Image/Nicole Grossberg

It’s no secret: the trash problem across the city is growingGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. With many home from work, outdoor dining at an all-time high, and schools out, NYC’s trash problem is at an all-time highGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Combine that with a 60% cut to the Department of Sanitation’s budget, and we have a crisis on our handsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Just how much of a hit did the DSNY’s budget take? An astounding $106 million, to be exactGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Fortunately, Astorians careGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. They care about their neighborhood and keeping it clean, open, and accessible to allGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Nicole Grossberg, an Astoria resident and native New Yorker, turned this idea into action and launched the Zero Waste NYC Workshop in August 2019Give_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Zero Waste NYC is in partnership with Sanitation Foundation, the official non-profit for DSNY, and holds monthly educational workshops in order to make a zero waste lifestyle more accessibleGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Grossberg believes that each individual has the ability to make small, simple changes on a daily basis that can ultimately make a huge difference on the planet’s overall health and survivalGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“At our workshops, we talk about activism, community involvement, lifestyle changes, and all different topics around zero wasteGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Essentially, zero waste is lowering your impact on the planet, not producing excessive amounts of waste and cutting down on single-use items”, said GrossbergGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Given the current state of affairs in NYC, single-use items that are harmful to the environment such as takeout containers, masks, and gloves can be found scattered throughout many streets around the cityGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Staying true to the mission of reducing single-use items in her community, Grossberg also works with DeliverZero, a NYC-based startup that aims to partner with restaurants to incorporate reusable containers into their food delivery servicesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. To date, DeliverZero has been highlighted by the likes of NBC, Fox5, and moreGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Each year, approximately 1 billion takeout containers sit in landfills a short distance from NYC, posing a major threat to the environmentGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. DeliverZero allows customers to return the containers to the delivery person the next time they receive a food delivery, or drop them off at the original restaurantGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. To make things easier, customers have up to 6 weeks to return the containersGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. The containers are then washed and sanitized, and can be used for additional deliveries in the futureGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Currently, DeliverZero is looking to partner with Astoria restaurants who may be interested in utilizing reusable containersGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. The initiative has taken off in Brooklyn, and is looking to expand its environmentally-friendly efforts to the borough of QueensGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“Astoria is such a beautiful community; it’s so diverse and has such a great culture and food scene which makes it a desirable area within NYCGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. I’ve loved living here for the last six years, and I want our neighborhood to be clean so we can continue to thrive and flourishGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. I want our neighborhood to continue to be a destination that people want to come to”, shared GrossbergGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Give Me Astoria would like to thank Nicole Grossberg for taking the time to speak with us, and for her continued efforts to keep our community clean! For more information on Zero Waste NYC, you may reach out via email to zerowastenycworkshop@gmailGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.com in addition to visiting Zero Waste NYC’s official website and Instagram pageGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. You may also view its upcoming monthly event schedule hereGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. For additional information on DeliverZero, please visit its official website and Instagram, and reach out to Nicole Grossberg here if you know of any Astoria restaurants that are interested in partnering alongside this wonderful initiative!