Recycling Awareness Benefit a Great Success!

Thank You! More than 250 people came aboard the Queen of Hearts, a 3-level paddlewheel ship donated for the evening by the Salsberg Group. Apart from the stunning views of the NYC skyline and guests dancing to the jazzy music of “Old Rugged Sauce,” guests had the opportunity to learn first-hand the accomplishments of GrowNYC and its Office of Recycling Outreach and Education and future plans to increase outreach in public housing. In total, GrowNYC raised more than $50,000 towards its recycling initiatives.

“GrowNYC has made great strides in expanding recycling participation” said Steven Salsberg, GrowNYC Vice-Chair and the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. “I am proud to serve an organization which utilizes grassroots efforts and community involvement as catalysts for building a greener New York City.” Edward Skyler, New York City Deputy Mayor for Operations, Honorable Congressman Michael McMahon and Anthony Pratt, CEO of Pratt Industries were honored at the event with handmade light-bulb terrariums made from all salvaged materials by Emelia Hiltner of Materials for the Arts.

GrowNYC has been promoting recycling and waste reduction at NYC public housing buildings in Manhattan through a position created with a one-year grant from the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board. But the funding for this position ends on June 1, 2009. The benefit allows GrowNYC to keep on a Public Housing Recycling Outreach Coordinator position, currently focused on Manhattan Housing stock.

This coordinator can expand outreach to New York City Housing Authority properties in other boroughs and also focus on expanding composting and additional opportunities to collect items that are not included in the curbside recycling program, like textiles and electronics. At Fort Washington Houses, for example, the current Public Housing Coordinator has visited more than 200 apartment units to conduct one-to-one recycling education with building residents. As a result, Fort Washington Houses has increased recycling from a handful of bags per month to 140 bags of paper, metal, glass, and plastics set out for recycling in February 2009. Thanks again for making this event a big success for reycling in New York City!

Click here to view photos of the event!

Pictured Above (left to right): David Hurd, OROE Director; Brian McPheeley, COO of Pratt Industries; Edward Skyler, New York City Deputy Mayor for Operations; Carmen Cognetta, Counselor to Congressmember Michael E. McMahon; Marcel Van Ooyen, Executive Director of GrowNYC.

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