We all generate waste - let’s find ways to make sure less of it ends up in the landfill. Here are some resources about local recycling options.
List of Local Disposal Options for Many Items
Resources from Solebury Township:
Insect/Pest Control
Spotted Lanternfly
Photo credit: PA Department of Agriculture
Spotted lanternflies are an invasive insect from Southeast Asia. They feed on the sap of many kinds of trees, causing damage and disease. They are a major threat to fruit trees and plants, but do not bite or harm humans. Unfortunately, they have established themselves in our area.
Spotted Lanternfly Frequently Asked Questions (Penn State Extension)
Spotted lanternfly circle traps (Penn State Extension)
Eric R. Day, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bugwood.org
Emerald Ash Borer
Another unfortunate pest plaguing our area is the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). This invasive insect, native to Asia, exclusively impacts ash trees. The larva tunnel inside the tree, preventing the tree from transferring water and nutrients up its trunk. You have probably see bare trees (canopy dieback) after other trees have leafed out. Unfortunately there is no great ways to control them, only to limit their spread, never move firewood.
Emerald Ash Borer FAQs (Penn State Extension)
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Sustainable Living Tips
New Hope-Solebury High School senior, Katharine Dougherty worked with the AWA as part of her Active Personal Educational eXperience (APEX), which allowed her to get real world job experience by partnering with a local organization, akin to a brief internship.
Katharine's project asked the question: What steps can we take on a local and individual level to work towards a sustainable future and what is the best way to share these steps? She researched social media, helped generate some posts, and attending our stream survey.
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Plant Native Plants in Your Landscaping
Why aren’t native plants more common in landscaping? Let’s change that! Invasive or non-native plants are often selected for convenience factors rather than ecological considerations. It is important that we advocate for planting native plants and try to reclaim space for them in landscaping projects. Native plants are indigenous to our area and therefore provide critical ecosystem services that non-native plants cannot: from wildlife/pollinator habitat to climate change mitigation, flood control to healthy soil. There are native flowers, ground cover, trees, grasses, shrubs that are just as beautiful and functional as the non-natives.
Where to Get Native Plants?
The Bucks County area is home to many local native plant nurseries. Buying from a local nursery is best for native plants, just like buying produce! Local nurseries often provide straight species and local genotypes that will thrive in our region’s conditions.
Archewild Native Nurseries, Quakertown
Bowman’s Hill Wild Flower Preserve, New Hope
Gino’s Native Plant Nursery, Newtown
Kind Earth Growers, Ottsville (wholesale)
My Backyard at Nectars, Titusville NJ
Peace Tree Farm, Kintnersville
Schuylkill Center, Philadelphia
Toadshade Wildflower Farm, Frenchtown NJ
Wild Ridge Plants, Alpha NJ
More helpful links
Some Suggested Native Plant Alternatives for Invasive Species in SE Pennsylvania
Keystone Native Plants Eastern Temperate Forests – Ecoregion 8
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The Do Not Plant List - Avoid Invasive Plants
Do Not Plant Invasive Species
You may know the difference between a native plant (one that is indigenous to our area) and invasive plant (one that is brought here and THRIVES, outcompeting our natives). Invasive plants pose a risk to our ecosystems as they can not support as much wildlife and do not provide the same ecosystem benefits as natives (such as flood control). Once an invasive plant has been established in the soil, they are often difficult to remove and can spread to surrounding forests and other habitats.
Unfortunately, invasive plants are sold to landscapers and garden supply stores and then planted. Here are some common invasive landscape plants that should never be planted:
Chinese and Japanese wisteria
English Ivy
Japanese maple
Butterfly bush
Japanese barberry
Chinese silvergrass
Winged burning bush
Kousa dogwood
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Reduce Food Waste
Reduce Food Waste
The USDA estimates that 31% of all food at the consumer and retail level is WASTED. To produce this wasted food, resources were needlessly used (including water, fertilizers, energy, and labor). Most food waste ends up in landfills where it takes up limited space and eventually generates methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas.
