TESTIMONY
Sitra Bowman, Member of the GrowNYC Workers Collective, on the Importance of GrowNYC's Community Composting, Stop and Swap, and Zero Waste Schools Programs
6:56:50
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108 sec
Sitra Bowman, a member of the GrowNYC Workers Collective represented by RWDSU, testifies about the critical need to reinstate funding for GrowNYC's community composting program, stop and swap program, and zero waste schools program to save 79 union jobs.
- Bowman highlights the significant cost savings that could be achieved by diverting waste from landfills through proper education, outreach, and sorting.
- She emphasizes the impact of the zero waste schools program in implementing composting across public schools in all five boroughs and the need for this support to successfully participate in curbside composting.
- Bowman argues that cutting the zero waste schools program contradicts the stated belief in its efficacy and represents a missed opportunity for environmental education and skill development for students amid the pressing issue of climate change.
- She calls for investment in green-collar jobs and a sustainable future for the city and its students.
Sitra Bowman
6:56:50
Hello.
6:56:50
Good afternoon to the chairs and to the city council members.
6:56:54
My name is Citra Bowman, and I am a proud member of the Grow NYC Workers Collective.
6:56:58
Represented by RWDSU.
6:57:01
I'm here today to ask you to reinstate funding for the community composting program stop and swap program, and 0 waste schools, and to save 79 union jobs.
6:57:10
The money that we are asking for is tiny compared to how much this city could save.
6:57:14
This past year, the city spent $432,000,000, sending our waste to landfills.
6:57:19
With proper education outreach and sorting, we could save over a $100,000,000 that could be reinvested into this city.
6:57:27
I have been working at Grow NYC doing education and outreach as part of the 0 way schools program for almost 2 years.
6:57:33
During this time, the program has been implemented in public schools across all five boroughs.
6:57:38
While I am extraordinarily proud of this accomplishment, it is not enough.
6:57:42
Schools themselves are often short staffed and they need the extra support that this program provides to be able to successfully participate in curbside composting.
6:57:51
Schools produce a mountain of waste, 50% of which can be composted.
6:57:55
Without proper infrastructure and education, this will be a missed opportunity to divert waste from landfills and to have cleaner sidewalks and communities.
6:58:04
Last month, we heard Commissioner Tisch discuss how wonderful the zero waste school's program is.
6:58:08
If she believes in the efficacy of this program, how can she justify cutting it?
6:58:12
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing young people today.
6:58:16
Students are best served when we can help them develop tangible skills to combat the issues that they are currently facing.
6:58:21
This is what the 0 0 waste schools program provides.
6:58:25
How can I encourage students to look for jobs in this field when I am being laid off?
6:58:30
I'm imploring you today to invest in green collar jobs and and in a sustainable future for our city and for our students.
6:58:36
Thank you for your time.
