Toolkit Featured: Featured

Green Tips: Greening your Halloween

Halloween is quickly approaching and now is the time to be planning Halloween costumes, decorations, and activities. While preparing for upcoming festivities, don’t forget to consider the impact the holiday can have on the environment. A recent survey in the UK found that 83% of materials in retail Halloween costumes are derived from oil-based plastics, responsible for up to 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste. However, plastic is not the only form of waste during the Halloween season, as over 1 billion pounds of pumpkins are thrown into landfills in the US, being left to rot and produce methane gas instead of naturally decomposing. Here are some tips on how to minimize waste while still enjoying the holiday!

  • Costumes: Costumes can easily contribute to a large amount of waste on Halloween. Instead of buying a brand new costume, considering making one out of clothes you already own or thrifting. Alternatively, if buying a new costume, donate it afterward instead of throwing it away.
  • Decorations: Halloween decorations are often made out of copious amounts of plastic such as large skeletons or decorative pumpkins. Instead of buying new decorations, make your own out of materials you already have at home, or buy durable decorations you know will last for many future Halloween seasons.
  • Candy: Try to minimize packaging when buying candy, and opt for either buying in bulk or buying from brands that are committed to sustainability; consider purchasing fair-trade chocolate or candy packaged in recyclable wrapping. Buying vegan is another great option, as is organic, locally made candy. When distributing candy, use a bowl you already own instead of buying a new, plastic container.
  • Pumpkins: Buying pumpkins locally is another excellent way to lower your carbon footprint this Halloween. Take a trip to a local pumpkin patch instead of buying from the grocery store. If carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, try roasting the seeds or using the pulp for vegetable broth. After the season is over, be sure to compost the pumpkins instead of throwing them away.
  • Halloween Parties: When throwing a Halloween Party, make sure to avoid plastic plates, cups, and utensils and opt for either reusable or compostable options. Source food from local, sustainable sources such as a nearby farmers’ market, and try to buy organic or vegan options. 

Thanks for reading this week’s Green Tips and have a safe Halloween!

Submitted by: Michaela Stones

Green Tips: Fall Harvest

Fall is often ripe with an abundance of food and filled with activities such as apple picking and pumpkin pie baking. However, with abundance also comes waste, with 30-40 percent of the food supply in the United States estimated to be thrown away each year. Not only is food waste costly, but it is also estimated to be responsible for up to 11 percent of greenhouse gas emissions each year. 

With some careful planning, though, a lot of this food waste can be eliminated. Below are some tips to avoid wasting food while enjoying the abundance of the fall season. 

  • An excellent way to prevent food waste is to utilize all parts of the vegetable. For example, if using pumpkins to make a pumpkin pie, you could also bake the pumpkin seeds. Eating the skin of fruits and vegetables such as apples and potatoes is also known to have nutritional benefits.  
    • Another great way to use leftover seeds is to plant them in your own garden and create your own fall harvest crop for the next year. 
  • If any food scraps remain, such as apple cores, compost them instead of throwing them away. If composting larger food scraps, be sure to cut them up into smaller pieces so they biodegrade more quickly (composting jack-o-lanterns after the season is also an excellent way to dispose of them!)
  • Food preservation is also a great way to prevent food waste. Canning fall fruits such as plums or apples will make the harvest last into spring and winter, and you can also pickle vegetables such as beets, turnips, and Brussel sprouts. If canning or pickling seems like a lot of effort, cutting up and freezing fall fruits and vegetables is also a viable option.
  • Be mindful of expiration dates and the quantity of food when buying. Plan out recipes for the week and only buy foods you know you will use, and make sure to only buy foods you know you will be able to eat by their expiration date. 
  • If you do have leftovers, eat them for lunch the next day or incorporate them into a new dish for dinner, such as in a soup or salad. 
  • To help reduce food waste in the supply chain, consider buying imperfect or surplus fruits and vegetables that would otherwise be thrown away. This is also a great cost-effective option to save money on still-edible and nutritious produce. 

These are just some tips for reducing food waste during the fall harvest. We hope you will commit to being more environmentally friendly while enjoying the season!

Submitted by: Michaela Stones

Green Tips: How to Organize Your Own Clean-Up

September 18th, 2021 is National Clean-Up Day! If you’re interested in participating in a clean-up, check out the National Clean-Up Day website. If you would like to organize a clean-up of your own either this month or in the future, we have some tips for you this week! Whether a beach clean-up or collecting litter in the park, hands-on work is really helpful in beautifying our outdoor spaces. Here are some tips to help you organize your own clean-up:

  1. Choose a Location
    • Choose a location in your community that needs a good clean-up. Maybe it’s a waterfront, public park, or on the grounds of a community center or library that’s been ravished by trash. Talk to members of your community for input, too. 
    • Know the area before your event to familiarize yourself with the area. Set a clean-up route and decide on boundaries ahead of time.
    • Be sure to check with your local government about permitting. 
  2. Work with Partners
    • It’s recommended that you reach out to community groups, other local stakeholders, and even local elected officials to work together on the event. Event partners can help with organizing and/or helping to spread awareness of the event.
    • Community groups may have strategic partnerships with local stakeholders, vendors, or elected officials.
    • Work with your event partners to come up with a date and time that works for everyone.
  3. Materials Needed During the Clean-Up
    • Will you provide gloves, grabbers, and bags for participants or ask that folks bring their own?
    • Will you have recycling and garbage receptacles at the clean-up site? Depending on how much refuse is expected to be collected, you may need a larger container available for disposal.
    • Informational flyers and signs to guide participants during the event will help make sure everyone is on the same page. You may want to educate volunteers on hazardous materials, what not to pick up, and the boundaries of the clean-up site.
    • Participants will also appreciate snacks and hand sanitizer at the event.
  4. Things to Consider
    • Check-in and waivers: It may be helpful to have a table set up at your clean-up location so you can check folks in (if you have an RSVP requirement). The table will also provide an anchor point for folks to go to in case they need materials, have questions, or need to fill out any forms. We recommend that you create a liability waiver. 
    • Access to public bathrooms and wheelchair accessibility: are there facilities nearby or will you need to bring in a portable restroom? Make sure people are aware of where to go. Consider folks with physical disabilities- are there certain areas of the clean-up site that are more accessible than others?
    • Rain date: typically it’s advised to have a rain date as a backup. Cleaning up in the rain won’t attract many participants and can be a hazard depending on the location.
    • Event staff/volunteers: recruit a few people to handle certain aspects of the event (leaders to lead the group, someone to stay at the check-in table, someone to hand out materials and snacks, etc.) Make sure participants know who the point-person is for various needs.
  5. Spread the Word
    • Use flyers and post them around town. If you have an RSVP requirement, QR codes are a great way to ease the sign-up process.
    • Use your event partner’s networks to help spread the word among their membership.
    • Use social media platforms.
    • Register your clean-up on the National Clean-Up Day’s webpage. 
  6. Track your Progress
    • Depending on your type of clean-up, consider using a tracker app to help collect data on pollution. If you’re by a waterway, add to the Marine Debris Tracker, or chart your collection another way. 
    • There are other citizen science clean-up initiatives to encourage your participants to get involved with. Usually, all they need is their phone!

We hope you find these tips helpful! Maybe you will be the start of a yearly clean-up initiative in your community! We cheer you on and hope you have a great National Clean-Up Day on September 18th!

Written by: Kerry Ellis

Back-to-School Green Tips: Lunches

With back-to-school right around the corner, we hope you’ll take advantage of this new beginning to instill a few eco-friendly practices into your school routine. There are plenty of little things that you can do for yourself or family members, especially when it comes to school lunches. Here are some simple ways to make school lunches as eco-friendly as possible:

Reusable lunchbox: Not only can reusable lunch boxes spark joy with their fun designs, they certainly create less waste than sending your student with a paper bag or plastic bag lunch. Have an old lunch box your student has “outgrown”? Donate it to a friend or a child in need!

Opt for reusable utensils: Bamboo or steel forks, spoons, and knives are a great way to cut down on plastic and packaging. They also come in fun colors and designs, to make eating lunch even more enjoyable!

