Sustainability & Environmental Enhancement Committee (SEEC)

City of White Plains

In Neighborhood, Village, County & State: Moving Consumer Culture ‘Beyond Waste’
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 7:30 pm (snowdate: Wed. 2/16/2011) at the Greenburgh Nature Center
Bold thinking is pointing toward a new goal for solid waste management: Beyond Waste is the directional call. A panel including spokespersons from state, county, and municipal government, the business community, and local environmental organizers will present strategies and initiatives to move our consumer culture in the direction of decreasing and reclaiming as much waste as we possibly can. Panel will be followed by Q & A and discussion of how efforts at all levels and in every sector can be mutually supportive toward the common goal of moving Beyond Waste.
 
Panelists will include:
Terry Laibach, Program Specialist 2, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 3, Recycling Program
Marianne S. Petronella, Westchester County Director of Resource Management Department of Environmental Facilities/Recycling Office
Neil Cutler, Synergis-Zero Waste Group & Westchester Green Business Challenge
Susan Goodwin, Tarrytown – Plastic Bag Reduction Program
Mark Gilliland, Irvington – Love ‘Em & Leave ‘Em Initiative
 
Location: Greenburgh Nature Center 99 Dromore Road Scarsdale, NY 10583
For info or directions, see our website: greenburghnaturecenter.org or call: (914)813-1812
This program is co-sponsored by the Greenburgh Environmental Forum, Greenburgh Nature Center and Sierra Club Lower Hudson Chapter.

 

Committee Meeting Notice
January 25, 2011
There will be a Committee Meeting Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

White Plains Board of Education
Education House
5 Homeside Lane (off North Street)
White Plains, NY 10605 

Funding Small Business Energy Improvements FREE Seminar
November 3, 2010
The Funding Small Business Energy Improvements FREE Seminar is being held on Tuesday, November 9, 6pm-8pm at the New York Power Authority-Jaguar Room, 123 Main Street, White Plains. Representatives of NYSERDA, Con Edison and micro lender Accion will inform business owners, commercial property owners and managers, and commercial landlords about incentives, rebates and loans to help pay for energy improvements. This program is supported by Energy $mart Communities, the White Plains Business Improvement District and the White Plains Sustainability and Environmental Enhancement Committee (SEEC). RSVP to: Elizabeth.Silleck@gmail.com

HOUSEHOLD RECYCLING DAY THIS WEEKEND AT PLAYLAND PARK
November 3, 2010
The next Household Recycling Day will be held Friday (Nov. 5) from 1-3 p.m. and Saturday (Nov. 6) from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Playland Park in Rye. For a complete and detailed list of what to bring and what’s not accepted, visit www.westchestergov.com/HRD or call 813-5425.

Household Recycling Drop Off Days 2010
September 23, 2010

New Program Offers to Help Residents Save on Energy Costs
August 30, 2010
Westchester County is launching a new program tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 31, that will offer free home energy assessments to homeowners who want to learn how they can make their homes more energy efficient, and, of course, save money.


White Plains Sustainability Questionnaire
August 6, 2010
Mayor Adam Bradley established the Sustainability and Environment Enhancement Committee (SEEC) in 2010 to improve the environmental footprint of White Plains in a realistic and thoughtful manner to sustain a quality of life which is responsible, cost-effective and healthy. The City strives for a balance of what can be achieved now and what can be planned for when fiscal realities improve. SEEC provides a public forum through which the insight and creativity of the entire community can contribute to our long-term sustainability.

Please take a few moments to fill out the SEEC (Sustainability and Environmental Enhancement Committee) Questionnaire. Whether you are a resident of White Plains, work or study in our City or if you are just visiting, we want to better understand the environmental interests, experiences, awareness and need of our community. Your interest is appreciated.

Drought Watch Announcement
July 7, 2010
The entire populations of White Plains and Scarsdale, as well as portions of North Castle and Yonkers who are served by County Water District #1, have been asked to conserve water this summer because of work that the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) is doing inside the Kensico Dam. During this construction District #1 has been receiving its water from a diversion system that was set up by the NYCDEP. This bypass piping system, because of available space, is smaller than the permanent pipe and has limitations as to how much water can be drawn through it.
 


Leaf Blower Ban
The annual ban on the use of GASOLINE POWERED LEAF BLOWERS in the City of White Plains will be in effect between June 15, 2010 and September 30, 2010.

For more information on the Ordinances regulating the use of landscaping maintenance equipment please click on this link.

Mission Statement:

Improve the environmental footprint of White Plains in a realistic and thoughtful manner to sustain a quality of life which is responsible, cost-effective and healthy. Strive for a balance of what can be achieved now and what can be planned for when fiscal realities improve.

The Sustainability and Environmental Enhancement Committee will provide a public forum through which the insight and creativity of the entire community can contribute to our long-term sustainability.

Goals:

Involve all of White Plains in identifying innovative ways to enhance the environmental footprint and promote sustainability, according to sectors:

–     municipal government

–     businesses (i.e. corporations, small businesses, retail, restaurants, hotels, nonprofits)

–     education (K – 12 and higher ed)

–     households

–     environmental organizations

–     houses of worship

–     healthcare

Develop short-term and longer-term strategies to protect/conserve natural resources and promote sustainability of operations associated with:

–     energy

–     transportation

–     land use

–     waste reduction, recycling & green products

–     water resources

Review/assess progress in making White Plains more sustainable, more energy efficient and greener in recent years

Develop prioritized and cost-effective short and long-term recommendations for presentation to Mayor and Common Council on ways to make White Plains a healthier, safer, more sustainable and more livable community.

Review Best Practice models of sustainability and reducing green house gases developed by other municipalities throughout Westchester, the NY Metro area, the Northeast / other regions of the U.S. and the world for applicability to White Plains.

–    Avoid “re-inventing the wheel”

(OVER)

Develop/enhance cost-effective ways of promoting environmental awareness and sustainability opportunities throughout the community of White Plains.

Review ways of collaborating more with other public, private and nonprofit organizations on a regional basis on critical environmental resource management and sustainability matters and on accessing available resources through partnering.

Examples of Committee Tasks that could be undertaken:

·         Minimize the amount and cost of energy and water required to sustain our places of residence

·         Organize the elements of our transportation system to reduce dependency on the use of private automobiles

·         Continue to encourage and expand recycling of used materials and use of greener, more ecologically friendly products

·         Preserve the quality and aesthetic value of our natural environment, water courses, open space and public gathering spaces

·         Implement standardized programs of sustainability for City Government activities, public buildings and infrastructure

·         Provide a forum through which the insights and creativity of the entire community can contribute to our long-term sustainability