July 2025 Positive Change Recipient – Zero Waste Ithaca

A Note from GreenStar:  Zero Waste Ithaca was selected by GreenStar members to be among our twelve 2025 Partners for Change.  Zero Waste Ithaca is the July Round Up for Positive Change recipient. Round Up your purchase at the Co-op to support their work!  

BYO, Trash Paddle, and a Film: This Is Where Zero Waste Begins

Zero Waste Ithaca is a small, volunteer-run nonprofit working to cut down on unnecessary waste in everyday life. We’re based in Ithaca, but our campaigns reach across the state—from local trash cleanups to statewide policy fights.

Our current focus is our BYO (Bring Your Own) campaign, which is part of a national effort. We’re connected to BYO – U.S. Reduces, a network that supports local campaigns around the country working to legalize and normalize reuse. You might not realize it, but in many parts of New York, you’re still told you can’t bring your own container for takeout because of outdated food codes. This is allowed in Oregon and California!  We’re working to change that here in New York. We want reuse to be not just allowed, but expected—and protected by law.

At the same time, we’re juggling a lot. We’re in the middle of two environmental lawsuits related to synthetic turf installations at Cornell University. We’re also fighting greenwashing at the local level, working with statewide allies to oppose the land application of sewage sludge, and running our local Dumpster Study, which documents the huge volumes of reusable goods thrown away during college move-outs.

We’re a dedicated, all-volunteer team—with no paid staff—and a network of collaborators who help us bring these projects to life. And the truth is, we need help.

But not just any help.

We’re looking for serious digital support—someone who knows what they’re doing, who can stick around and work with a grassroots group that doesn’t move in perfect cycles. We need someone who can make things happen, even with limited resources and shifting timelines.

We also welcome people who want to help with on-the-ground organizing: trash pickups, outreach, and tabling. If you’re a GreenStar member, you’ll soon be able to volunteer with us through Cooperators in the Community, which is a great way to support local work and get to know us.

Here’s how you can support ZWI during our GreenStar feature month of Plastic Free July:

  • Join our Trash Paddle Ithacakayak cleanup and trash audit on Saturday, July 12 (rain date July 26). A group of people standing behind the trash they collected at Cayuga Lake.We’ll be launching from the IC Boathouse (just across the train tracks from the Cascadilla GreenStar store). Paddle 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., audit from 1–2 p.m. We have a limited number of seats available in rental kayaks. Please register early if you are interested. It will be first-come, first-served. Help us gather local data to push for a single-use packaging ordinance with the city. Please register here
  • Attend our free screening of Plastic People at Cinemapolis on July 22 at 6 p.m. This award-winning documentary explores the human health impacts of microplastics. A panel discussion will follow, featuring Chris Berger (Sierra Club), Liz Krentinger (Cayuga Watershed Network), and Hillary Flint (Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community).
  • Donate your token when you bring your own bag
  • Round up your purchase at checkout (only in July)
  • Visit our table to talk reuse, plastics, or policy
  • Check out our BYO map and sticker program at zerowasteithaca.org/map
  • Or just visit zerowasteithaca.orgto learn more

Thank you, GreenStar shoppers. This kind of local support makes a big difference for a group like ours.

Zero Waste Ithaca