Spring E-Waste events sponsored by LES Ecology Center

NYCSubwayGirl isn't all about music in the underground of NYC. It's about community and sharing. It's about stories and experience in the urban concrete jungle. It's important to celebrate and post about organizations like the Lower East Side Ecology Center. Their efforts in educating and working towards a more sustainable future, has made a huge impact on the quality of life here in NYC. See below for some Spring Electronic recycling events near you.

Electronics Recycling with the LES Ecology Center

Responsibly recycle unwanted or broken electronics (no appliances such as microwaves or refrigerators) at spring events sponsored by the Lower East Side Ecology Center. All events 10am-4pm. March collection dates below. Check www.lesecologycenter.org for the full spring schedule. Click here for a list of what's accepted. 

* Saturday, March 22 - Chelsea, W. 26th b/t 8th & 9th Aves 
* Saturday, March 22 - Dumbo, Pearl Street Triangle (at Water & Front Sts) 
* Saturday, March 29 - Park Slope, 5th Ave b/t Sterling & Douglass 
* Sunday, March 30 - Staten Island, JCC parking lot, 1466 Manor Rd

FALL E-Waste Program

Lower Eastside Ecology Center

Upcoming E-Waste Recycling Opportunities

We have another 21 events coming up this fall to round out this year of e-waste recycling. Thank you to all of our partners and sponsors who have supported this program and to everyone who has come to an event or the E-waste Warehouse.

For a complete list of what materials we accept and what we cannot take, click here. For more information about our program overall, including data security policies, click here. For special offers for those who recycle with us this fall, click here.

E-waste Warehouse -- Open year-round!
469 President Street (at Nevins Street), Brooklyn 
Tues/Th/Fri | 10:00am - 5:00pm 
Wed | 12:00pm - 7:00pm 
Sat | 10:00am - 4:00pm

Looking for affordable electronics? We now have a Reuse Store at the E-waste Warehouse. You can see a selection of our inventory here . If you are looking for a specific item, send your wishlist to sales@lesecologycenter.org.

 

Fall E-waste Recycling Events:

Tekserve (Chelsea) October 05, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm119 West 23rd Street (between 6th and 7th Avenue), New York, NY 10011  Upper West Side October 06, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pmAmsterdam Avenue between West 74th and West 75th Streets, New York, NY 10023 Corona October 12, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pmNew York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th Street, Parking Lot, Queens, NY 11368  Astoria October 12, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pmBroadway Library, 4020 Broadway (between Steinway and 41st Street), Queens, NY 11103  Kips Bay October 13, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pmAsser Levy Recreation Center, Asser Levy Place at East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010  Stuyvesant Town October 13, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm14th Street Loop (enter at East 14th Street and Avenue A), New York, NY 10009

Park Slope October 19, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pmJ.J. Byrne Playground, 5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets, Brooklyn, NY 11215  Flatbush October 19, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pmFlatbush Food Coop, Cortelyou Road between Marlborough and Rubgy Roads, Brooklyn, NY 11226 Cobble Hill October 20, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pmPS 29, Baltic Street between Henry Street and Clinton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201  Williamsburg October 20, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pmMcCarren Park, Bedford Avenue just north of North 12th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211  Upper West Side October 26, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pmChurch of the Holy Name of Jesus, Amsterdam Avenue between 96th and 97th Streets, New York, NY 10025 Jackson Heights October 27, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm37th Avenue between 78th Street and 79th Street, Queens, NY 11372  Lower East Side October 27, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pmGrand Street between Pitt Street and Bialystoker Place, New York, NY 10002  Park Slope December 07, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pmPS 321, 7th Avenue between 1st and 2nd Streets, Brooklyn, NY 11215

 Special Offers

Tekserve is offering recyclers who come to events a "Green Karma" Coupon worth between $5 and $500 off any products or services from Tekserve and entry into a raffle to win a MacBook Air.

Zipcar is offering existing Zipcar members a $15 driving credit for bringing electronics to these events.

We would like to thank the following for being involved in the fall 2013 e-waste event series:

Asser Levy Recreation Center, Battery Park City Authority, Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, Broadway Library, Bushwick High-School for Social Justice, Bushwick Eco-Action Network, Carnegie Hill CSA, Carnegie Hill Neighbors, Church of the Heavenly Rest, Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Cobble Hill Association, Columbus Amsterdam BID, Department of Parks & Recreation, EcoStation, Flatbush Food Coop, Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, Grass-roots, Hattie Carthan Garden, Henry Street Settlement, Magnolia Tree Earth Center, New York Hall of Science, Park Slope Civic Council, PS 29, PS 29PTA, PS 321, PS 321 PTA, Showplace Entertainment Center, Stuyvesant Town & Peter Cooper Village, Tekserve, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Assembly Members James Brennan, Brian Kavanagh and Joan Millman, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and Councilmembers Gale Brewer, Brad Lander, Margaret Chin and Stephen Levin.

