Sustainability Weekly
Fridays are for…
Earth Month, National Parks Week, Composting, Dissolving Plastic, and more!
by Alli DiGiacomo
Happy Friday and Earth Month! Next Tuesday is Earth Day, an annual event started in 1970 with the purpose of not only raising awareness about environmental issues, but also encouraging individuals to take action to protect the planet. Although CTA is going on a Sustainability and Architecture Boat Tour around NYC, it's also a perfect day/week/month to spend as much time outside as possible and appreciate nature. Did you know that 40% of NYC’s land cover is green (landscaped or natural)? Visit NYC Parks for a full list, and this site for all the best Cherry Blossoms.
There are so many inspiring Earth Month events planned around the city, check out an updated list below! And don’t forget to RSVP to our Global Clean Up Trash Walk this Wednesday!
Also happening this upcoming 9 days is National Park Week, from April 19-27! National parks are not only beautiful and important for the environment, but they also provide a space for us to grow, explore, connect, and learn! Check out this article for 24 ways to celebrate National Park Week.
“One of the best things about National Parks is that they belong to everybody” - Barack Obama
Keep reading for sustainability news…
EARTH MONTH EVENTS 2025
🌎April 19, 10:00AM - 3:00PM: The Trust for Governors Island Earth Day Celebration features free activities for all ages, including walking tours, an Island-wide scavenger hunt, seedball workshops, a tree stamping art activity, climate tech demos, DJ sets, community science exhibits, and more.
🌎April 19-20, 9:00AM - 5:00PM P.F. Candle Co. Earth Month “Empty Jar” Drop-Off + Workshop. Through April 20, shoppers can drop off clean, empty P.F. jars at any of their retail locations in exchange for punch card rewards (full card = a free candle). An in-store potting workshop at all three of their retail locations where visitors can stop by, grab a plant, and pot it in a reused candle jar—on the house. It's a free, community activation that highlights reuse in a tangible and engaging way. Location: 63 North 3rd StreetBrooklyn, NY, 11249
🌎April 19, During normal operating hours: Buffalo Exchange $1 Earth Day Sale. A selection of clothing, shoes and accessories for just $1 a piece! CASH ONLY. 100% of proceeds from the sale will benefit American Wild Horse Conservation. All locations.
🌎April 19, 12:00-6:00PM: Root In Peace, a mass funeral for your dead plants to celebrate Earth Day. 1st, get one last portrait taken of you and your departed plant. All pictures will be printed, and you’ll write a eulogy. Overall the mood will be lighthearted, with DJ sets and a barista making coffee on site. At the end, everyone will place their dead plant into a casket-shaped compost vessel and receive the tombstone of life, which is made from biodegradable ground newspaper that contains marigold seeds, that will eventually grow into beautiful marigolds if watered properly (after you hopefully you learn your lesson). RSVP here. Location: 16 Orchard Street
🌎April 20, 10:00Am-5:00PM: Earth Love Eco Bazaar. This market features vendors offering green and eco-conscious products like zero-waste goods, sustainable fashion, and natural beauty items. Thoughtfully designed items will inspire you to live more sustainably and reduce your ecological footprint. Location: Grand Bazaar NYC, 100 West 77th St., NY, NY 10024, (At Columbus Avenue)
🌎April 22, 12:30-4:00PM: Queens County Farm Museum holds Bee-a-Pollinator Service Day—a time to volunteer, play a few games and hear from the farm’s beekeeper. Location: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens, NY 11004
🌎April 22, 9:30AM-12:00PM: Earth Day Tree Planting in Bronx Park: Wear protective clothing and bring water bottle; all planting materials and tools will be provided
🌎April 25, 10:00AM-2:00PM: Join GrowNYC’s Earth Month Extravaganza at Union Square Greenmarket! Connect and get to know their passionate team and learn about regional agriculture, composting, and environmental action. While you’re at it, shop local at the oldest and largest Greenmarket in New York City!
🌎April 26, 10:00 AM - 4:00PM: Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day offers environmental programming by City agencies and community organizations along the routes to promote activism and education surrounding climate change, sustainability and other relevant topics. All ages, free all day.
