New York Recycles Calendar Contest Theme Background & Ideas

Theme: Community First, Waste Last

This year’s theme is centered around community collaboration. It explores how communities can shape reuse and donation programs, utilize shared spaces such as libraries, and how leaning into connection can bring about reduction, reuse and recycling.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead

While we can each make choices everyday that can lead to a cleaner and greener future, we can work together to make all of our small actions even bigger. If we create loops within neighborhoods and communities, we can consume less which leads to wasting less. This can look like swapping clothes, books, and even sharing skills such as sewing or learning how to fix household items! This may also look like community composting, supporting our local libraries, and working with local organizations and businesses that help foster connection with one another. 

We can also team up to clean up our environment and our habits by encouraging our friends and family to follow the many Rs (refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle) and to leave our shared spaces better than we found them. 

Areas to explore: 

  • Reuse through sharing

  • Libraries, repair cafes, and tool libraries

  • Community Composting and Gardening

  • Supporting local recycling programs and initiatives

  • Upcycling

  • Leading by example

  • Leaving spaces better than we found them  

Additional Resources Link: