NorthEast Bronx Association Inc.

NorthEast Bronx Assn - Newsletter 'neighbors watching out for neighbors  May 2013

NEWS FLASHES: Next Meeting: Monday May 20, 2013, 7:30pm; Kings Harbor MultiCare Center, Gun Hill Road at Stillwell Ave.

Recycling Guide Issue Courtesy of the Mayor's Office & the NYC Dept of Sanitation Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, announced the expansion of the City's recycling program to include for the first time the recycling of all rigid plastics, including toys, hangers, shampoo bottles, coffee cups and food containers. The expansion of plastics recycling, which begins today (April 24, 2013) is part of the City's Solid Waste Management Plan.  The recycling expansion will result in more than 50,000 additional tons of waste a year no longer ending up in landfills at a savings to City taxpayers of almost $600,000 each year in export costs, and for rigid plastics, it is recommended that New Yorkers should rinse and recycle it. The City will also expand the organics recycling pilot under way in public schools in Brooklyn and Manhattan to residents in the Westerleigh neighborhood of Staten Island next month, to other neighborhoods this fall and to all City schools over the next two years. The food waste composting pilot cut the amount of garbage participating schools sent to landfills by up to 38 percent. Both programs are part of the City's effort to make recycling easier for New Yorkers. Earlier this year, in his State of the City speech, Mayor Bloomberg promised an expansion of the recycling program, renewing the Administration's commitment to doubling the City's recycling rate to 30 percent by 2017. The following is extracted from the DOS website: PAPER newspapers, magazines, catalogs; white and colored paper (lined, copier, computer, staples OK); mail and envelopes (any color, window envelopes OK); paper bags; wrapping paper. CARDBOARD soft-cover books, telephone books (paperbacks, comics, etc.; no spiral bindings); cardboard egg cartons and trays; smooth cardboard (food and shoes boxes, tubes, file folders, cardboard from product packaging) corrugated cardboard boxes (flattened and tied). Place all paper recyclables together in CLEAR bags, or in any bin labeled with GREEN recycling decals or marked "MIXED PAPER". Or place in the white dumpster for paper recycling, if your building has one.) Flatten and bundle large pieces of corrugated cardboard and tie with sturdy twine, or break into small pieces to place in your recycling bin or bag. (Or place loose in the white dumpster for paper recycling, if your building has one.) Don't include the following with your paper recycling:  hardcover books; napkins, paper towels, or tissues; soiled paper cups or plates; paper soiled with food or liquid; paper with a lot of tape and glue; plastic- or wax-coated paper (candy wrappers, take-out containers, etc.); photographic paper.   Next Meeting Next Meeting: Monday May 20, 7:30PM, Kings Harbor MultiCare Center, E. Gun Hill Road at Stillwell Ave - Use Main Entrance. Agenda:  Update on community concerns. Let Your Voice Be Heard! If you have a situation that requires attention, please attend our next meeting and we will be happy to record your concern and have it investigated.  Also, any resident who wishes to address a concern relative to our neighborhood can do so at any of our meetings.  However you must register with us prior to the beginning of the meeting.  You will be given 3 minutes to speak.   METAL (all kinds) metal cans (soup, pet food, empty aerosol cans, dried-out paint cans, etc.); aluminum foil wrap & trays; metal caps & lids; household metal (wire hangers, pots, tools, curtain rods, knives, small appliances that are mostly metal, certain vehicle license plates, etc.); bulk metal (large metal items, such as furniture, cabinets, large appliances, etc.) GLASS (bottles & jars) PLASTIC (rigid plastics) plastic bottles, jugs & jars; rigid plastic caps & lids; rigid plastic food containers (yogurt, deli, hummus, dairy tubs, cookie tray inserts, "clamshell" containers, other plastic take-out containers); rigid plastic non-food containers; rigid plastic packaging ("blister-pak" and "clamshell" consumer packaging, acetate boxes); rigid plastic housewares (flower pots, mixing bowls, plastic appliances, etc.) bulk rigid plastic (crates, buckets, pails, furniture, large toys, large appliances, etc.). CARTONS food & beverage cartons & drink boxes (or any such cartons and aseptic packagingthat hold beverages and food: ice tea, soy milk, soup, etc.) Empty and rinse containers before recycling. Place all together in CLEAR bags, or in any bin labeled with BLUE recycling decals or marked "METAL, GLASS & PLASTIC". Recycle caps & lids.  