Eight Methods to Mark Earth Day, Including Composting and Enjoying Oysters
New York City is gearing up for a series of Earth-friendly events and activities in celebration of Earth Day 2025. While the main city-wide car-free streets event takes place on April 26, several other sustainable initiatives are scheduled throughout the year.
The highlight of the Earth Day celebrations is the **NYC DOT Earth Day / Declares 54 Car Free Streets event** on April 26. This large-scale initiative transforms streets across all five boroughs, including Manhattan, into fair-like environments focused on environmental awareness and community activities. The event, which runs from 10 am to 4 pm, provides opportunities for walking, biking, and various street-level activities[1].
On April 22, the Hester Street Fair in the Lower East Side is hosting a special Earth Day celebration. The fair, known for its ecofriendly vendors, will feature discussions about NYC urban access, GMOs, CSAs, and community gardens. A Plant Revival and Care Workshop, led by Tula Plants & Design, and composting services will also be available from 4 pm[2].
For those looking to go meatless, there are veggie burger recommendations and veg-friendly spots available at the fair. Sustainable seafood choices such as oysters and squid will also be highlighted[3].
Elsewhere in the city, restaurants like Gristmill in Park Slope are embracing sustainability. The restaurant uses every leaf, stem, skin, and shell in meals and supports over 30 local farms[4]. River Coyote, another eco-conscious restaurant, serves everything on tap to cut down on waste and uses reusable kegs that eliminate the use of thousands of bottles over their lifetime[5].
Other Earth-friendly initiatives in NYC include BK Rot's efforts to make composting more accessible in Brooklyn, Madecasse Chocolate's fundraising for victims of drought and cyclone in Madagascar, and foraging workshops with minimal environmental impact[6].
For those interested in learning more about these initiatives, check out the latest issue of a relevant publication or attend events like the party next Wednesday, featuring food and drinks from local purveyors[7]. Brian Kateman, author of The Reducetarian Solution, also provides restaurant recommendations for going meatless[8].
As Earth Day approaches, New Yorkers are encouraged to join in the celebrations and embrace sustainability in their daily lives. For exact times, prices, and locations of the events, the NYC DOT interactive map and city schedules published closer to the date would be recommended resources[1].
[1] https://www.nyc.gov/events/nyc-dot-earth-day-declares-54-car-free-streets [2] https://www.hesterstreetfair.com/ [3] https://www.seafoodwatch.org/-/media/files/watch/science/seafood-recommendations/ebs-143-oysters-and-clams-smart-seafood-choices.pdf [4] https://www.gristmillnyc.com/ [5] https://www.rivercoyotenyc.com/ [6] https://www.bkrot.com/ [7] https://www.foodtank.com/ [8] https://www.amazon.com/Reducetarian-Solution-Better-Eating-Better-World/dp/161614967X
- In addition to the car-free streets event, community gardens will be the focus of discussions at the Hester Street Fair on April 22, where attendees can learn about the importance of these urban green spaces.
- The science of environmental awareness is showcased in various street-level activities during the NYC DOT Earth Day event on April 26, along with opportunities to learn about urban access, GMOs, and CSAs.
- For those adopting a sustainable lifestyle, eco-friendly restaurants like Gristmill and River Coyote offer healthy, vegan, and meatless options, such as using every part of the food they source and serving sustainable seafood choices.
- The celebration of Earth Day extends beyond Earth Day itself, with ongoing initiatives like BK Rot's composting efforts, Madecasse Chocolate's fundraising for victims of natural disasters, and foraging workshops aimed at reducing environmental impact.
- To support global cuisines and sustainable living, New Yorkers can attend events featuring local purveyors and restaurant recommendations from authors like Brian Kateman in the latest issue of relevant publications, encouraging everyone to make more conscious choices in their daily food-and-drink and home-and-garden practices.
