UWSR Eco Letter

July/August 2023

This free UWSR Eco Letter comes from Upper West Side Recycling six times a year. Here you'll find out about environmental events taking place during the next two or three months, along with a Commentary on an environmental topic relevant to Manhattan's Upper West Side. 

Please distribute this important information to appropriate people in your network and refer them to our website (www.uwsr.org).

Make sure to open and save a copy of our Hard-to-Recycle List for more information on how to recycle a wide variety of items, as well as our list of Environmental Organizations.

Please email us at info@uwsr.org with any information you may have about upcoming environmental events for our consideration.

COMMENTARY:

Summer 2023 Updates

RECYCLING / WASTE REDUCTION

Clothing and Other Textiles

• Recycle Clothing and Other Textiles, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at both 106th Street & Amsterdam Avenue and 991 Amsterdam Avenue (in front of the Columbus Amsterdam BID office). Info: info@columbusamsterdambid.org; 212-666-9774 (Accepts textiles and clothing in poor condition as well as those that are wearable or useable)
• Green Tree Textiles, at Morningside Park Down to Earth Farmers Market, 110th Street and Manhattan Avenue; Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., mid-April to mid-December (Accepts textiles and clothing in poor condition as well as those that are wearable or useable)
• popupswapX; Free events on the Upper West Side (Accepts clean and useable items, including clothing and textile scraps; no furniture or large items; anything that has not been taken by the end of the day is either rehomed, repurposed, or recycled) 

Electronics

• Extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws for computers and other electronic equipment, rechargeable batteries, and mercury thermostats. Info: Department of Environmental Conservation

Medications

• Duane Reade and CVS Pharmacies have large containers for the safe disposal of medications (pills, capsules, salves, etc.); no sharps

Paper Shredding in Manhattan

• AARP Paper Shredding; AARP NY sponsors free shred events. Info: AARP NY
• Paper shredding events on the Upper West Side: Assemblymembers Daniel O’Donnell (212) 866-3970; Linda Rosenthal (212) 873-6368; and Councilmember Gale Brewer (212)-873-0282 periodically sponsor paper shredding events. Call them for more information.
• Paper shredding events on the Upper East Side. Info: This Week at the Markets
• Time Shred Services, (800) 989-8463, (718) 875-1229
• UPS, 2218 Broadway (78th-79th Streets), (212) 712-2611; 2585 Broadway (97th-98th Streets), (212) 222-1202; charge per pound; use Iron Mountain services
• ShredFest; yearly paper shredding events in each borough

Plastic Reduction and Reuse

• Manhattan Express Shipping, 459 Columbus Avenue (between 81st and 82nd Streets); (646) 368-1283; info@ManhattanExpressShipping.com. (Accepts Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap) 
• Silver Moon Bakery: get a discount when you bring your own drink container (you can also buy a mug from them) or bring your own container when purchasing their baked goods; 2740 Broadway @ 105th Street, (212) 866-4717

DSNY Special Waste Drop-Off Sites and Events

Open Saturdays and the last Friday of every month, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: 

• Bronx: Hunts Point at Farragut Street and the East River, next to the Fulton Fish Market. Enter on Farragut Street, off Food Center Drive. 
• Manhattan: 74 Pike Slip, between Cherry Street & South Street under the Manhattan Bridge. 

DSNY also holds Spring and Fall SAFE Disposal Events. Info: DSNY. 

