Alviston Blog

So, we are working on Episode 5 of Green Planet and there is a part where it talks about landfills. You know, where all our trash ends up. I thought I knew. I just needed a few pictures of some garbage trucks dumping their loads.

Here is my question. How many of you know where your garbage goes?

I will tell you, it is a lot different from when I was growing up.

First, here in Fresno, we separate the garbage from the recyclables. They go in different trucks to different places. The garbage goes to a transfer station where it is sorted again and the loaded onto a transfer truck.

Finally, it is hauled to the landfill, which in our case is on American Avenue south of Kerman. I went out there to shoot some video and the guys were great. They let me take pictures of the huge mountains of trash and explained how they layer the trash and collect the methane that it makes.

It was fascinating. We are already planning to do a show about waste management with the title, “Zero-waste waste.” Ha!

Hey, get your tickets now for our program in Reedley on the 29th! Call (559) 226-3835 and leave a message.

–Mark Alvis

This Wednesday, August 19, will be our last Sustainable Session at the Reedley College Forum. Renee Rippchen, who is going to tell us how to get electricity from cows, will join us. Renee works for BioEnergy, which is using the anaerobic digestion process to produce methane. Very smart. We will also talk about solar power, or photovoltaics. We will explain how a PV panel works, and how 6,600 panels work…WOW!

NOW!…is the time to get your tickets for our very special fundraising event on Saturday, August 29 at Silas Bartsch School in Reedley. We are going to show Green Planet Episode 5: ONE BIG FOOT, which is the story of Mike Mirigian and his environmental science class at Clovis West High School. Mike walks the talk and shows not only students but also the entire district how to be more sustainable.

Furthermore, Mike Terpening,”the CPA Gourmet,” is going to cook up a feast for us with fresh, organic veggies and fruits. Then Kristin Cooper-Carter is going to give us a presentation on what her company, Calera Corporation, is sequestering CO2 from power plants in cement.

We have really enjoyed doing the Sustainable Summer Sessions and working on the TV series. The money raised from this event will allow us to continue to bring you more stories about sustainable living and do more live sessions at a venue near you.

Tickets are $25 each or two for $45 in advance. Please call (559) 226-3835 to reserve your seats. They are going fast!

–Mark Alvis