In July 2023, the Mount Vernon Youth Community Outreach Program (YCOP) Counselors in Training started the 2024 Environmental Leaders of Color Student Summer Energy & Environmental Program for Teens. At that time, students learned fascinating things about water, such as how to use water to create energy, water scarcity, and water contamination. At the end of the summer, the Mount Vernon YCOP team earned first prize for a presentation about the benefits of recycling cooking oil. This project was so successful that they were invited to present to the Westchester County Board of Legislature Housing Committee. The students were subsequently invited to participate in the prestigious Bedford 2030 Greenlight Award with their project, Don’t Strain Your Drain.
Improperly disposing of oil and grease down drains may seem harmless, but it leads to significant issues. The substances solidify, causing clogs in drain openings and resulting in backups in homes and storm drains during storms, potentially leading to flooding. Beyond property damage, stagnant basement water creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew, posing health risks. The aftermath requires costly oil cleanup from storm drains and repairs for homeowners, renters, and landlords. This financial burden ripples through the community, impacting taxpayers who shoulder the costs through increased taxes for ongoing drain maintenance and cleaning.
A group of Mount Vernon teenagers want to help the city and its residents prevent this problem, so we’ve started running the Don’t Strain Your Drain campaign until April 14th. Mount Vernon residents can drop off their cooking oil to be disposed of correctly. The best and safest way to contain your cooking oil would be to retain it in a glass, carton, or metal container, with the complete exclusion of plastic, and store it by your stove. Announcements will be sent to confirm the drop-off dates and sites. The students hope the campaign continues indefinitely and will influence Mount Vernon for the better.
© 2024 Featherlight