There are a few hours left to contribute to your favorite organizations, cause or program. With online donations making it even quicker and easier to do so, I urge you to take a moment to contribute.
NYCSubwayGirl donates a portion of performance contributions to organizations who help to make this world a better place. I call them The Champions I Support.
Supporting with a gift of any amount goes a long way.
I hope you join me.
April 22, 2014
Today is Earth Day, I rode my bike to Union Square to the Earth Day celebration. I remembered the very first Earth Day, celebrated in my childhood town of Middlefield, CT. There we learned about recycling newspaper and how to compost. We're still teaching children how to be better steward's of this planet. At Union Square, Anti-Fracking information and petitions to the Mayor and Governor were available, which I signed. Surprisingly there was a lot of corporate presence, Toyota, Zip Car, Enterprise, United Airlines. Some games for the kids learning ways to recycle. There were recycling depots for everything from plastic to E-Waste. I watched a guy push a cart quite a few blocks with about 8 old computers stacked ontop of each other to be recycled!
Here in NYC the trash is unbelievable and sometimes overwhelming to think how any recycling could make a difference. I am often times disheartened by the lack of recycling by office buildings and restaurants, they can do so much more, but there has to be a willingness to do it and an educational point about cause and effect. One only has to spend a (sleepless) night in NYC to hear the 100's of Garbage trucks to understand just how much we waste,
Earth Day NY info for events throughout the week
I've been riding a bike in the city since 1996, it's a wonderful way to get around town. The city now has an incredible amount of bike lanes and a bike share program. When CitiBank created the program, it was not without an amazing effort from City Government to give up so much prime real estate to be able to station and park bikes throughout the city. When I heard there were cries that the program was losing money to the tune of 2 million, I thought, but can you put a price on the advertising that Citibank gets everyday? Plus the numbers came in after a late fall start and a very cold winter. Today by the looks of the amount of empty bike stations and the increased amount of people zipping around the city on bikes. I'd say CitiBank has a win win situation. I would have preferred the program be sponsored by the City of New York and not "The Citi of Bank" and I am sure there are amazing not for profits that could benefit from taking over the program, should Citi decide it's too expensive, but hopefully not with another subsidy -bailout from the City.
Bike riding is Green, but dangerous. To ride a bike on the streets of NY is an exercise in full on attention and sometimes very close calls of accidents. I can't believe the bike riders I've seen without helmets, texting, riding the wrong way, riding on sidewalks.
Still and all, I love riding my bike in the city.
My building has a bike room. I'm lucky.
Happy Earth Day, get out and explore the outdoors of this amazing city. And do think about how you'd like to be a better stewart for our planet. Consider starting a electronics waste e-waste collection at your work and building.
NYC and recycling E-Waste programs sponsored by Lower East Side Ecology Center can help.
past blogs:
Earth Day 2013 free download of my song Jungle
Earth Day 2012 My 10 Actions for Earth Day every day
Earth Day 2011 commentary about Japan's earthquake and BP Deep Water disaster
Earth Day 2010 Thoughts for Earth Day the 3 R's- Reduce ReUse Recycle
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
January 2014
Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a chance to relax and come up with some good resolutions. If one of those resolutions was to clear out your drawer/shelf/cabinet of random electronics, you're in luck! Our 11th Annual After the Holidays E-waste Events start tomorrow. If you made a resolution to learn to compost, scroll down for some awesome upcoming classes.
11th Annual After the Holidays E-waste Collection Events
Event Schedule and Program Details :
Read MoreLower 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.
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
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.
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.
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
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:
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Remember the 3 R's Reduce, ReUse and ReCycle
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Here's some ideas on how to be more environmentally thoughtful for the Holiday shopping, gift giving season.
In the NYC area there are 2 champion organizations who know about the 3 R's - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. I urge you to check them out and learn more about how you can make a difference in dealing with reducing, reusing and recycling your waste:
Broadway Green Alliance great tips on where to recycle things
Lower East Ecology Center, in January they kick off a multi-location "After The Holidays E-waste Drive" to collect unwanted electronics that should be disposed of with thoughtful concern for our health and environment.
and the NRDC has a great blog called This Green Blog by Sheryl Eisenberg check out her latest, Green Your Holidays
Shopping has an environmental cost, especially online shopping with extra packing and shipping cost of transporting those gifts door to door. Did you know that 25% more waste is produced between Thanksgiving and New Year's? Be mindful of how to reuse packing boxes and materials. When shopping, bring bags with you so you don't arrive home with so much unnecessary waste.
Recycle old wrapping paper, cards, boxes and packing materials. I collect throughout the year and reuse. What to do with the plastic bubble wrap shipping envelopes? I reuse those too, either covering over the address to add the new one, or filling a box with them as packing materials.
Most wrapping paper and cards use toxic paint and dye. I try and reuse those as much as possible. I also take last years Holiday cards and cut off the covers and find a creative way to send a "new" card to family and friends. Or make Christmas tree ornaments by cutting out shapes and holiday images.
For wrapping paper, I save and trim off any old tape or ripped sections. This year I used all old paper to wrap gifts. In our family with people as far away as Oregon, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan and Florida, we were happy to pack our Christmas packages with boxes and packing that we reused from previous packages. In our apartment with little space, I do break down the box and store flat in the back of the closet. Sure I need to use extra packing tape that way, but it's better than throwing the entire box out. so much better to use an already existing box. Imagine the energy used to take a cardboard box and turn it into a new one. I'd rather just use the old one.
When I get those pesky Styrofoam packing peanuts I fill up a small plastic bag like one you can get at the veggies aisle at the grocery store. With an old twist tie from a bag of bread, I tie off the bag. These small packs of packing I reuse to fill my boxes and more importantly the recipient doesn't get to open a box with Styrofoam peanuts flying all over the place. If I can't use them, then I donate to a local shipping store.
My thoughts:
1-Reuse wrapping paper. Think twice before crunching up wrapping paper, take a moment and fold and save for next year.
2-Reuse boxes and packing materials. If you can't reuse, find a local shipping store and donate your boxes and packing materials. They are happy to have them.
3-create new creative cards and ornaments form old Holiday cards.
4-Bring your own shopping bags with you to the store to reuse multiple times instead of gathering more waste.
Not bad, all these gifts were wrapped with reused paper!
Happy Solstice,
Cathy NYCSubwayGirl