The fall 2013 events are sponsored by Tekserve. The E-waste Recycling Program is made possible by support from ConEdison, New York Community Trust, and Tekserve.

E-Waste events in NYC this Spring

Spring Electronic Waste Recycling Events

Spring (cleaning) is here and the Lower East Side Ecology Center is helping you clear old and unwanted electronics out of your closets without trashing the environment! Drop-off your tech gear at locations in all five boroughs during March, April and May to have it responsibly recycled.

A list of acceptable materials can be found here and we accept electronics from households, not-for-profit organizations, and small businesses. We do not accept home appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, or air conditioners and we also do not accept carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

We know that data security is important to, well, everyone and you can find out more about which recyclers we work with and how we handle data-containing devices in our FAQs.

All events will be held rain or shine.

Spring 2013 Events

March 16, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

5th Avenue between Douglass and Sterling Streets, Brooklyn, NY 11217

March 17, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Sephardic Community Center, 1901 Ocean Parkway (at Avenue S), Brooklyn, NY 11223

April 06, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Tekserve, 119 West 23rd Street (between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenues), New York, NY 10011

April 07, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Jewish Community Center, 1466 Manor Road, Staten Island, NY 10306 

April 07, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Delancey Street (north side) between Chrystie and Forsyth Streets, New York, NY 10002

April 13, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Maria Hernandez Park, Knickerbocker Avenue between Starr Street and Suydam Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237

April 13, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Habana Outpost, Fulton Street between South Portland Avenue and South Oxford Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217

April 14, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Landmark Courthouse, Third Avenue and Brook Avenue, Melrose, Bronx, NY 10451

April 14, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Van Cortlandt Park, Broadway between Manhattan College Parkway and Post Road, Bronx 10471 

April 20, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Old Stone House/JJ Byrne Playground, 5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 11215

April 20, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Poly Prep Country Day School, 9216 Seventh Avenue (b/w 92nd St and Poly Pl), Brooklyn, NY 11228

April 20, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

St. George Day, Victory Boulevard and Bay Street, St. George, Staten Island 10301

April 21, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Amsterdam Avenue between West 74th and West 75th Streets, New York, NY 10023

April 27, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

P.S. 101Q, Standish Road between Slocum Crescent & Childrens Lane, Forest Hills, Queens, NY 11375

May 19, 2013 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Directions Flyer

Stuyvesant Town, 14th Street Loop, enter at 14th St & Ave A, New York, NY 10009

Special Offers

Tekserve is offering recyclers a "Green Karma" Coupon worth between $5 and $500 off any products or services from Tekserve and entry into a raffle to win a MacBook Air.

Zipcar is offering existing Zipcar members a $15 driving credit for bringing electronics to these events.

The spring 2013 events are sponsored by Tekserve.

We would like to thank the following partners for being involved in the spring 2013 collection events:

Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, Bushwick Eco Action Network (BEAN), Councilmembers Gale Brewer and Rosie Mendez, Department of Parks and Recreation, Friends of Van Cortlandt Park, Habana Outpost, Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, Nos Quedamos, Park Slope Civic Council, Poly Prep Country Day School, P.S. 101Q and the P.S. 101Q PTA, Sephardic Community Center, State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village, Tekserve

Here's a clip I made from a trip to an E-Waste drive:

NYC Recycle tips + E-Waste events

Throughout the year the Lower Eastside Ecology Center sets up E-Waste drives at multiple NYC locations. The next Electronic Waste Recycling Day is April 06, 2013 10:00am - 4:00pm  

at Tekserve  119 West 23rd Street (between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue), New York, NY 10011  

info@lesecologycenter.org

Here's a link to find out what you can bring to these events. 

