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The popular recycling event returns to Forest Park on Sunday, Sept. 27.
By Forum Staff
Later this month, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) and Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven), in partnership with Community Board 9, will host their bi-annual recycling event in the Forest Park Bandshell parking lot—albeit with some major changes in tow.
This year, due to COVID-19, there will be no electronics recycling at the event. There will still be paper shredding services through USA Shred as well as clothing and household goods donations to the United War Veterans Council.
“Unfortunately with the coronavirus pandemic affecting budget constraints, we cannot bring the e-waste recycling portion of our event to the park this fall,” Addabbo said.
In order to keep everyone safe, NYC Parks Department is requiring all participants to wear masks when in the parking lot, especially when interacting with a volunteer. Those who wish to make donations or shred their documents are also asked to stay in their vehicles as much as possible, for the safety of the staff and volunteers. Please have all items in an easily accessible part of the car, such as the backseat or trunk, to allow a volunteer to safely remove them and bring them to the proper location.
If anyone wishes to exit their car, they must fill out a visitor health screening questionnaire—per Parks Department requirements—inquiring about COVID-19 symptoms or if the participants have been in close contact with someone who has contracted the virus in the previous 14 days. They will also have to provide their name, phone number and email address for contact-tracing purposes, should officials later learn that someone who tested positive for COVID was present at the event.
“Senator Addabbo and I had to postpone our Spring Recycling Event due to COVID-19, however, I am pleased that we can move forward with our Fall Recycling Event,” Miller said. “I would like to thank the NYC Parks Department for working with us to bring this great event to our district, making sure that all involved will be safe. Even though we are unable to accept electronics, our constituents will have an opportunity to dispose their secure documents and donate their household items to the United War Veterans.”
Items that will be accepted are: paper (three boxes maximum of personal, business or medical files), clothing and shoes, small appliances, kitchenware, toys and bikes, jewelry, small furniture, American flags, and eye glasses.
Items that cannot be accepted are: any electronics, cardboard, magazines, file folders, pre-shredded paper, air conditioners, paint, and tires.
“Even though this year we will not have the full complement of services at this event, we hope we can safely provide our constituents with helping them donate their unwanted household goods and shredding their personal documents,” Addabbo added. “I would like to thank the Parks Department for working with us to bring this event to the people, my and Mike Miller’s staff for helping to make this event as safe as possible, and Community Board 9 for their partnership. We look forward to seeing you on Sept. 27.”
The event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 27 at the bandshell parking lot in Forest Park, and run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
