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URI Outreach Center

Plastic Lumber for Gardens & Landscaping

Plant Pro

Pressure-treated lumber is a material commonly used by gardeners to make decks, raised beds and retaining walls. As of January 1, 2004, the EPA is phasing out sales of CAA pressure-treated lumber for residential use because of health and environmental concerns. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives for use in the home landscape. Joining Marion Gold on the Plant Pro to discuss one of the alternatives is Art Schloth, President of Plastic Lumber RI.

According to Schloth, Plastic Lumber is an environmentally-safe and environmentally-friendly alternative to CCA pressure-treated wood. Plastic Lumber is made from recycled HDPE plastic (including milk and water jugs) and is a strong and durable product for residential decks, gardens, and landscaping.

Plastic Lumber RI, a Rhode Island Distributor for Plastic Lumber, has made Plastic Lumber locally available in most lumber sizes and many attractive wood-tone and solid colors. HDPE Plastic Lumber is maintenance-free and will not rot, crack, or splinter.

Plastic Lumber comes in attractive wood-tone or earth-tone colors and will not fade or stain. HDPE "structural grade" Plastic Lumber is also approved by the RI Building Code for the whole deck structure, including the deck framing, railings, posts and stairs. HDPE Plastic Lumber is a long-lasting material for outdoor benches, garden-beds frames, and retaining walls.

For more information on Plastic Lumber RI and ideas for the home and garden visit their website.

For more information call the URI Master Gardener Hotline: in Rhode Island, call 1-800-448-1011; out-of-state, call 1-401-874-2900.

Renewable Energy Siting Partnership Stakeholder Meeting #4

When: December 1, 2011, 6pm - 9pm
Where: Hazard Rooms @ URI Coastal Institute Bldg, Narragansett Bay Campus
Details: The focus of this meeting will be presentations on the acoustic impacts of wind turbines and project economics. Attendees must RSVP to Amber Neville at 401.874.6106 or amber@crc.uri.edu due to space limitations.
Directions

The meeting is open to the public, and all are welcome, as the goal is to have a diverse and well-rounded stakeholder process. A light dinner will be provided from 5:30-6pm.

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Holidays in the Park

When: December 10, 2011, 11am - 2pm
Where: Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, Providence RI
Details: Admission-free with donation of a nonperishable good to be donated to RI Food Bank

Escape from the cold outdoors and join us in celebrating the holidays! Activities will include demos on do-it- yourself decorations just in time for the holidays, exciting educational crafts for kids, live music, gifts for every gardener, a raffle and more surprises to come.

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Renewable Energy Siting Partnership (RESP) Wind Resource Assessment Lecture

When: January 24, 2012, 6pm - 7pm
Where: North Kingstown Free Library
Details: URI researchers will present their current work related to the wind resource assessment component of the Renewable Energy Siting Partnership.

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