Circular Reuse Through Community Engagement

Engages in policy advocacy and analysis to advance a global circular economy for packaging, including promoting governance reforms in extended producer responsibility systems and supporting development of a global treaty to reduce plastic pollution. Hosts webinars and publishes position papers to inform policy debates.

Produces data-driven research and analysis on deposit return systems, extended producer responsibility schemes, and reuse integration to improve environmental performance and operational efficiency. Publishes findings in reports, fact sheets, position papers, and the bi-annual Global Deposit Book.

Designs, updates, and provides public access to interactive data tools including the Global Deposit Dashboard and the "What We Waste" dashboard, enabling comparison of deposit system features and visualization of global trends in packaging waste, collection, and recycling across 210 countries.

Coordinates an alliance of environmental organizations, industry experts, and beverage packaging stakeholders to advocate for improved deposit return systems that support circular economy goals in North America and globally.

Operates the Howard Meinke Scholarship program, which awards financial support to local high school seniors pursuing college studies in environmental fields. The program is funded in part by events such as the annual Earth Day 5K.

Collaborates with Climate Smart Community green teams, municipal officials, the Town of Riverhead, Long Island Organics Council, Southold residents, and Drawdown East End leaders to implement regional food scraps-to-compost operations, including securing grant approvals and establishing composting at three local farms.

Engages in long-term advocacy to protect natural resources on the North Fork, including successful campaigns for the Community Preservation Fund (resulting in over $1 billion for open space), opposition to development at Kroemer Ponds and Jamesport nuclear plants, and work with Southold Town on 2-acre zoning and Farmland Preservation. Also led efforts to stop the Levon Corp. dredging project and the widening of Sound Avenue.

Hosts educational programs on topics including organic landscaping, native plantings, energy cost reduction, and nature-based solutions. During the pandemic, these programs transitioned to Zoom webinars to maintain community engagement.

Organizes and hosts Repair Café events in Greenport, Riverhead, and in partnership with the Southold Town Conservation Advisory Council, where community members bring broken items for repair with the help of skilled volunteers. These events promote environmental sustainability, reduce landfill waste, and help residents save money by extending the life of their belongings.

Organizes an annual Earth Day 5K race and walk to raise funds for environmental scholarships and hosts an annual clothing swap event where community members exchange gently used clothing and accessories to promote sustainable fashion and reduce textile waste.

Runs the Plastic Reduction and Elimination Program (PREP) using community educators to reduce single-use plastics in the North Fork region through outreach and behavior change initiatives.

Promotes zero waste through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting initiatives. Installed a rain garden with native plants at the Roy Latham Nature Center in Greenport to purify stormwater and create wildlife habitat, and installed the public art piece "The Big Bee" in Downtown Riverhead to raise environmental awareness.

Conducts regular beach cleanups at local coastal areas, including participation in International Coastal Cleanup Day and Riverhead Townwide Litter Clean Up Day, to prevent pollution from entering waterways and protect natural habitats. Events include organized efforts at Moore’s Woods Trailhead and two local beaches.

Engages in education, grassroots advocacy, and research to promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on ending poverty, protecting the planet, and advancing peace and prosperity.

Provides advertising support through social media, coordinates sales events, and facilitates networking among ethical and fair trade businesses to strengthen member capacity and market presence.

Conducts public education campaigns and promotes fair trade businesses and retailers in New York City to increase consumer awareness and support for fair trade practices.

Organizes and hosts public events and dialogues in New York City involving businesses, retailers, NGOs, and citizens to foster engagement and collaboration around fair trade principles.

Funds local Scout troops in Brooklyn using proceeds from ticketed event sales such as Pumpkin Day.