At Big Reuse, every day is about taking action to fight climate change. We give new life to materials at our Reuse Center, compost food scraps, and care for street trees with neighborhood volunteers, all with the goals of diverting waste and building a healthier city.
Climate Week NYC runs from September 21 to September 28, and it gives us the chance to highlight how local efforts to steward and strengthen NYC neighborhoods connect to global climate efforts.
Volunteer with us during Climate Week to care for street trees, compost food scraps and yard waste, and learn more about composting practices.
Coming out to a Big Reuse volunteer event means opportunities to get outdoors, connect with your neighbors, take direct climate action, and see firsthand the impact of your work. As a volunteer, you’ll be part of a community that’s reducing waste, protecting our environment, and greening New York City.
You can check out our full list of upcoming events HERE - we host volunteer opportunities year-round. Please join us beyond Climate Week!
Can’t volunteer? Consider making a donation for our Fall Fundraiser - trees please! We’re aiming to raise $23,000 by October 11, 2025 to help empower New Yorkers to strengthen their neighborhoods.
Here’s where you can find us during Climate Week:
Street Tree Care Events
Join us to help street trees in your community by cleaning tree beds, loosening soil, adding compost and mulch, and giving them the attention they need to thrive.
Street Tree Care with Adamah Rooted, Upper East Side - Sign up HERE
Sunday, September 21 · 10:00am–12:00pm📍536 E 79th St, New York, NY 10075
Sponsored by Council Member Julie Menin
Street Tree Care with Adamah Rooted, Socrates Sculpture Park - Sign up HERE
Sunday, September 21 · 2:00pm–4:00pm📍32-01 Venon Blvd, Queens, NY 11106
Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán
Street Tree Care with Clean Bushwick Initiative - Sign up HERE
Saturday, September 27 ·10:00am–12:00pm📍609 Knickerbocker Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221
Sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse
Street Tree Care with FAB Fulton Business Alliance - Sign up HERE
Saturday, September 27 · 12:00pm–2:00pm📍 450 Grand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Sponsored by Council Member Crystal Hudson
Street Tree Care with All Saints, Sunnyside - Sign up HERE
Sunday, September 28 · 3:00pm–5:00pm📍43-12 46th St, Sunnyside, NY 11104
Sponsored by Council Member Julie Won
Composting Events
Randall’s Island Volunteer Event - no RSVP required
Volunteers will help compost and manage this one-acre Urban Farm.
Sunday, September 21 · 10:00am–1:00pm📍Randall’s Island Park, New York, NY
Sunday, September 28 · 10:00am–1:00pm📍Randall’s Island Park, New York, NY
SkyFarm Volunteer Day - Sign Up HERE
Volunteers will process yard waste, turn piles, sift finished compost, and bag compost.
Wednesday, September 24 · 1:30pm–3:30pm📍SkyFarm Rooftop, 37-18 Northern Boulevard Queens, NY 11101
Compost Volunteer Event at Smiling Hogshead Ranch - Sign up HERE
Volunteers will turn compost, manage food scraps, and keep this community site thriving.
Wednesday, September 24 · 5:30pm–7:30pm📍25-30 Skillman Avenue Queens, NY 11101
Compost Craft Lab - Sign up HERE
Volunteers will do arts and crafts while discussing engaging more folks with composting! Bring your own materials or use a provided selection from the Big Reuse Center.
Thursday, September 25 · 5:00pm–7:00pm📍Gowanus Canal Conservancy Lowlands Nursery, 25 9th St, Brooklyn 11215
Get Composting Information
Stop by our Big Reuse table at these libraries and community events! Big Reuse staff will share community composting and curbside composting resources and answer questions.
Compost Tabling at Sunset Park Library
Tuesday, September 23 · 11:00am–1:00pm📍5108 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220
Compost Tabling at NY Botanical Garden
Wednesday, September 24 · 11:30am–3:00pm📍NY Botanical Garden at Tulip Tree Allee 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458
Compost Tabling at Flatbush Library
Thursday, September 25 · 2:30pm–5:00pm📍Brooklyn Public Library – Flatbush Branch, 22 Linden Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Compost Tabling at Saratoga Library
Friday, September 26 · 1:30pm–4:00pm📍Saratoga Public Library – 8 Thomas S. Boyland at Macon St, Brooklyn, NY 11233
Ridgewood E-Waste Drop Off Tabling (with Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez)
Saturday, September 27 · 10:00am–2:00pm📍Ridgewood Veterans Memorial, Cypress Ave & Putnam Ave, Queens, NY 11385
Bike the Block: Bronx
Saturday, September 27 · 1:00pm-5:00pm📍Jennings St & Prospect Ave, Bronx 10459
Queens Climate Expo
Saturday, September 27 · 4:00pm-7:00pm📍47-01 111th St, Corona, NY 11368
Fall Health Fair (hosted by Council Member Linda Lee)
Saturday, September 28 · 12:00pm-3:00pm📍196-00 Union Tpke, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366
Why volunteer with us?
Volunteering is about building community, learning new skills, and seeing the impact of your efforts in a positive way. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, but share a passion for working toward a greener and more sustainable New York City. Our tree care events are great for both kids and adults!
Hear more from a new volunteer and Big Reuse staff!
Our tree planting coordinator Maric recently led her first street tree care event and shared her experience by stating,
“The event was a great way to connect young people to multiple community organizations and to contribute to a neighborhood outside of their usual boundaries. Even though most of them were new to NYC and hadn’t had much hands-on work experience, they were all really kind, enthusiastic, and curious! I could see it was a good bonding experience for them as well. We cared for 28 trees!”
First time-time volunteer Cassie shared her experience joining a composting day at Skyfarm. She shared,
“I volunteered with Big Reuse because I wanted to connect with the local community while learning about and practicing an everyday measure we all can take, like composting. Everyone was so kind and supportive, and the view is beautiful! I can’t wait to go again.”
Support Big Reuse!
Not everyone can join us at a tree care or composting event, but there are many ways to make a difference. A donation to Big Reuse helps us keep food waste out of landfills, extend the life of materials through reuse, and build greener, healthier neighborhoods across New York City with street tree care and composting education. Your contribution supports community programs, volunteer events, and the everyday work that makes climate action possible right here at home.
DONATE HERE to help us continue growing this impact together.
Blog Post written by NYSERDA Fellow Tatiana Guerra