Meet the Team

Denise: Founding Director
I founded Earth-Watchers a few years ago during my pregnancy. The prospect of raising my child "green" and safe from harmful chemicals, was incredibly daunting and overwhelming. I knew I needed help. I would often make a commitment to do something and then slip up as soon as temptation arrived. I am grateful to have a support group who not only "gently" hold me accountable for my actions but provide me with countless helpful suggestions.

July goal: Drink only organic and shade grown coffee READ MORE:

Heather: Outreach Director
July goal: Replace all personal care products(shampoos, soaps, sunscreen, make-up, etc.) with natural products that are paraben and phthlate free READ MORE:

CJ: Marketing Director
I live in lower Manhattan and recently retired from the office to full-time
CEO of the household.  Although my new boss(son) is very good to me,
my more familiar self is challenged daily.  All priorities indeed change
-go figure.  Or, is it now go green?
Lately, I rethink every-day choices in an effort to support a healthier
environment for my son to thrive and contribute.  Ultimately, my goal is
to lead by example.  The Earth-Watchers group is my resource for
support and practical alternatives.
July Goal:
1)Consume more local produce and eat less meat
2)Save and re-use my to-go sleeves on my take-out coffee cups
READ MORE:

AB: Financial Director
July Goal: 
Reduce My Use of Disposable Diapers by Using G-diapers Instead

RG
July Goal:
Reduce My Use of Paper

RM
July Goal:
Shorten the Length of My Showers

Ellen:
July Goal:
Save All My Scrap Paper and Turn Them into Notebooks

Eliminating Paper and Plastic

Goal: Eliminating paper and plastic when shopping and dining
out

While running my daily errands around the neighborhood I have noticed
that I am still taking a lot of paper and plastic when making
purchases. When I buy arugula or spinach at the Greenmarket they put it
in a plastic bag. I might stop and buy a bottle of water or get a latte
to go. I always carry a canvas bag but oftentimes buy too much and then
need to use the paper or plastic bags that are offered to me. My goal
is to eliminate all of this paper and plastic.

Here are some steps I have taken to help reach my goal:

• Always carry a canvas bag
• Use my stroller bag to hold purchases if my canvas bag is full
• Buy smaller quantities of food and make more frequent visits to the
market
• Carry my Sigg cup filled with water
• Carry a stainless steel coffee cup just in case I want my latte to go
(although sitting at Jack’s drinking a latte in a ceramic cup is more
enjoyable!)

In the first week I feel like I refused a lot of plastic and paper
bags. I put my Greenmarket purchases directly in my canvas bag. I went
to Bell Bates and Bed, Bath and Beyond and put my purchases directly in
my stroller bag.

One item that has been a little tricky is buying roasted chickens at
Bouley Market. The containers are filled with juice so I want to have
them wrap it in a paper bag before I put it in my canvas bag.

I also found it challenging when we went out of town for the weekend. I
brought a canvas bag but found it more difficult to use it for all of
our purchases. I need to think creatively in the moment, i.e., carry
things back to the car without bagging them.

******

Denise's June Goal: Kicking the Take-Out Habit

My goal: Giving up take-out containers
My quest: To develop a plan we can approach restaurant owners with so that we might be able to indulge in take-out without all of the throw-aways. Any insights on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

6/1
There are often times when I really crave certain foods and would like to have someone else do the cooking and clean-up. Last Saturday my husband and I ordered burgers from a local diner and picnicked outside. Not only were the burgers encased in a styrofoam container, the lettuce and tomatoes were in a small ziplock bag, the utensils in another and of course, the ketchup, mustard and mayonaise, (not that we asked for all this), were also in separate containers. In addition, all of this was in a bleached white paper bag, placed inside a plastic bag. I wish I could go back to the care-free days when I could enjoy a meal like this, but of course I couldn't, thinking about the enormity of the environmental impact of this meal, and that is not even including the burger itself! So, for this month, I intend to forego take-out.

I think the hardest part about this for me will be giving up the take-out ice tea. I usually make my coffee or tea at home, but every once in awhile, particularly when the weather is warm, I really enjoy a large ice tea from AuBonPain. This large ice tea usually involves a large cup, with a plastic lid and plastic straw wrapped in bleached white paper-ugh! In addition, my daughter, when seeing my large up with the plastic straw has been crying for her own. I confess to allowing her, her own cup and straw so that I can drink my caffeinated drink in peace without sharing.

Denise
6/5
Discovery!
Did you know that if you re-use your disposable cup at Starbucks, regardless of how many times, you only get charged for a re-fill? I've had my cup since long before I made this committment and get charged 50 cents for a Venti Ice Tea! On the contrary, when you bring your own re-usable mug you save a measly 10 cents. Go figure!

6/8
Seriously craving pizza today. Want to bring my own plate and get a slice but feel silly, so we end up eating out. My husband and I share a small personal pie and have 2 pieces leftover. I slip them in my re-usable take out container in which I carried a meal for my daughter(she ate it while we ate our pizza).

