The Department of Public Information (in cooperation and DM/OCSS and UNFCU Foundation) held a ‘Coats for Cups’ coat drive on 28 November. The response from UN staff was tremendous and a wonderful start to the holiday season – we received a whole truckload worth of winter clothes! About 200 UN staff joined us in our efforts to sustainably reuse unworn clothes and give to those in need.
The warm clothes have been donated to New York Cares, an organization in operation for nearly 30 years. They work hand-in-hand with a wide variety of partner organizations across New York City and will ensure that the donated coats are distributed as quickly as possible to those who need them most.
As UN staff members, we can set a positive example by changing our own behavior at UNHQ to help fulfill SDG Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production. The first 150 staff members who donated that day received a Be the Change-branded mug to reuse at all UN cafeterias in an effort to reduce waste. Bring your own mug or cup to not only receive a discount on your beverage, but avoid wasting paper and plastic cups.
DPI thanks CulinArt for their generous complimentary free coffee to those who brought their sustainably friendly mug on 28 November. We also thank all of those who donated for personally making a difference for people in need!
DPI and its partners will continue to provide helpful tips for UN staff to live more sustainably in 2018. Keep an eye out for announcements on iSeek, or sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date.
The Be the Change initiative encourages UN staff to take personal action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Read The Lazy Person’s guide to sustainable development
- And visit us at: un.org/sustainabledevelopment