Wrap knives or similar sharp metal objects in cardboard (such as a piece of cereal box) and secure with tape. Label the package "CAUTION: SHARP" and place with other designated metal, glass, plastic recyclables. For Home Sharps/Hypodermics, see Household Medical Wastes. Place bulk metal or plastic next to recycling bins or bags. Call 311 before discarding appliances that contain CFC gas. 5¢ deposit: Bring deposit bottles and cans back to the store for refunds. Don't include the following with your metal, glass, plastic & carton recycling: plastic foam items (foam cups, foam egg cartons, foam trays, foam packing peanuts, foam sporting equipment, etc.) plastic bags, wrappers, shower curtains, and all kinds of plastic "film" containers that held dangerous or corrosive chemicals; lighters (plastic, metal, or any material); plastic tubes (toothpaste, lotion, and cosmetics, etc.); single-serve food and drink squeezable pouches (juice pouches, baby food squeeze pouches, yogurt to go pouches, etc.); cassette and VHS tapes; pens & markers (plastic, metal, or any material); disposable razors; 3-ring binders (if separate the metal rings, can recycle the metal); umbrellas; garden hoses; luggage (plastic or textile); sponges; sports balls (basket balls, bowling balls, soccer balls, footballs, yoga balls, etc.); any glass items other than glass bottle & jars (mirrors, light bulbs, ceramics, glassware, etc.); batteries (take batteries out of toys before recycling) electronics (computers, TVs, and related devices); extension cords and Christmas tree lights; diapers. If item is in good condtion, see reuse it nyc for reuse options. These items listed above are not recyclable by our vendor, and can create problems in processing and marketing the material that is recyclable. You can take plastic bags and rechargeable batteries to many retail stores in NYC to be recycled. For more info on this and other take-back programs, see: Take it Back NYC.  BULKY ITEMS Furniture and appliances that are predominantly metal or rigid plastic and are too big for your recycling container or clear bag (such as washing machines, metal filing cabinets, water heaters, or plastic furniture) should be placed beside the recycling container on your regular Recycling Day . Before discarding appliances containing CFC gas or freon (such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, or dehumidifiers), you must schedule an appointment to place the item at the curb for CFC recovery. You can make an appointment   on the Sanitation website or call 311. For safety reasons, the law requires doors to be removed from refrigerators and freezers before placing at the curb. Non-recyclable trash that is too big for your garbage container or bag (such as mattresses, lumber, or debris from small construction or garden projects) may be placed at the curb on any regular garbage collection day. The Department of Sanitation will collect up to six bulk items from one address. For more information, see bulk collection on the DSNY website. There are special regulations for wood from trees and for mattresses. For info on how to handle TVs and other broken electronics, see electronics recycling. For info on how to donate reusable furniture and other goods, visit NYC Stuff Exchange . Recycling Containers and Decals The NYC Department of Sanitation does not supply bins or bags for recyclables (or refuse). Rigid containers can be used for recycling as long as they are 18-32 gallon capacity, have lids, and are properly labeled. Plastic bags for recycling must be CLEAR, 13-55 gallon capacity OUTDOOR CONTAINERS AND DECALS (for setout at the curb for DSNY collection) Label containers on both sides and the lid with Department of Sanitation decals, or permanently marked in letters at least 4" high: RECYCLING:MIXEDPAPER (green decal) RECYCLING: METAL, GLASS, PLASTIC & CARTONS (blue decal) To request free decals to label containers for Department of Sanitation recycling collection call the NYC Citizen Service Center at 311. Recycling Symbol Many residents are confused about what to recycle because so many products display the universal recycling symbol (three chasing arrows), primarily as a marketing tool. Each city chooses what they can recycle based on local factors. Manufacturers, however, do not tailor product labeling for each local program, thus, confusion. Do not place items in your recycling containers just because the package displays a recycling symbol or other recycling information. Always check your local program for what can and cannot be recycled where you live. In NYC, refer to the what to recycle lists above to decide what to put into recycling containers.  