Less = More Green Map of NYC

Green Map System supports inclusive participation in sustainable community development using mapmaking as our medium. Our dozen editions of NYC Green Maps benefit our home community and act as models for other cities, as seen at Green Map System engages community participation using maps that connect people to local green living resources, natural, cultural and activism sites. Our dozen editions of NYC Green Maps benefit our home community and act as models for other cities in the global Green Map movement, as seen at GreenMapNYC.org.

In 2012, we are confronting NYC’s wasteful habits and overflowing garbage cans with a new citywide interactive edition, the Less = More Green Map of NYC. Already taking shape at OpenGreenMap.org/less-morenyc, this map promotes effective strategies and waste prevention sites that reduce related climate, health and economic impacts. With your help, we will create special neighborhood ‘close up maps’ that will be placed at 20 locations, including Greenmarkets that collect food scraps, textiles and/or batteries, libraries and other community spaces. We will provide a small takeaway card guiding people to the interactive map, where they can explore more:

• Composting - dozens of drop off locations for food scraps, including Greenmarkets, gardens and demonstration sites;
• Reuse icons like Goodwill, Recycle-A-Bicycle and Materials for the Arts as well as newcomers like Film Biz Prop Shop and the City’s ‘Stop N Swaps’ exchanges;
• Hazardous waste reduction - from Brooklyn’s new e-Waste Center to Department of Sanitation stations in each borough;
• Waste ventures, websites and social innovations, and more! 

Along with new research conducted by volunteers and interns, we’ll include key waste prevention sites from our published maps, including the interactive Compost Green Map. We encourage everyone to add to the map and contribute their own practical tips, photos and videos to enhance the sites.

With your support, we can inspire meaningful personal change and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

We have already begun gathering and mapping sites on our Less = More ‘social map’. Click the icon to open the site, then click the title. Review the description and then add your comments, ratings and multimedia by tapping the tabs in the info-window. There are two ways to suggest new sites:

• Click the Suggest a Site tab over the online map
• Use your mobile smartphone to suggest new sites as you visit them at GreenMap.org. We’ll check your suggestions and publish them directly.

Check online often and watch the map grow!

Click Updates above to find out about our next Waste Reduction Salon where you can join a group discussion that will spark new ways people can waste less every day.  We’ll also be surveying neighborhood resources, agencies and organizations to make sure that Less = More becomes a comprehensive resource. 

Later this fall, watch for the ‘close up maps’ start to appear around town! In addition to these map stations and take-away cards, Less = More will be promoted with a launch party, press outreach, social media and online. We’ll invite everyone to embed Less = More in their own website or blog, too!

The Less = More project will continue to grow in 2013 – contact us if you would like to support further phases, including a rollout of close up maps to more neighborhoods, print maps that can be inserted in community guides, local newspapers or school newsletters. We expect to create a variety of poster, printed and interactive map resources in order to reach and activate more New Yorkers, including a citywide highlights print map, funded by Con Edison. Contact us with your partnership ideas, too, and let’s make waste a thing of the past in NYC!

Few people realize how waste impacts our environment, climate and quality of life. This is not because they do not care, but often, they are simply unaware of the nearby reduction resources available to them. Currently, NYC exports 3.2 million tons of waste each year. Increasing recycling from today’s 15% to 30% will reduce CO2 emissions by 7% (and save $186 million!). Waste prevention, reuse and composting will reduce impacts even more!