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Our Stories

110 No-Waste Stories — and Counting

Scroll through the stories that have been submitted by members of our community. They are sorted according to the 7 facets of the No-Waste Mindset so you can find what’s most relevant to you.  (You can also access the stories from the drop-down menu under “+NoWaste Mindset-Stories and Tips” on the main blue nav bar on the website. )

Then, consider submitting your own story of how you are reducing waste at home or professionally.  Learn how HERE.

NYC Swap, Share and Schmooze in Hell's Kitchen neighborhood

Swap, Share and Shmooze in NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen

Want to learn how to hold a fun swap event in your community? Learn from the Swap, Share, and Shmooze event held in NYC's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. Reduce waste and promote neighborliness.
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free stuff boxes can help reduce waste in NYC

Ten Ways Residents Can Reduce Waste In NYC Apartment Buildings

Ten great ways apartment residents in NYC can reduce waste via free DSNY recycling collection programs, free online resources and low-cost methods for sharing, borrowing, swapping, repairing and more with neighbors. Four strategies for measuring success, too.
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Visible Mending Bird Embroidered On a Shirt By Jussara Lee

Visible Mending is Trending with Jussara Lee

Stop throwing away clothing that becomes torn or worn! Jussara Lee has a better, more beautiful solution: mend it artfully and visibly, with what she calls 'Visible Mending'.
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Naboskab: Helping the Danes Share Via Community Closets

Looking for innovative ideas to promote sharing, circular economy and local sustainability? Check out Naboskab — "Neighborhood Closet" in Danish — and learn about their three community closets that promote reuse and sharing, while also saving money, space, and the environment.
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NYC community members at Stop 'N' Swap event.

Stop ‘N’ Swap Events Help Make NYC More Sustainable

In addition to keeping stuff out of landfills, community reuse events like GrowNYC's Stop 'N' Swaps ® can make NYC more sustainable by building community and enhancing economic resilience, especially in underserved areas.
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Pandemic Cooking

Making the Most of Your Pandemic Cooking

Jacquelyn Ottman, zero waste advocate and scratch cook explains the appreciation of food that she gained by cooking during the Pandemic.
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Images of vegetarian recipe examples

Start a Conversation about Vegetarianism by Underscoring Benefits

Feeling misunderstood about being a vegetarian? Colleen McCarthy shares how she starts productive conversations with other college students by emphasizing direct personal benefits of good taste, health, and money savings.
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Are Small Steps to Reduce Waste Worth Doing? A Debate with Mr. Right

Can small steps reduce waste or are policies necessary? A debate between a husband and wife over the role of consumer waste habits.
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Bring Back the Clothesline — It’s the Ultimate Solar Machine

Steven Lake's documentary, Drying for Freedom, inspires consumers and their communities to give the clothesline a fresh look as the 'ultimate solar machine'.
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Vincent Lai helps the NYC community repair more broken stuff.

How To Get Broken Stuff Fixed in NYC

NYC residents now have more options for getting things fixed in NYC. Get free tips on where to repair, as well as tips to reduce, reuse and recycle in the Big Apple.
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Jacquie Nudges Her Neighbors to Learn More About Recycling in NYC

7 Ways to Nudge Fellow New Yorkers to Cut Down on Waste

If you're the unofficial recycling nudge in your NYC building or office, you'll appreciate these tips for getting others to align with New York's Zero Waste by 2030 goals.
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