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Home , Earth Day

HCIA 2021 CALENDAR CHANGE

A calendar of art created by Hudson County students in recognition of the annual Hudson County Improvement Authority Day Calendar Contest.

Over the past several decades, scientists have noticed significant changes in our environmental conditions, like an increase in record-breaking hot days — this is called . Our rapidly changing climate makes it difficult for all living things, especially humans and animals. That’s why it’s important for each of us to reduce our . Carbon footprints are ways humans contribute to the dangerous chemicals and greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere. This year, the Hudson County Improvement Authority has provided you with tips and information in the 2021 calendar about what we can all do to protect the future of our planet. JANUARY 2021

Kiya Vanera, Grade 2 - PS #25 NEW YEAR, NEW CHOICES A new year is a good opportunity for all of us to make productive lifestyle changes, including making choices that will help reduce our carbon footprint. This year, challenge yourself to go Zero Waste by limiting plastic use and buying secondhand clothing and package-free items.

Fun Fact: Did you know the HCIA offers free tips for you to limit waste? Visit HCIA.org to learn more!

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 1 2

New Year’s Day 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Eastern Orthodox 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Eastern Orthodox New Year 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31 25 26 27 28 29 30 COOL LINKS COOL APPS packagefreeshop.com Recycle Studio livescience.com FEBRUARY 2021

Kaivalya Dutta, Grade 3 - BelovED Community Charter School REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE! The best way to keep our neighborhoods clean is by limiting what needs to be disposed of, reusing and repairing items before they are tossed in the trash and recycling properly. When products like plastic bottles are manufactured, harmful factory chemicals can be introduced into our air. Instead, consider using a reusable water bottle to save money and help to sustain the environment for years to come.

Fun Fact: Only plastics with #1 and #2 printed on them should be recycled. Download the Recycle Coach app on your phone or tablet to learn more about your local recycling programs and schedule.

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 First Day of 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Lunar New Year 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Valentine’s Day Presidents’ Day 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Purim Begins 28 COOL LINKS COOL APPS recycleright.org Recycle Coach recycleoftenrecycleright.com earth911.com 2021

Rashi Jakhotiya, Grade 7 - Secaucus Middle School PLANT A GARDEN, HELP THE ENVIRONMENT Planting a garden has many benefits for the environment: it helps pollinators like bees and butterflies, and if you plant veggies and herbs, it can reduce your carbon footprint by limiting your trips to the grocery store. This , consider planting a garden or growing herbs or flowers in your window sill or in your community.

Fun Fact: Many cities have community gardens in local parks for people to grow their own plants and vegetables. If you don’t have space at home, check with your town to see how you can participate in a community garden.

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 1 2 3 4 5 6

First Day of Women’s History Month 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Mobile Shredding North Bergen - Begins Braddock Park 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Mobile Shredding Secaucus Daylight High School Saving Time St. Patrick’s Day 1st Day of Spring 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Mobile Shredding Bayonne - Gregg Park Water Day Begins 28 29 30 31 28 29 30

Palm Sunday COOL LINKS COOL APPS kidsgardening.org Veggie Garden Planner njagsociety.org My Little Terrarium state.nj.us/dep/seeds 2021

Kaashwl Shah, Grade K - Kindergarten Hudson Arts and Science Charter School CELEBRATE EARTH DAY! Every year, Hudson County joins communities across the world to recognize Earth Day on . Earth Day was first observed in 1970 and has since grown into a global with the goal to diversify, educate and activate good environmental practices. You don’t have to go far to enjoy all the beauty Earth has to offer! Celebrate our planet this month by doing outdoor activities in our county parks, like kayaking in Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus, taking a guided walk in Lincoln Park in Jersey City or having a picnic in Braddock Park in North Bergen. Fun Fact: The HCIA is the sponsor of New Jersey’s longest running Earth Day celebration. Visit HCIA.org to learn more about events scheduled for this year.

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 1 2 3 1 2 3 COOL LINKS COOL APPS earthday.org planetpals.com epa.gov/earthday April Fool’s Day Holy Saturday 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mobile Shredding Union City - Jose Marti School Hoboken - DPW 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Mobile Shredding Kearny - West Hudson Park Begins Tax Day Guttenberg - DPW 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Earth Day 25 26 27 28 29 30 May 2021

Genesis Lema, Grade 4 - St. Francis Academy DISPOSING OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE You probably have several items in your house that need to be discarded carefully to reduce negative impacts on the environment. Things like pool chemicals, oil-based paint, tires and certain oils need to be disposed of in a special way. Many of these items can be properly recycled for free at HCIA approved collection sites. Visit HCIA.org for a full list of times and locations of where these items can be discarded, as well as a list of acceptable materials. Fun Fact: Did you know, the HCIA collects hazardous waste from thousands of residents for free every year?

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 1

COOL LINKS COOL APPS Mobile njhazwaste.com Recycle Coach Shredding stopwaste.org Jersey City - Lincoln Park 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 HHW, Tire, Computer Recycling North Bergen - MUA Bayonne - Gorman Field Orthodox Easter 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 HHW, Tire, Computer Recycling Jersey City - Municipal Complex Kearny - DPW Mother’s Day Eid al-Fitr Armed Forces Day 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Mobile Shredding WNY - DPW Harrison - TBD 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30 31 25 26 27 28 29

Memorial Day JUNE 2021

Jerrick Kamaraj, Grade 7 - Academy 1 OBSERVING June 5 is World Environment Day, an initiative by the to encourage worldwide awareness and action to protect the environment. It’s easy for us to do our part and work together to prevent the devastating impacts of climate change by volunteering with environmental organizations, talking to your local community leaders and educating your friends.

Fun Fact: The main cause of climate change is due to decisions we as humans make, like cutting down trees and burning fossil fuels like coal and oil. That’s why it’s important for us to all do our part to protect the Earth from further damage.

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 1 2 3 4 5

World Environment Day 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Primary 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Juneteenth Observed 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Father’s Day First Day of Summer 27 28 29 30 28 29 30

Palm Sunday Holi COOL LINKS COOL APPS worldenvironmentday.global Recycle Studio un.org/en/observances/environment-day JULY 2021

Raphaela Abu, Grade 2 - Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School TRAVEL SMART, TRAVEL GREEN Did you know that electric vehicles emit less than half the amount of greenhouse gases than traditional gasoline powered cars? Not only are electric cars cheaper to maintain, they are better for the environment. But, you don’t need an electric car to reduce your carbon footprint when traveling - consider riding your bike, walking or using public transportation when possible to limit the amount of air caused by private, gasoline powered vehicles. Fun Fact: New Jersey is a leader in electric vehicle incentives and rebates. There are over 15,000 electric vehicle charging stations throughout Hudson County, in Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Secaucus, Kearny, West New York and Harrison.

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 1 2 3 COOL LINKS COOL APPS hudsontma.org/charging-your- PlugShare electric-vehicle-in-hudson-coun- NJ Transit ty/ chargeup.njcleanenergy.com/ 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Independence Independence Day Day Observed 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Tisha B’Av Begins 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Eid al-Ahda Begins 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Friendship Day AUGUST 2021

Tessa Szyba, Grade 4 - St. Francis Academy CLEAN COMMUNITIES The Clean Communities program helps towns across the state address littering. The HCIA works with non-profit organizations, schools and businesses to conduct cleanup projects throughout the county. These cleanup activities and programs improve our neighborhoods and make them even better places to live.

Fun Fact: You can host a cleanup event in your own neighborhood! Call (201) 324-6222, ext. 3257 to learn more about how we can help you organize it.

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

National Night Out 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Muharram Begins (Muslim New Year) 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Assumption 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Women’s Equality Day 29 30 31 COOL LINKS COOL APPS hcia.org/index.php/recycling/ Oroeco clean-communities #climate njclean.org SEPTEMBER 2021

Standey Sauveur, Grade 8 - Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School REDUCING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT One of the best ways to protect the planet is to reduce your carbon footprint. By reducing your carbon footprint, you are limiting the amount of harmful gases that enter into the air we breathe. You can also live a more sustainable lifestyle by having meatless Mondays, eating locally to cut down on production pollution and carpooling when possible. Fun Fact: You can learn more about your own carbon footprint and how to reduce it by visiting nature.org/en-us/get-involved/ how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 1 2 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Labor Day Begins 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Mobile Shredding Harrison - TBD Grandparents Constitution Union City - Jose Day Begins Day Marti School 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Mobile Shredding Bayonne - Begins First Day of Fall Gregg Park 26 27 28 29 30 30

Shemini Atzeret & Begins COOL LINKS COOL APPS epa.gov/sustainability Earth Hero: Climate Change H2O Quality OCTOBER 2021 HONORABLE MENTIONS GRADE K-2

Scarlett Castillo, Grade K - Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School

Amiro Giop Ramirez, Grade 2 - Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School

Ashley Zaldivar, Grade 2 - Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School ENERGY EFFICIENCY Energy Efficiency Day is October 6 and was first observed in 2016 as a way for leaders and organizations to identify and promote ways to save money, cut pollution and create jobs. Using energy-efficient appliances in your home not only prevents unnecessary air pollution, but also helps save you money in the long run. Despite an increased population over the past several years, the United States’ electricity use has remained steady, primarily because more people are using energy-efficient appliances and switching to LED light bulbs. So next time your family is buying a new refrigerator or cooling system, be sure to read the label first!

Fun Fact: New Jersey offers a ton of incentives to help you and your family reduce energy use and save money. Visit NJcleanenergy.com to learn more about receiving rebates on Energy Star appliances, qualifying for a free energy audit & more!

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 1 2 3 1 2 Mobile Shredding WNY - DPW Kearny - West Hudson Park 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HHW, Tire, Computer Recycling Mobile Bayonne - Gorman Field Shredding Secaucus - Energy Jersey City - High School Efficiency Day Lincoln Park 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

HHW, Tire, Computer Recycling Jersey City - Indigenous Municipal Complex Peoples’ Day Kearny - DPW 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Mobile Shredding al-Nabi North Bergen - Begins Braddock Park 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Mobile Shredding Hoboken - DPW Guttenberg - DPW 31 COOL LINKS COOL APPS energyefficiencyday.org EmPOWERed Kids by biofriendlyplanet.com Consumers Energy NOVEMBER 2021 HONORABLE MENTIONS GRADE 3-5

Vihaan Badani, Grade 3 Arav Bajoria, Grade 5 Learning Community Charter School Huber Street School

Amber Cato, Grade 5 Lineysha Goel, Grade 4 Clarendon School St. Francis Academy

Fiona Kamaraj, Grade 4 Karina Nikolaev, Grade 4 PS #25 St. Francis Academy

Cirriyah Rhodes, Grade 4 Mikyla Thomas, Grade 5 Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School PREVENTING FOOD WASTE Food waste accounts for the largest amount of material that ends up in our landfills. Instead of throwing away your old food and kitchen scraps, composting is a great way to turn old organic material into rich material for your garden, shrubs or indoor plants. Not only will you be eliminating unnecessary harmful gases like methane from entering into the air, you’ll also save money on things like garbage bags and other disposal material.

Fun Fact: The HCIA collects old pumpkins in November to bring to a local compost facility so they don’t turn into greenhouse gases. You can also purchase a discounted compost bin on HCIA. org so you can compost food waste in your own backyard.

