January 2013 Newsletter

What about…CLIMATE CHANGE?

Did you know that one-third of U.S. methane emissions—a greenhouse gas 21x more potent than CO2—are generated by landfills? This is due to the presence of organic waste such as food scraps and paper. Here in NYC, nearly 23% of our residential waste is recyclable paper, and another 22% consists of food scraps and yard waste. By recycling and composting, we can all make a difference! Check out our Recycling Resources to see how you can increase your personal recycling rate. More importantly, resolve to strengthen your commitment to reducing waste this year to have a bigger impact through energy savings and natural resource conservation. Learn more about the links between climate and waste from the USEPA.

GrowNYC Celebrates 1 Million Pounds of Food Scraps Composted

Since March 2007, GrowNYC has worked to expand food scrap collections at Greenmarkets to complement the efforts of community partners. Thanks to support from Speaker Christine C. Quinn and the NYC City Council, the NYC Department of Sanitation and recyclers like you, 1 million pounds of organic waste has been diverted from disposal and put to good use. If you haven’t made your first food scrap drop at a Greenmarket, it’s a good time to start with our Winter Warriors challenge underway. Simply check in at the food scrap collection tent to register and then check in weekly for a chance to win a compost-related prize at the end of March!

Calling all Recycling Champions! Sign up for the new RCP Newsletter

Interested in receiving updates about NYC school recycling? You can now sign up for GrowNYC’s Recycling Champions Program newsletter, where you'll get all the latest updates and resources for implementing recycling in schools, including best practice guides, lesson and activity plans, upcoming events, and more from the Recycling Champions Toolkit. Just click Update Profile/Email Address at the bottom of this message or click here to add Recycling Champions to your newsletter preferences.

Christmas Tree Recycling
Ongoing, January 2-19
Mulchfest: Jan 12 & 13, sites citywide
Curbside Pickup: Jan 2-19

If you put up a real tree for the holidays, plan to “chip in” by having it recycled into mulch to help green the city. On January 12 & 13 the city will host MulchFest, the best-smelling recycling event of the year. Trees (cleaned of stands, lights, tinsel and ornaments) will be collected and chipped into mulch for NYC parks, and offered for free at select sites. Trees can be dropped off between January 7-13. Find citywide drop-off sites and mulch pick-up locations here. If you miss MulchFest, the city will pick up trees (also stripped of ornaments, etc) curbside from January 2-19, barring any snow disruptions.

Electronics Recycling with the Lower East Side Ecology Center

Responsibly recycle unwanted or broken electronics (no appliances such as microwaves or refrigerators) at winter events sponsored by the Lower East Side Ecology Center. Click here for a list of what's accepted.

Saturday, January 12 – Financial District

Sunday, January 13 – Flushing

Saturday, January 19 – Chelsea

Sunday, January 20 – Park Slope

Saturday, January 26 – Inwood & Bronx

Sunday, January 27 – Upper West Side

USEPA Region 2 – Food Recovery Challenge Summit
Wednesday, February 6, 9am-4pm (RSVP by January 11)
EPA Region 2 Offices, 290 Broadway

The EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge helps facilities such as grocers, universities, hotels and stadiums to reduce food waste in their operations. The FRC Summit will provide essential information and tools and industry leaders participating in the initiative will share success stories. Click here for more information and to RSVP your organization.