UWSR Eco Letter
May/June 2022
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The free UWSR Eco Letter comes from Upper West Side Recycling six times a year. Each Eco Letter lists events taking place during the following two or three months and also includes a Commentary on an environmental topic relevant to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We urge you to 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 [email protected] with any information you may have about upcoming environmental events for our consideration.
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COMMENTARY:
Electric Vehicles

Introduction
 
As part of an effort to combat global warming the Biden administration has set a national goal for half of all new vehicles sold by 2030 to be electric-powered. It has also launched a $5 billion program to help cities and states build out networks of charging stations and promote financial incentives for consumers who buy electric cars.
 
New York City is gradually electrifying its fleet of buses, taxis, and other municipal vehicles, and a high percentage of its buses are already run at least partly on electricity.
 
It should be noted that electric vehicles are most effective in mitigating climate change and air pollution if the electricity comes from renewable sources such as wind, solar or hydro energy.
 
Electric-powered vehicles (EV’s) fall into three general categories:
  • Vehicles powered solely by electricity;
  • Hybrid vehicles, which utilize some form of supplementary gasoline engine; and
  • Vehicles powered by fuel-cells.
 
Some EV’s have range extenders that utilize a very small gasoline engine to charge the battery or power the electric motor so that you’re not left stranded if the EV’s battery loses its charge.  

EVENTS

COVID-19 restrictions continue to affect some 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

  • Sunday, June 5, 2022, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Manhattan SAFE Disposal Event (Registration Required!), West 120th Street between Broadway & Amsterdam Avenue. Info: Register here.

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)

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 of the following sites as been temporarily suspended. Check the Grow NYC website for current status.
77th/79th Street Greenmarket [79th & Columbus Avenue], 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Sundays; 97th Street Greenmarket [97th & Columbus Avenue], 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Fridays; Columbia University Greenmarket [Broadway between 115th-116th Streets], 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Thursdays and Sundays

Textiles are also accepted in Inwood and other Manhattan locations; check Grow NYC website for hours. For information: Grow NYC, (212) 788-7964. Events occur as scheduled, rain or shine.

The Morningside Park Down-to-Earth Farmers Market (110th & Manhattan Avenue), accepts textiles from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Saturdays. Info: Down to Earth.
 
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)

  • Saturday, April 30, 2022, 10 a.m.-2:00 p.m., National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Info: US DEA Diversion Control Division
  • Monday, May 2 - Sunday, May 8, 2022, Circular City Week New York, various events on how circular practices like reuse/recycling/upcycling transform urban industries and city as a whole. Info: Circular City Week New York
  • Monday, May 2, 2022, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Switching to Reusable Products in Large Foodservice Operations (Online). Info: Register here 
  • Monday, May 2, 2022, 6 p.m., Circular Economy for Food in NYC: Working Together to Tackle Food Waste, Project Farmhouse, 76 East 13th Street. Info: Circular City Week New York 
  • Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m., Virtual Sims Municipal Recycling Tour. Info: Circular City Week New York
  • Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Tour of Cooper Recycling Facility, 123 Varick Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. Info: Circular City Week New York
  • Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., NYCHA's Mattress Recycling Program (online). Info: Register here 
  • Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., Tour of FABSCRAP Warehouse (textile recyclers), Brooklyn Army Terminal, 140 58th Street, Building B, Unit 5H-4, Brooklyn. Info: Circular City Week New York
  • Thursday, May 5, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., The Future of Textiles Circularity, Nordic Circular Space, SAP Experience Center, 10 Hudson Yards. Info: Register here  
  • Thursday, May 5, 2022, 2:00 p.m., Doing the SWMP: Planning for Zero Waste in Major Cities, NYU Stern School of Business, 4 West 4th Street. Info: Circular City Week New York
  • Thursday, May 5, 2022, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Zero Waste Dining in NYC - A Celebration!, SCEN, 1165 Broadway. Info: Circular City Week New York
  • Friday, May 6, 2022. 10:30 am, Circular Economy: Biodegradable Compostable Sanitary Products (online). Info: Circular City Week New York
  • Saturday, May 7, 2022, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., 11th Annual Riverkeeper Sweep, Riverside Park - 100th Street (Cherry Walk) & 148th Street Shoreline. Info: 212-870-3070, Riverside Park Conservancy 
  • Saturday, May 7, 2022, 11:00 a.m., Circular Economy Manufacturing Solar Powered MicroFactory Tour (Plastics recycling, Online). Info: Register here  
  • Friday, May 20, 2022, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Schneps Media & AARP Paper Shredding Event, 163 West 125th Street, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Plaza. Info: Schneps Media; AARP 
  • Saturday, May 21, 2022, 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Free and Safe Community Paper Shred Event, 122 LaSalle Street (SW corner Broadway & LaSalle); sponsored by State Assembly Member Danny O'Donnell, State Senator Robert Jackson and Council Member Shaun Abreu. Info: [email protected]; 212.866.3970
  • Sunday, June 5, 2022, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Manhattan SAFE Disposal Event (Registration Required!), West 120th Street between Broadway & Amsterdam Avenue. Info: Register here 
  • Monday, June 13, 2022, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., Plastic Free Waters Partnership Meeting: Global Problems, Local Solutions, The New School, 65 West 11th Street. Info: Plastic Free Waters 
  • mid-June 2022, Paper Shredding event; date and location to be determined; sponsored by Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal. Info: [email protected]; 212.873.6368
  • 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 now). Info: Manhattan SWAB

