Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 02/07/2019 05:00 PM EST
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
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Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter 

2018 Solid Waste Management Facilities Annual Reports

2018 solid waste management facilities annual report forms are due March 1, 2019 to DEC central office and your regional office.

2018 Annual report forms for Case-Specific and Large Quantity Pre-Determined BUDs are due March 1, 2019 with some due on March 31, 2019 (check your BUD).

Deadline Approaching - DEC Funding for Municipalities for Wasted Food and Food Scraps Projects

$1.2 million is available in funding to municipalities to initiate or expand programs to reduce wasted food, donate wholesome food to those in need and recycle food scraps.

  • Question & Answer Period Ends: February 22, 2019 5 p.m.
  • Final Applications Due: March 1, 2019 3 p.m.

Climate Smart Communities Webinar: Advancing Food Scraps in NYS

Listen to the recently recorded webinar for Climate Smart Communities on Advancing Food Scraps Recycling In NYS: State Funding for Community Initiatives . Speakers discussed the broader context of wasted food and available grant programs available to local governments to support the management of wasted food and recycling of food scraps. Grants programs discussed include:

  • DEC Funding for Municipalities for Wasted Food, Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling
  • DEC Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling (MWRR) Grant Program
  • NYS P2I Community Grants Program
  • NYS P2I Food Waste Reduction & Diversion Reimbursement Program 

National Sword - What does it mean?

Many New York State residents have contacted us with questions about current recycling markets and a topic called National Sword. To help people better understand this topic, we have put together a summary of the issue, DEC’s action on this issue, and what residents can do to help.
 
What is National Sword and what does it mean for recycling?
The recycling markets have been impacted by China’s National Sword policy- reported as an initiative by China to clean up pollution in the environment. So how does China’s policy affect recycling in the United States? Almost a third of the recyclable materials collected in the U.S. were being exported. As of January 2018, China determined that many of the recyclables coming from the U.S. were too contaminated with non-recyclable material, decreasing the value of recyclables and contributing to pollution.

How is DEC taking action?
Recycling is an important part of sustainable materials management. It conserves natural resources, reduces the need for raw materials, and helps keep a significant amount of material out of landfills. To address changes in recycling markets head on, DEC has held a series of stakeholder meetings across the state with representatives from industry, local government, state and federal agencies, and the public to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for recycling in New York and identify open markets to utilize recyclables. As a result of the stakeholder meetings, a new recycling education campaign has also been launched in partnership with recycling stakeholders from across the State under the hashtag #RecycleRightNY on social media.
 
What can residents do to help?
Kids RecyclingOne of the major problems in residential recycling that’s contributing to the issues faced by recycling is what we call “wish cycling”. “Wish cycling” is when well-meaning people put something in their recycling bin without knowing if it belongs there and hoping it gets recycled. Nationally, an estimated  one in four items people place in household recycling bins are not recyclable, contributing to contamination, slowing down sorting, creating hazards, and decreasing the value of recyclables. The most important thing residents can do right now is follow the rules provided by your recycling hauler or municipality about what is accepted and what is not accepted in your local recycling program. By being diligent and placing only acceptable recyclables in your recycling bin, you can do your part in maintaining quality recyclables currently and for future markets. Residents across New York State are also encouraged to watch for the #RecycleRightNY campaign and share the information with friends, family and neighbors to learn about how we can all support recycling programs by empowering ourselves and others with recycling knowledge.
 
New York continues to help maintain sustainability in the recycling industry by encouraging and helping municipalities and companies to maintain recycling efforts. The State provides recycling grants through the Environmental Protection Fund to support programs that encourage waste diversion, including multiple programs for usable food recovery, food waste collection, and organics recycling. Stewardship programs like the bottle bill, electronic waste reuse and recycling act, rechargeable battery recycling law, and mercury thermostat take back program are among the programs that encourage and make recycling easy and cost effective.

Do You Have Unwanted Drugs? Find a Drug Collection Box Near You Today! 

DEC created a Pilot Pharmaceutical Take Back Program to ensure safe, convenient disposal of unwanted medication and protect public health, public safety and the environment. DEC has placed over 250 collection boxes in pharmacies, hospitals and long-term care facilities across the State to encourage safe disposal of unused and expired drugs. Find a drug collection box near you! 

Upcoming Events

Conferences and Workshops

Funding Opportunities - Application Deadlines

We Want To Hear From You!

Is there a topic you'd like to learn more about or a public event or workshop related to recycling (organics, textiles, traditional recyclables, etc.) you'd like the greater community to know more about? E-mail us at: organicrecycling@dec.ny.gov