley)” she recalls. “She had heard about a project I was promoting, the stenciling of storm drains, and thought it would be a good teaching tool and experience for her class.

“A windy day is not the best for this type of project, and despite the valiant efforts of Dianne and the students, the finished result was not what we had expected – undeniably there was more paint on them than the sidewalk.

“Little did we know that this first encounter was the start of many more to come. She has been our partner and friend for over fifteen years. Her support and environmental commitment have been instrumental in the development and implementation of Frisco Independent School District’s recycling efforts. The program’s success is testimony to her hard work and dedication.

“There is no doubt that we will miss having her here. She was an inspiration to us all.”

Jeremy Starritt, Frisco’s Environmental Education Coordinator who worked closely with Miller on the school programs, echoed the sentiment.

“Dianne Miller has been the backbone of the Frisco ISD recycling program,” he said. “Working with her to coordinate different environmental programs has not only been a blast but an amazing learning experience. She is extremely dedicated and really understands how the schools, teachers, students, and school district operate. Through all her hard work, she has brought a higher level of environmental awareness to our city.”

Miller’s dedication and willingness to pitch in would become more and more evident as the program grew. In the 13 years she has served as Recycling Coordinator, her oversight grew from four campuses at the start to 52 recycling sites this year. Six more sites are due to be added by the 2010-11 school year.

Along the way, Miller’s duties also became more complex. In addition to paper, Frisco ISD now recycles cafeteria plastic, plastic bags, batteries, ink jet cartridges and cell phones. The district also works with shoebank.org to collect moderately worn footwear for the homeless or disaster-stricken areas such as Haiti.

When she started out all those years ago, Miller virtually had to beg people to even consider recycling. Since then, she says, attitudes have improved greatly.

“It’s much different. It’s cool to be green now. Before, it was like pulling teeth.”

That transformation, she notes, is particularly evident in the students she sees every day.

“The kids have all grown up with it,” she says. “When we get them from the elementary schools and they don’t see a recycling bin, they’ll ask.”

Growth in recycling needs, of course, has gone hand in hand with the growth of the city. Miller laughs about an exchange that took place when she first interviewed for a job with the district: Asked why she wanted to work in Frisco, she said, “I like to work in small, rural communities. And it was then. It was just a little place.”

In Dripping Springs she has found something similar. Only about 1,500 people actually reside within the city limits, and the school district covers just five campuses.

Still…

“It’s hard leaving,” she says. “Eighteen years is a long time to be somewhere. It’s become like family.”

But changing circumstances call for a different master plan. Miller’s daughter graduated this year from the University of Texas at Dallas. Since Dianne already had planned to retire to the Hill Country, she decided to accelerate the process. When Dripping Springs offered the job, the deal was done.

Doug Zambiasi, former principal at Staley and current Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services, worked with Miller for years and helped her get the job in Dripping Springs. (“It’s his fault,” she jokes.) Zambiasi knows what the district is losing.

“Ms. Miller has done an outstanding job as a teacher and the recycling coordinator in FISD,” he said. “We will miss her passion and leadership as she continues her career in Dripping Springs. Ms. Miller has led the district’s recycling efforts at both the campus and district level, and we hope to move forward with the momentum she has created for our recycling program.”

As the school year ends and children anticipate the start of summer, Dianne Miller contemplates a different kind of change.

“Has it sunk in? Yes and no,” she says.

“Yes, because I had to decide who was going to replace me. I wanted to find someone who loved it. There were a lot of people who were capable of doing the job. I wasn’t sure who would have the passion for it.

“Dumpster diving is not a fun thing after your first or second time in the dumpster. You get over the thrill of it. So, I was looking for someone who would be willing to do that and could also excite the teachers and believe that it was the right thing to do.

“Once I found that, then it hit me.”

She found the right person just a few doors down the hall: Eighth-grade Science teacher Seth Williams. With that settled, Miller began counting the days to a new town and a new life.

