A zero-waste idea is being developed on Governors Island, an urban playground just 800 yards from Manhattan, and it might serve as a model for other communities looking to grow sustainably. 

Governors Island, located just 800 yards away from Manhattan, is a 172-acre oasis with a rich history that has evolved into an urban playground. The island was initially home to the Lenape Native Americans and was later settled by the Dutch, who made it the birthplace of New York City. Today, the island is at the forefront of a zero-waste initiative that could show other cities how to develop sustainably. The initiative includes composting, banning plastic bags and straws, and requiring food vendors and tenants to use compostable materials. A new $700 million “living laboratory” has also been announced to research solutions to address the climate crisis. 

Source: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230426-governors-island-the-uninhabited-isle-that-birthed-nyc