Remember the 3 R's Reduce, ReUse and ReCycle

I love the Broadway Green Alliance and what they are doing little by little to make a huge effort in not only how theatrical sets are recycled, but how to change day to day habits, helping to reduce the enormous amount of waste we produce in NYC and beyond. Read more below and consider joining (it's free).  also connect with Rebekah Sale, rsale@broadwaygreen.com who can fill you in on all you need to know and how to become an active recycler. It will change your life. I've been saving chip bags wondering where I can recycle them, read on.  Corks? you bet. Batteries?  No one should consider throwing into waste bin.  EVER! So here's the deal, yes it takes a little effort and maybe a visit to one of the drop off locations, but BGA is working hard to make it easy for us all. Boradway Green Alliance office is located at W. 46 St., #1312, 13th Fl.. I love their newsletter so much I want to share it, so read on..... Dear friends of the Broadway Green Alliance, Trying to find a better way to dispose of batteries, corks, toner cartridges, or old makeup containers? The BGA operates more than a dozen collection bins for items like these to make sure they get properly recycled or even up-cycled. We also operate a binder exchange and twice yearly electronic waste and textile collections in Times Square.  See below for a complete list of our collections. Broadway Green Alliance Collections Batteries  Rechargeable: Recycled through the 4th Bin (4thbin.org).  Collected at the Gershwin (242 W. 51 St.) and Minskoff (200 W. 45 St.) Theatre Stage Doors. Regular: Recycled through WeRecycle! (werecycle.com)  Collected at our twice yearly E-waste events in Times Square (January and July) or at the BGA office (165 W. 46 St., #1312, 13th Fl.) year-round. Binders  All kinds and sizes are accepted at this exchange; great for readings and workshops! You can drop off or pick up as many as you need.  Collected at the BGA Office and soon at Actors' Equity too (165 W. 46 St. -- 15th Fl.). Bottle caps, plastic Recycled through Aveda (aveda.com).  Accepted at the BGA office or at any Aveda store. (Please note: metal bottle caps are recyclable through NYC Residential recycling or by all theater waste haulers) Candy wrappers  Upcycled through Terracycle (terracycle.net). Collected at the Majestic Theatre (247 W. 44 St.). Individual candy wrappers, large candy bags and multi-pack candy bags. Chip bags  Upcycled through Terracycle. Collected at the Majestic Theatre. Any size, brand, style of chip bag. Cleaner Packaging Upcycled through TerraCycle (see terracycle.net for complete list of accepted items). Collected at BC/EFA (165 W. 46, Suite #1300, 13 Fl.).  Pumps, triggers, pouches, and flexible cleaner product packaging. Corks Upcycled through Terracycle. Collected at the Gershwin, Majestic, and Minskoff Theatres All natural or synthetic corks as well as cork stops. Electronic waste (e-waste)  Recycled through WeRecycle! Smaller items collected at the BGA office year-round or wait for our twice yearly drives. Inkjets Upcycled through TerraCycle. All Inkjets accepted. Collected at BC/EFA. Makeup containers   Upcycled through Terracycle. Collected at the Imperial (249 W. 45 St.) Theatre. See terracycle.net for a complete list. Includes most tubes, bottles, jars, cases and old makeup. Stuffers --cast change notices for Playbill insertion. Upcycled into scrap pads through Genie Printing by the BGA. Contact the BGA to drop off boxes of stuffers.   Textiles  Recycled by Wearable Collections (wearablecollections.com).  Collected at the BGA office, at Actors' Equity--14th Floor Credit Union, and Local 764 Wardrobe Union year-round. Or bring to our twice yearly Textile Drives in Duffy Square (March and September). Toner Cartridges  Upcycled through TerraCycle.  See terracycle.net for a full list. Collected at BC/EFA.  Some Brother, Canon, Dell, Panasonic, Xerox, Apple and all HP types of toner cartridges accepted.   Writing Instruments  Upcycled through TerraCycle. Collected at the BGA office. Pens, mechanical pencils, markers, highlighters, permanent markers, and all related caps. Thank you for being a member of the Broadway Green Alliance! Please contact us with any issues, questions, or green ideas. Rebekah Sale, rsale@broadwaygreen.com

NYC E-Waste events

UPDATE Lower East Side Ecology Center now accepting drop off e-waste Tues-Sat in one location

In many of my previous blogs I write about the Lower East Side Ecology Center and their amazing E-waste events in NYC. This January celebrates their 9th year of "After The Holidays" E-waste events. My favorite is being held Saturday January 21st in front of Tekserve, the 1st Apple store-support center in NYC (before there even was such a thing as an Apple store,) @ 24th st bet 6th and 7th avenues. Follow links for other events near you.  

Check out the list of what you can bring, I went to one with a full box and even brought my pups along for the trip (why not, it was a teachable moment). If you're in a car, it's simple, because they block a section of the street for cars to pull up-you don't even have to get out of your car or taxi. Some even come on a bike.

It would be great to get your neighbors and your Apartment Building or Small Business involved.

