Get to know the history of the Sanitation Foundation.
1st Biannual Food Waste Fair (July 2017)
In 2017, the Foundation organized the first biannual NYC Food Waste Fair in collaboration with DSNY and key stakeholder groups. The event helped forge contacts across and within industries, making it easier for New Yorkers to prevent, recover and recycle food waste than ever before. Funds generated by the event went towards microgrants to help small businesses institute long-term sustainable practices.
Kicked Off Our Volunteer Cleanup Program (Summer 2019)
In the summer of 2019, the Foundation launched our volunteer Community Cleanup program. We partnered with Parley for the Oceans to launch a series of citywide beach cleanups. All PET plastic collected went to creating reusable bags.
Launched Zero Waste Workshop (August 2019)
In August of 2019, the Foundation joined forces with Zero Waste NYC Workshops to launch our own series of hands-on workshops and events. Every month since, we have been able to provide residents with a “how to” guide for living more sustainability.
ReFashion Week (February 2020)
ReFashion Week, developed in partnership with DonateNYC, was created to call attention to the massive amounts of waste produced in the fashion industry and to reimagine a more sustainable future. ReFashion Week 2020 included a pop-up thrift market, clothing swaps, a mending and upcycling workshop, and a ReFashion runway show.
In April of 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we partnered with Urban Archive to tell the story of DSNY’s heroic past, present, and future. With their help, we curated and mapped a collection of historic photographs and archives.
In September of 2020, we celebrated the opening of “Picking Up NYC” at Photoville. The exhibit highlights the Department of Sanitation’s rich history of heroism and recognizes the workforce for their nonstop efforts to keep New York City alive through historical archives and photographs taken and curated by DSNY staff.
Heron Preston (September 2016)
The Sanitation Foundation first launched in 2016, when street-wear fashion designer Heron Preston collaborated with DSNY and the Foundation to create UNIFORM, a ready-to-wear collection debuted at New York Fashion Week. Preston built upon street-style by repurposing decommissioned DSNY uniforms and thrift store finds. The line was developed with the mission to keep clothing from decomposing in landfills while celebrating the City’s emergency responders.
Treasures in the Trash Opens (2018)
With the launch of our NYC Trash! exhibit at the City Reliquary and monthly tours with New York Adventure Club, we gave New Yorkers the opportunity to get up close and personal with their trash!
Museum Pop-Ups (Summer 2019)
As the Foundation continues to steward the Treasures in the Trash collection and build out plans for a formal Sanitation Museum, we’ve taken our collection on the road. With pop-up events and exhibitions across the City, including a showcase at the Hi-ARTS / Hunter East Harlem Gallery and the Transit Museum’s Bus Festival.
Zero Waste Daniel (September 2019)
We partnered with fashion designer and zero-waste advocate, Daniel Silverstein, to create a clothing line celebrating DSNY made from up-cycled fabrics. As a part of his NYFW exhibition, Daniel performed a comedy show benefitting the Foundation and showcased his eco-streetwear collection.
When COVID-19 hit NYC, DSNY stepped up to keep our city healthy, clean, and safe for everyone. Thanks to our family of donors, the Sanitation Foundation was able to raise more than $525,000 in donations and contributed goods to say thank you, and to support our workforce and their families.
With no personal connections, Sanitation Worker Charlie Eisenbach took a leap of faith and reached out to Emily Oberman of the world renowned design firm Pentagram to help us rebrand. With Pentagram’s help, we launched our new brand identity, which better aligns with our organization’s mission and position ourselves as innovators in waste reduction.
With nearly 10,000 employees, we want to celebrate how truly unique the NYC Department of Sanitation workforce is. This digital exhibition showcases the incredible artwork of our multi-talented employees.
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