Consider non-plastic containers: Although plastic is reusable, extracting raw materials to make these products causes environmental harm. Consider using glass or stainless steel containers for food (which fortunately don’t stain from tomato sauce or spices!) For sandwiches and snacks, beeswax paper or sealable silicone bags are great alternatives. Have fun with it! There are so many options to choose from. 

Buy local: Purchasing fruits and vegetables from local businesses could help you use less packaging and eliminate the need for shipping, which emits quite a lot of carbon dioxide in the process. Buying local also supports the local economy among other benefits. 

Use materials that will last: Cloth napkins and reusable straws are items that can be used for a long time if they’re taken care of properly. Your student may enjoy sipping their drink through a straw more than sipping without one, especially a curly one!

Try vegetarian options: Whether it’s incorporating Meatless Mondays into your schedule or trying out Beyond Burgers, there are vegetarian meals for even the pickiest of eaters. A plant-based diet, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, is better for the environment and your health. 

These are just a few of the ways you can enjoy an eco-friendly lunch as we prepare to go back to school. Try out a few of these tips or make a change that works for you and your family to help reduce waste and make the planet a better place!

By: Kerry Ellis

Curbside compost collection is back!

The NYC Department of Sanitation will resume its program to collect residential organic waste, which includes food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste. In turn, these throwaways can be repurposed to create compost and energy, rather than releasing greenhouse gasses while decomposing in a landfill.

Residents must sign up to request the service, either through the online form or by calling 311. It will begin in Brooklyn Community Districts 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, Bronx 1?12, Manhattan 1?12, Queens 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, and Staten Island 1, as well as Staten Island sanitation sections 3 and 4. 

Note, even if your neighborhood had service in the past, it is important you sign up again! At the end of each month, new customers (houses and buildings) will be able to participate if the number of local signups exceeds a minimum threshold. If not met right away, your neighborhood will be placed on a waitlist until more residents sign up.

Residents can

sign up for service at

nyc.gov/curbsidecomposting or by calling 311

Sign-ups to date will be

reviewed to start service

(cut-off date for monthly

service expansion)

Residents will be

notified of service

start date or if on the waitlist

Service

starts

(week of)

Starting August 2nd

August 30

September 15

October 4

Rolling 

September 27

October 13

November 1

Rolling

October 25

November 10

November 29

Rolling

November 29

December 15

January 3

Rolling 

December 27

January 12

January 31

Rolling

February 28

March 15

April 4

Rolling

March 28

April 13

May 2

Rolling 

April 25

May 11

May 30

While currently only neighborhoods in this select group of districts will be attended to we implore you to sign up even if your neighborhood is not currently eligible. This will help DSNY get a sense of demand across the city, with the potential to bring the curbside collection to your area. In locations of high demand, drop-off sites may be added until the service can be brought to your community.

Once you sign up, you will be notified by your Community Board if your district is eligible for the service. Limited service locations maximize material collected by trucks while avoiding inefficient truck routes and emissions. In the meanwhile, you can also engage in composting by bringing your scraps to a drop-off site, or begin composting at home. 

Composting in New York City not only keeps our city clean and healthy but encourages a long-term resilience and self-sufficiency strategy. Organic waste currently reflects a third of our city’s trash, so as we redirect our trash from far away landfills, we simultaneously can use compost to help nourish our local soils and parks or create green energy to power our homes. Equally significant, placing our food scraps in brown bins will help reduce curbside garbage spillage and limit rodent attraction. 

Expanding curbside composting citywide is the next step. Depending on the success of monthly signups, we can achieve those goals and help garner the support of Council Members.

Green Tips: Sustainable Wedding and Gift Registries

As wedding season continues, and we have more opportunities to celebrate in person, the scramble to find the perfect gift is back in season, too. Whether you’re creating the registry or looking to give, there are plenty of ways to keep the environment in mind and choose planet-friendly presents that will make everyone happy! There’s no need to sacrifice quality for sustainability. We compiled a list of some gift ideas for your registry that are sure to impress while keeping the environmental impact low. 

Kitchen

  • Reusable paper towels are a sustainable and economic substitute for paper towels that can be used for almost everything. With different colors and sizes, linens are versatile and will work in any kitchen! Plus, they’ll save your gift recipients money in the long run.
  • Opt for a cutting board made of sustainably harvested or local wood that’s designed to last and is gentle on knife blades. Forgo plastic cutting boards for one that can withstand daily use and help the planet in the process. 
  • Stylish containers for the countertop will allow the couple you’re gifting to buy in bulk and ultimately reduce packaging waste! Containers can be used for rice, pasta, beans, or really anything else and are super functional!

Bedroom

  • Bamboo linens boast a softness never felt before with moisture-wicking properties as well as eco-friendly materials that help the environment and are super comfortable.
  • You can also register for a bathrobe made from ethically sourced 100% organic bamboo. Look for one manufactured by globally recognized ethical auditors. 
  • Look for a luxurious and sustainable pillow, like one filled with organic certified latex. Machine-washable and adjustable, a pillow like this is sure to be enjoyed by everyone. 

Bathroom

  • Add a certified fair trade and sustainable bath mat to your registry! 
  • Installing a bidet is an excellent way to reduce water use every day and save money. Without requiring plumbing work, there are easy-to-install, add-on bidets that typically use just 1 pint of water to properly wash. Reducing toilet paper use will help our forests.

Outdoors

  • A seedling starter kit is a perfect gift for the couple that’s looking to start a garden. 

These are just a few ideas for an ethical and sustainable registry. Add some (or all) of these items to your list or give them as a gift! Commit to making environment-friendly choices that will make everyone want to say “I do”!

 

By: Kerry Ellis

Green Tips: Plastic Free July Outside

As we spend our summers cooling off in lakes, rivers, and oceans, it’s important to not take our waterways for granted and do what we can to protect our environment. Water bodies provide our drinking water, give us recreational opportunities, and support countless species. Unfortunately, plastic waste is overwhelming our natural spaces, especially our waterways. It is estimated that by mid-century, plastic will outweigh the sea life in our oceans. Plastic does not biodegrade– it breaks down into tiny particles called microplastics that are smaller than a grain of rice. Marine organisms ingest microplastics and these particles move through the food chain. In fact, you probably have some inside you right now! Scientists say it’s possible that humans ingest 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles every year. 

Plastic-Free July is a great way to take part in a worldwide effort to reduce single-use plastics and be a part of a global shift towards sustainability. There are many small steps you can take that add up every time you make a sustainable choice when spending time recreating outside. Throughout July, whether you’re near water bodies or in green spaces, try some of the following to fulfill your pledge:

  • Use reusable bags 
  • Carry a reusable water bottle or coffee cup/thermos to fill
  • Have a metal straw handy 
  • Opt for reusable cups, plates, and cutlery
  • Pack your own meal and carry food in reusable containers or beeswax wrap
  • Bring with you large reusable or washable bags for recycling and compost
  • If the area you’re spending time in does not have recycling, bring the recyclables home and dispose of them there
  • Never dump food or liquids other than water into natural and open spaces
  • Do not litter and don’t be afraid to chase down anything that blows away!
  • Do not drop cigarette butts on the ground (they’re mostly made of plastic!)
  • Avoid spitting out chewing gum onto the ground
  • Never leave fishing lines or fishing nets in or near water bodies or on the ground
  • Use plastic-free decorations if you’re celebrating outside 
  • Never let balloons go
  • Clean up plastic you see around you 
  • Opt for cloth tablecloths and picnic blankets

In our world today, it is very difficult (but not impossible!) to become zero-waste or plastic-free. Remember that any effort to reduce plastic waste is a step in the right direction. If alternatives seem daunting to switch to, at least give it a try! You may find that it’s not so hard. In turn, you can save money, inspire others to make a switch, and improve your health by reducing packaged/processed foods, for example. At the very least, the planet will thank you for doing your part!

 

By: Kerry Ellis

Green Tips: Combating Invasive Species

Invasive Species Awareness Week is here!

