PARTICIPATE/TRAINING PROGRAM

Zero Waste Island Internship (Ages 18 to ∞)

Earth Matter NY is composting more than ever as we are ensuring Governors Island is a Zero Waste Island! Each year we have a Zero Waste Island team which involves training and preparing individuals to enter the green job sector with knowledge of zero waste, waste management, environmental sustainability, and more.

Program Description

Zero Waste Island is a collaboration between Earth Matter NY and the Trust for Governors Island to create a plan to increase waste diversion with the goal of zero waste. As a Zero Waste Island (ZWI) intern, you’re a key player. You’ll work under the Zero Waste Island Manager and the Zero Waste Island Coordinator on a team of 5 interns to implement this plan. The experience provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable waste management practices and a chance to work in a real world setting with diverse partners toward a shared vision.

Responsibilities

The ZWI internship consists of many activities. Each week some are the same and others switch off. But between sorting, maintaining composting devices, engaging with volunteers, connecting with vendors, and working at zero waste events, you’ll be doing something fun and building your know-how in the field:

Organics Processing — As part of our mission, Earth Matter processes all organics generated on Governors Island. This requires sorting out contamination from the organics and tracking metrics.
Events — Governors Island is home to many events. You will help to make these zero waste events by setting up recycling stations, collecting the organics and educating event-goers about it all.
Making Compost — We wouldn’t be Earth Matter if we didn’t teach you about compost. You’ll get familiar with several backyard composting devices as well as take part in building our commercial scale compost piles.
Compostability Experiments — Take part in experimenting with compostable products to determine how well it can break down in different composting systems.
Waste Audits — In order to report on success, we routinely conduct waste audits. We rely on the ZWI team to develop appropriate waste audit metrics and methodologies, run the audits, and report findings.
Vendor Relations Management — In order to help vendors comply with the Zero Waste Island Initiative, we regularly check in to troubleshoot or provide recommendations. You will have the chance to take initiative to address issues with noncompliance and dialogue with the ZWI team and vendors to identify solutions. In addition, you will assist in managing and delivering products from our Compostable Serviceware Supply and Soil Start Farm to vendors.
Education — As part of your internship, you will be trained to educate the public on sustainable waste management and composting practices.

Cohort 2 Application opens June 2026

Zero Waste Island Team

2025 Cohort II

Andrea Lieske

2025 Zero Waste Island Manager

Samantha Normandia

2025 Zero Waste Island Coordinator and Educator

Sandra Watanabe

2025 Reuse Project and Lavender Field Coordinator

Asia Pittman

2025 Zero Waste Island Intern

Dany Nelson

2025 Zero Waste Island Intern

Antonio Meza

2025 Zero Waste Island Intern

Emma Grace Crumbley

2025 Zero Waste Island Intern

Jess Schreer

2025 Zero Waste Island Intern

Natalie McGovern

2025 Zero Waste Island Intern

Vera Mak

2025 Zero Waste Island Intern

Patrick Mathieu

2025 Zero Waste Island Intern

Sacesha Bennett

2025 Zero Waste Island Intern

Justyna Maksimiuk

2025 Zero Waste Island Intern

Mary O’Leary

2025 Zero Waste Island Intern