In addition to electronics, goods accepted at both scheduled events and drop-off sites include solvents, automotive flammables, pharmaceuticals and sharps, and ionization-type smoke detectors. Info: DSNY

Legislation

• S237B. Bigger, Better Bottle Bill would add wine, liquor, distilled spirit coolers, and cider and wine products to the definition of "beverage"; would provide that the handling fee will be six cents for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator (store), and that the deposit and redemption amount would be ten cents (in committee).
• S4246. Packaging Reduction Act would require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan (in committee).
• A 9279-A establishes a Carpet Collection Program creates a carpet stewardship advisory board; imposes penalties for violations (signed by Governor).
• Int 0559 (NYC) Skip the Stuff Bill restricts use of eating utensils and extra eating containers (signed by Mayor).
• Int 0274-2022 would establish a goal of zero divertible waste for New York City by 2030 (awaiting Mayor’s signature).
• Int 0275-2022 would establish a goal of zero waste by increasing waste diversion from landfill or incineration (awaiting Mayor’s signature).
• Int 0280-2022 would mandate that the Department of Sanitation establish and operate at least two community recycling centers and one community recycling event in each community district and develop an outreach and education program for these (awaiting Mayor’s signature).

ORGANIC WASTE / COMPOSTING

• NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has placed Smart Compost Bins between West 59th Street and West 92nd Street and will soon be siting additional bins further north. Materials accepted include all food scraps, plant waste, food-soiled paper, meat, bones, dairy, prepared foods. Bins are locked and can only be opened using DSNY's NYC Smart Compost App. Click here to download the app and access a map of locations.
• Food-Scrap Composting is now available at most GrowNYC Greenmarkets. A new West Side site is at the Abyssinian Tot Lot, 130 West 139th Street, open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Info: GrowNYC

Legislation

• Int 0244-2022 would mandate universal residential composting by October 2024 for nearly every building in New York City (awaiting Mayor’s signature).
• Int 0281-2022 would, by April 1, 2024, establish and operate no less than 30 organic-waste drop-off sites citywide, with no less than three such sites in each borough (awaiting Mayor’s signature).

URBAN GREENING

• Riverside Park Conservancy’s Compost Compound at West 95th Street will turn leaves, clippings and other plant matter into nutrient-rich compost. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, (212) 870-3070

Legislation

• Int 0102-2022 would require the city Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to post an online map of green roofs (in committee).
• Int 1065 would create an Urban Forest Master Plan (in committee).
• Int 1066 would require the office of long-term planning and sustainability to consider the role of trees, tree canopy, and vegetation in its long-term sustainability planning (sponsored by Gale Brewer, in committee).

CLIMATE CHANGE / ENERGY 

• A 1.2 megawatt (MW) solar energy project across 40 New York City Housing Authority rooftops was announced as the national winner of a U.S. Department of Energy program to make solar power affordable to renters in public housing. The project was developed by Solar One in collaboration with We Act for Environmental Justice, the Brooklyn Movement Center, and Con Edison

Legislation

• S562A, A920 would enact the All-Electric Building Act, which provides that the state energy conservation construction code shall prohibit infrastructure, building systems, or equipment used for the combustion of fossil fuels in new construction (in committee).
• S2016A/A4592A NY Heat Act would remove the subsidy for “free” new connections to buildings within 100 feet of an existing gas pipeline (passed Senate).
• S3389 Stop Climate Polluters’ Handouts Act would end $330 million of the worst handouts to oil and gas companies (in committee). 
• A1466D. New York State Build Public Renewables Act would require the New York power authority to provide only renewable energy and power to customers (in committee).
• A3351 would establish the climate change adaptation cost recovery program and the climate change adaptation fund (in committee). 
• S5360B would establish the office of equity for energy and climate to support local and communally developed climate projects to support disadvantaged communities (in committee).
• A 7389-C establishes a moratorium on cryptocurrency mining operations (which are very energy intensive) that use proof-of-work authentication methods to validate blockchain transactions; provides that such operations shall be subject to a full generic environmental impact statement review (signed by Governor).
• Int 0150-2022 would require that 40% of all parking spaces in existing garages and open lots be capable of supporting electric vehicle charging stations by 2030 (in committee).
• Int 0752-2022 prohibits the sale of lithium-ion batteries assembled or reconditioned using cells removed from used batteries (sponsored by Gale Brewer, signed by Mayor).

