mathjosi's blog

I found out what to do with that pesky plastic #6 that is not recyclable.... it's the stuff raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, and to-go foods sometimes comes in. Just check for the number inside the very misleading chasing arrows (the recycling symbol which means absolutely squat when it comes to plastic... oh those sneaking plastic makers... they've all fooled us so well) 

You can make SHRINKY DINKS!

Instructions:

1.  Wash and dry the plastic meticulously

2.  Cut the flat part out with no stickers

3.  Draw or trace a picture onto it with perminant marker

4.  Cut it out so that there are not sharp edges

5.  Punch a hole in it with a hole punch if you want to make a charm

6.  Place on parchment paper in a 250 degree toaster oven for about 30 seconds give or take... it works best in a toaster over.  I tried it in a real oven and it took a lot longer, so maybe the temp has to be adjusted.  You will see it shrivel up and then straighten out most likely... it's not fool proof.  Probably also shouldn't breath it in... I didn't say it wasn't toxic as I imagine most plastic is. 

Let me know how it turns out... or email me and we can schedule a demonstration.  I'll try to take some pictures and post them.

On Monday, Coquille and I attended the monthly Brooklyn Solid Waste Advisory Board meetings. SWABs were created in each borough with Local Law 19 to ensure community input on important waste management issues, such as where waste transfer stations should be placed, what should be recycled, etc.  

We were invited to share our experience with recycling in schools as a follow-up to the City Hall Recycling in Schools Hearing. Brooklyn SWAB showed a lot of interest in this issue and as a result is developing a subcommittee that will be meeting on Saturday, July 19th at 10am in order to step-up communications with the Department of Education as they enter they enter into process of revising the DOE Chancellor's Regulations on Waste Management. If you are interested in attending, please email us at mathjosi@yahoo.com or info@educatingtomorrow.org.

The following is an outline of the ideas discussed at the meeting:

First, Ken Diamondstone, the chair of the SWAB who also testified at the Hearing, summed up the problem by saying the main issues with recycling in schools are: lack of coordinators, lack of money for supplies, problems with collection, need for comprehensive environmental and recycling education, and ongoing issues with custodians and cleaners.

The topics discussed at the meeting were:

   1. REGULATIONS:  As a result of pressure put on the DOE during City Council Hearing on School Recycling, the DOE's Division of School Facilities is scheduled to rewrite the DOE Regulations on Waste Management over the summer.  From what we understand Jeffrey Shear, who testified at the Hearing, is heading up this project with the assistance of Chip Stamm. Coquille and I have both called Chip Stamm in order to find out how they have designed the revision process. We are very concerned they are going to quickly rewrite them without taking the time to involve all constituents. We are asking them to form a Consortium involving: teachings, recycling coordinators, custodians, cleaners, administrators, and Dept. of Sanitation to ensure the development of an effective system and buy-in.  It was suggested we contact Councilmember Robert Jackson, the Chair of the Education Committee, and ask him to contact Mr. Stamm about this. Perhaps other people can push for this Consortium as well: Councilmember Michael McMahon, Chairman of the Council's Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, Carmen Cognetta, and David Hurd, the Director of Office of Recycling Outreach and Education with CENYC. The new Regulations should include: the development of school-based recycling plans; mandatory training for custodians, cleaners, staff, and students; environmental education; the inclusion of a recycling coordinator on the staff of every school as a paid position, at least for one or two periods per day; district-wide training for recycling coordinators; and district-wide and borough-wide recycling coordinating positions.
   2. ACCOUNTABILITY:  How will schools be held accountable?  Maybe recycling could be part of the Quality Review, or there should be a separate Recycling Review or Audit?  What about the chancellor?  (I give him a horrible rating on this issue because he has failed to update enforce the current Regulations and update them and he's never responded to any of my letters.)
          * School-based recycling coordinators must be part of the school budget. They should have a job descriptions they are held accountable for, which could include writing a school-based recycling plan, implementation, education, and managing collection of materials. It could also include writing grants and applying for awards, such as Dept. of Sanitation Golden Apple Awards, which includes and being inspections and evaluations.  They should also attend regular theme-based district-wide meetings (monthly) with other recycling coordinators, which would include the opportunity to discuss their school's recycling programs, and share problems and solutions. This position does not need to be full time and works well when a couple periods a week are built into his or her teaching schedule.
   3. MONEY:  How will the DOE pay for collection, mechanization, school coordinators, custodians, and supplies?  One way is through the savings of throwing less garbage away and earning money through recycling. How can we show that recycling in schools will save money and pay for itself? We need the DOE or DOS to perform a current Waste Audit and a Waste Characterization Study for schools to find out what and how much they are throwing away. Who will do it and how can we push for that to be done? Perhaps the NYC Comptroller, William Thompson, Jr., could help us.
   4. COMMITTEE:  Coquille and Micki are working on organizing meetings for next year (once per month).  We are still trying to find meeting space and time.  We need people's input on this since we want the meetings to be well attended, so we will need a time and place that works well for people.  According to the DOE testimony by Jeffery Shear, the DOE has 372 recycling coordinators.  Are we on that list?  Who is on that list?  Can we get a copy since maybe those coordinators would want to attend our meetings?  We need to contact them again to get a copy of the list.
   5. LAWSUIT:  Should the DOE be sued for not complying with Local Law 19, which mandates recycling in New York City?  Can we find a pro bono lawyer pursue DOE for breaking the recycling laws for 19 years?  Perhaps we should contact Public Advocate Mark Green, or the current Public Advocate, Betsy Gotbaum? What about NRDC?
   6. PRIVITIZATION:  What about contracting with private recycling agencies to collect recyclables from the DOE?  Can schools make money doing this?  Who wants to call VISY to find out if this is possible?  Maybe Micki and Coquille can start doing this a pilot program in their schools next year?  Who would have to give them permission?  How would this work?  Someone from NRDC said that it would be illegal to do this since the City owns the garbage and it would be like stealing. Is this true?
   7. OUTREACH:  Who else should be try to get in touch with and what should we ask them to do?  Should we get the Teacher Union in on this?  Who should we call from the union? Randi Weingarten?  Should the State government be in on this?  What if we call Governor Paterson's office? What about Robert Lange, the Director of the Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling with the Department of Sanitation?
   8. COLLECTION:  We must have mechanized collection or daily pick-up because we do not have the space to store materials on non-collection days. It is also considered a fire and safety hazard.

