Brooklyn’s Myrtle Avenue welcomes New York City’s first-ever zero-waste street fair on Saturday, June 8, featuring over 50 local vendors and community groups. Organizers project the diversion of at least 90 percent of event waste from landfills, setting a new sustainability benchmark for public events in the city.

The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership is spearheading this pioneering effort, inspired by the mounting urgency of New York City’s waste crisis and the success of zero-waste events in cities like San Francisco and Seattle. According to Executive Director Meredith Phillips Almeida, the fair’s goal is to “make sustainability tangible, joyful, and accessible for every New Yorker,” and to establish a model for environmentally responsible large-scale events citywide.

Vendors and food trucks along seven blocks of Myrtle Avenue—from Classon Avenue to Washington Park—will replace disposable plastics with compostable or reusable alternatives. Greenmarket favorites like Brooklyn Grange and city institutions such as the NYC Department of Sanitation are offering workshops on waste sorting, composting, and sustainable crafts. Attendees can bring their own containers, and dedicated “Green Team” volunteers will guide fairgoers on how to dispose of items properly at color-coded sorting stations.

Neighborhood restaurants including Peck’s and Los Pollitos III are debuting “zero-waste specials,” creatively repurposing kitchen scraps and surplus ingredients. Clothing swaps, repair clinics, and e-waste drop-offs further cement Myrtle Avenue’s position as a vanguard for circular economy initiatives. Organizers believe these hands-on elements will help demystify zero-waste practices for families and individuals who may feel overwhelmed by the city’s complex recycling rules.

City officials are taking note. Council Member Crystal Hudson, who represents the district, has thrown her support behind the fair, framing it as a pilot for future citywide initiatives. “Brooklyn is leading the way,” Hudson told Made in NYC. “If we can prove it’s possible here, we can scale zero-waste events across all five boroughs.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a zero-waste street fair?

A zero-waste street fair is an outdoor event designed to minimize landfill contributions by diverting as much waste as possible through composting, recycling, and reuse. Organizers collaborate with vendors to eliminate single-use plastics and promote sustainable alternatives, aiming for 90% or more waste diversion.

Where and when is the Myrtle Avenue zero-waste street fair?

The fair takes place on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, stretching from Classon Avenue to Washington Park, on Saturday, June 8, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

How can attendees participate in sustainability efforts during the fair?

Attendees are encouraged to bring reusable containers, water bottles, and shopping bags. Volunteers will offer guidance at sorting stations to help with proper disposal. Visitors can join free workshops, participate in clothing swaps, and drop off e-waste for responsible recycling.

Editorial Transparency. A first draft of this story was produced with AI-assisted writing tools, then reviewed for accuracy and tone by the named editor before publication. More on our process: Editorial Policy.

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