Saturday, August 27, 2016: Unveiling of the Mural

An unveiling of the Roost Youth Group mural at the New Paltz ReUse Center on Clearwater Road is planned for Saturday, August 27th, 2016 at 2pm followed by an ice cream social generously provided by Stewarts Shops. The event will be open until 4pm with members of the RYG available to discuss the mural.

New Paltz ReUse and Recycling has partnered with the Roost Art Gallery and New Paltz High School students (Roost Youth Group – “RYG”) who completed a mural on the front of the ReUse Center in late July. The ReUse Center is a warehouse opened in 2011 for usable materials that were destined to be landfilled. 

The mural depicts a dismal future as our natural resources continue to be abused and depleted. However, there is a pilgrimage of people moving toward sustainability and a healthier environment which could reverse the damage that has been done. 

Laura Petit, New Paltz Recycling Coordinator said,” This group (RYG) of talented young people created a visual story to educate everyone about the consequences their decisions have on the environment.” She added, “Even through the adverse conditions of this summer’s extreme heat and sudden violent thunderstorms, the RGY group finished this priceless mural for the community to enjoy.”

Special Thank You to Our Volunteers!

The Town of New Paltz ReUse and Recycling Center has been recognized several times by the EPA for its composting and reuse programs. It was also one of the first in Ulster County, New York to begin holding textile collections in partnership with the NYSDEC and local solid waste authority beginning 2014. This event was attended by NYSDEC Region Director, Martin Brand on April 25, 2015, in recognition of the ReClothe NY textile recycling campaign.

From August 2nd through 6th, 2016, New Paltz had a booth at the annual Ulster County Fair where volunteers offered information and ideas for repurposing material. An unofficial record setting 50,591 visitors attended the Fair. Over 150 children's books with blank pages for their own illustration and authoring were distributed as volunteers explained that this material would have been thrown in a recycling bin. (Recycling is not number one on the NYSDEC hierarchy and would have created 900 pounds of CO2 emissions for each roll-off container load sent out for recycling.) Instead, new and gently used materials are diverted to encourage reuse and modified consumerism to keep everything local AND out of landfills.

All of these programs have been a success because of public support and the amazing volunteers that offer their time and experience. The perennial garden, the greenhouse, the ongoing clothing collections for more than ten charitable organizations and the evolving food recovery program all rely on our network of volunteers. Thank you to each and everyone of them!