Paterson Plank Rd, Jersey City Heights, Needs A Serious Clean-Up

Posted on January 15, 2010 by itees

This afternoon the weather warmed up a bit to the upper 40s and so it was time to get out there and start walking. I love to walk around town, down to Hoboken, along the waterfront, and back up the hill. My route today was a big circle starting from “The Heights” of Jersey City, down the elevator at 9th Street, up to 14th street and across to walk along the water and down to First Street, across to Paterson Plank Rd. and back up.

Paterson Plank Rd. is a route that is mostly used by cars and buses rushing up and down, but there is a walkway and occasionally you see bicycle riders, runners and folks just walking along, more in warmer weather.

What I’d like to know is, who’s job is it to clean this walkway, because the amount of trash I saw on my walk today, was insane. Besides the leaves that had fallen, there was glass, crushed plastic bottles, newspapers, cans, empty chip bags… you name it, I saw it.

I assume this area is considered Jersey City, but have they cut back? Is there no clean-up detail to work this area anymore? Also, you wouldn’t believe what I saw just thrown over the little wall you walk along that is above the Light Rail train tracks. All kinds of assorted trash including a shopping cart from a supermarket.

I imagine people just drop things as they walk along, or perhaps people throw things out of the car windows as they zoom up? All I know is, if they don’t address the garbage there soon, there won’t be any space left to walk.

Click on the above map picture to go to Google Maps and see the area I'm talking about

Plastic waste in organic grocery – Hoboken

Posted on September 26, 2009 by itees

There is a store that I love to shop in, down in Hoboken. It’s right on Washington Street (the main drag) around the center of town. They have organic and wonderfully fresh food and I’m happy to spend a bit more, even in rough economic times, for healthy food.

Lately they have started a practice that has made me upset and I need to write about it. They have chosen to eliminate the plastic forks, knives and napkins that were set out in separate compartments. Now they only have pre-packaged plastic utensils, which come with salt, pepper and one napkin.

I definitely need more than one napkin when I eat a sandwich or salad, but what am I to do? I must open another package. I choose to take the extras home with me so I can use them.

This is an unbelievable practice of waste. I look around and see forks, salt, etc…left on tables. Folks might also just choose to throw out what they didn’t even use.

I’d like to add that I think they need to stop using plastic bags and promote reusable bags.

I suggest the next time you’re in the store, comment about this, as I will on their website and in person and maybe they will change what they’re doing.

It’s sad to see this type of thing in an organic “green” type store.

Clean & Green – Let’s clean up this planet!

Posted on September 18, 2009 by itees

Clean & Green concepts.

I started developing green concepts a while back with the hope that if I could get these messages out there, adults and children might be more aware of their surroundings.

In my neighborhood of Jersey City “Heights,” litter is discarded left and right, and it doesn’t seem any different in Hoboken or other urban cities where I’ve been.

The question is, when did this become an acceptable way of life? I feel like some chips, so I finish the bag and just toss it in the air? I’m done with this candy bar, so just leave the wrapper in some doorway? We have to do something to get parents to teach their kids this is wrong.

Here are the first ideas in this line, I’m putting it out there, and we’ll see what comes back.