🌎April 26, 11:00 AM - 3:00PM: Broadway Celebrates Earth Day. Taking place in Times Square’s Pedestrian Plaza, this free outdoor concert will feature live performances from Broadway stars. Presented by the Broadway Green Alliance, Times Square Alliance, and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Location: Times Square’s Pedestrian Plaza
🌎April 26, 12:00-3:00PM: Visit Randall’s Island for the Earth Day Festival, a free, family-friendly event full of activities, live music and art all in the spirit of sustainability. Location: Fields 62/63 & the Urban Farm on Randall’s Island
🌎April 26, 12:30 PM: NYC Breakfast Club x Blue Brown Cafe: Coffee & Walk. A walk to celebrate Earth day for those in their 20’s! Enjoy 10% off your drink at Blue Brown Cafe, freebies, and more! Must RSVP to receive the items. Location: Blue Brown Cafe, 45 Havemeyer Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11211
🌎April 27, 12:00PM - 7:00PM: EARTH LOVE FEST by House of Yes brings together creators, artists, performers, speakers, climate experts, ocean conservationists, sustainable designers, and more to share knowledge, open hearts and inspire action to save our environment. All ages & free. Location: 2 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237, USA
🌎April 29, 4:00-8:00PM: Brooklyn Sustainable Building Resource Fair. Co-sponsored by CM Restler and BK Borough President Reynoso, this event is for buildings of all sizes. Learn about heat pumps, solar, weatherization, HVAC, lighting, electric, renewable energy, green infrastructure, and waste management for your building, as well as monetary incentives, financing, and tax credits to help you do the work. Register Here Location: Borough Hall - 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY
🌎April 1-30th, 9:00AM - 5:00PM: Tangle Teezer x The Elk Earth Month. Throughout April, bring in + recycle your old hairbrush at The Elk (*West Village location only) and swap for a free Tangle Teezer Plant Brush! Plus, enjoy a special collab Strawberry Matcha. Location: 128 Charles Street, New York, NY, 10014
T H I S W E E K ’ S T O P S T O R I E S
NYC BREAKS A RECORD FOR COMPOST COLLECTION IN 2ND WEEK OF NEW RULES, AND NOW IS OPENING A NEW SITE
In just the second week of New York City’s new mandatory composting program, a record-breaking 3.8 million pounds (1,900 tons) of compost was collected, marking the highest single-week total in the city's history. This is equivalent to the weight of 8.5 Statues of Liberty, and is a massive increase from the 2.6 million pounds collected in the first week, as well as three times the amount collected during the same period last year when composting was voluntary. In response to the overwhelming volume, the Department of Sanitation is opening a new compost distribution site in Astoria, joining two existing locations in Dutch Kills and Greenpoint. Officials report that interest in compost pickup has grown significantly, with over 5 million pounds expected to be distributed for free to residents this summer. Fines for noncompliance are slightly declining, potentially signaling a growing public embrace of the new rules. Acting Sanitation Commissioner Javier Lojan attributed the success to making the process simple and consistent, without confusing rules or scheduling gaps. Despite the positive environmental impact, some landlords and property managers are complaining about logistical burdens and calling the system unrealistic, particularly for buildings with trash chutes that complicate tenant compliance.
JAPAN CREATES A PLASTIC THAT DISSOLVES IN THE OCEAN IN HOURS
Researchers at Japan’s RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have developed a powerful new solution to the global plastic crisis: biodegradable plastic that dissolves in seawater within hours and enriches soil within ten days. The plastic is completely non-toxic, food-safe, and leaves behind no environmental residue, unlike traditional plastics that take centuries to decompose and release harmful microplastics and greenhouse gases. The rising global plastic pollution problem is estimated to surpass the weight of all fish in the ocean by 2050. When the newly invented plastic is placed in seawater, it rapidly dissolves, preventing pollution and protecting marine ecosystems. When the new plastic is placed in soil, it breaks down into organic matter that boosts fertility and carbon content, addressing both pollution and soil degradation. It can be used in sustainable packaging, agriculture, and medical applications, such as biodegradable sutures or plant pots. One of the most important features is that it emits zero CO2 during decomposition and can be recycled.
63 UNITED NATIONS COUNTRIES AGREE TO A GLOBAL CARBON TAX ON SHIPPING EMISSIONS
63 member states of the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO), including China, Brazil, and most of Europe, have agreed to a first-of-its-kind global carbon tax on shipping emissions. The agreement sets targets for ships to reduce pollution and for the whole industry to hit net-zero emissions by 2050. Ships that don’t meet the new standards will either have to pay into a special climate fund or offset their emissions somehow. That fund will support clean energy projects, climate research, reward low-emission ships, and help the countries hit hardest by climate change. This is the first time the maritime industry would face binding international emissions targets. The draft agreement isn’t official yet—it’s expected to be finalized in October and go into effect in 2027.
Unsurprisingly, the Trump administration is opposing this agreement and has already withdrawn from the negotiations, as well as threatened retaliation against fees imposed on US ships. Oil-exporting nations like Saudi Arabia and Russia also voiced strong objections about potential trade and energy disruptions. On the other hand, environmental advocates and island nations are extremely supportive of this initiative, and even argue that while this is a good start, the targets are not ambitious enough to make real change and start the rapid fuel transition needed to meet climate goals. Maritime shipping is responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the sixth-largest emitter globally if ranked as a country. So while the new rules are major progress, there’s still a lot of work ahead to clean up the waters and cut emissions long term.
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