MISCELLANEOUS

Legislation

• A 2103-D regulates equitable siting of environmental facilities and requires environmental impact statements to state whether the siting of a facility will cause or increase a disproportionate burden on disadvantaged communities (signed by Governor).
• S6291A prohibits the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in apparel (signed by Governor). 
• A 7429-A, S699, The Birds and Bees Protection Act, would prohibit the sale of certain pesticides (such as neonicotinoids) or use of seeds coated with such pesticides (passed the NY State Assembly).
• S5512/A6115, The Lead Pipe Right to Know Act, would require a comprehensive inventory of lead service lines and will make that data available (passed Senate and Assembly).
• S5648A/A3556A. PFAS in Everyday Items, would phase out these toxic chemicals in cookware, cleaning products, fabric treatments, rugs, ski wax, paint, and household textiles (in committee).
• Int 0533-2022 would require the NYC DEP to report on its progress toward decreasing the presence of sewage and stormwater contaminants in the city waterways and various strategies to achieve those goals (in committee).
• Int 0606-2022 would restrict idling to one minute for motor vehicles adjacent to and within certain parks (city charter rule adopted).

You can access an ARCHIVE OF PAST COMMENTARIES here.

This Archive is an excellent resource for research and review of

environmental issues that are part of our daily lives.

EVENTS

You can assume an event is online if no location is listed. For ongoing events, please check first with the sponsoring organization for their status.

Sometimes we're notified of events after we send you the current bi-monthly issue. Be sure to check here on our website to see any updates.

Electronic & Textile Recycling

(See also our Hard-to-Recycle List)

REMINDER: According to New York State recycling laws it is illegal to put any electronic waste into your trash. Residential buildings will be fined for violations of this law.

Free Electronics Recycling Events

Lower East Side Ecology; (212) 477-4022.  Hosts E-Waste recycling events during the year throughout Manhattan. Events occur as scheduled, rain or shine.  

Accepted (unless otherwise noted): Computers and peripherals (monitors, printers, faxes/scanners, keyboards, mice, wires, etc.); TVs; stereo and A/V equipment, VCRs, DVD players; cell and wall phones.

Not Accepted: Microwaves, small appliances, refrigerators, air conditioners, smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. If you're not sure about a given item, check with Lower East Side Ecology before you bring it; (212) 477-4022.

Ongoing: Functioning cell phones and chargers can be donated to the Office of Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, 245 West 104th Street. Info: (212) 866-3970

Free Textile Recycling Events

(See also our Hard-to-Recycle List)

• Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Recycle Clothing and Other Textiles at both 106th Street & Amsterdam and 991 Amsterdam (in front of the Columbus Amsterdam Bid Office). Info: info@columbusamsterdambid.org; 212-666-9774
• Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., recycle textiles, Morningside Park Down-to-Earth Farmers Market, 110th Street & Manhattan Avenue. Info: Down to Earth.

Wearable Collections will pick up from your building (for more details see our Hard-to-Recycle List).

Accepted by Wearable Collections: Clean textiles, including clothing and shoes, handbags, blankets, sheets, curtains, towels, etc.

Not Accepted: Scraps, pillows, comforters, luggage or carpeting.

Collection of textiles at some greenmarket sites as been temporarily suspended. Check the Grow NYC website for current status.

Currently open:

• 77th/79th Street Greenmarket [79th & Columbus Avenue], 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Sundays
• Columbia University Greenmarket [Broadway between 115th-116th Streets], 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Thursdays and Sundays

Check the Grow NYC website for an up-to-date list of locations and hours for locations to recycle textiles. For information: Grow NYC, (212) 788-7964. Events occur as scheduled, rain or shine.

Also, United War Veterans Council, Salvation Army, and Goodwill will pick up from residential buildings. So will re-fashion NYC (new enrollments are on hold, but you may now submit an application). See the Textiles Section of our Hard-to-Recycle List for more specific information.

