Voluntary Program in Place at Neighborhood Dog Runs
New Addition to Authority’s Longstanding Composting Program
As part of its lineup of events in celebration of Climate
Week NYC, the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) today announced launch of a
dog waste composting program in furtherance of its environmental responsibility
efforts. Each of Battery Park City’s three dog runs – at the North End
Avenue Island, “Sirius” at
Kowsky Plaza, and at the south end of
West Thames Park – now has its own collection bin with instructions
for dog owners about how to participate. The bins will be emptied and cleaned daily,
with waste brought to the BPCA Parks Operations’ central dog waste composting
unit.
“Composting is
an integral part of our sustainability practices,” said BPCA
President and Chief Executive Officer B.J. Jones. “With this
new initiative, we’re picking up the pace of our efforts to
further reduce waste and harmful methane emissions.”
“I’ve spent my career in these parks, and I know that every little
bit we do helps make a big difference,” said BPCA Parks Operations Director Bruno Pomponio. “Thanks to Ryan and
our dynamic team for their innovative thinking — and to all program
participants for keeping BPC beautiful!”
“The dedication
of BPCA staff to being environmental stewards is nothing short of incredible,
and this dog waste composting program is just another example of their
commitment to making a difference,” said Ryan
Torres, BPCA Assistant Director of Parks Operations, who is leading this
initiative. “I’m humbled to work alongside them.”
Unmanaged dog waste can pollute waterways and adds to
landfill waste. BPCA estimates that about 75 lbs. of dog waste is produced
daily from neighborhood dog runs, which translates to 3.5 tons of waste each
year. By composting rather than disposing of this waste in its raw form, the
Authority can minimize the amount of methane gas released, while also reducing the number of
plastic bags typically used to pick up pet waste.
Dog owners are invited to participate in the program by taking these easy steps:
• Use the scooper available in each BPC dog run to pick up dog waste; OR
• Use a paper bag (no plastics, please!) drawn from the dispenser placed at each dog run
• Then, simply place the waste into the marked collection bin next to the regular trash receptacle at each dog run
BPCA has a longstanding and growing composting program,
utilizing raw, fresh or frozen vegetables/fruit, and coffee grounds from staff,
residents, and local businesses. The Authority composts year-round and on-site
at its 75 Battery Place Parks Operations Headquarters, which reduces the
Authority’s organic waste and fossil fuel usage, as well as the methane
produced during slow breakdown of organics in landfills. Materials
are aerated and monitored regularly to facilitate a microbe rich aerobic
breakdown. Compost – including the wood chips produced from Battery Park City
residents’ holiday trees, and pruning materials from throughout BPC Parks – nourishes
and sustains soils across the neighborhood’s diversified landscape. In 2018,
BPCA composted more than 20,000 lbs. of food and waste, and is on-pace to compost
over 35,000 lbs. this year.
Run by The
Climate Group, an international non-profit focused on accelerating climate
action, Climate Week serves as showcase for climate action worldwide. Businesses, governments, academic
institutions, arts organizations, individuals and non-profit organizations are
invited to participate in the week-long events program, including panel
discussions, concerts, exhibitions, seminars and more.
Click
here for a full schedule of BPCA events.
Related info:
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