Recycling-themed artwork recognized by Town of Hempstead

Around the Town of Hempstead, some recycling trucks might look different this year, because painted on the side of them are several pieces of artwork, drawn by students who are Hempstead residents, for the 2023 Recycling Poster Contest, an annual competition held in partnership with Covanta Energy.

At an outdoor ceremony on April 21 at Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve, which is tucked behind the town’s sanitation facilities in Merrick, the young artists were congratulated by elected officials and representatives of Covanta for their submissions which reflected pro-recycling and Earth Day themes.

And Levy Park was the perfect spot for the ceremony to take place, because the landfill-turned-preserve, colloquially known as “Merrick Mountain,” is the epitome of recycling. Named after a longtime Merrick resident and environmental advocate, State Sen. Norman J. Levy, the park has been open since 2000 and offers nature enthusiasts and hikers panoramic views of Long Island’s bays and beaches.

“This place is fantastic,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said at the ceremony. “I grew up in Valley Stream, and when I would drive by this facility on my way to the beach, what would be here is a giant pile of garbage with garbage trucks. Then some 30 years ago, they transformed it into the greatest preserve on Long Island.”

One of the park’s most popular attractions are Nigerian dwarf goats, which, during the day, are kept in a small pen at the entrance of the park. At night, however, they are released, and serve as a natural form of weed control.

The honored artists received gift bags and certificates, and their artwork, plastered on the side of two recycling trucks, served as a backdrop for the ceremony adjacent to Levy Park’s amphitheater.

The children honored were, Nazeela Ally, Nancy Benny, Dennis Beaudry, Isabella Beaudry, Leyton Martin, Sophia Munero-Osorio, Iris Romero, Ayesha Sher and Nicole Sokolowska.

“I love this contest,” Clavin said, “because it gets a lot of our younger individuals who care about the environment, who care about preserving it, or who care about recycling — it gets them involved.”

Speaking on the addition of the artwork to the side of the recycling trucks, Clavin added: “We cover a lot of territory, and we want everybody to appreciate your work, to appreciate your efforts and to raise awareness and the importance of protecting our environment.” 

Ed Sandkuhl, facility manager of Covanta Energy, spoke a little on what the corporation does.

“We’re processing a million tons of solid, municipal waste a year and converting that waste that would otherwise go to landfills, into enough electricity to power 75,000 homes and businesses right here on Long Island,” he explained. “None of that waste is going into the landfill and contributing to global warming.

“I would like to just take the opportunity to congratulate all of you — you guys did an amazing job,” he added. “It’s very inspirational.”

Clavin thanked parents and several art teachers who attended the ceremony for instilling the values of recycling in their children.

“I think that is one of the most important things is getting that influence from you at home and that support,” he said to the parents. “This is a recognition not only for your daughter, for your son, but also for you and what you’re providing — I can’t stress that enough.”

Levy Park and Preserve is open year round at 1600 Merrick Road, Merrick. From May through August, it is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more, visit HempsteadNY.gov/facilities.