#RecycleRightNY June Resources

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
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#RecycleRightNY Campaign Materials

Please note- acceptable materials lists for recycling programs vary across the state based on your location. Please be sure to tailor these materials to fit your particular local program as needed.

June is dedicated to single-use plastics and educating about reduction as well as single-use plastics that are commonly not accepted in local recycling programs and may act as contaminants . Please use the resources below (Facebook posts, Twitter tweets, social media polls, newsletter article) through the month of June via your social media platforms, newsletters, etc. to spread the message. The post order is a suggested format to follow but please modify the order for the month as necessary to fit your needs.

High resolution images formatted for Facebook, Twitter, and newsletters can be downloaded by going to NYDEC's Recycle Right NY Flickr album. For instructions, scroll down to the heading "Free images" below. To download any images from the body of this email, right click the image and then choose "Save As".


Week 1 Campaign Materials

Facebook Post: Sup NY! Kick #singleuseplastics (SUP) to the curb! But make sure they're not all in your recycling bin. Just because it’s plastic does not mean it can always be recycled in your household recycling bin. Many single-use plastics can actually hurt recycling programs. Know your program! Check to see what single-use plastics are accepted for recycling in your area. #RecycleRightNY

 

 

Twitter Tweet: Kick #singleuseplastics to the curb! But make sure they're not all in your recycling bin. Just because it’s plastic doesn’t mean it can always go in your household recycling bin. Check to see what single-use plastics are accepted for recycling in your area. #RecycleRightNY

 

 

Social Media Poll:

Facebook and Twitter Poll: True or False- All single use plastics (SUPs) can go in your household recycling bin.
Answer Choices: True or False
 


Facebook Poll Follow Up Answer: False. Just because it’s plastic doesn't mean it can always go in your recycling bin. Recycling facilities often cannot recycle many single-use plastic items like plastic utensils, straws, coffee stirrers, cling wrap, Styrofoam, snack bags and wrappers, and even plastic cups, plates, and some types of takeout containers- even if they have the chasing arrows symbol. If not accepted in your local recycling program, these items can contaminate the recycling stream. Contact your municipality or hauler and ask what’s accepted in your specific program. #RecycleRightNY
 
 
Twitter Poll Follow Up Answer: False. Just because it’s plastic doesn't mean it can go in your household recycling bin. Programs often cannot recycle items like plastic utensils, straws, coffee stirrers and even plastic cups and plates. These items can contaminate the recycling stream. #RecycleRightNY

 


Week 2 Campaign Materials

Facebook Post: Hey NY, put a fork in it! Be done with single-use plastic utensils. Because of their small size, most recycling equipment cannot capture single-use plastic utensils for recycling and the food residue on utensils can contaminate clean paper and cardboard in single-stream recycling. Keep a set of reusable utensils with you on the go- it’s an easy swap! And remember to always check your local recycling program rules for your area. #RecycleRightNY #Reuse
 


Twitter Tweet: Hey NY, put a fork in it! Be done with single-use plastic utensils. Keep a set of reusable utensils with you on the go. #RecycleRightNY
 

 

Social Media Poll:
Facebook and Twitter Poll: True or False- Styrofoam can be recycled in most household recycling programs.
 

 

Facebook poll follow up answer: False. Styrofoam should not be put in household recycling bins unless your recycling program specifically lists it as an acceptable item. Some programs do accept plastics 1-7, but this normally does not include Styrofoam- even if it has the chasing arrows symbol on it. Styrofoam is known as expanded polystyrene, made from #6 plastic resin. Polystyrene can be a flat smooth plastic or be the “expanded polystyrene” that we know as the lightweight, white Styrofoam for cups, takeout containers, plates, etc. The easiest way to know what is recyclable or not in your local program is to contact your hauler or local county/ municipal recycling coordinator. When in doubt- ASK.  #RecycleRightNY
 


Twitter poll follow up answer: False. Styrofoam should not be put in household recycling bins unless your program lists it as acceptable. Styrofoam is made from #6 plastic. Some programs accept plastics 1-7, but this usually does not include Styrofoam- even if it has the chasing arrows. #RecycleRightNY

 


Week 3 Campaign Materials

Facebook Post: This may be hard to swallow, but most recycling programs cannot accept plastic straws for recycling because they are too small to be captured. Just because something is plastic does not mean it should be put in a recycling bin. Instead of feeling bad about your plastic straws, try carrying a reusable straw with you on the go if you need one! It’s an easy swap. And remember- The easiest way to know what is recyclable or not in your local program is to contact your hauler or county/ municipal recycling coordinator. When in doubt- ASK. #RecycleRightNY
 


Twitter Tweet: This may be hard to swallow, but most recycling programs cannot accept plastic straws for recycling because they are too small to be captured. Instead of feeling bad about your plastic straws, carry a reusable straw with you on the go! It’s an easy swap. #RecycleRightNY

 


Week 4 Campaign Materials

Facebook Post: Pods are for peas. Pods are for dolphins. But pods are usually not for your recycling bin. Did you know single-use coffee pods, even if marketed as recyclable, can usually not be captured by most recycling equipment? Try a reusable option instead. The easiest way to know what is recyclable or not in your local program is to contact your hauler or county/ municipal recycling coordinator. When in doubt- ASK. #RecycleRightNY


 
Twitter Tweet: Pods are for peas. Pods are for dolphins. But pods are usually not for your recycling bin. Did you know single-use coffee pods, even if marketed as recyclable, can usually not be captured by most recycling equipment? #ReduceYourUse with a reusable option instead.

