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 Upcoming Events

Sunday January 19, 2025 — 3:30 - 4:30pm

🙏 Interfaith Climate Vigil

Labyrinth at First Congregational Church, 40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair NJ
GreenFaith has suggested interfaith vigils to be held before Jan 20th
More info and to join the planning: noemi.giszpenc@gmail.com

Sunday January 26, 2025 — 12 - 2pm

✅ Workshop for the Green Bank Curious — Align your money with your values

First Congregational Church, 40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair NJ
Michael Richardson, Rivers & Mountains Green Faith, will speak to us, and answer questions, about transitioning to green banks and green credit cards. Noemi Giszpenc will share her personal experience with green banking.
Bring your questions, anxieties, and excitement!
More info: tracey@traceystephens.com

Sunday, April 6, 2025, 2:00 pm

Liberty State: A Birder’s Meetup

We will meet at 2:00 the south end of the park, in parking lot 3, near the East Jetty (C on the map), on Morris Pesin Drive. The best access is from Exit 14B of the NJ Turnpike Extension. See park map here. We will walk the paved Hudson River Walkway past Caven Point, about a mile each way. Expected birds include bufflehead, hooded and red-breasted mergansers, green-winged teal, American black duck, mallard, double-crested and perhaps great cormorants, brant, and early migrants. Scopes will be helpful. Restrooms are available at the park office.

We will bird for about 2-1/2 hours, after which those who are interested can meet for an early dinner at Zeppelin Hall Beer Garden, featuring a wide selection of European and American beers and German sausages and American barbecue.

For more information and to confirm attendance, please text or call Bill Beren at 862 283-8754.

Gateway Group 4th of July Parade

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.