I recall a few years back when recycling in my Brooklyn neighborhood was suspended. A travesty of waste. But, recycling is back as Brooklyn residents do their part to recycle bottles, cans and paper and in turn help our immediate environment.
Are we in…France? Canvas shopping bags, the bain of the European market troller, are now seen slung on the arms of the most savvy Brooklyn shoppers at Fairway, Trader Joe’s or the neighborhood farmer’s market. Being eco-concious is not just for the gourmand: Humble Key Food has plastic bag recycling canisiters in front of every store, now, due in large part to Mayor Bloomberg signing the NYC plastic bag recycling bill. Canvas sacks are sold inside. Saahadi’s on Atalantic was quick to follow suit with the eco-fine bags, then D’Amicos Coffee on Court Street.
Health food stores like NY Naturals in Prospect Heights carry a variety of eco-friendly products and most of the other uber markets like Union Market have aisles dedicated to eco friendly product like Ecover and Seventh Generation. One of my personal favorites is the tiny 3r LIVING on 5th Avenue near Garfield Place that sells farm made natural soaps as well recycled onion sack cell phone cases and doormats made of recycled flip flops just to name a bit of their eco goodness.
Remodeling that ugly bathroom? Why not skip the Home Depot madness and re-use contractor cast-offs from Build It Green (as recently discussed on Brooklynian), or The Green Depot. Inside the Build It Green facility is Film Biz Recycling, the premier source for cast-offs from TV and film shoots produced in Brooklyn and New York City. Sinks, chairs, cabinets, bath tubs. Build It Green, Green Depot and Film Biz Recycling can can get you on your way to an eco friendly lifestyle all while saving a buck or two.
With all these options, it’s a shame more people don’t take advantage of them. Or even care what happens to their plastic bottle of POM. I am constantly sorting my neighbors trash and the offenders on my block alone are plenty! I’m from Northern California and recycling has always been part of my lexicon. I don’t see it as something hard to do. Should be second nature and calling 311 to report garbage complaints doesn’t always solve the problems.
For more information on recycling glass, paper, Christmas trees and leaves in your neighborhood see the New York City Dept of Sanitation website.