There are so many things to do, maybe we could each find a topic we are most interested in and volunteer to work toward that end.

Unfortunately I can't go, but if you are interested registration is still open. 

Schools, Food and Community
Friday April 11th – Saturday April 12th, 2008

The Nutrition Program, Teachers College Columbia University, and Baum Forum will co-host this day and a half of conference sessions, workshops, resource fair, Friday Good Food Cabaret, and seasonal luncheon.  For teachers, administrators, food service and public health professionals, advocates, youth and parents.  This is our third conference on the school food revolution! Topics on media and messaging, school food and sustainable development, farm to school programs and policy, NYC school gardening, youth and access to healthy foods, green schools and more. 

Friday, April 11th  3:00 pm - 6:30 pm; Reception and Cabaret  6:30 pm -9:00 pm
Saturday, April 12th  9:00am – 6:00 pm

Pre-registration required.  Sliding scale admission.  For more information please visit www.baumforum.org or call 718 884 5716. To stay informed, sign up for the Conference Newsletter here.

2. Calendar Listing

SCHOOLS, FOOD AND COMMUNITY   April 11 – April 12, 2008.  Conference sessions, workshops, cabaret, resource fair, seasonal luncheon.  For educators, administrators, food and public health professionals, advocates, youth and parents. At Teachers College Columbia University, Manhattan. Details: http://www.baumforum.org  or  718 884 5716.

I know it's been a really long time since I've blogged, but I've been working hard this Winter and now am ready for Spring!

Coquille and I joined the Brooklyn Botanical Garden's Master Compost Program.   I've scheduled a worm composting workshop put on by BBG at my school.  It's from 4-6pm at my school in downtown Brooklyn at 345 Dean Street on Tuesday, April 29th (it's the Tuesday after Spring Break).

I also received a $1,000 grant from Park Slope Civic Council to help start the recycling program at my school.  I attached the plan that I came up with here too.  It still isn't finalized and there is the overwhelming issues of collection and storage that I still can't quite figure out since my custodian shot down these ideas and other that they suggested where again not quite right.  I might turn out that each time the paper is full in the classrooms the teacher or a student or even parent volunteer will have to take the bag out side to a storage site out of the building.  It's kind of a drag, but I can't think of another way right now and I really hope people will be on board to do that.  We'll begin with paper recycling in the classroom with the first $1,000.  I also wrote a grant to donorschoose.org for the rest of the money to do bottles and cans in the cafeterias and main office:  http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=170652

Anyway, that's the news on compost and recycling at my school.  Let me know what you've been up to this Winter?  Email me at mathjosi@yahoo.com if you want to come to the worm workshop or if you want to talk grants and school recycling ideas.

It's time to have another meeting, so we'll be getting that info out soon. 

Compost:
I finally moved and am getting settled in, so I've been quite busy.  I now have a back yard which means it's time to start a compost bin.  I'm planning to attend the Brooklyn Botanical Garden's workshop on composting:

Thursday, February 28, 6 to 8 pm
make compost with a touch of spanish (bilingual workshop)

This class addresses two audiences—English and Spanish speakers—and is translated in both languages simultaneously throughout the session. We cover the basics of composting in a complete, practical, and interactive way. Participants receive handouts and literature to review at home. Register with Karla Osorio-Pérez at 718-623-7368.