 

 

Facebook post: It’s time to get ready for #PlasticFreeJuly! Tired of thinking about how to dispose of your #singleuseplastics (SUPs)? Are you upset when you find out many aren't accepted by your recycling program and need to be trashed? Simplify your life and be a better environmental steward by taking SUPs out of the equation. Give it a try next month! Learn more at https://on.ny.gov/2EGsHgC


 
Twitter Tweet: It’s time to get ready for #PlasticFreeJuly! Simplify your life & be a better environmental steward - take #singleuseplastics out of the equation. Give it a try next month! Learn more at https://on.ny.gov/2EGsHgC

 


Week 5 Campaign Materials

Facebook Post: Hey NY! Let’s all chip in and #RecycleRightNY! Food for thought- did you know chip bags and other snack bags and wrappers don’t belong in your household recycling program? They actually act as contaminants and hurt household recycling programs. Feeling guilt about your trash? Don’t be a #wishcycler. Instead- think of ways to reduce your use of single-use packaging. And remember- the easiest way to know what is recyclable or not in your local program is to contact your hauler or county/ municipal recycling coordinator. When in doubt- ASK.
 


Twitter Tweet: Let’s all chip in and #RecycleRightNY! Food for thought- did you know chip and other snack bags & wrappers don’t belong in your household recycling program? Feeling guilt about your trash? Reducing your use of single-use packaging helps all around!

 


Extra Posts

Facebook Post: June 5th is #WorldEnvironmentDay and the theme is #BeatAirPollution. An easy way everyone can promote good air quality is by recycling. Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution compared to making products with virgin materials and sending materials to the landfill. You can help #BeatAirPollultion and #RecycleRightNY on World Environment Day!


Twitter Tweet: Help us celebrate #WorldEnvironmentDay on June 5th and #BeatAirPollution too by #recycling! Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution compared to making products with virgin materials and sending materials to the landfill.


Facebook post: June 8th is #WorldOceansDay! Did you know 50% of plastic waste generated globally is from plastic packaging? Because plastic is lightweight and buoyant, when it ends up as litter it travels easily into streams, rivers, lakes and the ocean, clogging waterways and water infrastructure. We can all do our part to protect our oceans by making simple swaps to reduce our use of single-use plastics and by choosing products with the least amount of packaging when possible. #TogetherWeCan

 

Twitter Tweet: June 8th is #WorldOceansDay! Celebrate by choosing simple swaps to reduce the use of single-use items & products with the least amount of packaging. 50% of plastic waste generated globally is from plastic packaging! #ReduceYourUse


June Newsletter/Newspaper Article

Title: What’s up with Single-use Plastics?

It’s hard to go anywhere today without encountering single-use plastics (SUPs). Single-use plastics have grown in popularity for their ability to provide convenience, protect food and other products, and provide lightweight packaging options that are beneficial for shipping. However, there are some trade-offs to these benefits and confusion surrounding how to properly dispose of many single-use plastic items. Are they recyclable? If so, how? If not, why? What are the alternatives? What are the negative effects on the environment?
 
Help us Recycle Right NY! Just because something is plastic does or has the chasing arrows symbol does not always mean it can be put in your household recycling bin. It’s important to follow rules for your specific program and recycle right because incorrect items in recycling bins can hurt local recycling programs and make recyclables less useful and less valuable for people who want to make new things with them. Remember- the easiest way to know what is recyclable or not in your local program is to contact your hauler or county/ municipal recycling coordinator.

Common SUP items you may be putting in your household recycling bin that recycling programs often CANNOT accept:

  • Plastic utensils
  • Straws/coffee stirrers
  • Coffee pods
  • Chip bags, candy bar wrappers and other snack packaging wrappers
  • Cling wrap
  • Plastic bags
  • Styrofoam
  • Single-use/ disposable plastic plates and cups
  • Some types of take-out containers

50% of plastic waste generated globally is from plastic packaging, and some of it ends up as litter. The lightweight, durable properties of plastic are also what cause it to travel throughout the environment and persist, negatively affecting ecosystems and breaking into small pieces known as microplastics. An easy way to do your part for the environment is to figure out where you can reduce single-use plastics in your life and choose reusable alternatives. Give it a try and you can also get ready for the upcoming Plastic-Free July! For more information visit the Plastic Free July website


Other Resources


Free Images

*Please note that the customized images for June are not included below but can be found in the coming weeks by going to NYDEC's Recycle Right NY Flickr album. Please check the Recycle Right NY Flickr album throughout the month for additional images!

Free high resolution images formatted for Facebook, Twitter, and newsletters can be downloaded by going to NYDEC's Recycle Right NY Flickr album. *

Images may not be available right away. If you do not see images for the item of the month we recommend waiting a day or two and then checking the Flickr album again for updates.  

Directions to download from Flickr: Click the link to open the Flickr album. Scroll to the image you want and left click on it. The image will now be brought up on the screen by itself. In the far right bottom corner there will be a downward facing arrow with a line under it. Left click on it and choose, Original (1024x512) as the option. It will automatically download.  If you need assistance please e-mail us at recycling@dec.ny.gov.

* If you are experiencing technical difficulties downloading the images from Flickr, please open the Flickr link in a different web browser such as Chrome or Firefox.

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Recycle Right NY is a 12-month education campaign focused on supporting efforts to reduce contamination in household recycling programs across NYS. The campaign focuses on educating residents about one recycling topic per month. Campaign materials including monthly text and photos, as seen above, are available for use in your own social media and digital and print newsletters. For more information about the campaign or on how to get involved e-mail recycling@dec.ny.gov.