Other Recycling/Solid Waste 

(See also our Hard-to-Recycle List)

• July or August 2023. Paper Shredding Event. For date and location contact Danny O’Donnell’s office, odonnelld@nyassembly.gov, 212-866-3970
• Tuesdays, July & August 2023, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Compost Drop-Off, Southeast corner of 10th Avenue and 43rd Street. Info: Lower East Side Ecology, 212-477-4022
• Sunday, July 23, 2023, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., No Cost Community Shredding (paper), First Avenue & 68th Street. Info: Rebecca Seawright’s Office, seawrightr@nyassembly.gov, (212) 288-4607
• Saturday, September 30, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Composting Tour, 96th Street Tennis Courts, Hudson River Greenway. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy
• Saturday, October 14, 2023, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., No Cost Community Shredding (paper), First Avenue & 92nd Street. Info: Rebecca Seawright’s Office, seawrightr@nyassembly.gov, (212) 288-4607
• Second Wednesday of each month (except July & August), 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., (location varies), Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board Meeting (Online). Info: Manhattan SWAB

Year-round Greenmarkets and scrap drop-off locations in Upper Manhattan that accept food waste include locations at: Tucker Square Greenmarket [66th Street and Columbus Avenue]; 79th Street Greenmarket [77th Street betw. Columbus Avenue and Central Park West]; 97th Street Greenmarket [West 97th & Amsterdam Avenue]; Columbia University Greenmarket [West 116th Street and Broadway]; St. Mary's Harlem Food Scrap Drop-off, 521 West 126th Street; 181st Street and Fort Washington Avenue; Inwood Greenmarket, Isham Street and Seaman Avenue (north corner). (See Grow NYC for status and hours or our Hard-to-Recycle List for more information and other locations).

Climate Change & Energy

• Saturday, July 8, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Climate Ready Uptown Plan: Hamilton Heights Emergency Preparedness Workshop, Hamilton Grange Public Library, 503 West 145th Street (between Amsterdam & Broadway). Info: WeAct, annie@weact.org, 917-484-0168
• Monday, July 10, 2023, 1:00 p.m.-2:15 p.m., Zoning for Decarbonization ($20), Info: Urban Green 
• Thursdays, July 20, August 17; September 21, October 19, November 16 & December 21, 2023, 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Monthly overview of IRI's Global Seasonal Climate Forecasts and ENSO Status and Forecast (Online). Info: Columbia Climate School, (212) 854-3830 
• First Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., 350 NYC Local Solutions Group (via Zoom). Info: 350 NYC, register here.
• Second Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., 350 NYC Transportation Group (via Zoom). Info: 350 NYC, register here.
• Third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., 350 NYC Media Task Force (via Zoom). Info: 350 NYC, register here.
• Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., 350 NYC General Meeting (via Zoom). Info: 350 NYC, register here.
• Fourth Sunday of each month, 1:30 p.m., Climate Change Circles, The Ethical Culture Society, 2 West 64th Street, Room 514. Info: The Ethical Culture Society; (212) 874-5210