If we want to get wormbins for our classrooms, they will do a workshop for 10 or more teachers and for $10 you get the know-how, a bin, and worms to get all set up.  Let's see if we can set something up at our next meeting.
Learn more about composting in NYC at: http://www.nyccompost.org/

Letters:
The next issue on my mind recently was the fact that I've been thinking about how I need to buy products that are earth friendly and contain recycled content.  I want to only buy paper products that are made out of recycled paper.  When I was in Rite Aid, Duane Reade, and Target recently I had no luck finding these products and it really irritated me.  So I wrote them letters on their website and they have written me back all apoligetic like.  It feels good to be a consumer with a voice.  As promised in my letter I'm encouraging other people to write them these same concerns.  Here is my letter, maybe you want to write them too.  I just went on their websites and found their contact us sections.  Usually they had a form that I filled out and copied my letter into it. 

Please sell Recycled Material and Green Products!

Dear ___________________,

I care about the environment.  I recycle at home.  As a teacher, I educate my students about the importance of recycling.  When I come into your store to buy things I realize the importance of buying products that are made from recycled materials.  I would like for you to sell paper towels and toilet paper made from recycled materials.  I would also like you to carry cleaning products that are biodegradable, like Simple Green.  It’s important that your large company that has locations everywhere acknowledge the threats of Global Warming and GO GREEN by selling products that are good for the environment.  Until you let me know that you will selling these types of products in your store, I will no longer shop at your facility and I will encourage everyone I know to do the same and write you letters requesting the same things I have here.  Please do your part by simply stocking products that are earth-friendly.  I also hope you are doing your part by recycling too.

Thanks for your interest in the environment.  I know you will do the right thing to care for our planet.

Sincerely,
Micki Josi
 

Please remind teachers that DSNY-BWPRR is happy to work with their
school's custodian and administration to help set up their school
recycling programs. They can get free decals, signs, and educational
materials including K-5 curriculum kits, coloring & comic books for elementary grades, videos & DVDs; and info to take home, such as bookmarks & recycling checklist refrigerator magnets. Download or order free materials online at www.nyc.gov/ nycwasteless/ goldenapple

Also the NYC Compost Project, funded by BWPRR, operating at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden,
is delighted to visit schools or host field trips to teach students
about decomposition, composting, and vermicomposting (with worms). Get
all the dirt at www.nyccompost. org.  

Schools can win enormous cash prizes (from $1,500 up to $6,000) through
DSNY's Golden Apple Awards for their school recycling, waste
prevention, or beautification initiatives that meet Dept of Education
Standards; and the Golden Shovel Award for Brooklyn Borough Master
School Composter. www.nyc.gov/ nycwasteless/ goldenapple

I am reposting this blog entry, so it's the first one on the list since our meeting is coming up.  If you can, please email me at mathjosi@yahoo.com to let me know if you plan to attend, so we can give the cafe a heads up on the number of people we plan on having at the meeting.  Look forward to meeting you!! 

We will have our next committee meeting on:

Friday, December 7th at 5pm
Red Horse Cafe
12th Street and 6th Avenue in Park Slope

Agenda:

1. Introductions & Interests
2. Recycling in Your School: How to we start and run an awesome recycling program!
3. Educating Tomorrow: The blog/website in order to stay connected and
how we can pool ideas on environmental education in our schools.
4. Pushing for change: Who should we contact politically to move for
real change in the system? Bill DeBasio, Public Advocate, should we
contact a lawyer?
5. Media: Creating a media kit and getting the word out now
6. Planning Ahead: What we're going to work on and setting next meeting date

We decided to use the Red Horse Cafe, they have a really nice square
couch area, but we can't reserve it, so Coquille and I will try to get
there early to HOG the couch area...anyone else who could get there
early to help us with the HOGGING is welcome, but we will try to start
on-time with introductions. Hope to see you there.

Micki Josi
mathjosi@yahoo.com
NYC School Recycling Action Committee
My blog: http://www.educatingtomorrow.org/node/224

"Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead

So this event took place at Solar One on Tuesday
December 4, 2007, 7pm ... but the woman from the New York City Department of Sanitation, Samatha Macbride, sent me the list of resources on the web that she gave out at the meeting, so I will post them below.  Check out Solar One's <http://www.solar1. org>
E. 23rd and the East River, lecture series called The Green Renter for other upcoming events of interest.

WOW... this is so UNBELIEVABLE and synchronistic... this is everything my old school experienced and more... Anyway know how to get ahold of Amy Eddings??

Check out the radio story (it will take only 5 minutes or less of your time and it's so worth it!!)
http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/89638

Micki Josi
NYC School Recycling Action Committee
My blog: http://www.educatingtomorrow.org/node/224

"Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead