Islip Notebook: Effort To Recycle Household Batteries Expands

Students at Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School in East Islip recently were made part of a Town-wide effort to encourage youngsters to recycle batteries from their homes.

Islip Supervisor Phil Nolan spoke with students and asked them to collect used batteries from various household electronics including remotes and toys.

“It’s something that not many people think about, but when batteries are thrown out in the trash their harmful wastes find their way into our environment and can pollute our drinking water,” he said.

To date, 10,000 5-inch by 7-inch battery bags have been distributed to 60 schools throughout the Town. Students are encouraged to bring the bags home and collect used batteries. In addition, each bag includes a card with information on recycling. The bags are brought back to school and are deposited into an Islip Town battery recycling basket that is later brought to the Town’s recycling facility.

“With this program we hope that we can educate students for the future and get them to practice environmentally sound habits that they will continue for the rest of their lives,” Nolan said.

Triathlon Benefits Local Charities

Proceeds from The Town’s recent Third Annual Great South Bay Triathlon were donated to two local charities; The Boomer Esiason Foundation, dedicated to Cystic Fibrosis Research, and the EJ Autism Foundation. Each received $4,969.23. 

The Third Annual Great South Bay Triathlon featured nearly 600 local athletes participating in the race on the morning of June 5th, while more than 60 children, ages 8-15, raced in the Youth Triathlon the day before. Both races started and finished at the East Islip Marina.

“This event has provided our beneficiaries more exposure and funding each of the past three years. It has been hugely successful and I hope it continues for years to come,” said Councilman John Edwards.