Urban Greening

• Summer 2023, 4th Goatham, Riverside Park between 119th and 122nd Streets. Goats will devour poison ivy and other shrubbery; part of a 5-year plan to clear a steep slope of invasives and replant it with native, ecologically desirable species. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, 212-870-3070
• Saturdays, July and August 2023, 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Family Gardening: Seed to Table, Greenhouse and Education Center at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park 679 Riverside Drive. Info: The Horticultural Society of New York, 212-757-0915
• Saturdays, July 8 & 22, August 12 & 26, September 9 & 23, October 14 & 28, November 11 & 25, 2023, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Broadway Beautification Days, Broadway Greeting Garden at the Arden Street/Broadway entrance. Info: Fort Tryon Park Trust, (212) 795-1388, info@forttryonparktrust.org
• Saturday, July 15, 2023, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Shoreline Stewardship, Swindler Cove in Sherman Creek Park just north of PS 5 at 3703 10th Avenue. Info: New York Restoration Project, 212.333.2552
• Saturday, July 15, 2023, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., Wetland Restoration and Shoreline Resilience Tour, Swindler Cove in Sherman Creek Park just north of PS 5 at 3703 10th Avenue. Info: New York Restoration Project, 212.333.2552
• Sundays, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15 & November 19, 2023, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Fort Tryon Park Sunday Stewardship, Heather Garden’s Margaret Corbin Circle entrance. Info: Fort Tryon Park Trust, (212) 795-1388
• Sundays, July 23, August 6, September 10 & October 15, 2023, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Volunteer: Highbridge Forest Crew (registration required), 190th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Info: New York Restoration Project, 212.333.2552
• Saturday, July 29, 2023, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Inwood Hill Park Forest Restoration, Dyckman & Henshaw Streets (registration is required). Info: NYC Parks, stewardship@parks.nyc.gov
• Saturday, August 5, 2023, 10 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Soil Health and Compost Basics (part 2 of 2), Rodale Pleasant Park Community Garden, 437 East 114th Street. Info: NYC Parks, greenthumbinfo@parks.nyc.gov
• Saturdays, August 12, September 23 & October 7, 2023, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Volunteer: Sherman Creek Stewards, 3703 10th Avenue. Info: New York Restoration Project 
• First Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., CB9 Landmarks Preservation & Parks Committee Meeting [via Zoom]. Info: CB9, (212) 864-6200
• Third Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., New York City Community Garden Coalition Monthly Meeting, Neighborhood Preservation Center, 232 East 11th Street. Info: NYC Community Garden Coalition, (212) 228-2781

Environmental - Miscellaneous

• CVS and Duane Reade Pharmacies: Safe disposal of unused medications; drop your unwanted, unused or expired medications in their medication disposal kiosk; no sharps.
• Saturday, July 1, 2023, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Northern Manhattan Parks Super Hike, 218th Street and Indian Road in Inwood Hill Park. Info: NYC Parks, (212) 304-2277
• Saturdays, July 8 & 22, August 12 & 26, September 9 & 23, 2023, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Billion Oyster Project Presentation, West 125 Street Pier. Info: NYC Parks, Summeronthehudson@gmail.com, (212) 870-3089  
• Fridays, July 14, August 11, & September 8, 2023, 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Birding Tours, 120th Street and Riverside Drive. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, (212) 870-3089
• Saturday, July 15, 2023, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Birdwatching Tour, Swindler Cove in Sherman Creek Park just north of PS 5 at 3703 10th Avenue. Info: New York Restoration Project, 212.333.2552
• Saturday, July 15, 2023, City of Water Day (various events in the different boroughs). Info: City of Water Day
• Sunday, July 23, 2023, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Geology: Highbridge Rocks, 165th Street and Edgecombe Avenue in Highbridge Park. Info: NYC Parks, 212-304-2277 
• Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.; Thursday, July 27, 2023, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.; & Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., DEC Free Fishing Clinics, Harlem Meer, Central Park, 55 West 110th Street. Info: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, (718) 482-4022
• Saturdays, July 29, August 26, September 30, October 28 & November 25, 2023, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Riverside Park Birding Club, 108th Street & Riverside Drive. Info: Riverside Park Conservancy, Summeronthehudson@gmail.com, (212) 870-3089
• Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. & Thursday, August 17, 2023, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., DEC Free Fishing Clinics, Pier 1, West 70th Street, in Riverside Park South. Info: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, (718) 482-4022
• Third Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m., CB 7 Parks & Environment Committee Meeting, 250 West 87th Street, 2nd floor. Info: (212) 362-4008; office@cb7.org
• Second Wednesday of each month, CB9 Health & Environment Committee Meeting, 16-18 Old Broadway. Info: (212) 864-6200; info@cb9m.org
• Third Thursday of each month, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Food and Water Watch Meeting (via Zoom). Info: Food and Water Watch, (347) 778-2743; Ethical Cultural Society, (212) 874-5210
• Fourth Sunday of each month, 1:15 p.m., Environmental Stewardship Committee (via Zoom). Info: Ethical Cultural Society, (212) 874-5210