Green Ossining Committee

Across the nation, attention is being shifted to sources of pollution, such as Stormwater runoff, that are not normally treated by wastewater treatment plants. Stormwater management, especially in urban areas, is becoming a necessary step in seeking further reduction of pollution in our waterways.

The best way to control contamination of Stormwater is usually at the source, where the contaminants can be identified, reduced or contained before conveyed to surface water.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Bacteria from animal wastes and illicit connections to sewerage systems can make nearby lakes and bays unsafe for wading, swimming and the propagation of edible shellfish.
• Oil and grease from automobiles causes sheen and odor and makes transfer of oxygen difficult for aquatic organisms.
• Sediment from construction activities clouds waterways and interferes with the habitat of living things that depend upon those waters.
• Careless application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers affect the health of living organisms and cause ecosystem imbalances.
• Litter damages aquatic life, introduces chemical pollution, and diminishes the beauty of our waterways.

Since 2009, larger retail and grocery stores in New York State must make collection bins for plastic bag recycling available to customers in a visible, easily accessible location.

Refrigerators and Air Conditioners – There is a Con Edison Program offered to residents for the proper disposal of refrigerants/Freon. Con Edison offers residents free pick-up and recycling of a replacement refrigerator where you earn $30, and while there, Con Ed will also take an old AC, recycle it, and pay $35 for a window AC and $100 for a wall AC.

Important to note: the rebates and free recycling service hinge on having a refrigerator for pick-up. Visit www.ConEd.com or call 1-877-870-6118 for more info. Available to 1-4 family unit homes only.

Best Buy Stores Trade-In – TV and appliance haul-away – They will remove an old TV or appliance from your home for free when a replacement Best Buy product is delivered by Geek Squad or Best Buy delivery. Some exclusions apply.

For a fee, Best Buy will remove up to two TV units, or two appliances, or one TV and one appliance from your home for recycling. Also, the store has free kiosks just inside the door for you to drop off inkjet cartridges, rechargeable batteries, CDs/DVDs. They will take just about anything electronic, computer monitors, audio/video cables, cell phones, and more absolutely free with few restrictions.

Download and print this flyer for handout and reference…

GREEN OSSINING COMMITTEE MEETING CANCELED TONIGHT
– Wednesday, April 13th –

Planned conference call for Tuesday, 4/19 at 2 pm for those who can join.
(Details to follow)

Also we will have a meeting on Monday, 4/25 at 7:30 in the 3^rd floor conference room @16 Croton to tie up all loose ends.

Arbor Day Celebration Saturday, April 16th – 9am – 12pm

Join us at Mariandale, Rt. 9, Ossining, NY just north of All Aboard – follow signs to the visitor parking lot, where we’ll meet.

Forest Stewardship Activity for the whole family here in Ossining, NY – A Tree City USA

Learn About Invasive Species: Arborist Jeremiah Green will lead an informative talk on invasive plants, how to identify them & how to weed out both vines & creepers.

Team Work & Hike: A service for the Earth & Trees will follow & you’lll be invited to join a team & work together to weed invasive vines while enjoying a short hike along the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail – from Mariandale to the old Kane Estate (behind BASF) A stretch many of us know from the Ossining Matters 5 K Run)

Planting Ceremony: We’ll return to Mariandale for a ceremonial planting & celebration! Everyone will receive a tree to take home, courtesy of The Care of Trees. A fun engaging workshop in arbor/wreath making is also planned.

Please bring Gloves, Loppers, & hand saws, if you have them (we’ll have some too).

Sponsored by Mariandale, GreenOssining.org, Ossining Parks & Recreation Department, Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct, The Care of Trees & Green Mountain Energy.

Expert Voices: The Care of Trees & Master Gardeners

EARTH DAY EVENT PLANNING MEETING

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 25^th at 7:30pm at the Town Offices, 16 Croton Ave, 3rd Floor Conference Room.

Discussion & Planning – Earth Day Event 2011

• Sponsors and Donors.
• Activity & Sub-Committee Chairpersons.
• Northern Westchester Energy Action Coalition (NWEAC) “Zero Waste Day”.
• Resources, publicity – Northern Westchester Sustainability Day.
• Marketing and Communications.

Meetings are open to public and are held at the Town Offices (16 Croton Ave, Ossining, NY 10562).

Earth Day 2011 Celebration Set for Next Sunday at Kensico Dam Plaza

Find out the many small steps that you can take to make your home, school or business more green and sustainable during Earth Day Westchester 2011: A Celebration of Green Sustainable Living, on Sunday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.

Throughout the day you can discover the keys to greener living while enjoying live music with Annie and the Natural Wonder Band, and Solar Punch, a band that uses solar power exclusively to power their instruments.

Jeff Boyer’s “Attainable, sustainable Energy Show” will show young audiences how wind and solar energy are transformed into usable “green” power. And, bring your market bag to shop the fresh produce and food products offered by local growers during a farmers market.

Admission and parking are free.
The event will held rain or shine.

For more information, go to www.environment.westchestergov.com/earth-day or call (914) 813-5425.