“I’m excited,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Dripping Springs, meanwhile, might be getting more than it bargained for. Miller plans to focus on her new job first, but admits she still might find time for a little volunteer work helping her new community be a little greener.

“I haven’t actually asked them yet,” she said with a laugh. “But I hope so.”

Tags: Dianne Miller, Doug Zambiasi, Dripping Springs, FISD Recycling Coordinator, Fowler Middle School, Jeremy Starritt, Pippa Couvillion

Posted in People & Projects, Recycling & Waste

Texas Pure: Organic Compost for Challenging North Texas Soil Friday, May 21st, 2010

By Bill Sullivan

Sherrian Jones enjoys spreading the word almost as much as she enjoys spreading compost. Having trouble turning your hard-as-rock North Texas soil into workable ground for your shrubs and flowers? A Master Gardener and Master Composter has the answer.

“In Texas, we have such tough soils,” she says. “Compost is the cure for that. You mix in the compost and it breaks up the soil and aerates the soil and holds moisture and nutrients.

“It prevents runoff. It has such a huge benefit to the local community and to land preservation.”

For nearly five years, Jones has been mixing business with her own passion for gardening. As Compost Marketing and Operations Manager for Texas Pure, she oversees production and sales of Texas Pure mulch and compost products.

The processing plant draws residential grass and yard clippings, plus organic food residuals from schools, restaurants and grocery stores, in a five-city area that includes Frisco, Plano, Allen, Richardson and McKinney. Those raw materials are diverted from the landfill and turned into mulch, compost, soil blend, colored mulch and top dressing.

Here’s how it all works:

• Grass, limbs, etc., first go to the Texas Pure plant at the North Texas Municipal Water District site on Custer Road.
• After the materials are crushed, they are trucked to another Texas Pure facility in Melissa.
• There, organic residuals are added, and the compost-to-be is laid out in windrows for mixing and aging.
• Once the compost is ready, samples are sent to an independent testing lab to assure that the finished product meets the standards set by the United States Composting Council.
• After the mix has passed inspection, residents can purchase either by the bag or by the yard.

Sometimes, Texas Pure will take product on the road. At Frisco’s recent Clean It & Green It event, about $600 of Texas Pure was sold.

“If there was ever a reason to show why it is good to recycle this would be one of them,” says Pippa Couvillion, Frisco’s Environmental Services Manager. “Texas Pure Products are made from yard trimmings that Frisco residents place out for recycling collection every week.

“Rather than dispose of them in a landfill we have chosen to compost them. The result; a superior product that will return valuable nutrients to the soil and help us to conserve natural resources for generations to come.”

Before joining Texas Pure, Jones was a volunteer for the City of Plano. When the Texas Pure position opened a little less than five years ago, she jumped at the chance.

“I’ve loved doing it,” she said. “It’s a passion of mine.”

The City of Plano began composting activities in 1992, but the last five years have seen a surge in the product’s popularity as gardeners seek more environmentally-friendly ways to deal with their land’s considerable challenges. Demand has grown, but has yet to outstrip Texas Pure’s ability to keep up.

The City of Plano-owned operation strives to be a break-even endeavor financially.

“The goal is not that it’s a money maker, but that it pays for itself,” Jones says. “It therefore offers a value to the citizens.“

That value, of course, can be measured in more than dollars and cents. By recycling clippings and organic residuals, Texas Pure keeps them out of landfills. Once used at homes or in other projects, Texas Pure products also help retain moisture and cut down on water waste (and water bills).

“We work with the various garden clubs in the local cities,” Jones says. “Collin County Master Gardeners are good customers of ours. We also work on large commercial projects for TxDOT.”

While Texas Pure only collects raw materials from its five member cities, anyone can visit the Custer Road facility (9901 Custer Road, Plano) or the Regional Composting Facility in Melissa (3820 Sam Rayburn Highway) to make a purchase. Custer Road is open Monday through Saturday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., while the Melissa location is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jones says she is still surprised when “there are still people who don’t realize we’re here,” but the Texas Pure name is spreading. In addition to on-site sales, the brand is becoming available in local stores. Texas Pure also is an approved compost vendor for Wal Mart, which could expand the product to even more markets.

More information, including product line, pricing, online ordering options and soil test results, can be found at the Texas Pure Web site. You can also keep up with Texas Pure on Facebook.

Tags: City of Plano, compost, Master Composter, Master Gardener, mulch, Pippa Couvillion, Sherrian Jones, Texas Pure

Posted in Home & Garden, Recycling & Waste, The Green Life

35 Ways to Save Water During Those Long, Hot Summer Months Friday, May 14th, 2010

With the hot weather upon us, Frisco residents once again will be faced with finding ways to make a reasonable amount of water go a long way. It’s as much a rite of summer as planning vacations and figuring out how to occupy the kids through those long, lazy, school-free weeks and months.

Maintaining yards and swimming pools is especially challenging once temperatures soar into the 90s and beyond. Still, some common sense practices can help strike a balance between keeping things nice around the house and being a good steward of the overall environment.

What sorts of things might you try? Here are 35, courtesy of Frisco Public Works:

1. There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.

2. When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

3. Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance checkup. For more efficient cooling, check you evaporative cooler annually.

4. Check you sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.

5. Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 1,000 gallons of water a month.

6. Avoid planting turf in areas that are hard to water, such as steep inclines and isolated strips along sidewalks and driveways.

7. Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.

8. Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost instead and save gallons every time.

9. Plant during the spring or fall when the watering requirements are lower.

10. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks, so that every drop goes down you, not the drain.

11. Check your water meter and bill to track your water usage.

12. Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.

13. Wash your produce in the sink or in a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.

14. Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons a year.

15. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water each time.

16. If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace it with a water-efficient showerhead.

17. Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.

18. Divide your watering cycle into shorter periods to reduce runoff and allow for better absorption every time you water.

19. We’re more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes and hoses for leaks.

20. Periodically check your pool for leaks if you have an automatic refilling device.

21. Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it’s time to water.

22. When you shop for a new appliance, consider one offering cycle and load size adjustment. They are more water and energy efficient than older appliances.

23. Time your shower to keep it under five minutes. You’ll save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

24. Install low-volume toilets.

25. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.

26. When you clean your fish tank, use the water you’ve drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorous, providing a free and effective fertilizer.

27. Use the sprinkler for larger areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.

28. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It’s easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.

29. Plug the bathtub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.

30. Use porous materials for walkways and patios to keep water in your yard and prevent wasteful runoff.

31. Direct downspouts and other runoff toward shrubs and trees, or collect and use for your garden.

32. Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.

33. Water your summer lawns once every three days and your winter lawn once every five days.

34. Install a rain shut-off device on your automatic sprinklers to eliminate unnecessary watering.

35. Don’t use running water to thaw food.

Tags: Frisco Public Works, Water Conservation, ways to save water

Posted in Air & Water, Drinking Water, Home & Garden, Public Works, Storm Water, The Green Life, Water Efficiency

Want to Reduce Cancer Risk? Simple Changes Can Help Friday, May 7th, 2010

Four of every 10 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, and two of every 10 will die of it. But there are some things you can do to reduce the risk, according to the non-profit Environmental Working Group. First, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes that are known to make a difference – stop smoking, reduce drinking, lose weight, exercise and eat right.

But according to a new report from the President’s Cancer Panel, environmental toxins also play a significant and under-recognized role in cancer, causing “grievous harm” to untold numbers of people. Environmental Working Group’s own research has found that children are born “pre-polluted” with up to 200 industrial chemicals, pesticides and contaminants that have been found to cause cancer in lab studies or in people.

Here are some simple things you can do to reduce your exposures:

1. Filter your tap water. Common carcinogens in tap water include arsenic, chromium, and chemical byproducts that form when water is disinfected. A simple carbon filter or pitcher can help reduce the levels of some of these contaminants. If your water is polluted with arsenic or chromium, a reverse osmosis filter will help. Learn about your tap water and home water filters at EWG’s National Tap Water Database.

