Gateway Group

Serving Hillside, Elizabeth, and all Essex County communities (except for Livingston, Millburn and Roseland).

The Gateway Group was organized in January 2011. Please contact any of the leaders if you are interested in joining our campaigns to protect the environment. There are several Gateway Group positions open.

The Gateway Group invites YOU to join in the activism and asks your support as we strive to address the many issues facing the urban as well as suburban communities.

Do you ever wonder if the plastic containers you put out at the curb for recycling actually get recycled, or do they end up floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

In January, the Gateway Group of the Sierra Club published a major study of what actually happens to the bottles, cans, and paper collected from Essex County residents. Danielle Rapsas, a sophomore at Barnard College and a graduate of West Caldwell High School, completed the study as a summer intern with the Gateway Group. She is also a member of the Gateway Group Executive Committee and the political chair for the Group.

Her research found conclusive evidence that recycling is considerably cheaper than sending solid waste to be incinerated in Newark, and includes 9 specific recommendations for Essex County towns and municipalities to follow to increase recycling rates.

Copies of the report are available for download here: Essex County Recycling Report

Gateway Group Events

Leading a coalition of local environmental groups, the Sierra Club’s Gateway Chapter participated in the annual Montclair July 4^thParade.

Joining the Gateway Group in the parade were Montclair Climate Action, Sustainable Montclair, the Northeast Earth Coalition, the Electric Vehicle Association and members of the Dayenu Circle (a Jewish climate action group) from Bnai Keshet synagogue in Montclair.

About 25 individuals marched in the parade, and were accompanied by drivers of 4 electric vehicles, including a VW ID4, a Chevrolet Bolt, a Smart Car and a Rivian R1T.

The March followed a 1.6 mile route from downtown Montclair to Edgemont Park.

Anna Grossman (left) and Andrea Panico (right) holding the Sierra Club Banner. Anna is the leader of SustainableMontclair, and has worked closely with the Sierra Club on artificial turf issues. Andrea is the club’s state chair on zero waste issues and a member of the Gateway Group. Photo credit Tracey Stephens.

(left to right) Allen Swanson, Chair Loantaka Group, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, Bill Beren, and Jose German, Northeast Earth Coalition. Photo credit Tracey Stephens.