Today we presented at the Abington Club Kids Camp. We talked to the campers about sustainability and the importance of recycling. We then did a sustainable craft and a recycling quiz. Thank you Target for a giftcard donation that allowed us to purchase supplies!
Today we hosted a sustainability table at a "Pop Up in the Park" in North Hills Park. We provided eco-friendly repurposed materials for children to make seed starters and talked to them about sustainability. There are so many crafts that children can do without purchasing anything new! We had a great morning in the park.
We hosted a beach clean-up in North Wildwood, NJ. New Jersey has some of the most beautiful
beaches in the world. Let’s all do our part to keep it that way. When you visit the beach, be sure
to take all of your trash with you as you leave and dispose of it properly, reusing and recycling
what you can. Wildlife often mistakes trash, especially plastic bags, for food and this is
extremely harmful. Sea turtles are well known to mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and eat them,
then the bags get stuck in their digestive system, leading to poor nutrition and even starvation.
We can each do our part to help prevent this. If everyone who visits the beach can take a quick
look around before they leave and clean up any other trash that they see, we can keep the
beaches clean and keep waste out of the ocean. Happy July 4th !
Our President and Founder, Elena Jadach, was awarded the Robert F. Chapman OPC '36 Fund for Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship Prize. It is awarded to a member of the Junior class at William Penn Charter School whose talents in the sciences and passion for nature recall Robert F. Chapman’s lifelong application of scientific understanding to environmental issues.
Today we presented to students at Abington Middle School. We talked about the recycling rules in the township and common mistakes. We played a game with an interactive recycling quiz, and we talked about ways that we can all live more sustainable lives. We also made eco-friendly seed starters.
We also had the township recycling rules read on the morning announcements at the school, so information about the township recycling rules and our sustainability message was heard by more than 2,000 students and staff!
Today we hosted an information booth for Earth Day to raise awareness and discuss
sustainability initiatives and what individuals can do in their everyday lives to be more
sustainable and help combat the climate crisis. The theme of this year’s Earth Day is “Planet vs.
Plastics.” We are spreading awareness of the health risks of plastics and calling for an end to the
production and use of single-use plastics. We are encouraging everyone to make healthy
decisions to improve their own lives and the life of Mother Earth. REFUSE single-use plastics
whenever possible. Do not buy plastic bottled water – the plastics can be bad for your health and
terrible for the planet as it is difficult to recycle and often ends up in landfill or worse. Carry your
own reusable water bottle, a reusable straw and eating utensils, and reusable bags. Encourage
your friends and family to do the same and we can make a difference!
Today we helped some of our PA State Representatives and Junkluggers with their “Anything
with a Plug” recycle event. Citizens were able to drive up and drop off electronics for free, safe
and efficient recycling. Placing electronics in the trash is wasteful and harmful to the
environment. The goal of the Junkluggers is to donate, rehome and recycle everything they
possible can, minimizing what ends up in landfill. So many electronics were kept out of landfill
thanks to this event! Remember to always look for a way to repair, donate or recycle electronics
rather than throw them away. Contact your local State Representative to find a recycling event
near you.
Even though it was raining, we made it to our library's Garden Fest! We had a recycling quiz, a sustainable plant starter activity, and spring holiday tips and crafts!
Today we hosted a program at the library for teens in the community to learn about several environmental topics, including recycling do's and don'ts, gardening tips, sustainability initiatives, and the upcoming solar eclipse. We had a large turnout at the event, and more than 50 teens signed up for our sustainability project! A special thank you to the Abington Library for lending us the space!
Today we attended the Upper Dublin Environmental Open House, where we learned about native plants, bird friendly blooms, making your windows safer for birds, ways to reduce single use plastics, recycling tips, the upcoming solar eclipse and more! Check out your township website to see when there is an environmental open house in your area!
