White Plains Earth Week Celebration Today
Sustainability is a key word in White Plains these days. It’s meaning centers primarily on environmental conservation and renewable energy sources, but also relates to economics as well as how people deal with the over abundance of trash caused by consumerism.
A main focus of White Plains’ Earth Week activities this year will be a shoe collection and recycling drive. Last year, local businesses, religious organizations, neighborhood associations and schools collected over 4,000 pairs of shoes that were diverted from the waste stream and went on to find a new life where they are greatly needed. The city has once again partnered with Soles for Souls (www.soles4souls.org) on this recycling initiative.
Jill Iannetta, White Plains Director of Special Projects said the goal this year is to increase that amount, hopefully to double it. Iannetta is working with members of city administration and the White Plains BID (Business Improvement District) to put together this year’s Earth Week activities.
Booroo shoes owner John Larken, who was born in White Plains, has already committed to contributing shoes to the Soles for Souls initiative. Booroo shoes are popular for their pure wool linings and foot beds and the company’s dedication to donating a portion of shoe sales to hunger programs in the United States and abroad.
Jones of New York has also joined the cause said Iannetta. “They throw out between 1,500 to 1,800 pairs of brand new shoes each year. We expect to receive a substantial number of pairs from Jones,” she added.
As part of his Eagle Scout activities last year, Brian LaPlaca was responsible for gathering many of the shoes for the Soles for Souls drive. His sister Laura LaPlaca has picked up the baton this year and is helping to muster donations around the city and beyond.
The main collection and sorting area for the shoes is Ebersole Ice Rink in White Plains. Collections boxes are also located at all White Plains schools, city hall, the public library, the Youth Bureau and Gillie Recreation Center. The drive will end on Sunday, April 27th.
“The exciting thing this year is that people have anticipated the shoe collection and began asking about it before we made the announcement. They were looking for the boxes,” Iannetta said.
Another new initiative, opened at the Gedney Recycling Yard this month is textile recycling.
“We did some research and found out that some companies out west do textile recycling and that many Americans throw out as much as 70 pounds of textile products each year,” Iannetta explained. “We like to say donate or recycle, but don’t throw away,” she added.
The textiles White Plains recycles obtain a credit from the county and the company that buys them pays the city $100 per ton. According to Iannetta the city has already begun recycling about half a ton each week.
Other programs, specifically planned for Earth Week include a 3D chalk art mural in the SL Green building at 360 Hamilton Avenue that will be created by artist Anthony Cappetto The theme of the mural will be appreciation for our natural resources. The mural will then be featured at Renaissance Plaza in White Plains during the Sustain White Plains outdoor street fair on Saturday.
Reckson Realty, based at 360 Hamilton Avenue, is conducting a park cleanup in conjunction with Earth Week activities. About 40 employees will be out and about at the city’s parks.
On Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m. a special showing of Disneynature’s “Bears” will be shown for free at the City Center Cinema Deluxe. Seating is limited to the first 400 people who arrive.
After the movie everyone is encouraged to join the street fair where Animal Embassy will have some exotic pets for people to meet. Vendors will provide information on local nature preserves, uses for natural and organic food leftovers, renewable energy sources, home and business energy audits, recycling, an electric vehicle showcase, art activities for children and more.
La Boca restaurant will have an organic meal available for hungry attendees. There will be live music and a DJ, so hope for good weather and come on out.
