Wednesday, March 23, 2016

E-Waste Recycling Drop Off Next Saturday

Remember that old printer sitting in your closet? That tangled knot of wires haunting your drawers? And don't forget all your old cell phones, tapes, and VCRs. It's time to do some spring cleaning and recycle all that E-junk the right way. Next Saturday, April 2nd, the Lower East Side Ecology Center's E-Waste Warehouse in Gowanus will set up shop on Smith Street between President and Union to take all that stuff off your hands.

It's a great time to sift the useless tech and obsolete clunkers out of your house, and send them to a new home, or to be properly disposed. Don't get fined by the city for chucking your electronic waste into your curbside trash. The Gowanus E-Waste Warehouse ensures that the harmful chemicals and heavy metals in all our electronics are disposed of safely, and don't end up in land fills. Items that still works can be refurbished and sold from their space at President Street and Nevins Street, and vintage items are rented as props for plays and movies.

E-Waste Recycling Drop Off
Saturday, April 2
10am - 4pm
On Smith Street between President and Union Street



Thursday, March 10, 2016

Participatory Budgeting Vote Week is Coming Up!

Participatory Budgeting is back for its fifth year with a new set of proposals! This NYC Council initiative encourages its members to set aside a portion of their budget dedicated to funding proposals that are created, and voted on, by their constituents. Our representative Brad Lander was among the first four Council Members to bring this innovative process of community engagement to New York, and this year he will be joined by 27 of his peers.

Council Member Lander's office accepted proposals for PB capital projects through the fall. Since then, volunteer budget delegates have refined the proposals and had vetted them with the relevant city agencies. The 13 projects below will appear on the 2016 District 39 PB ballot, competing for $1.5 million in funds that CM Lander dedicated to the process. Any District 39 resident 14 years or older may vote for up to 5 proposals. Participants do not have to be a registered voters, they must only show proof of address.
  • Create New Teen Space at Carroll Gardens Library
  • Beautify Outdoor Space at Borough Park Library
  • "Mobile Studios" for Artists and Orgs in Gowanus
  • Retrofit 75 Auditorium Lights for Safety at PS 282
  • PS 124 Dye Garden/Makerspace STEAM Enrichments 
  • West Brooklyn Community HS Portable Laptop Lab
  • New “Lake Mess Monster,” an aquatic weed harvester
  • Year-round, freeze-resistant drinking fountains along Prospect Park Drive
  • New Kensington Dog Run: Areas for Big and Small Dogs
  • Curb extension & safer crossing near Carroll Park
  • Pedestrian safety: Curb extension on Columbia St
  • Replace painted cross-hatch with concrete on PPSW
  • "Bus Clocks” on B67/B69: see when bus will arrive!
To view the full ballot with price estimates and short descriptions, visit: bradlander.nyc/2016-pbnyc-ballot

Participatory Budgeting Vote Week
March 28 - April 3
See here for the full list of voting sites

PBNYC Expo & Vote Kick Off
Tuesday, March 29th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Park Slope Library
431 6th Ave., between 8th St. and 9th St.

The Voting times at our closest locations:
Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon St. (at Court St)
Monday, March 28 - Friday, April 1
10am - 5pm

Carroll Gardens Library
396 Clinton St at Union St
Saturday, April 2
10 am – 6 pm

If you're interested in volunteering to help get out the vote, or run a voting site, visit: http://bradlander.nyc/pbVolunteer.

Watch this video for more about PBNYC