An Eco Extravaganza

Did someone say cotton candy? Oh. We are so there.

 

Tack on a petting zoo, a Ferris wheel and a whole lot of GreenBox-lovin' college students, and we're in.

So when St. John's University invited us to be a part of this year's Earth Fest, it was a no-brainer. And when they decided to combine the event with their Spring Carnival - well, we even considered bringing along our sleeping bags.

"We saw you guys on Shark Tank!" never gets old. And neither does the look of amazement on people's faces when we break down our handy dandy pizza box right before their eyes.

 

And we couldn't be more grateful for such an opportunity.

 

Between the beautiful spring day and the fluffy alpaca in our sight line, it was one heck of an Earth-lovin' afternoon. The piping hot pie from our friends at SkinnyPizza was the icing on the cake - making for a one-of-a-kind event we'll never forget.

Here are few snaps of the action... tallest woman in the world and all. 

Spring Clean…But Stay Green

With warm spring days comes a sense of renewal, rejuvenation… and a whole bunch of motivation to clean.

As we collectively wipe away the memories of winter with a bottle of Clorox, it’s always easiest to dump all of our old stuff in the trash. But when it comes to the environment, there are much smarter ways to wash away the winter blues.

Below are some of our favorite ways to stay green during your spring clean.

1. Your Closet

Are you a bit of a hoarder? Me too. Not TLC style, but there’s just something about those chilly winter months that make me hold onto a bunch of stuff I don’t need. Spring is the perfect time to say adios to these unnecessary items. Apparently, the rule of thumb is to get rid of anything you haven’t used within the past year. But, I think 6 months is more realistic. For example…the Duck Dynasty bobble-head my long-lost cousin sent last Christmas? It’s gotta go.  

Don’t you dare just throw everything away, though. Whatever you think might be salvageable, donate it to a local Goodwill, Salvation Army or one of these 101 places your clutter can do good. Have a few pairs of gently-used shoes hanging around? Check out Soles4Souls: a non-profit that distributes shoes to people in need in over 125 countries. It’s amazing the things we take for granted.

2. Your Car

The inside, the outside, the trunk… it’s all filthy, gross, and full of garbage (oh, is that just me?). Regardless, on a hot, sunny day you might be tempted to pull out the hose and get to it. Hey, it saves a whole 9 bucks and a trip to the car wash, right? But, according to the International Car Wash Association, going to the wash uses less than half the water used when doing the job yourself. To top it off, commercial car washes almost always purify and reuse their water, while those harsh chemicals you bought at 7/11 eventually end up in local lakes and streams.

3. Your Paper Goods

Why do we keep books after we’ve read them? Unless it’s a copy of The Giving Tree, this boggles my mind. Instead of letting stacks of books gather dust, put them to good use. If they’re in decent condition, donate them to a local cause like a thrift shop or fundraiser. Another great option is Bookends.org – an organization that places your gently-used books in inner-city schools, youth centers, homeless shelters and children’s group homes. Make room, and make a difference. Simple as that.

How about piles of old mail, magazines and newspapers? These can all be recycled. On average, a family of four goes through 1.25 tons of paper every year. That’s the weight of a Bison, by the way. And, according to the GreenBox environmental impact calculator, 1.25 tons of paper could create about 4,500 pizza boxes. Let's all think before we throw!

The Secret Garden

Flowering window boxes, warm afternoon winds and the bluest of skies.

Spring in New York, you are lovely. And you are here to stay.

You might never guess that tucked away in the nooks and crannies of our “concrete jungle” are some of the most breathtaking green spaces. Complete with wildflower gardens, river views and butterfly bushes, they’re the hidden gems of our bustling city.

We thought we’d share some of our favorites.

  

1. 91^st Street Garden

Nestled along the corner of Riverside Park, the colorful space at 91^st Street has been run by a community known as “The Garden People” for over 30 years. With winding trails and park benches abound, the gardens are a picturesque setting for an afternoon picnic or Sunday stroll.

Look familiar? You might know it from You’ve Got Mail – the 1998 romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks. It’s where they professed their love, after all.

2. Heather Garden

Heather Garden sits within Fort Tyron Park, a 3-acre green space about 250 feet above the Hudson. With over three-dozen varieties of heather flowers, it’s the largest public garden in the city, and boasts spectacular views of the New Jersey Palisades.

With Spring comes a spectacle of azaleas, peonies, rhododendrons and flowering dogwoods… it’s truly a sight for the sorest of eyes.

3. Wave Hill

So much more than just a green space, Wave Hill is a 28-acre garden and cultural center that overlooks the Hudson (with views all the way to the GW Bridge). 

It used to be a private estate, and features an exquisite 19^th century mansion surrounded by endless wildflowers & shady spaces. There’s even a café serving afternoon tea & farm-fresh treats. What more could you need?

New York City is infinitely more than 5^th Avenue shopping, yellow cabs and food trucks abound. There’s beauty and serenity hidden in the most unlikely places… and we think Spring is the best time to savor it.