According to the National Wildlife Federation, an invasive species is defined as “any kind of living organism … that is not native to an ecosystem and causes harm.” Basically, this means any organism which is introduced to an area outside of its native range and then has a negative impact on that area. Often, invasive species are accidentally spread by human activity, such as on ships or through escaping an ornamental garden.

So what makes an invasive species harmful? Outside of their native range, invasive species do not have any natural predators or controls. Additionally, native species may not have evolved defenses against some invasive predators. As a result, invasive species can become predators of native species, hinder their reproduction, out-compete them for resources, and cause or carry disease.

Because of all these harmful effects, it is important for us to control invasive species and prevent their spread. By taking just a few simple steps, we can protect wildlife and our ecosystem:

  • Become aware of the invasive species present in your area. Learning to identify invasive species will help you remove and/or report them if you come across any.
    • The DEC has recently released a new interactive map which allows you to easily identify which invasives are prevalent in your area. The map also features instructions for reporting sightings of invasive species.
  • Clean, drain, and dry watercraft and equipment.
    • Clean fishing tackle
    • Clean aquatic vegetation from rudders
    • Disinfect the hulls and water compartments of boats
    • Correctly dispose of bait
  • Clean (spray and wipe) hiking and fishing gear, and properly dispose of any plant material.
  • When outdoors, wear outer layers which do not pick up and transport seeds.
  • Remove seeds from clothing both before and after you go outdoors. Clean deep treaded footwear. Properly dispose of any plant material. Do not clean near waterways.
  • Use native bait when fishing.
  • Volunteer at invasive species removal events. The New York City Parks Department also has a wonderful program called the Super Steward Program.
  • Do NOT buy exotic plants.
  • Do NOT release plants or animals from your aquarium into the wild.
  • Plant your garden/yard with native species. Use only seed mixes with exclusively native plants.
  • Weed out any known invasive species from your property (including your garden). After removal, follow these guidelines.
  • Before traveling, examine your belongings to make sure you are not carrying any pests with you. 
  • Educate others on invasive species and the threats they pose.
  • Track the spread of invasive species by reporting them.
    • nyimapinvasives.org allows you to report invasive species from anywhere in the state. The data you input can be used to influence conservation priorities and address the areas which need the most work.

If you’re looking to specifically eradicate or manage the invasive Japanese knotweed, please click here to the virtual event we held in January 2021 in partnership with Friends of the Upper Delaware River, Penn State’s Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, and Shippensburg University’s Center for Land Use and Sustainability. The webinar covered how to identify knotweed, the impact of knotweed overgrowth, and how to manage, control, or even eradicate knotweed.

Thank you for reading this week’s Green Tips! Stay tuned for more posts in the future.

Primary Election Day

The best way to stay civically engaged and to advocate for the environment and environmental justice communities is by making sure you cast your ballot. This year New York City is voting for Mayor, Comptroller, Public Advocate, Borough Presidents, City Council, and District Attorneys in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

The deadline to register to vote in the primary election is May 28th. If you’d like to register or check your registration status, go to https://vote.nyc/page/register-vote

The deadline to change your address is June 2nd.

If you prefer to vote in person

Early Voting will take place from June 12th through 20th. Find your early voting site here: https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/

Primary Day is on Tuesday, June 22nd. Find your regular polling site here: https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/

This year New Yorkers will have the opportunity to participate in ranked-choice voting. That means instead of just picking one candidate for any given position, you will rank up to your top five choices. Learn more about rank choice voting: https://vote.nyc/page/ranked-choice-voting

If you prefer to vote through an absentee ballot

All registered voters can request an absentee ballot if they’d like to vote by mail. If you are affected by COVID-19 and/or the potential of contracting the virus, please check the box for “Temporary Illness” on the application. The definition has been temporarily expanded to include “a risk of contracting or spreading a disease” such as COVID-19.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is June 15th. You can apply online or download the application online here: https://vote.nyc/page/absentee-voting-0 

Voting for candidates that support policies to fight climate change, protect our natural resources, and advance environmental justice is one of the most important ways that you can make a difference – even from home. We hope you’ll join us in casting your ballot for the environment this June.

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