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We're all about reducing waste, and it makes it easier if you have a great new use for would-be waste. Banana peels, for instance. Did you know that a banana peel can be used to remove splinters, polish silverware, polish shoes, reduce the itch of insect bites, and more. Get the details on reusing banana peels . Thanks to Kat G. for passing on this tip! After you're finished using your banana peels and other food waste, you can compost them. If you don't have your own compost, the Grand Army Plaza green market as well as others accepts compostable waste .

GrowNYC is opening new food scrap and textile drop-off sites this spring! Celebrate spring cleaning by starting food scrap collection in your kitchen and culling unwanted clothing or linens— ripped or torn is fine—from your closets. If you have questions about what you can bring, see GrowNYCs FAQs . The Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket will be accepting textiles on Saturdays from 8am to 4pm and food scraps on Saturdays from 8am to 3:30pm. The Carroll Gardens Greenmarket will be accepting textiles on Sundays from 8am-2:30pm and food scraps on Sundays from 8am-1pm. Check the GrowNYC website for a complete list of collection days and times at various Greenmarkets in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

A study by the EPA estimated that Americans generate roughly 30 million tons of food waste each year, which is about 12 percent of the total waste stream. All but about 2 percent of that food waste ends up in landfills. By increasing the availability of locations for Brooklyn residents to drop off food waste for composting, we could increase the amount turned into rich soil for gardens, parks, homes and trees. Councilman Brad Lander has set aside 1 million dollars for community projects and is asking Brooklyn residents to vote on how it should be spent. One of the projects would be increasing drop off sides for food waste and would cost only $165,000. If Brad Lander is your Congressman, you can vote for this project (and/or other projects ). Just bring proof of residency to one of the following voting locations: Tues., March 27 - Thurs, March 29 Councilmember Lander’s District Office 456 5th Avenue, 3rd Fl 7:30am - 8:00pm Saturday, March 31 Windsor Terrace Library 160 East 5t...