Zero Waste Island Intern

Zero Waste Island is collaboration between Earth Matter NY and The Trust for Governors Island to create a plan to increase waste diversion with the goal of zero waste. As a Zero Waste Island (ZWI) intern, you’re a key player. You’ll work under the Zero Waste Island Manager and the Compost Operator/Educator on a small team of interns to implement this plan. The experience provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable waste management practices and a chance to work in a real world setting with diverse partners toward a shared vision. Work will be based on Governors Island.

Zero Waste Island Internship Program Objectives

Participants will:

• Learn best practices for sorting, tracking, and monitoring organics in the zero waste process
• Learn how to make compost and determine compost maturity
• Gain exposure to a variety of composting methods, devices, and systems
• Conduct a waste audit
• Interact with vendors and partners on Governors Island to collect organics
• Help conduct compostability experiments with compostable products
• Develop environmental education skills during Sunday open hours
• Assist as volunteer "leaders" during volunteer shifts and events as needed
• Introduction to chicken and worm care
• Some exposure to operational infrastructure carpentry

Responsibilities

The ZWI internship consists of many activities. Each week some are the same and others switch off. But between sorting, maintaining composting devices, engaging with volunteers, connecting with vendors, and working at zero waste events, you’ll be doing something fun and building your know-how in the field:

Organics Processing — As part of our mission, Earth Matter processes all organics generated on Governors Island. This requires sorting out contamination from the organics and tracking metrics.

Events — Governors Island is home to many events. You will help to make these zero waste events by setting up recycling stations, collecting the organics and educating event-goers about it all.

Making Compost — We wouldn’t be Earth Matter if we didn’t teach you about compost. You’ll get familiar with several backyard composting devices as well as take part in building our commercial scale compost piles.

Compostability Experiments — Take part in experimenting with compostable products to determine how well it can break down in different composting systems.

Waste Audits — In order to report on success, we routinely conduct waste audits. We rely on the ZWI team to develop appropriate waste audit metrics and methodologies, run the audits, and report findings.

Vendor Relations Management — In order to help vendors comply with the Zero Waste Initiative, we regularly check in to troubleshoot or provide recommendations. You will have the chance to take initiative to address issues with noncompliance and dialogue with the 
ZWI team and vendors to identify solutions. In addition, you will assist in managing and delivering products from our Compostable Serviceware Supply and Soil Start Farm to vendors.

Education — As part of your internship, you will be trained to educate the public on sustainable waste management and composting practices.

We are looking for folks who:

• Are reliable, punctual, and self-motivated
• Are interested in acquiring green job skills and learning best practices for zero waste in the City and beyond
• Are eager to learn about composting, recycling and waste reduction
• Enjoy working outdoors and with the public
• Enjoy working on diverse teams
• Have the ability to lift up to 30 lbs., perform physical tasks, including moderate periods of standing
• Are willing to work in various weather conditions (our work is rain or shine!)

Through participating in this program, participants will gain:

• A Zero Waste Internship Certificate
• Skills in organics management and composting
• Ability to set-up and coordination of zero waste systems  
• Connections within the New York City's composting community
• Advanced knowledge about environmental issues and concerns in New York City
• Opportunities to develop leadership skills and educate about zero waste