TIPS TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE:
Properly store your fruits and vegetables - storage guide
Save vegetable peels and scraps, bones to make stock - recipe
Compost vegetable scraps - compost guide
Meal prep and only purchase what food you need
Donate access food items to a local food pantry:
Support local farms, here are some farms in Solebury:
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Energy Saving Tips
Energy Saving Tips
To generate the electricity that powers our homes, non-renewable fossil fuels are often used. These fuels contribute significantly to climate change and have other impacts, including air pollution. Reducing the amount of energy you use directly reduces the amount of fuels burned to generate your electricity. According to the PA Energy Information Administration, the main sources of electricity in PA are natural gas, nuclear, and coal.
Tips to reduce your energy usage:
ENERGY SOURCE: You can select your energy provider (always managed locally through PECO). You can select a provider that uses 100% renewable sources for a comparable (sometimes lower!) price than non-renewable sources: https://www.papowerswitch.com/
LIGHTING: switch your light bulbs to LEDs, turn off lights when not in use, install motion sensors lights and smart bulbs
HOME IMPROVEMENTS: install double-paned windows, seal windows and doors, update insulation, check ducts for leaks, service your HVAC, change furnace filters, upgrade furnaces and hot water heaters, consider installing solar panels
THERMOSTAT: install a smart thermostat, reduce home temp in winter, increase home temp in summer, change settings for night time or when not in the home, use fans
KITCHEN: keep fridge and freezer full (add water bottles if you need to bulk up the space), don’t peek in the oven when baking, upgrade to efficient appliances, only run dishwasher when load is full
WATER: wash laundry in cold water, take shorter and cooler showers, turn down water heater
CAR: do not idle your vehicle, consider purchasing an electric car, use the AC when driving over 35mph on hot days.
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Water Saving Tips
Protecting Our Water Supply
We often take for granted the water that flows endlessly from our taps. The main source of that water in the Aquetong watershed is pumped groundwater from public (maintained by Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority) or private wells. Water that goes down the drains/flushed is pumped to Lambertville to be treated and then is discharged into the Delaware River. Therefore, any water that is pumped out of the aquifer is a net loss to our groundwater system, because the used water does not re-enter and recharge the groundwater (unless you are watering plants), it is pumped away. Groundwater is recharged through rain, snow melt, and surface water. Groundwater is withdrawn through springs, surface water, and pumping.
According to a 2020 study, groundwater withdrawal in Solebury is currently less than recharge rates, so we are not taking too much water from the system - that’s a good thing (withdraw < recharge). Due to the complexity of local hydrogeology and climate, it is not known exactly how much water can be safely withdrawal before we take too much a begin to deplete the aquifer (withdraw > recharge). It is important that we maintain this careful balance by not wasting water and limiting development that would increase water demand.
Home water saving tips:
Fix leaky faucets, toilets, and hoses.
Sweep driveway, steps, sidewalk instead of hosing off.
Always turn off water when not using (examples: in between dishes while washing by hand, when brushing teeth, when shaving).
Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when loads are full.
Take shorter, cooler-temperature showers (aim for 5 minutes).
Wash laundry in cold water.
If you like drinking cold water, keep a pitcher in the fridge rather than running until the tap is cold.
Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator or sitting in water, do not run fresh water over it
Wash the car with a bucket or use a professional car wash. Wash your car on the lawn rather than the driveway.
Replace appliances with water efficient, WaterSense labeled products. Toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, and shower heads can all be efficient.
If you have a pool or hot tub, keep it covered when not in use to prevent evaporation.
Scatter leftover ice on your lawn.
Take steps to reduce energy consumption – water is used at many points in the process of producing electricity.
Water Reclaiming Ideas:
Save pasta water or water used to boil/steam veggies (if you did not salt it).
Collect water used while heating up water (eg, sink, shower) in a bucket.
Save water from rinsing vegetables.
Collect “old” water from cups or bottles rather than dumping down the drain.
Store reclaimed water in a closed container or rain barrel so mosquitos do not use it.
Garden water saving tips:
Do not water your lawn.
Add compost to your soil – the more organic matter in your soil, the more moisture it can retain.
Use mulch on garden beds to keep soil moist and can also add organic matter to your soil.
Water the soil around roots of the plants not the leaves – this will prevent evaporation and ensure the roots get water, cool roots will cool the plant.
Water plants in cooler parts of day (especially early morning).
Install soaker hoses or drip irrigation system to efficiently apply water. Avoid using sprinklers (photo #1)
Use reclaimed water in your garden as much as possible.
Use an oya in your garden beds – you can make one by burying a large terra cotta pot in your bed, fill with water and cover. This indigenous device will slowly water your soil (photo #2)
Install a rain barrel or keep a covered bin outside to store your reclaimed water.
Reduce your area of lawn and plant native plants.
Add food waste to the compost pile rather than using garbage disposal.
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Promote Equality and Environmental Justice
Promote Equality and Environmental Justice
We are extremely privileged to live in a place with access to unlimited clean water, like the Aquetong. Many communities around Pennsylvania, the country, and world do not have this opportunity. Unfortunately, low income communities and/or communities of color are often disproportionately impacted by water contamination than affluent areas.
Across Pennsylvania, the PA DEP defined over 1,000 communities around the state that are environmental justice sites, they do not have extra environmental protections, so environmental hazards can continue to accumulate in these communities. These communities are still impacted from environmental hazards every day.
Further reading:
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Use Road Salt Alternatives
Use Road Salt Alternatives
Homeowners are often quick to apply road salt to sidewalks and driveways, it’s cheap and it works to melt ice! Unfortunately, there is a dark side to rock salt: it is harmful to pets, erodes paving, and is nonpoint source pollutant to our watershed. Road salt can directly wash into waterways and forested areas through snow melt and rain.
Salt impacts to watershed include:
can infiltrate groundwater, negatively impacting private wells and public supply
damages and kill plants and trees
creates chemical imbalances in water and soil
harms stream organisms and ecosystems
Pavement eroded by excessive salt use.
rock salt alternatives:
Eco-friendly products (from hardware store)
Coffee grinds
Kitty litter (clay)
Beet juice
Pickle juice
Sand
Alternatives may have their own environmental impact but are minimal when implemented on the individual scale and are still better than salt. Unfortunately, a good alternative is not currently available for municipalities.
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Do Not Use Coal-Tar-Based Sealcoats on Driveways
Do Not Use Coal-Tar-Based Sealcoats
Tumors in brown bullhead catfish are believed to be related to elevated PAH concentrations Photograph by A.E. Pinkney.
PAHs from coal-tar enter the body through inhaled dust or through the skin. Luckily this child plays on an asphalt-based surface with no coal-tar.
Coal tar-based sealcoats are used to seal driveways. These products contain carcinogenic chemicals called Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are known to be harmful to humans, wildlife, and ecosystems.
PAHs can enter the watershed as stormwater runoff from surfaces treated with coal-tar. Once they contaminate a water body, they are very difficult to remediate. PAHs can accumulate in sediments and porewater, where they are absorbed by stream insects and move up the food chain. These organic chemicals are toxic to aquatic life. These compounds may cause cancer in humans.
An easy way to limit exposure to PAHs is to never use coal-tar-based sealants, alternatives are widely available and have significantly lower PAHs.
Solebury Township recommends using an alternative sealant. Alternatives include asphalt- and latex-based products. Additionally, asphalt-based products are shown to last longer than coal-tar. Non coal-based sealants are available at local and chain hardware stores. Make sure to request your contractor use an alternative.
Additional resources (provided by Solebury Township Environmental Advisory Council):
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Reduce Plastic Waste
REDUCE PLASTIC WASTE
Plastic is ubiquitous in our lives. Almost anything you buy is wrapped in plastic, shipped in plastic, carried in plastic. From food to paper to clothes, plastic has needlessly infiltrated itself in almost everything. This familiar material is a major and complex environmental problem for a variety of reasons. First, it takes fossil fuels to generate new plastic, a process that is a major contributor to climate change. Tiny microfibers from washing synthetic fiber clothes (like polyester, microfleece) enters our waterways, contaminating water. All that plastic single use plastic now to be disposed of, now more problems arise. Good intended folks will recycle the plastic but unfortunately only 9% of what is put in the recycle bin actually gets recycled. Plastic is a major source of litter, once in the environment, it breaks down into tiny pieces and is consumed by organisms (and eventually people too!) and contaminates soil and water.
It is best to try to reduce the amount of plastic consumed. Reducing single use plastic and consumption in general is a great way to limit these impacts. This life-style change is sometimes called “zero waste.”
PLASTIC REDUCTION TIPS
Reduce food waste, including joining a CSA and buying from a bulk store
Drink tap water rather than bottled water (tap water is very clean in the Aquetong)
Replace paper towels with cloth towels
Select products that come in glass or metal cans over plastic
Call companies and request to no longer receive their junk mail
Purchase secondhand items when possible (local thrift shops include - Good Stuff and Open Door Thrift Store)
Make your own household all-purpose cleaners (reuse an old spray bottle and fill with equal parts vinegar and water)
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Promote natural habitat to support wildlife
Support Wildlife in Your Backyard
Homeowners have the opportunity to support wildlife on their property.
Replace lawn area with meadow - meadows support a wide range of birds, animals, insects, as well as plants
Plant trees - native trees are critical habitat for a multitude of organisms
Consider Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control insects, animal and plant pests around your household. For example, attract insect-feeding birds by providing water and the appropriate feed to reduce the need for an over abundance of chemicals.
CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Audubon's Certified Backyard Habitat Program - http://www.aswp.org/pages/backyard-habitat-program
National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat - https://www.nwf.org/CertifiedWildlifeHabitat/Habitats/Information
The Watershed Institute River-Friendly (NJ) - https://thewatershed.org/river-friendly/
Properly Maintain & Inspect Your Septic and Private Wells
Properly Maintain & Inspect Your Septic and Private Wells
If your property has a well and/or septic tank, it is important you maintain it for both your health and that of our shared water resources.
SEPTIC MANAGMENT RESOURCES
Onlot Sewage Disposal Facilities Ordinance - Solebury Township
Managing On-lot Septic Systems - PennState Extension
Managing Your On-Lot Septic System - PennState Extension
Keeping Well and Septic System Records - PennState Extension
Sewage Management in Solebury - Solebury Township
Private well MANAGMENT RESOURCES
Private Water System Management - PennState Extension
Keeping Well and Septic System Records - PennState Extension
Best Management Practices for Private Water Wells - PennState Extension
Enjoy Nature!
Get out there and enjoy nature!
One of the best ways to be a good steward of nature is to get out into it! Luckily the Aquetong watershed and surrounding areas have so many beautiful locations to visit and immerse yourself in nature. Remember to take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.
Hiking and walking:
Aquetong Spring Park
List of facilities, parks, & trails in Solebury Township
Lenape Park and Ferry Landing Park in New Hope Boro
Fishing:
Delaware Canal State Park (trout stocked)
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Implement Best Management Practices on Your Property
Implement best management practices on your property
Property owners have many options to protect the watershed from nonpoint source pollution (runoff).
Here are some best management practices you can implement:
Rain gardens
Rain barrels
Riparian buffer plantings
Decrease impervious surfaces
Reduce the amount of lawn
Use native plants in your landscaping
Reduce the need to fertilize your lawn by leaving grass clippings in place after mowing
Create or expand plant beds ad rain gardens to serve as buffers near water bodies, streets, driveways, and sidewalks to reduce runoff to keep pollutants and fertilizers on your lawn
Plant trees. Trees act as natural filters by removing nutrients and other pollution from storm water. Trees also improve air quality, reduce energy consumption by shading and cooling our homes and businesses, and provide valuable habitat
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