Jabebo transforms ceral boxes into nature-themed earrings
Centre County is a top-rated area in the commonwealth for businesses that recycle.
The Centre County Green Partnership program honors Centre County institutions, schools, and organizations that take pride in their recycling programs. According to Amy Schirf, Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority says that the program has been a huge success.
2014 was the first year we did this, says Schirf. [awards]This would be our fifth anniversary every two years.
A nomination can be made by any organization.
Schirf explains that it can be schools, businesses, or organizations. One time, we actually had a random person apply for the program! Anyone in Centre County that goes above and beyond the regular recycling process is eligible.
Schirf states that the program has seen incredible growth.
It’s been great. Schirf notes that we have had over 100 Green Business Partners over the years.
The awards luncheon was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. Schirf said that she was happy to host it again during Earth Day month.
It’s a nice lunch, and we give them a certificate. Schirf said that they promote them on all of our social channels and everywhere else. Everyone loves it.
Schirf states that Centre County schools and businesses do an outstanding job of recycling and being green.
We have over 800 recycling bins in the county. Schirf says they are really good at it.
Recycling is available in every corner of the county. Recycling is everywhere, from Beaver Stadium’s tailgate areas to the many county restaurants,
Schirf says that people really enjoy it. They want to recycle more.
Schirf states that although household recycling is important, businesses bring a lot to this table.
It is vital. Reducing the amount of trash they put in the garbage helps to reduce the number of landfills. Although businesses are required to recycle, I feel that they would like to. Schirf said that it is the right thing, it saves money, and it makes one feel good.
These are some of the many ways that this year’s honorees contribute to the environment. All are champion recyclers. Some go above and beyond.
Foxdale Village
Foxdale Village in State College, once again, is a shining example of consistency when it comes to recycling.
Schirf states that Foxdale Village goes above and beyond. They go above and beyond what is expected of a Green Business Partner. They are passionate about it and have a great committee.
Foxdale Village, a Quaker-directed retirement community in State College, has made sustainability of natural resources a top priority for over three decades. One of the most prestigious.
Foxdales stated values, the stewardship value states, Environmental responsibility involves operating in a sustainable and ultimately regenerative fashion.
Foxdale utilizes over 3,000 LED light bulbs in its community center, apartment building, and health center, saving nearly 50 percent of the energy once used by incandescent light bulbs. All electricity used in the three buildings comes entirely from renewable, wind-powered sources. The community also heats, cools, and maintains its entire health center using 125 geothermal water wells.
Four electric-vehicle charging stations were installed by Foxdale Village in December 2019.
resident use. ChargePoint maintains these stations. This is the result.
Foxdale residents can now charge electric cars instead of using gasoline to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Foxdale Village recycled 43.960 lbs of paper and 5.730 lbs of metals in 2021. Foxdale Village also recycled 9,205 lbs of paper.
3,150 pounds of plastic, 3,355lbs of green glass, 3,355lbs of clear glass, and 3,050lbs of brown glass. Foxdale participates in the State College Boroughs’ composting program. Dedication to recycling has helped Foxdale become a Centre County Green Business Partner Emerald Award recipient. That includes items that are reprocessed by the CCRR.
Reusing, recycling and reducing waste are some of the most important things we can do.
Adam Day, Foxdale director,environmental services, states that recycling falls under the reuse category. The garage sale provides an important and effective way for residents to donate household items, tools, artwork, and more that might otherwise end up in a landfill. Making it even more worthy, the proceeds from each sale are then put back into action, helping community groups such as our Green Committee educate the broader community.
General Potter Farm
General Potter Farm is an all-season event venue located on 12 acres of woods, fields, and streams, making a beautiful environmental backdrop for natural and rustic weddings and events. General Potter Farm’s general manager Binky Lush says that the farm is committed to the environment and recycling.
Our commitment to sustainability and recycling encompasses the obviousglass, paper, and plastic recycling. Separate recycling bins are available on the property. Lush says that vendors are so supportive of our recycling efforts. They also support us in making sure we recycle as much as possible from our weddings.
Lush states that General Potter Farm tries to keep as many items out of landfills as possible.
We encourage our clients to donate decor or wedding items, and we maintain a storage space in the barn where we store items that other clients might be able to useglass votives, Mason jars for flowers, wedding signs, etc. She says that many decorative items can be reused multiple times. This not only saves money but also ensures that less waste is generated and less stuff ends up in the landfill.
Lush states that General Potter Farm in the Centre Region is one of the most picturesque locations. Therefore, it is important to protect the environment and the surrounding area.
Our farm is located on acres of forest and streams. We have been privileged to experience all the natural beauty that Centre County offers. We want to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy this same beauty. Lush states that we are constantly working to minimize the environmental impact of our business.
Jabebo
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when thinking about cereal boxes
You might be wrong if Saturday morning is all about cartoons. Jabebo is a company that turns cereal boxes into jewelry, according to Mary Abbott and Kevin Abbott, the co-owners. Jabebo, in Bellefonte makes incredible jewelry out of completely recycled materials.
Kevin Abbot explains that earrings are made from cereal boxes collected from the local community. The base material is the cereal box package’s back and front panels. We then add our image to the front. We create the artwork and themes for the designs.