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 3 4 5 6

Mobile Shredding Secaucus - All Saints’ Day Election Day High School 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Daylight Saving Time Ends 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

America Recycles Day 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Native American Thanksgiving Heritage Day 28 29 30 27 28 29 30 COOL LINKS COOL APPS stopfoodwaste.ie USDA Food Keeper Start of usda.gov/foodlossandwaste Your Local - Fight Food Waste DECEMBER 2021

HONORABLE MENTIONS GRADE 6-8

Sergio Canales, Grade 8 Jaiden, Grade 7 Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School

Jahmin Johnson, Grade 7 Sheyla Moreno, Grade 8 Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School

Victor Nikolaev, Grade 6 Nayson Randolph, Grade 8 St. Francis Academy Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School

Jacob Ransom, Grade 6 Darline Sanon, Grade 8 Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School

Sheqia Torres, Grade 6 Maiyisha Ulysse, Grade 7 Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School SHOP SMART THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Preventing climate change is about more than just recycling. One thing we can do this holiday season is to consider purchasing experiences rather than physical “stuff.” If you do plan to buy gifts, make sure they are made from long lasting, eco-friendly and recyclable materials and packaging. Also, don’t forget to shop locally to help our small businesses!

Fun Fact: Christmas trees need to be properly recycled and placed on the curb free of lights, ornaments and plastic. Check with Recycle Coach or your local DPW for more information about your town’s collection dates.

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 1 2 1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Pearl Harbor Feast of the Remembrance Immaculate Day Conception 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

First Day of Winter Christmas 26 27 28 29 30 31

Kwanzaa Begins New Year’s Eve COOL LINKS COOL APPS greenpeace.org GreenChoice: Grocery Shopping treehugger.com PalmSmart Doing Our Part, Together “Each year, the Hudson County Improvement Authority works diligently with all 12 municipalities to ensure our communities are appropriately discarding waste and properly recycling. This year, I encourage you to participate in one of the HCIA’s HHW collection or shredding days to continue the progress we have made to create a brighter environmental future for Hudson County.” Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise

Students’ Work Takes the Spotlight “The past year has been trying for all of us, but despite the challenges Hudson County’s young students have once again risen to the occasion to Thomas A. DeGisecreate meaningfulNorman and educational M. Guerra art for this year’sKurt calendar A. Cherry contest. On Hudson Countybehalf of the entireChief Board, Executive we thank everyone Executive for participating Director/ and using Executivethis as a unique opportunityOfficer to shed light on the environmentalChief Financial issues we face.” Frank Pestana, HCIA Board Chairman Officer

Fighting Against Climate Change “The Hudson County Improvement Authority is committed to providing residents with the resources, tools and education necessary to reduce the negative impacts of climate change in our community. We look forward to continuing this work in the coming year by creating new opportunities to build a more sustainable future for Hudson County.” Norman M. Guerra, Chief Executive Officer

Thomas A. DeGise Norman M. Guerra Kurt A. Cherry Hudson County Chief Executive Executive Director/ Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer

HCIA Commissioners County Commissioners Frank Pestana, Chair Anthony P. Vainieri Jr., Chair James P. Doran, Ed.D., Vice Chair William O’Dea, Vice Chair Nicholas Goldsack, Treasurer Anthony L. Romano, Jr., Chair Pro-Tempore Frank Lorenzo, Secretary Jerry Walker Fred M. Bado Kenneth Kopacz Brian K. Dellabella Yraida Aponte-Lipski Jeffrey Dublin Fanny J. Cedeño Martin T. Martinetti Caridad Rodriguez John A. Peneda Albert J. Cifelli

HCIA PROGRAMS The HCIA Environmental Programs Division offers a number of programs targeting issues. The 30 to 45 minute audience participation programs are available for Pre-K to Grade 12 in public, private, charter and parochial schools throughout Hudson County. Virtual programs are available. Our programs provide an open forum to augment any • Environmental Curriculum • Recycling Program • Local Clean-up Project

Amanda J. Nesheiwat Director of Environmental Programs (201) 324-6222 ext. 3210 [email protected]

Call us at (201) 324-6222 x3257 or visit us at: hcia.org 830 Bergen Avenue, 9th Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07306

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