Today, our Founder and President, Elena, presented her original research at the George Washington Carver Science Fair. This fair is an opportunity for Philadelphia school students to connect and present their research to like minded peers and to be judged by experts in the field. Elena's topic was "Increasing Suburban Curbside Recycling and Reducing Contamination Rates." The judges asked great questions and it was fun to meet students from all over Philadelphia and to learn about their science projects.
Today, we hosted a collection of lightly used winter coats and clothing for MLK Day. Many people are in need this winter. By donating clothes, you can help people AND reduce the amount of clothing in landfills. When clothing goes to landfill, it can take years to break down, and as it does break down, it releases gases that are harmful to the environment. Manufacturing new clothing uses water and energy. By giving clothing a second life, we are helping create a more circular economy and a more sustainable future. Want information on where to donate gently used clothing in your community? Contact your local school district or your State Representative to direct you to organizations currently accepting donations.
Today we hosted a Sustainable Holidays table at Winter Fest! We had DIY pomander balls using
locally gathered Osage oranges and cloves, ideas for sustainable gifts, sustainable wrapping
paper, eco-friendly decoration ideas like dried orange slices and pinecone ornaments, and more!
We also helped educate community members about local recycling rules. There was a great
turnout from the community and we wish everyone a very happy, sustainable holiday season!
Today, our President and Founder, Elena, presented some of her research at the International Conference on Advancing Sustainable Futures. This is a peer-reviewed conference bringing together environmental experts from around the world.
Elena's research presentation was titled, "Improving Curbside Recycling in the United States by Outreach and Education to Gen Z." The abstract is as follows:
Curbside recycling in the United States is vitally important due to both sustainability and environmental factors as well as economic reasons. However, curbside recycling is not as efficient and effective as it could be. According to the NGO The Recycling Partnership, only 32% of available recycles in single family homes gets recycled. In this study, I use survey methodology to examine the attitudes and perceptions of Gen Z (currently between 9-24 years old) on curbside recycling and I propose ways to improve it.
The conference addressed the four pillars of sustainability in line with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals: Technology, People and Culture, Environment, and Economics. The objectives of the conference are listed below:
One of the scariest things about Halloween is the waste it generates. According to some estimates, in the U.S., Halloween costumes generate 12 million pounds of textile waste each year, with most of that ending up in landfill.
This November, right after Halloween ended, we partnered with The Halloween Helpers and organized a collection of gently used costumes. As the Halloween Helpers note, "Halloween is one of the most important events in a young child’s life. It provides lifelong memories, develops self-worth, and allows kids to play an active role in their community. Unfortunately, many children are unable to participate in this fun, annual experience because they do not have a costume." The mission of The Halloween Helpers is to collect previously-enjoyed, gently-used Halloween costumes and donate them to children who may not typically be able to participate in this yearly celebration.
They will store the donated costumes that we collected and distribute them to children next year. At Gen Z for Sustainability, we consider this a win-win. We can help children and at the same time, keep these gently used costumes out of landfill.
If you are interested in donating to the Halloween Helpers or hosting a future collection for them, you can contact them directly via the contact information on their website.
Today we volunteered at a township paper-shredding event. All paper was collected and shredded by the brand Pro-Shred which then takes all of the paper to recycling facilities. We also collected donations for our local food pantry.
Instead of throwing old electronics and items with a plug in the trash where they will become landfill, look for an "everything with a plug" recycling event near you. For assistance with finding one, contact your State Representative. Today, we volunteered at one of these events and helped keep electronics out of landfill.
Today we did a collection and donated lightly used soccer equipment to an organization that will donate it to a children's sports camp in Haiti. It's great to see sports equipment get a second life.
Today we volunteered at the local children's library Be Kind to the Earth event. We played "Kind Earth Bingo" and made a craft. We talked to the children about sustainability and read a book about saving the planet.
Today we hosted a beach cleanup in North Wildwood. Let's all do what we can this summer to keep NJ beaches beautiful and keep plastic out of the ocean.
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