6/10
Confession:
So today, I went to a work-related function and we were honored as guests and given a wonderful lunch. I had my re-usable containers with me and could have helped myself without using a styrofoam plate but was afraid of making my hosts uncomfortable and sounding "I'm better than you since I don't use styrofoam," so I used the plate. I did re-use it for desert! Does this count as take-out?

6/12
Looking for a lunch option and not wanting to get take-out so check out the grocery store. Anything I can get is already packaged. Does this count as take-out? I think so, so I opt for leftovers in my fridge, but really wished I could have had the sushi!

6/13
I can't take it anymore! I want an ice-tea. So I go to AuBonPain and get one and put it in my stainless steel water bottle. Shouldn't I get some kind of discount? Got charged for a small but am pretty sure I got short-changed on that deal.

A new use for old shoes?

Here are some alternatives to letting
your old shoes take up landfill space:

Heart and Sole, a project run by Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, will accept small donations of gently used shoes that will be donated to those in need in the U.S. and Africa. Donations must be shipped or delivered to them. To make a donation email Anne Cook at cooka@msu.edu

Gently worn footwear can be sent to one of soles4souls warehouses. To find one near you click here.

Used crocs can be sent to Soles United where they will be recycled, turned into new shoes and sent to those in need. You may either mail them or find a participating retailer drop-off location.

Through Nike's Let Me Play campaign you can donate your used athletic shoes(any brand) to be turned into sport surfaces around the world. Click here to find a drop-off location or mail your used shoes to:
Nike Recycling Center
c/o Reuse-A-Shoe
26755 SW 95th Ave.
Wilsonville, OR 97070

The Earth-Watchers Action Plan

Earth-Watchers is not about feeling guilty or passing judgment. Earth-Watchers is about finding your comfort zone, then stretching it until the stretched area begins to feel comfortable. When it does, stretch again.

Each month earth-watchers members choose to incorporate a more eco-friendly habit into their daily lives. At the end of the month we discuss our successes and failures. We brainstorm how we can make our efforts toward sustainability more practical for everyone.

In addition, we take a look at what changes can be done in our community to help others to adapt some eco-friendly habits. For example, it is much easier to eat local when your community has a farmer's market or CSA. It is also much easier to stick to a local diet when your neighborhood restaurant serves local produce and you can reduce your waste when they allow you to to use re-usable carry-out containers.

Would you like to try the Earth-Watchers action plan?
Below you will find a list of eco-friendly actions. Choose one and when it becomes a habit and not a struggle, (only you can determine when that is), choose another. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

1. Purchase only shade grown, organic fair-trade coffee(August article and guide)
2. Reduce your exposure to toxins(May)
3.Say no to paper and plastic bags at the supermarket.(April)
4.Make one in 10 food items organic and avoid the dirty dozen.(March)
5.Choose sustainably harvested seafood.(March)
6. Stop using chemicals to clean your home.(March)
7. Stop sending conventional flowers. Send plants, or organically grown instead.(February)
8. Commit to choosing vintage and recycled jewelry(February)
9. Choose locally grown fruits and vegetables. To find a CSA visit www.localharvest.org

Downtown Manhattan's Local Business Recognition

Earth-Watchers are honoring businesses that are helping its customers shrink our environmental footprints. They may be serving local and organic food, or generating less waste by allowing us to re-use our containers. By publicizing local businesses who have adopted eco-friendly practices, we hope to communicate to others that becoming greener, can be not only practical but profitable. Our mission is to lead by example.

If you are a business owner or a frequent customer of one that you feel deserves recognition, please email us at earthwatchers@yahoo.com.


Congratulations to the following businesses have received an Earth-Watcher's
Earth-Saver Award:

Jack's Stir Brew 222 Front Street, South Street Seaport
Tribeca Treats, 95 Reade Street, Tribeca
Stonehouse California Olive Oil, 223 Front Street, near Peck Slip, South Street Seaport

Guides to Living Lightly in New York City

Coffee: Sellers of Shade Grown and Organic Coffee
Energy: Conservation and Alternative Sources
Food: Local and Organic
Shopping:Environmentally Friendly Businesses

The Living Lightly Guide to:

Baby ProductsBeauty Products(shampoos, soaps, lotions etc.)
Coffee
Dry Cleaning
Energy Use
Cleaning Products
Organics
Plastics
Recycling Old Shoes
Seafood

Book Reviews

Books:
Jane Goodall, "Harvest of Hope"
This is a fantastic book from one of my personal heroes. It will change the way you look at food. The word "hope" in the title gives you the right idea that the overall tone is an optimistic one, although some of the realities of our food industry are quite disturbing. I highly recommend this book for anyone who eats food.

Better Off, Flipping the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende
This is a fun read about a couple who decide to live "off the grid," for the purpose of research. They calculate how much time they spend "working" and compare it to the hours the rest of us, living with modern conveniences, spend. The author does not suggest or promote a lifestyle without electricity, however he does offer a fresh perspective on how we view our modern "conveniences."

Our Mission

Our mission is two-fold. First, we believe that changes on the individual level do make a difference. Therefore, we strive to challenge ourselves to live lighter and lighter. In doing so, we hope our efforts will inspire others to do the same. In addition, we work within our communities putting systems into place, which we hope will ultimately make it easier for others to shrink their footprint too!