UWSR Eco Letter
March/April 2021
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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 info@uwsr.org with any information you may have about upcoming environmental events for our consideration.
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COMMENTARY:
Oysters and Honeybees

Oysters and honey may seem like an odd combination, but the two are actually often eaten together (yes, we googled it and found many recipes). Both have been and are still grown or raised locally, and – most significantly – the culturing of each has its own significant environmental benefits.

When the Dutch first landed here in 1620, they found that the bottoms of the Hudson River, New York Harbor and surrounding salt-water areas were lined with a vast number of oysters. They were already being used by the native Lenape people for food, money and knives, and oysters became a favorite food of the Dutch and English settlers. By the late 1800’s, however, overharvesting and pollution had reduced their numbers drastically.

In contrast, the Lenapes had never seen honeybees (there were many species of bees here, but they didn’t make honey). Honeybees are a Eurasian species, and European settlers brought them to Virginia in the early 1600s, from where the bees gradually spread throughout the Northeast. Fast forwarding to recent decades, there’s been a revival of interest in raising honeybees within New York City itself. 
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EVENTS

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, almost all events are currently online; you can assume that’s the case if no location is listed.
For ongoing events, please check their status first with the sponsoring organization.

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.

  • Saturday, March 6, 2021, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Inwood Hill Park (entrance at Seaman Avenue and Isham Street). Info: 212-477-4022, Lower East Side Ecology

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 the following sites has been temporarily suspended. Check the Grow NYC website in late Spring 2021 for status.
Textiles are accepted at the 79th Street Greenmarket [79th & Columbus Avenue], 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Sundays; at the 97th Street Greenmarket [97th & Columbus Avenue], 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Fridays; and at Columbia University Greenmarket [Broadway between 115th-116th Streets], 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Thursdays and Sundays; 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)

  • Monday, March 22, through Sunday, March 28, 2021, Circular City Week (various events). Info: Circular City Week
  • Wednesday, March 31, 2021, 1:00 p.m.-3 p.m., Environmental Leadership Classes for Seniors: Zero Waste in Your Building. Info: New York City Greenmakers, greenmakers.nyc@outlook.com, 347-562-8708 
  • Wednesday, March 31, 2021, 1:00 p.m.-3 p.m., Environmental Leadership Classes for Seniors: Food Waste. Info: New York City Greenmakers, greenmakers.nyc@outlook.com, 347-562-8708 
  • Saturday, April 24, 2021, 10:00 a.m.-2 p.m., National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Info: DEA Diversion Control Division (various locations; check back with their website later)
  • Second Wednesday of each month (except July & August), 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., (location varies), Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board Meeting (now online). Info: Manhattan SWAB

Year-round Greenmarkets in Upper Manhattan that accept food waste include locations at: 66th Street and Columbus Avenue (currently suspended); 79th Street and Columbus Avenue; 82nd Street between First and York Avenues; 97th Street and Columbus Avenue; the east side of Broadway between 115th-116th Streets (currently suspended) (please note the compost collection on Sunday ends two hours earlier than the textile collection at this site; see the Grow NYC website for current hours); 175th Street and Wadsworth Avenue (currently suspended); and Isham Street between Seaman Avenue and Cooper Street (see Grow NYC or our Hard-to-Recycle List for more information and other locations).


Climate Change & Energy

  • Thursday, March 11, 2021, 6:00 p.m.-9 p.m., The Role of Carbon Capture Technologies in the Energy Transition. Info: energypolicyevents@columbia.edu
  • Wednesday, March 17 2021, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Environmental Leadership Classes for Seniors: Global Warming. Info: New York City Greenmakers, greenmakers.nyc@outlook.com, 347-562-8708 
  • Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., History and Climate Change Reading Group. Info: Columbia University Center for Science and Society 
  • Thursday, April 22, 2021, all day, Sound the Call for Climate Change (various speakers). Info: Hazon
  • Thursday, April 22, 2021, Earth Day (various events). Info: Earth Day 2021 
  • Thursday, April 22, through Sunday, May 2, 2021, Climate Reality Leadership Corps Virtual US Training. Info: Climate Reality Leadership Corp; Center for Earth Ethics, info@centerforearthethics.org; 212-280-1425 
  • Fridays, May 21 & June 11, 2021, Billion Oyster Project Research Symposiums (Online). Info. Billion Oyster Project, info@nyharbor.org
  • Second Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., 350 NYC Sustainable Solutions Working Group, Ethical Culture Society, 2 West 64th Street, Room 508. Info: The Ethical Culture Society, (212) 874-5210
  • Third Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., 350 NYC Divestment Working Group, Ethical Culture Society, 2 West 64th Street, Room 508. Info: 350NYC; The Ethical Culture Society, (212) 874-5210.
  • Fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., 350 NYC General Meeting, Ethical Culture Society, 2 West 64th Street, Room 508. Info: 350NYC; The Ethical Culture Society, (212) 874-5210
  • 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

  • Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 12:00 p.m.-1 p.m., (Online), Pruning Grapevines. Info: Green Thumb NYC Parks, greenthumbinfo@parks.nyc.gov  
  • Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 5:00 p.m.-7 p.m. (Online), Rat Academy: Keeping the Garden Rat-Free. Info: Green Thumb NYC Parks, greenthumbinfo@parks.nyc.gov
  • Thursday, March 18, 2021, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (Online). Organizing for Garden Success: Group Structure (Part 1 of 2). Info: Green Thumb NYC Parks, greenthumbinfo@parks.nyc.gov
  • Monday, March 22, 2021, 4:00 p.m., Tour of Harlem Impact Farm - A Vertical Farm and Food Hub (in person tour of a two-story greenhouse). Info: Circular City Week
  • First Wednesday of each month, 6:30 p.m., CB9 Landmarks Preservation & Parks Committee Meeting, Rio II Gallery, 583 Riverside Drive (135th Street), Top Floor. Info: Manhattan 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

  • Monday, March 1, 2021, 1:00 p.m.-2 p.m., Enabling New York’s Economic Transition: The Role of Local Climate Policymaking. Info: Sierra Club NYC  
  • Sunday, March 7, 2021, 1:00 p.m.-2 p.m., Birding: Winter Waterfowl, West 100 Street and Central Park West. Info: NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers, (212) 360-1444 
  • Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 1:00 p.m.-2 p.m., Environmental Leadership Classes for Seniors: Introduction. Info: New York City Greenmakers, greenmakers.nyc@outlook.com, 347-562-8708
  • Thursday, March 11, 2021, 11:30 a.m-12:00 p.m., Environmental Justice for the Public’s Health. Info: 212-305-9737, las2336@cumc.columbia.edu
  • Thursday, March 11, 2021, 4:00 p.m.-7 p.m., Turning Red Tape Green: Making Government Work for Environmental Justice. Info: New York Restoration Project 
  • Sunday, March 14, 2021, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Birding: Raptor Watch, Isham Street and Seaman Avenue. Info: NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers, (212) 304-2277
  • Sunday, March 21, 2021, 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., Central Park Rocks! Geology Hike, 110th Street and Lenox Avenue. Info: NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers, (212) 360-1444  
  • Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Environmental Leadership Classes for Seniors: Marine Pollution. Info: New York City Greenmakers, greenmakers.nyc@outlook.com, 347-562-8708
  • Saturday, March 27, 2021, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Birding: Spring Migrants, Isham Street and Seaman Avenue. Info: NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers, (212) 304-2277 
  • Sunday, March 28, 2021, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Spring Nocturnal Hike, West 100 Street and Central Park West. Info: NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers, (212) 360-1444
  • First Monday of each month (except holidays), 6:30 p.m.-8:45 p.m., NYC Grassroots Alliance Monthly Meeting, Ethical Culture Society, 2 West 64th Street. Info: NYC Grassroots-Alliance; Ethical Cultural Society, (212) 874-5210
  • 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, Social Hall, Ethical Culture Society, 2 West 64th Street. 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, Ethical Culture Society, 2 West 64th Street, Room 508. 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
City Council Member Helen Rosenthal and NYS Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell.
Jeff Twine & Scottie Twine, Editors
Contact: info@uwsr.org    Web site:  www.uwsr.org
Upper West Side Recycling Center, Inc.