Year-round Greenmarkets in Upper Manhattan that accept food waste include locations at: 79th Street Greenmarket [77th Street betw. Columbus Avenue and Central Park West]; East 96th Street Food Scrap Drop-off, East 96th Street and Lexington Avenue; 97th Street Greenmarket [West 97th & Columbus Avenue]; Columbia University Greenmarket [West 116th Street and Broadway]; Inwood Greenmarket, Isham Street and Seaman Avenue (north corner); William B. Washington Memorial Garden, 321 West 126th Street (see Grow NYC for status and hours or our Hard-to-Recycle List for more information and other locations).
Climate Change & Energy

  • Tuesday May 3, 2022, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., The Global Launch of electric.nyc - A Carbon-Free New York, SAP Experience Center, 10 Hudson Yards. Info: Register here 
  • Wednesdays, May 11 & 25, June 8 & 22, July 6 & 20, 2022, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Our Warming Planet: Bi-weekly Seminar Series (Online). Info: The Earth Institute, (212) 854-3830
  • Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 10:00 a.m.-11 a.m., Electrifying a NYC Co-Op: 212 West 105th Street ($20). Info: Urban Green, (212) 514-9385
  • Thursdays, May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, 2022, 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 University events (212) 854-3830
  • Wednesday, June 15, 2022, 1:00 p.m.,-5:00 p.m., Electri-fiction to Electrification: Overcoming Barriers, NYU Kimmel Center for University Life, 60 Washington Square South. ($75). Info: Urban Green, (212) 514-9385
  • 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.
  • First and Third Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m., NYC Safe Energy Campaign Meeting, NYU School of Law, Furman Hall, 245 Sullivan Street, Room 245. Info: NYC Safe Energy Campaign
  • 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

  • Saturday, May 7, 2022, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., NY Restoration Project Free Tree Giveaway, Urban Garden Center, 1640 Park Avenue (at East 116th St.). Info: New York Restoration Project
  • Saturdays, May 7 & 21, June 11 & 25, July 9 & 23, August 6, September 10, October 15, November 12, December 3, 2022, 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m., Hudson River Park Green Team Volunteer Days (location varies). Info: Hudson River Park 
  • Sunday, May 8, 2022, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Compost Giveback, 77th/79th Streets Greenmarket, 77th Street betw. Columbus Ave. and Central Park West (free compost made from food scraps collected in the last year - supplies are limited so come early). Info: GrowNYC. See also GrowNYC Compost Schedule for location of compost drop-off sites.
  • Saturday, May 14, 2022, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Compost Giveback, Inwood Greenmarket, Seaman Ave. & Isham Street (N corner) (free compost made from food scraps collected in the last year - supplies are limited so come early). Info: GrowNYC. GrowNYC. See also GrowNYC Compost Schedule for location of compost drop-off sites
  • Sunday, May 15, 2022, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Compost Giveback, Columbia Greenmarket, 116th Street & Broadway (free compost made from food scraps collected in the last year - supplies are limited so come early). Info: GrowNYC. See also GrowNYC Compost Schedule for location of compost drop-off sites
  • Sunday, May 15, 2022, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Compost Giveback, Asphalt Green Food Scrap Drop-off, East 91st Street & York Avenue (free compost made from food scraps collected in the last year - supplies are limited so come early). Info: GrowNYC. See also GrowNYC Compost Schedule for location of compost drop-off sites
  • Sundays, May 15, June 19, July 24, August 21, September 11, October 16, 2022, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., Highbridge Forest Crew, Highbridge Park entrance at Amsterdam and 190th Street. Info: NY Restoration Project 
  • Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., GrowNYC School Garden Drop-In Hour (Online). Info: 212-788-7900, Register here
  • Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 6:30 p.m., Wildflowers of New York City with Monica Anzelone (online). Info: NYC H2O; Register here
  • Wednesday, May 18, 2022, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Make New York City Greener (stewardship and volunteering opportunities within NYC Parks, Virtual Webinar). Info: (212) 360-1399, City Parks Foundation
  • Wednesday, May 25 & Sunday, June 19, 2022, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Highbridge Park Plant Identification & Management Workshop, Highbridge Recreation Center, 2301 Amsterdam Avenue, Info: Natural Areas Conservancy, 212-360-3356
  • Saturday, May 28, 2022, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Spring Tree ID, Morningside Field House, 123rd Street and Morningside Avenue. Info: (212) 304-2277, NYC Parks 
  • Sunday, May 29, 2022, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Geology: Inwood Rocks!, Morningside Field House, 123rd Street and Morningside Avenue. Info: (212) 304-2277, NYC Parks
  • Tuesday, May 31, 2022, 4:00-5:00 p.m., Envisioning Your Garden (Online). Info: GrowNYC, 212-788-7900, Register here
  • Wednesday, June 1, 2022, 4 -5 pm, A Year in the Life of a Garden (Online). Info: GrowNYC, 212-788-7900,Register here 
  • Thursday, June 2, 2022, 4 -5 pm, Healing in the Garden (Online). Info: GrowNYC, 212-788-7900, Register here
  • Friday, June 3, 2022, 4 -5 pm, Gardens as Community Hubs (Online). Info: GrowNYC, 212-788-7900, Register here
  • 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

  • Sunday, May 1, 2020, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., AM Seawright's Spring Shred-A-Thon, York Avenue between 79th & 80th Streets, NW corner. Info: Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright’s office, 212-288-4607, [email protected]
  • Monday, May 2, 2022, Proposed Cleanup - 430 West 207th Street Site & 495 11th Avenue Site (Manhattan) Comment Deadlines. Info: NYS DEC
  • Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m., A tale of two cities: The decline in child exposure to lead in Paris and New York (online). Info: Columbia University events
  • Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Spring EHJLT: Toxic Products (online). Info: WeAct 
  • Saturday, May 7, 2022, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Birding: Spring Migration, 81st Street and Central Park West, in Central Park. Info: NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers, (212) 360-1444
  • Monday, May 9, 2022, Proposed Cleanup – 408 West 207th Street Site (Manhattan) Comment Deadline. Info: NYS DEC
  • Wednesday, May 11, 2022, 7:00 p.m., Sierra Club NYC Group Sustainability Series, CFS: Unseen and Everywhere - Radiation: Fracking to Chernobyl, Fukushima, Indian Point, Zoom webinar. Info: Register in advance here
  • Fridays, May 13, July 8, September 9, 2022, 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Summer on the Hudson: Birding Walks, 120th Street and Riverside Drive in Riverside Park. Info: NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers, (212) 870-3089
  • Saturday, May 14, 2022, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Summer on the Hudson: Nature Tour - Bird Migration Walk, 116th Street and Riverside Drive in Riverside Park. Info: NYC Parks
  • Saturdays, May 14, May 28, June 11, June 25, July 9, July 23, August 13, August 27, September 10, September 24, 2022, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Summer on the Hudson: Billion Oyster Project Presentation, 125th Street on West Harlem Pier. Info: (212) 870-3089, NYC Parks, [email protected]
  • Sunday, May 15, 2022, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m., Birding: Spring Migration, Seaman Avenue and Isham Street, in Inwood Hill Park. Info: Urban Park Rangers, (212) 360-1444, NYC Parks
  • Wednesday, May 18, 2022, 4:00 p.m.-4:45 p.m., Natural History of the Hudson River (online). Info: Columbia University events 
  • Wednesday, May 25, 2022, 6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m., Summer on the Hudson: Forest Bathing, River Run Playground, 83rd Street and Riverside Drive. Info: NYC Parks
  • Thursday, May 26, 2022, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Lead-Free Kids NY Advocacy Day (online). Info: WeAct, (212) 961-1000, [email protected] 
  • Tuesdays, May 31, June 7, 2022, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Summer on the Hudson: Estuary Explorers, 125th Street on West Harlem Pier. Info: NYC Parks, [email protected], (212) 870-3089
  • Sunday, June 5, 2022, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Manhattan SAFE Disposal Event (Registration Required), West 120th Street between Broadway & Amsterdam Avenue. Info: Register here.
  • Saturday, June 11, 2022, 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Summer on the Hudson: World Fish Migration Day, 172nd Street Beach in Fort Washington Park. Info: NYC Parks, [email protected], (212) 870-3089
  • Saturday, June 25, 2022, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Summer on the Hudson: Fishing Clinic, 125th Street on West Harlem Pier. Info: NYC Parks, [email protected], (212) 870-3089 
  • 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; [email protected]
  • Second Wednesday of each month, CB9 Health & Environment Committee Meeting, 16-18 Old Broadway. Info: (212) 864-6200; [email protected]
  • 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
If this free Eco Letter was forwarded to you and you'd like to be included in our mailing list, click here.
The UWSR Eco Letter is made possible by generous funding from
past and present City Council Members Helen Rosenthal and Gale Brewer, and
NYS Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell.
Jeff Twine & Scottie Twine, Editors
Contact: [email protected]    Web site:  www.uwsr.org
Upper West Side Recycling Center, Inc.