County Executive Michael Hein, left, and others, celebrate green
fleet (file)
ALBANY – Ulster County and Hudson River Sloop Clearwater are among
six entities and communities to have received this year’s State
Department of Environmental Conservation’s Environmental Excellence
Awards.
Ulster County’s net carbon neutral operations have received national
recognition for its commitment to environmental stewardship and is one
of just three New York municipalities certified by the DEC as a Bronze
Level Climate Smart Community.
The county is purchasing 100 percent green electricity from sustainable
sources, prohibiting all food service providers from using polystyrene
foam, and promoting safer alternatives; expanding and improving the operation
of the composting facility at the county’s Resource Recovery Agency
in Kingston; greening and right-sizing their vehicle fleet by adding seven
plug-in hybrids sedans and one all-vehicle in 2017; and installing a network
of nine charging stations at county-owned facilities.
Sloop Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival Zero Waste Initiative
reflects the organization’s longtime strategy of inspiring, educating,
and engaging people in environmental issues.
The Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival began in 1978 as a series
of small concerts to increase environmental awareness and raise funds
for the Sloop Clearwater. Today, it is a national model for organizations
wishing to reduce the environmental footprint of large public events.
Event coordinators offer a sustainable event that actively engages attendees
in waste reduction, recycling, composting, and sustainable living. Composting
and recycling stations are located around the festival grounds and volunteers
help people put things in correct bins and take care of materials disposed
of incorrectly.
