To date, the Recycling Day event has brought in 71 tons of electronics and 25 tons of paper.
Photo by Hannah Ednie
De-cluttering a home went from a chore to a way to go green and bring awareness and action to the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” on Sunday at the bi-annual Recycling Day in Forest Park.
Since 2009, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) and Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven) have organized the recycling event twice a year for constituents and donators to recycle unwanted electronics, paper and household items in an effort to encourage their districts to become more environmentally friendly.
To date, the event has recycled 71 tons of electronics and 25 tons of paper.
“It’s amazing,” said Addabbo of the turnout for the eco-friendly event. “It certainly has grown as people get more aware of the environment and recycling.”
Cars lined up to the entrance of the parking lot where the trucks were piling up with recyclable materials contributed by the community. Addabbo aided in instructing cars and citizens where to drop off their paper, old clothes and other used items.
“It’s a great turn out and I’m happy that everyone is participating,” said Maggie Hayes, Addabbo’s press secretary.
Trucks from organizations including Secure Shred, Salvation Army and PK Metals filled up quickly with used recyclable materials in the bandshell parking lot. Staff members helped to recycle the papers by putting them through large shredders, which were also assembled in the lot.
“I don’t complain when things fill up,” said Linda Fogal, who helped pile and pack household items into the Salvation Army truck.
Unexpected house hold items, such as eye glasses and American flags, are now being accepted as recyclable materials at the event. Addabbo and Miller encouraged the community to bring these items as a way to rid homes and streets of trash.
While the senator wanted to include the proper and safe recycling of liquids and prescription drugs as a way to broaden the development of the event, he expressed it was “problematic,” due to police restrictions on such items.
“The city makes it hard to recycle electronics,” said Addabbo, which in part sparked the need for the Recycling Day.
“This event allows us to bring light to the importance of recycling and its benefits to the environment including, preserving natural resources for future generations,” Miller said.
By Hannah Ednie