The Sustainable Packaging Coalition has developed a new "How2Recycle" label to help take the mystery out of product label claims. The "How2Recycle" label incorporates the recycling symbol to help consumers understand what products and packaging can and cannot be recycled where you live, and reminds you to always check your local program for details. Hutchinson Pkwy Study The NYC Department of City Planning has initiated a study for the Hutchinson River Parkway Corridor in the Bronx.  A steering committee was formed that included all important community stakeholders, including representatives of: Elected Officials; Government Agencies; and other community groups including Community Board 10 and 11. The project kickoff meeting was held on April 29. What follows is an overview of the presentation given at that meeting. The study will take one year and will include the area along the Hutchinson Parkway from Baychester Ave to Ferry Point Park and includes parts of Community Boards 10 and 11. The study is commissioned due to a variety of factors including: population, large area of parks and recreation, significant commercial centers, more than 1 million square feet of new office and hotel space planned, more than 700,000 square feet of retail space planned, lower density residential neighbors in the corridor, connections to regional transportation and proposed commuter railway. The goals and objectives of the study are to identify opportunities to accommodate new uses along the corridor; minimize traffic through local streets; improve connectivity and traffic circulation in areas surrounding the Parkway; support pedestrian and cycle connections; and support connections to transit; and enchance transportation safety within the study area. Pelham Parkway Update THE DDC CONTINUES WORK ON MAIN EASTBOUND ROADWAY: Secondary operations remain on the project site, such as roadway striping, tree planting, street lighting, and guiderail installation. These remaining operations have an anticipated completion date of late spring 2013. WORK PERFORMED AS OF March/April 2013: Below is a list of work locations and activities that have been completed to date: § Concrete Curb and Road Base from Stillwell Ave. to Boston Rd. § Asphalt paving on the main eastbound roadway of Pelham Parkway (Boston Road to Stillwell Avenue). § Street Lighting (Williamsbridge Road to Stillwell Avenue). § Bus Stop Reconstruction § Masonry Wall Restoration (Yates Avenue to White Plains Rd.)   ANTICIPATED WORK SCHEDULE FOR May/June 2013: Below is a list of work locations and activities scheduled during the coming months: Location: Boston Road to Stillwell Avenue § Guiderail Installation § Street Lighting Installation § Roadway Striping § Tree Planting   NOTE: The major remaining construction work for this project includes guiderail installation, street lighting installation, and tree planting. In addition, the bus lane on the main eastbound roadway of Pelham Parkway will be painted red from Boston Road to Stillwell Avenue. COMMUNITY IMPACTS: PEDESTRIAN/TRAFFIC Traffic Enforcement Agents (TEA) will be located throughout the project area.   PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BX# 12 Local and Select Bus Service has been restored to the main roadway of Pelham Parkway. DDC's construction regulation signs for this project have been removed from the south curb line of Pelham Parkway South between Boston Road and Stillwell Avenue. o Standard street regulations are back in effect in these locations. Please be aware of posted street signage.   Tree Planting Operations are Scheduled to Resume Shortly SPECIAL NEEDS: Individuals with special needs (dialysis, wheelchair user, etc.) who may be uniquely impacted by this project work should contact the CCL. COMMUNITY CONSTRUCTION LIAISON The DDC has assigned Mr. Jonathan Conte from GEB Engineers, P.C as the Community Construction Liaison (CCL). Please contact Mr. Conte for all project related inquiries/concerns, or to be added to the "Neighborhood Notification Network" e-mail distribution list at: Phone: (718) 829-0128 Fax: (718) 829-3849 E-mail: pelhampkwyprojectccl@gmail.com Field Office: 1200 Waters Place, Suite 102, Bronx, NY 10461 If there are any concern(s) during non-construction hours, please call the NYC Government Services and Information Hotline at 311.   Notice:  This Newsletter can be viewed online and printed from our website http://www.nebxasn.com.  Please send us your full name and email address to info@nebxassn.com.  And if you tell us if you still wish to receive hardcopy of the newsletter via postal service, we will continue to do so.  NEBA does not share email or postal addresses with third parties.  You will also receive crime alerts and other community information on a timelier basis than can be accomplished in this newsletter.   This Memorial Day, say a prayer for all who sacrificed their lives for your freedom.  Freedom is not free!  God bless you and your families and God bless America!