With such an abundance of recycling opportunities, this month's newsletter practically sings Lionel Richie: "Hello, is it me you're looking for?"  Read on for details on expanded curbside organics collection, textile recycling and food scrap drop-offs at Greenmarkets, Shred Fests, harmful household products collections, Stop 'N' Swap� and more, coming to a neighborhood near you. 

 

What about...ORGANICS?

Organics make up almost 30% of NYC's residential and institutional waste stream. This includes yard waste, food scraps, compostable paper (tissues, napkins, soiled paper, paper plates, etc.), and other materials suitable for industrial-scale composting. With more and more New Yorkers looking to divert the biggest portion of their waste from disposal, new options are sprouting up every day.  One of the most popular ways is to take advantage of drop-off sites, such as the ones at 38 of our Greenmarkets.  Curbside organics pickup is of course the easiest way to keep these methane-generating wastes out of expensive landfills, and the program is expanding to more neighborhoods this spring.  Read more below about these "groundmaking" efforts to dramatically reduce waste in NYC and visit www.nyc.gov/organics to find compost workshops, drop-offs and information on the Curbside Organics Program.   

Green Living Team Unites Residents and Staff to Revive Recycling

 

Food has always been common ground that brings people together.  Now, some New Yorkers are uniting over the scraps. GrowNYC has had the pleasure of working with the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, which recently recognized members of its Living Green Team for exemplary efforts that improved recycling in their buildings, introduced organics collections and reduced overall garbage by up to 50%.  Read more on our blog.

 

Organics Collection is Growing
 
This spring, new areas of Brooklyn, including parts of Bay Ridge, Park Slope, Gowanus, Greenwood Heights, and Sunset Park and parts of Glendale, Maspeth, and Middle Village in Queens, will be added to the NYC Department of Sanitation's pilot program to collect organics from residents.  Buildings in the pilot areas with 1-9 units are automatically enrolled in the program and will receive bins and information on how to participate.  Larger apartment buildings can apply for curbside organics service.  The collected waste is converted to renewable energy or compost, used to fertilize gardens, parks, and street trees. Get more info at nyc.gov/organics.

Upcoming Events
NYC SAFE Disposal Events
 
Plan some serious spring cleaning around the annual NYC SAFE Disposal Events, hosted by the Department of Sanitation. Safely dispose of electronics and other potentially harmful household products like batteries, paint, pesticides and medicine.  Only NYC residential waste will be accepted (no business or institutional waste permitted). All events 10am-4pm, rain or shine. Learn more at www.nyc.gov/safedisposal.

Remaining 2014 SAFE Disposal Events: 
 
Bronx: Saturday, May 10 - Orchard Beach Parking Lot
Manhattan: Sunday, May 11 - Union Square, North Plaza
Staten Island: Saturday, May 17 - Midland Beach Parking Lot
More Greenmarket Food Scrap and Textile Collections Open in May
 
Put some spring in your step with a stroll to your local Greenmarket for some farm fresh products.  And don't forget to bring unwanted clothing, linens and food scraps to recycle!  Collections start up this month at the following markets:

St. George, Staten Island (May 3)
Forest Hills, Queens (May 4)
Sunnyside, Queens (May 10)
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn (May 11)

For a list of what you can drop off, visit www.grownyc.org/clothing and www.grownyc.org/compost. 

Electronics Recycling Citywide with Lower East Side Ecology Center
 
Responsibly recycle unwanted or broken electronics (no appliances such as microwaves or refrigerators) at the final spring events sponsored by the Lower East Side Ecology Center. All events are 10am-4pm. Learn more.  

Saturday, May 10: Windsor Terrace 
Saturday, May 17: Kips Bay   

Sunday, May 18: Forest Hills

 

 

"It's Everybody's Ocean" NYC premier screening 
Wednesday, May 14, 5:30pm-8pm
114 West 47th St, 1st Floor Auditorium
*ticketed event
 
This documentary tells the story of the people of Ikema.  Known for its stunning coral reefs, the island's once pristine beaches now play host to tons of plastic marine debris.  Event includes refreshments and a panel discussion with the film maker and others.  Hosted by the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board.  Proceeds go to MSWAB's Composting Grants program.  More info.        

Stop 'N' Swap Community Reuse Events 
 
We're coming to Flushing, Forest Hills and East Harlem this month! Bring clean, reusable, portable items such as clothing, house wares, games, books & toys that you no longer need, and take home something new-to-you, free! You don't have to bring something to take something. No furniture or large items, please. Learn more.

Saturday, May 17, 12pm-3pm, Flushing
PS 32, 171-11 35th Ave b/t 171st & 172nd Sts, Queens (map)

 

Sunday, May 18, 11am-2pm, Forest Hills   

Central Queens Y, 67-09 108th Street, Queens (map)

Saturday, May 31, 12pm-3pm, East Harlem  

La Placita en La Marqueta, 116th and Park Ave, Manhatta(map) 
Shred Fest 2014 
Sunday, May 18, 10am-4pm (or until shredding trucks are full)  
various locations citywide
 
Concerned about identity theft? Don't trash those bank statements! Safely shred and recycle your confidential documents for free with the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs. Click here for more information.
 
 
 
Get to Know GrowNYC


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GrowNYC's OFFICE OF RECYCLING OUTREACH & EDUCATION (OROE) works to improve the City's recycling rate by educating residents about recycling and waste prevention, and working with landlords to make sure building recycling programs are adequate. Our free services include apartment building recycling audits, trainings for tenants and supers, community events centered on education and special collection programs for textiles, electronics, and compost. OROE's current intensive efforts target one-quarter of New York City's residents. Our five borough-wide coordinators work on a community-by-community basis to identify and address the specific challenges to recycling within a Community District. For more information visit www.grownyc.org or call 212-788-7964.   
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