Great Hudson River Revival (file photo by
Gus Philippas)
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.