The majority of the product can be purchased wholesale at retail gift shops in national parks, nature centers, wildlife refuge visitor centers, and wild bird supply stores.
We make up to 1,500 earrings per week and have eight full- and part-time employees, Mary and I. Abbott says that we use 150 to 200 boxes each week and often run out.
He claims that Jabebo would not exist without the cereal boxes.
Abbott says that we ask Centre County residents for their boxes to be saved and to either drop off at one of the drop-off locations or to have us pick them over. We can get 200 boxes per week, and often run out. Our business is limited by our inability to obtain cereal boxes.
Jabebo also rides his bicycle-powered blender to local events in order to make paper pulp from the clippings not used in the earrings. They make starfish and small sculptures from the pulp to give to people.
Abbott says that we hope this inspires and reminds people, to save their boxes for our benefit.
Abbott says Jabebo’s thought process was always about the environment.
We wanted to create a product that was educational and suitable for galleries and bookstores that support parks, wildlife refuges, nature centers, and museums. As a biologist by trade, I make sure that my designs are as ecologically sound as possible. [show]The field markings or identifying characteristics of nature that we are depicting. It is important that the product uses recycled materials. This shows how materials can be reused and upcycled. Abbott states that if you look at the earring’s reverse side, you will usually see remnants of the original cereal boxes packaging.
He is hopeful that the Centre County residents will read it and help to fund the cause.
We are still looking for people to save boxes. There is a drop box near our studio in Bellefonte. Or, you can bring them in person. Abbott invites visitors to see how the material is transformed into earrings.
You can also drop off boxes at ClearWater Conservancy, Wiscoy for Animals and Discovery Space. Abbott adds that if your company is interested in helping, we will be happy to pick the boxes up on an ongoing basis.
Queen Bed & Breakfast
The Queen is green.
Bellefonte’s Queen Bed & Breakfast is committed to recycling and being more environmentally friendly. Nancy Noll, owner, said that recycling and being environmentally friendly have been a priority.
Noll says that we are a hospitality company committed to reducing our carbon footprint and supporting efforts in reducing waste and irresponsible consumerism. Noll grew up helping her parents run a three-acre organic truck farm. For 75 years, recycling and composting have been a way of my life.
Noll says that Queen B&B has always been concerned with recycling and reusing items as well as helping to preserve the environment.
We make every effort to reduce the amount of paper used in our household by using disposable napkins and cleansers instead of paper. Noll says that plastic bottles are not something we buy. Instead, we reuse and clean our own refillable water bottles and refill cleaning bottles from concentrate.
Guests can also recycle at Queen B&B.
Noll stated that we place recycle containers at convenient locations to encourage guests recycle.
Noll claims that Queen B&B also grows its own produce, which reduces the need to transport and packaging. Noll will often buy furniture and accessories from thrift shops, or re-purpose items she already own.
Noll says that the Queen B&B is trying to make an impact. However, it aims to be as green as possible.
The world we live in is rapidly being destroyed. I owe the children of the planet that I leave their world just as I found it. Noll adds that it is economically sensible and I am very frugal.
She says that the Queen B&B did little environmental friendly things that an average guest might not notice.
Noll says that we have eliminated much of our lawn to make way for insect- and pollinator friendly plants. We are a certified garden for pollinators, an Audobon Garden, as well as a certified backyard habitat for wildlife. We also have beehives. We never use chemicals that could harm birds and insects on our plants.
The Village at Penn State
The Village at Penn State takes pride in its recycling program. Jim Tate, chairman, of The Villages Resident Recycling Committee says that the organization recycled 20 tonnes of recyclables in 2021.
Our path to success began in 2019, when The Village at Penn State’s Resident Recycling Committee, a well-known continuing-care retirement community in State College, created an operational plan to encourage residents and employees to recycle regularly, Tate says.
Tate says they went through three steps. Tate says the first was to analyze the characteristics and personalities of employees and audiences.
He said that the second step was to make it simple.
Tate states that Tate did this by improving the signage in the drop off recycling room and providing enough bins for sorted recyclables to be emptied.
The third step was to explain to residents and workers the whys and hows of recycling. The Resident Recycling Committee managed to recycle 20.2 tonnes in 2021. This earned The Village the CCRRA Emerald award.
28 schools, organizations, and businesses were selected as 2022 Centre County Green Business Partners.
ABC, Central PA Chapter
Art Alliance of Central PA
Benjamins Catering
Borough of State College
Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority
Centre Markets LLC
Centre Region Council of Governments
Centre Region Parks and Recreation
Delta Program
Envinity, Inc.
Foxdale Village Retirement Community
General Potter Farm
Habitat For Humanity of Greater Center County ReStore
Happy Valley Optical, Inc.
Jabebo LLC
KB Offset Printing, Inc.
Nittany Eye Associates
Nittany Valley Charter School
Our Lady of Victory Catholic Schools
Park Forest Middle School
Pick Research Solutions, Inc.
Restore Eye Care & Eye Gym
Scraps & Skeins
Simple: A bed and breakfast
State College Presbyterian Church
The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center
The Village at Penn State
The Queen, A Victorian Bed and Breakfast
Pleasant Gap resident Chris Morelli works as a freelance writer and staff reporter atThe Expressin Lock Haven. This story appears in Town&Gown’s April 2022 issue