There has never been a better time to get outside and do something good for your city. Big Reuse hosts volunteer events year-round in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan, and no matter what you are into, there is something here for you. Want to get your hands in the soil? Care for a street tree. Love connecting with your neighbors? Join a composting event. Just want to show up and make a difference? We will handle the rest. No experience necessary. All tools provided. Keep reading to find the right fit for you.
Climate change is a big challenge, and it takes more than one solution to tackle it. That is why Big Reuse offers a variety of community programs that work block by block to make New York City greener, stronger, and more sustainable. From caring for street trees to making compost that improves local soil, every program is based on the idea that small, steady, community efforts really make a difference.
Street Tree Care: RSVP for an upcoming event here
Street tree care is one of the most hands-on and rewarding ways to volunteer with Big Reuse. You arrive at a neighborhood block, pick up a small tool or a pair of gloves, and help clear weeds, loosen soil, add compost, and mulch around street trees (no heavy lifting required!). The five-step process is easy to learn, and many people enjoy it so much they return again or get excited about organizing a tree care event on their block using our free downloadable street tree care guides. Street tree care is special because you can see the results right away. You might start on a block with littered, hard soil, but when you leave, you know those trees have a better chance of making it through the season. Young trees, especially, need this help. The Big Reuse team will guide you through every step. Just bring some water, dress for the weather, and be ready to help out and meet your neighbors!
Composting: RSVP for an upcoming event here
Composting with Big Reuse can look different depending on the event, and that variety is part of the fun. There are several ways to take part. At community composting sites - often ones that Big Reuse has supported by installing rat-proof increased efficiency composting bin systems - volunteers help turn food scraps and yard waste into rich compost used in community gardens and tree beds across the city. If you want to see how composting works up close, this is a great place to start. At our Salt Lot composting site in Gowanus, volunteers will have the opportunity to experience the composting process at a mid-scale composting site. We also often host compost craft nights or other compost-related programming. Check out our upcoming offerings to see what’s available!
Want to Take It Further? Become a Master Composter!
If composting has you hooked and you want to go deeper, consider enrolling in the Master Composter program. Do you love composting, healthy soil, diverting waste, and making your community greener? This might be exactly what you are looking for. As NYC's composting initiatives continue to grow, the city needs a strong community of composters, advocates, and educators. Big Reuse runs two cohorts per year, usually in the fall and spring, open to any city resident 18 or older. Enrollment periods open up throughout the year, so keep an eye on our website or newsletter for the next opportunity to sign up. By learning the science of composting and how urban compost systems work, you will gain critical skills to fight climate change and achieve global sustainability. It is also a wonderful way to connect with other people who are passionate about building a greener New York. To become a certified Master Composter, you will attend seven workshops and two field trips and complete 30 hours of compost-related volunteering. Many of our volunteers have gone through the program and returned even more fired up about the work.
Reuse: RSVP for our monthly Reuse Center volunteer day here
Volunteering at our Reuse Center’s (thrift store) Gowanus location means you can help change how New York City deals with waste. Volunteers help with a number of tasks such as sorting donated materials, arranging items on shelves, and keeping the store organized so that secondhand goods can be reused instead of going to a landfill. If you care about sustainability, enjoy finding thrift treasures, or want to spend time in a place that helps the environment, this is a great spot for you. We host a Monthly Reuse Center Volunteer Day on the first Tuesday of every month from 11am to 1pm, so if you are looking for a consistent way to show up, this is a great place to start!
Ready to Join Us?
Take a look at our upcoming volunteer events and sign up for one near you - or maybe use it as an excuse to explore a new neighborhood! Whether it is your first time or your fiftieth, we would love to see you there.
View our events calendar and sign up to volunteer at an upcoming event, follow our Eventbrite page for upcoming events, or sign up for our newsletter to stay connected.
Aren’t able to volunteer your time? Consider donating unwanted items like clothing, shoes, home goods, furniture, and more to our Gowanus or Bushwick thrift store locations (see full donation guidelines here and note that our Gowanus location takes more types of items) or donate to our fundraiser to help us continue to offer our environmental community-based programs!
Written by NYSERDA Climate Justice Fellow Tatiana Guerra