Craigslist Founder Sponsors Composting Toilet to Local Nonprofit

MORRISTOWN, N.J., July 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Craig Newmark, Founder of craigslist and craigconnects and former Morristown resident, is sponsoring a composting toilet for Grow It Green Morristown's redesign of the Early Street Community Garden. Newmark, now a resident of California, grew up in a house across the street from the garden and used to play in the former junkyards of Early Street.

Newmark's $10,000 sponsorship will provide a much-needed restroom facility as part of the garden's new design that includes a public parklet, solar-powered community pavilion, ADA-compliant walking path, a composting center, demonstration apiary, bike repair station and 94 garden beds, double the number currently on site.

Composting toilets use little to no water and depend on aerobic reaction to break down the waste product. They have been used successfully for many years in urban environments, such as the Bronx Zoo and the Queens Botanical Garden. This will be the second toilet that Newmark has sponsored; the first is a conventional toilet located in the City of Jericho.

"…I might also have a sense of humor," said Newmark. "Regardless, I like to support real community grassroots efforts in the most grassroots sense."

"We are thrilled to connect with Mr. Newmark, who grew up right across the street from what is now the garden," said Abby Gallo, Executive Director of Grow It Green Morristown. "We can't thank him enough for funding this much-needed restroom that will facilitate on-site community events and classes."

Grow It Green Morristown is in the midst of raising funds to rebuild the Early Street Community Garden through its Grow Early Capital Campaign. Other project funders so far include Kings Food Markets, F.M. Kirby Foundation, Sustainable Jersey, HSBC Bank, Conservation Resources, Gran Fondo NJ and Hampshire Real Estate Companies, as well as many individual community members. So far, the organization has raised over $70,000 of its $200,000 goal. Full construction on the project will begin this fall. To learn more about the garden rebuild, or to make a donation, visit www.growitgreenmorristown.org/growearly.

The Early Street Community Garden is located at 17 Early Street in Morristown, New Jersey.

Grow It Green Morristown is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to create sustainable farms and gardens that provide equal access to fresh, local food and educate communities through programs focused on healthy eating and environmental stewardship. Major sponsorship for Grow It Green Morristown is provided by Kings Food Markets. For more information, please visit www.growitgreenmorristown.org.

SOURCE Grow It Green Morristown

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http://www.growitgreenmorristown.org