City Council Considers Plans to Reduce Paper Receipt Waste
In an effort to reduce paper waste and exposure to harmful chemicals on receipts, the New York City Council will hold upcoming hearings on bills designed to give customers more choice over receiving receipts and phase out the use of BPA-coated receipt paper.
The Council will consider four bills that will look at providing consumers with the option of declining a paper receipt in exchange for an e-receipt; providing customers with the option not to print receipts; requiring the recycling receipts; and alternatives to BPA/BPS paper.
“Nobody needs foot-long receipts. We will work with businesses and consumers to cut out paper receipt waste and protect the planet. Let’s not print receipts when they aren’t wanted, especially when we have technology to issue environmentally-friendly alternatives,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Greenwich Village, West SoHo, Hudson Square, Times Square, Garment District, Flatiron, Upper West Side).
Annually in the United States, the use of receipts consumes over 3 million trees, according to Green America. The majority of paper receipts are coated with BPA or BPS, chemicals that can have adverse effects on the human body. The EU has already prohibited BPA receipts starting in 2020.
BP Adams and Brooklyn Borough Hall Participate in Week of Service
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and the Brooklyn Borough Hall team participated in several charitable giveaways the week of Thanksgiving. These activities are part of a tradition at Brooklyn Borough Hall, which continues to emphasize and promote service to the community, especially during the holiday season.
“There is a reason we call the day ‘Thanksgiving,’ as opposed to ‘Thanksreceiving.’ We recognize this holiday each year in the shared spirit of generosity, especially toward those who may not have the privilege of gathering around a table with friends and family. That’s why my team at Brooklyn Borough Hall is proud to do their part, performing charitable acts to help fellow Brooklynites in need. Our goal of fostering the strength of One Brooklyn finds its fullest expression in holidays like this one, and we want everyone to know the essential comforts of a good meal, a roof over their heads, and the company of loved ones,” said Adams.
Borough Hall hosted a “Plantsgiving” giveaway, co-sponsored by Target. Volunteers helped distribute more than 2,405 pounds of Thanksgiving trimmings to local non-profits and religious institutions. The event highlighted the widespread need for healthy, nourishing meals during the holiday season for those who need it most.
On Thanksgiving, Adams and the Borough Hall team volunteered at the Campaign Against Hunger (CAHNYC), a Bed-Stuy-based non-profit that distributes well-balanced meals to approximately 30,000 food-insecure residents each month, in addition to its annual outreach for Thanksgiving.
The two Thanksgiving distribution events, along with Monday, November 4th’s Vegan & Veg-Curious Meetup at Brooklyn Borough Hall, which featured Thanksgiving cooking demonstrations, highlighted Borough President Adams’ commitment to leading the way in alleviating the national health crisis, by sharing the broad benefits of embracing a healthy, plant-based lifestyle.
“Organizations like Campaign Against Hunger and so many others across the borough go to great lengths to ensure no one goes without food during the holiday, and their efforts often go unrecognized. We wanted to make sure we were drawing more attention to the good work they do, whether it’s during this time of year or year-round,” Adams added.
Assemblyman Colton Announces Toys for Tots Drive
Assemblyman William Colton (D- Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) is happy to announce his annual TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE for the U.S. Marine Corps and several other organizations.
“My office has been helping to collect TOYS FOR TOTS on behalf of the U. S. Marine Corps for a number of years. In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official activity of the U. S. Marine Corps. In 1996, the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve expanded Toys for Tots to cover all 50 states by authorizing selected Marine Corps League Detachments and selected local community organizations (generally led by a Marine veteran), located in communities without a Marine Reserve Center, to conduct toy collection and distribution campaigns in their communities,” said Colton.
The US Marine Corps Toys for Tots program is a perfect example that our servicemen and women are doing more than just serving our country. Any contributions are appreciated and will help millions of less fortunate children to enjoy the magic of the holidays. I have also helped to collect toys for a number of community organizations including for children at Coney Island Hospital in conjunction with the Shorefront Toys for Tots, among others,” Colton added.
Toys should be new in the original package and unwrapped. Anyone who would like to donate toys is welcome to drop it off anytime before Monday, Dec. 16 at Colton’s district office, 155 Kings Highway in Bensonhurst.
Seddio’s Annual Christmas Lighting Display Kicks Off Tonight
Kings County Democratic Party Chair Frank Seddio’s annual Christmas lighting display is set for tonight and this year it has been chosen to participate in a nationally televised Christmas Decorating show.
Seddio said it would be great if the attendees, which usually number in the thousands, can bring the kids, young and old and cheer the event on as the judge reviews the display.
“We will have treats and hot coffee and Cocoa along with some goodies. You would be a big help in letting the judge get a dose of Brooklyn’s Christmas spirit,” said Seddio in an email.
In order to make this night a success listed below are the details of what to expect:
- Please arrive by 5 p.m.
- If you attend, you will be filmed by the Show. If you are not comfortable with being filmed, please visit our display during our regular holiday hours which being after the lighting and continue until January 6, 2020
- Wear festive Christmas clothing. Santa hats, Ugly winter sweaters, winter coats, or red and green clothing all work well.
- Please refrain from taking photos while we are filming, even on cell phones.
- When you arrive, you will be asked to stand in the crowd. All the crowd scenes will be filmed at the top of the night, and we will try to wrap it up as early as possible so everyone can get home in time for bed. If you know you will need to leave early, please stand at the back of the crowd.
- Do not wear logos, copyrighted artwork, costumes, or anything that would put you on Santa’s naughty list.
The event is slated for 6 p.m., tonight, Dec. 2 at the corner of Flatlands Avenue and East 96th Street in Canarsie.