All collected electronics will be recycled by WeRecycle!, an environmentally and socially responsible local recycler. The Electronic Waste Recycling Program is made possible by Tekserve, Con Edison and The New York Community Trust.  

here's a clip I made of from my September recycling e-waste trip:

On September I7, 2011 I walked to an LES Ecology Center e-waste event in front of Tekserve. With my pups in tow, we brought a box of old cell phones, cameras, a fax machine, transformers and cables to be properly disposed of. It was a true NY moment. When we arrived I met Development Director, Caroline Kruse who shared with me just how easy it is to recycle electronic waste.
It might take a little of your time, but recycling e-waste is so important. It feels good to know there's something you can do to reduce the massive amount of toxic waste we produce and discard without much thought. The Lower East Side Ecology Center leads the way. 

Apple Picking

Apples are ready to be picked in upstate NY, leaves are starting to turn-already?  And NYCSubwayGirl returns to the big apple.

I'll be performing this Thursday at Grand Central Station and Friday at Columbus Circle. Both days 12-3pm, check out my gigs listings for more details.

Also this week my favorite E-Waste recycling event sponsored by LES Ecology Center at Tekserve Saturday Sept 17th 10-4pm.  Clean out your closets and recycle old fax machines, phones, cables, computers and more. You can even get a tax deduction while helping to propering dispose of old unwanted, antiquated electronics.

e-waste event September 17th

I am a huge fan of The Lower East Side Ecology Center, they not only champion a sustainable NYC (since 1987) but they are a go-to for education and my favorite e-waste recycling day. This will be their only summer event but will have events in all five boroughs in the fall. There's still time to do something that not only helps the environment, but helps you to feel good about getting rid of all that stuff you're collecting that you no longer have room or use for:

September 17, 2011 | 10:00am - 4:00pm Tekserve, 119 West 23rd Street (between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue), New York, NY 10011    Map It  Tell A Friend info@lesecologycenter.org The Ecology Center is holding an electronic waste ("e-waste") recycling event at Tekserve in Chelsea to responsibly recycle unwanted or broken electronics from New York City residents. This is one of 17 e-waste recycling events that the Ecology Center will be holding in all five boroughs in September and October. A list of acceptable materials can be found here and we accept electronics from households and small businesses (less than 50 employees, please call ahead) as well as not-for-profits. We do not accept home appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, or air conditioners. The electronic waste recycling program is made possible by Tekserve. Directions Transit: Take the F or M train to 23rd Street, walk 1 block west or take the M23 bus. Driving: The event will be on the north side of West 23rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.

Resolution 2011 Reduce Reuse and Recycle

If you're someone who likes to make New Years resolutions, here's one that worth sticking to. Learn how to reduce, reuse and recycle in NYC. The Lower East Side Ecology Center is just the place to show you how.  Their mission is to work towards a sustainable New York City. If you're like me, you cringe every time you see the curbs full of garbage that could and should be recycled, and transformed into something else.  I've seen far too many garbage trucks filled with easy recyclable items heading to landfill because so many citizens of this amazing city can't be bothered.  The city is growing and with it a huge amount of construction creating vast amounts of waste. There should be a comprehensive plan to reduce, reuse and recycle the tons of construction debris leaving sites heading for burial and not rebirth. And why is it that office buildings having the lion share of waste are not mandated to recycle?

Funny how another term for garbage is refuse, is it because we refuse to accept our responsibility for dealing with our own excessive waste? Why are we so apathetic? Waste has to got to go somewhere, and in the city we cart it away making grotesque toxic mountains in a whole lot of someone else's back yards. Or it's shipped onto floating barges to nowhere-and if some "accidentally" gets dumped into the sea, who's being held accountable? Garbage costs the city=us so much. We waste with our waste. But wait, there's money in them thar hills and garbage islands floating off the starboard bow!

The city's waste should be revenue based. It's a mountain of a challenge (pun intended) but we have to be up to the task, because sooner or later we'll come to our collective senses and see the value in making our city landfill free.

Here's one action to start the New Year: learn how, where and when you can recycle your e-waste. Make it a point to collect your junk together and instead of easily dumping onto your sidewalk, take a tiny bit more time and take your stuff to one of the listed e-waste locations. Feel good about being part of the solution.

The Ecology Center offers free public compost collection and education, electronic waste recycling, stewardship of public open space, and environmental education. Their programs focus on offering opportunities for all New Yorkers to learn about environmental issues facing NYC and to take responsibility for solving those problems.

So here's to the resolution to think before you throw away, and my bet you'll have a better time sticking to this resolution than giving up chocolate and you'll feel much better for it.

