Love picnics? Consider re-using disposal items and recycling your what you do not bring back home. Please keep in mind that styrofoam materials and plastic bags are NOT recyclable.
Once you’re on the island, remember to #thinkbeforeyouthrow. Source separation stations are located in multiple places around Governors Island. They include bins for recycling of paper, metal+glass+plastic, and compostables (food waste and service-ware). A landfill-bound bin is provided for items that cannot be recycled.
Your compostable food waste and service-ware will be turned into soil-enriching compost to help rebuild Governors Island soil at our Compost Learning Center.
Together, we can build a healthy, safe and clean environment.
Thank you!
Learn more about #OneNYC and The Department of Sanitation’s 0x30 goals.
Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them.
Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water or air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health.”
– Internationally accepted, peer-reviewed definition adopted by the Zero Waste International Alliance
Definition last updated: 2009
Entry-Level Volunteer Opportunities
Events
Earth Matter supports partner organizations at their events and gives event attendees an opportunity to learn more about composting. Our volunteers are a vital part of these events! By signing up, here’s how you might be involved:
- Source Separation: Set up source separation stations, assist with food scrap collection, and engage with event attendees by giving tips and helping to build awareness and excitement around composting.
- Tabling: Set up tabling areas, hand out literature on “How to Compost”, bring out our animals for compost education demonstrations, and work with attendees on hands-on activities.