Give the planet a boost by greening your yard work. Now you can put yard waste in eco-friendly bags, thanks to a new initiative by the Town of North Hempstead.
These biodegradable leaf bags are intended to replace plastic bags, which do not completely break down into organic material when buried. Those who use the bags will be doing their part to ensure that yard waste stays out of landfills and instead transforms into rich compost that provides nutrients for the earth.
“Introducing biodegradable leaf bags to the Town’s waste disposal stream may seem on the surface like an insignificant move, but in reality it could pay major dividends if everyone participates in the program,” Supervisor noted.
Bags can be purchased for $2 for a package of five at the facility at 802 West Shore Road in Port Washington, and at the Aquatic Activity Center at Michael J. Tully Park, 1801 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park.
Residents are asked to place yard waste in the biodegradable bags, and then put the bags curbside on their designated collection day.
Town Wins EPA Award
In yet another green milestone for the Town of North Hempstead, the Town recently picked up the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2011 Environmental Quality Award. Kaiman was at the EPA’s headquarters in lower Manhattan to receive the award on April 29. This is the second environmental award scored by the Town, which in 2009 won the Environmental Excellence Award for its Comprehensive School Recycling Partnership Program, a collaborative effort with nine of the Town’s 11 school districts.
