In today's world, in
which global warming is raging like an uncontrollable hard-to-cure
virus, it is essential that Somerville's environmentally-friendly
nature serve as a model to other communities, many of which could ask
residents to emulate the city's "green" effort.

In accordance
with Somerville's sustainability efforts, residents and business owners
will be encouraged to comply with and to exhibit an increased level of
participation in the city's renewed recycling education campaign.

Under
current rules, plastic shopping bags, even when used to store other
recyclables, such as bottles and cans, as well as Styrofoam and
food-stained cardboard, including pizza boxes are unacceptable items.

Presently,
recycling rules deem it acceptable to place glass containers, plastic
containers marked 1-7, metal cans and containers, and milk and juice
containers inside of blue bins.

"Clear" plastic bags must
encapsulate shredded paper and extra containers placed next to bins. In
comparison, plastic shopping bags will not be accepted.

However,
outside of recycling bins, cardboard, newspaper and mixed paper will be
accepted, only when tied together in a bundle or in a paper bag.

"Basically,
we accept anything for recycling that the recycling facility will
accept." There are other options for the items we don't accept,
though," said David Lutes, Director of the Office of Sustainability and
Environment (OSE). For example, Lutes suggests recycling plastic
shopping bags at local grocery stores.

The City of Somerville
was honored as one of the nation's top environmentally-sustainable
cities by the organization, Our Green Cities. Founded by Kent Portney,
a professor at Tufts University, it spotlights cities across the
country. In Massachusetts, Somerville stands out as the only city to
receive a spot in the Top 20.

Our Green Cities recognizes
municipal leaders, all of whom display a commitment to the promotion of
sustainability efforts in their respective communities. The way in
which the organization accomplishes that task, is by its serving as a
link, between local leaders and the resources, which are needed to
fashion a more sustainable community. Mayor Curtatone was chosen as one
of the 20 "Top Mayors for Sustainability" of 2008.

In 2007, The
Board of Aldermen formed a "permanent Subcommittee on Energy Use and
Climate Change," which develops innovative environmental policies and
identifies additional energy conservation opportunities, and finds ways
to reduce Somerville's carbon footprint.

Since 2006, the City of
Somerville has reduced carbon emissions through the implementation of a
number of aggressive energy efficiency measures. The city purchased
biodiesel fuel for Department of Public Works (DPW) vehicles and many
city department-owned vehicles, and purchased hybrid vehicles and Smart
Cars. In addition, the city has installed renewable energy in some
municipal buildings; as well as a 10 kilowatt (10kw) photovoltaic array
on Somerville High School.

Somerville High School (SHS) does
much to protect the environment. Ryan Guilmartin is in charge of the
recycling program there, and, for seven years, he has been a teacher in
the social studies department, as well as the Student Council advisor
at the school.

"There is an ecology/oceanography course offered at SHS. It has existed for many years," said Guilmartin.

Specifically, the ways in which the school protects the environment are great.

Student
Council has reinstated the paper recycling program, which has been a
tremendous success. "We are currently in the process of adding the
recycling bottles in the cafeteria," said Guilmartin. "Student Council
is also researching the feasibility of installing solar panels on the
roof."

Cara Carpenter recently initiated a brand new
environmentally-related club — the Green Club — at the school,
according to Guilmartin.

However, Styrofoam plates and cups are still used in the cafeteria at Somerville High School, according to Guilmartin.