With Earth Day around the corner, Queens politicians and community groups are asking residents to think sustainability.
On April 30, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, the Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together (COMET) and Maspeth Federal Savings Bank will host the Honor Earth Day event.
Honor Earth Day, a recycling fair, will offer electronics recycling through e-Green Management, an environmentally friendly way to dispose of sensitive documents and clothing and textile donations to Wearable Clothing Collections.
“As Americans, we represent five percent of the world’s population and consume more than twenty percent of the world’s energy and produce thirty percent of the world’s pollution,” said Crowley. “I strongly encourage Queens’ residents to take advantage of this upcoming recycling fair as you will find ways to reduce your garbage, give back to your local community and, in the process, save money.”
Representatives from the NYPD will also be on hand to help residents protect their vehicles from theft by providing free VIN-etching.
According to NYPD records, car thefts are up down this year compared to the same period in 2010. VIN-etching—replicating the vehicle identification number to aid in identification—is one way to aid in the arrest of car thieves.
The recycling fair will be held in the Maspeth Federal Savings Parking Lot at 56-05 69th Street in Maspeth.
Also on April 30, the DEA is hosting another National Perscription Drug Take Back Day, where residents can turn in their unused prescriptions. The first Drug Take Back Day received more than 242,000 pounds of returned prescriptions from all 50 states, which DEA Acting Administratot Michele M. Leonhart believes will help curb abuse.
“Thanks to our state and local law enforcement and community partners—and the public—we not only removed these dangerous drugs from our homes, but also educated countless thousands of concerned citizens about the dangers of drug abuse,” Leonhart said.
Medications can be turned in at the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills, at 68-40 Austin Street, or at the Forest Hills Hospital Lobby, at 102-01 66th Road.
The Woodhaven Resident’s Block Association and Assemblyman Mike Miller are looking to make an impact on the environment in another way—through beautification. On April 30, the WRBA and Miller are taking to the streets of Woodhaven to clean up graffiti. The details are still in the works, but volunteers can sign up by contacting the WRBA office.
On May 1, in Woodhaven, Senator Joseph Addabbo will be hosting his own recycling day at the George Seuffer Sr. Bandshell Parking Lot in Forest Park, near the Forest Park carousel.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. residents can turn in old electronic equipment such as computers, monitors, televisions, cell phones, cameras and power strips. Nearly all electronic items are accepted with the exception of appliances.
Addabbo’s recycling day, like Crowley’s, will also include clothing and textile recycling, including carpet, as well as document shredding.
All documents will be shredded with the residents present, then recycled. Electronics will be broken down and batteries, mercury switches, toxic capacitors, florescent lamps and leaded glass will be removed. All materials will be disposed of with environmentally sound methods.
The recycling events will take place rain or shine.
By David Harvey
