Water conservation. Hybrid cars. Cardboard over Styrofoam.
These were among the environmental initiatives encouraged during the Village of East Hills’ “Green Day” celebration Saturday at its village pool, as environmental organizations and various government agencies participated in the annual event aiming to go green.
“Preserving the environment is a major concern for us, so [the event is] really to get people to make healthy choices and go green,” East Hills Trustee Clara Pomerantz said.
Among the organizations present were the Town of North Hemsptead’s Aircraft Noise and Public Outreach committee, which offered literature and petitions imploring federal lawmakers to pressure LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airport personnel to redirect flights from flying over North Shore airspace.
“People have to stay informed of what’s happening,” committee Chair Fran Gould said. “I think people need to realize this is something they can do.”
Officials from the Roslyn Water District, which issued its water conservation program again this summer following the continued closure of three of its wells, were on hand offering tips for preserving and purifying water.
Rallye Motors held a demonstration of a hybrid BMW sport utility vehicle.
Whole Foods market, which specializes in natural and organic groceries, also donated a gift basket that was raffled off near the event’s conclusion.
Ariella Ayenesazan, a fourth grader at East Hills Elementary School, collected signatures for a petition to the Town of North Hempstead in an effort to outlaw Styrofoam lunch trays.
Ayenesazan in 2014 successfully lobbied the Roslyn School District to replace its Styrofoam lunch trays with ones made from cardboard.
Ayenesazan’s mother Celia estimated her daughter collected close to 30 signatures, which she plans to submit to the North Hempstead town council during its next meeting.
