April: Earth Month Plastic Challenge

Did you know that the average American discards about 300 pounds of plastic a year and that plastic waste is one of the biggest global environmental issues? That’s why we’re focusing this month on reducing plastic use.

It’s hard to avoid plastic when it seems like everything we buy is packaged in it, but at least we can recycle what we use. Fortunately, the Town of Huntington has curbside pickup of plastic (along with metal and glass). Visit their website linked below to learn more about what types of items can be recycled.

We’re also continuing to collect plastic film, such as bread bags, newspaper sleeves, bubble wrap – items that we encounter almost every day – which will earn us a bench made from recycled plastic. Let’s keep this material out of the waste stream!

Another way to reduce plastic is to stop using single-serve plastic water bottles. Instead, opt for a stainless steel or glass bottle that can be refilled. The library has installed water bottle filling stations, featuring cold, filtered water, so if you’re visiting us, refill your bottle!

We have a program on April 15 to help you jazz up a reusable water bottle with a design printed on the Cricut. Our Take & Make this month also has the goal of reducing plastic. Make some nifty beeswax food wraps and use them instead of plastic bags. Every little bit helps.

 

Sustainable Events

This event is in the "Adults" group.

CommuniTea Chat: Climate Change

7:00pm - 8:30pm
Adults
Registration Required
Library Branch: South Huntington Public Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Science & Nature, Sustainable
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join Citizens Campaign for the Environment to get the “tea” on climate change. Long Island is already experiencing the effects of climate change, from rising temperatures, flooding, extreme weather and much more. CCE wi

This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.

Employment Workshop

6:00pm - 7:30pm
Teens, Adults
Registration Required
Library Branch: South Huntington Public Library
Room: Young Adult Library
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Learning, Sustainable
Registration Required
Event Details:

Meet with a Youth Advancement Counselor from Project Excel and discover where to find employment, how to apply, and  how to prepare for an interview. Current employment opportunities within the town of Huntington will be available.

Disclaimer(s)

Young Adult Programs

If you are more than 5 minutes late for a program and haven't called to hold your spot, we will assume you are not coming and will allow waiting patrons into the program. 

This event is in the "Adults" group.
Registration Required
Library Branch: South Huntington Public Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Food & Cooking, Science & Nature, Sustainable
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join organic gardening expert Renato Stafford for this workshop where you will learn how ingredients start in the soil and end up in a delicious garden pizza.


Reuse

Check out Fair Harbor Clothing’s article “30 Ways to Reuse Plastic” for simple solutions for unimagined ideas such as using 4 oz. yogurt cups to start seedlings, using container lids for furniture casters, or turning jugs into magazine holders.

Be Inspired - Plastic Art


Recycle

The Town of Huntington’s Recycling site offers a quick view of the additional plastic recycling services not supported by the curbside pick-up program which collects plastic resin codes 1-5 and 7.  “Plastic film” including shipping, grocery, bread, dry cleaning and Ziploc bags is recycled through the NexTrex Recycling Initiative and should be dropped off in the designated receptacle at the Town’s Recycle Center, 641 New York Ave., in the Town Hall lobby or the Town’s Senior Center (as well as the South Huntington Library). 

Small appliances and electronics (also containing plastics) should be placed in the scrap metal bin at the Recycling Center.  Follow these links for more information.  Use the third link to view the Town’s recycling calendar (if you’ve lost, misplaced yours or never received one in the mail).


Shop Green

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages consumers to “think green before you shop” by making a conscientious effort to seek out goods made from recycled materials whenever possible.

To that end, TerraCycle has created TerraMade, a small collection of products made from materials they have collected and recycled collaboratively with the public, including compost bins, watering cans and flower pots. 

Shop Green offers personal and household items all of which are crafted by companies whose dedication to sustainability and reducing environmental impacts matches their own.  Their goal is to make shopping for sustainable, environmentally friendly products easier for you.


Support Larger Initiatives & Organizations

According to Clean Hub whose mission is to end plastic pollution for clean oceans, every person generates 500 lbs. of plastic waste each year.  Due to a lack of waste collection, 2 billion of those people dispose of their waste in nature with much of it ending up in our oceans.  Clean Hub has collected over 32 million pounds of discarded plastic.  You can help support the collection of plastic waste in highly polluted coastal regions, households, communities and nature around the world by giving as little as $10 a month.  Then follow the trail of collected plastics through transparent weekly impact updates.


Additional Information

Basel Action Network (BAN), based in Seattle, WA is a charitable organization, considered to be the information clearinghouse on the subject of waste trade, and the world's only organization focused on confronting the global environmental justice and economic inefficiency of toxic trade and its devastating impacts.  BAN is a core member of the Break Free from Plastics Movement.  You can view the map and scope of plastic waste dump sites around the world on their website.

Earth911 maintains the largest recycling database in the nation and it is their belief that humans can successfully reduce their impact by using less, reusing and recycling more.  Check out their podcast and articles for inspiration to create a green lifestyle and reduce your waste output.


 

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