Update on 2011-01-13 20:13 by NYC Subway Girl

Tekserve is hosting an e-waste event this Saturday January 15th.  Here's the info and more to learn about waste.

e-waste something you can do

Tekserve in NYC has regular e-waste drives.  Saturday October 9th is the time to recycle your e-waste. NYC'ers clean out your limited space and instead of throwing away electronic dinosaurs, recycle them.  It's easy and you will feel good about ridding yourself of last years cell phone, computer, fax machine, printer, game, what ever, that just fills up your very expensive space.

here's the link for details

from tekserve website:

Why Recycle Your Electronics?

The components in many electronics can be incredibly hazardous to the environment - contributing up to 70% of the toxins found in landfills - so it's important that they are properly recycled. Find out more through our links to articles on computer recycling. Sponsored collection events, like this one, are one of the easiest ways to properly dispose of your old gadgets in NYC. Due to funding constraints, the city's electronics recycling events and the Build It Green electronics drop-off program have been suspended.

Update on 2010-10-30 16:37 by NYC Subway Girl

Tekserve's event is over until their next one, but check out the 365 days a year recycling @ website Ecycler

Be an ecycler activist

WANTED: Your Recyclables!

Use ecycler to give your cans and bottles to someone in your community. Give away or list your recyclables today!

NYC Subway Girl's tips for a cooler summer

This summer if you're serious about doing your part to reduce energy consumption due to the horrific oil spew in the Gulf, consider how much our energy use produces heat.  We heat things up artificially and then we need to cool them down artificially.  Sounds crazy but true. A life lived with concern for sustainability starts with reason. Reducing waste and energy is a reasonable place to start.

Here are NYC Subway Girl's top ten things you can do to keep things cooler AND reduce energy consumption this summer:

1) Turn off lights when not in use.  

2) Do you know how much heat comes off incandescent lighting? One solution is to switch to LED or CFC compact fluorescent bulbs (Kudos if you've already switched).  A quick solution is to pay closer attention to #1 above.

3) Turn cooling units to realistic temperatures. Just because you can, don't cool to need to wear a parka. 

4) Install programmable thermostats.  They come cheap and easy to program, set for moderate temperatures when away or asleep.  Portable A/C units come with programmable features too-upgrade it's worth it which leads me to #5.

5)  replace older model refrigerators, A/C units and other small appliances.    If you're reading this you're on a computer.  Imagine if you were still using a computer from 2000?!  Why hold onto your antiquated energy eating monsters just because "they're still humming"  That hum is the sound of heating up your room, a huge energy and money waste.  Remember anything that has to cool puts out heat. (ever stand near any one of these units you'll know what I mean).  Energy Star is a must, for A/C units look for ratings above a #9, #10+ is best. Refrigerators look at the listed annual cost of electricity posted inside the unit.

6) Close refrigerator door.  Don't poke around with the door wide open for longer than it takes to remove something. The unit will have to re-cool everything and the motors will heat up.  And keep the temperature reasonable, it's fun I guess, but ice-cream isn't supposed to be put in a microwave (wasting more energy in the process). 

7) Do not idle car while sitting in it, unless it's 105 degrees outside and your grandmother or elderly pet is with you forget about it.  The heat that is produced is excessive and the harmful emissions are not worth it. 

8) Unplug chargers and computers when not in use, they really heat up a lot and waste energy.

9) Do not use a dryer for your clothes. Hot, hot, and hotter.  Especially in summer, clothes dry quickly on a line, hanging over a shower curtain rod, or be cool and purchase a drying rack.

10) Turn off water when brushing teeth, soaping dishes, even washing your body in the shower. Water needs pumps, pumps use energy.  Hot water needs to be heated.  So, be mindful of excess water use. Replacing older model dishwashers and washing machines reduce water use by as much as 50%.

Update

on 2010-07-15 20:29 by NYC Subway Girl

How to dispose of all those old electronics you've collected known as e-waste? 

It's important to recycle all appliances.  Most states and local communities have designated e-waste drop off days easily searchable online. Here's some info for New York  Before discarding appliances containing CFC gas or freon (such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, or dehumidifiers), you must schedule an appointment to place the item at the curb for CFC recovery. You can make an appointment on the Sanitation website or call 311. For safety reasons, the law requires doors to be removed from refrigerators and freezers before placing at the curb.

I found Green Up USA while trying to learn more about e-waste. Green Up USA Inc. is a non-profit, electronics recycling organization reaching out to organizations and communities to heighten environmental awareness through recycling and disposal fundraising events to support charities.