2. Seal outdoor wooden decks and play sets. Those built before 2005 are likely coated with an arsenic pesticide that can stick to hands and clothing. Learn more from the EWG online.

3. Cut down on stain- and grease-proofing chemicals. “Fluorochemicals” related to Teflon and Scotchgard are used in stain repellents on carpets and couches and in greaseproof coatings for packaged and fast foods. Some of these chemicals cause cancer in lab studies. To avoid them, skip greasy packaged foods and say no to optional stain treatments in the home.

4. Stay safe in the sun. More than one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. To protect your skin from the sun’s cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) radiation, seek shade, wear protective clothing and use a safe and effective sunscreen from EWG’s sunscreen database.

5. Cut down on fatty meat and high-fat dairy products. Long-lasting cancer-causing pollutants like dioxins and PCBs accumulate in the food chain and concentrate in animal fat.

6. Eat EWG’s Clean 15. Many pesticides have been linked to cancer. Eating from EWG’s Clean 15 list of the least contaminated fruits and vegetables will help cut your pesticide exposures. (And for EWG’s Dirty Dozen, buy organic.)

7. Cut your exposures to BPA. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a synthetic estrogen found in some hard plastic water bottles, canned infant formula, and canned foods. It may increase the risk of reproductive system cancers. To avoid it, eat fewer canned foods, breast feed your baby or use powdered formula, and choose water bottles free of BPA.

8. Avoid carcinogens in cosmetics. Use EWG’s Skin Deep cosmetic database to find products free of chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer. When you’re shopping, don’t buy products that list ingredients with “PEG” or “-eth” in their name.

9. Read the warnings. Some products list warnings of cancer risks – read the label before you buy. Californians will see a “Proposition 65” warning label on products that contain chemicals the state has identified as cancer-causing.

Tags: carcinogens, Environmental Working Group, filter tap water, President's Cancer Panel, sunscreen

Posted in Air & Water, Drinking Water, Food & Health, Kids and Families, News, The Green Life

Clean Up and Green Up Your Mailbox Friday, May 7th, 2010

Is your recycle bin for papers and junk mail getting weightier? It seems there’s no let up in solicitations. If you’ve got a house or an apartment with an assigned mailbox, you’re getting a steady stream of coupons, catalogs and throw-away credit card offers.

Not only does this cost us trees, it messes up the house. We have a buffet devoted to the daily ritual of sorting out the bills and magazines from the unwanted catalogs, publications and come-ons. Once the piles are sorted and organized, the chaff goes to the recycle bin.

But once again, as with so many green solutions, there’s a win-win way around this logjam of printed waste. You can purge the junk mail and reclaim your buffet/hall table/desktop by signing up for the no-mail list at the Direct Marketing Association.

And guess what? You don’t even have to use any paper! Just do it online. You can put your name on the no-mail-please list, which should stem the avalanche of newsprint and brochures within 3 months.

Yes, you might miss a random coupon or sale flier. But the things you’ve signed up for, the places you do business with, should still find you.

– B. Kessler

Tags: catalogs, Direct Marketing Association, fliers, junk mail

Posted in Recycling & Waste, The Green Life

‘Clean It & Green It’ Combines Sun, Fun and a Good Cause Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

When Frisco residents took to the streets on April 24 for a morning of tidying up their city as part of the annual “Clean It & Green It,” it was the beginning of a long and fruitful day.

Teams fanned out all around town. Garbage was gathered, bagged and delivered for collection. Amid all the work, there were plenty of smiles and good times, too.

After the heavy lifting was done, all concerned gathered at the IKEA for refreshment, prizes and entertainment, including an appearance by Rufus, Frisco’s beloved recycling dog.

Here are some pictures from the day, courtesy of Dana Baird, the City of Frisco’s Director of Communications and Media Relations.

Tags: City of Frisco, Clean It & Green It, IKEA, Rufus

Posted in Kids and Families, People & Projects, The Green Life