Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter  

RecycleRightNY - 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 provide lightweight packaging options. However, plenty of confusion surrounds how to properly dispose of many single-use plastic items. Are they recyclable? If so, how? If not, why? What are the alternatives?

Help us Recycle Right NY! Just because an item is plastic or has the chasing arrows symbol, it does not always mean it can go into your household recycling bin. It is important to follow rules for your specific program to keep our recycling stream clean and of high quality.

Common SUP Items you should not put in your household recycling bin:

• Plastic Utensils
• Straws/Coffee Stirrers
• Coffee Pods
• Chip bags, candy bar wrappers and other snack packaging and wrappers
• Cling wrap
• Plastic bags
• Styrofoam
• Single-use/disposable plastic plates and cups
• Some types of takeout containers

*If you have questions, check with your local hauler or county/municipal recycling coordinator. Recycling rules differ by location and program.

Help protect the environment and reduce single-use plastics in your life, and choose reusable alternatives. Challenge yourself to replace one single-use plastic with a reusable alternative this week. Take the ultimate challenge and go plastic free in July!

Learn more about the Recycle Right NY Campaign and how to receive free downloadable campaign resources. Remember to tag #RecycleRightNY on your social media!

The New Composter Webinar Series

The United States Composting Council Young Professionals held a "New Composter" webinar series to assist new composters in starting a business in the organics recycling industry, planning for financial success and marketing your product.

• Listen to the New Composter Part 1: Building a Composting Business
• Listen to the New Composter Part 2: Business Strategies to Get Off the Ground

Upcoming Events

• June 22, 2019: Homeowners Cleanup - Oyster Bay
• June 29, 2019: Repair Café - Kingston
• June 30, 2019: Repair Café - Gardiner
• July 13, 2019: S.T.O.P. Collection Day - Oyster Bay
• July 13, 2019: Shred-O-Rama 2019 - Syracuse 
• NYC Recycling Events

Conferences, Workshops & Webinars

• June 21 - 22, 2019: NYCxReuse Conference + Expo - NYC
• July 17, 2019: Bottle Bills - Benefits & Challenges - Webinar
• August 5 - 9, 2019: USCC Composter Operations Training Course - Ithaca
• September 29 - October 1, 2019: NYSASWM Conference - Lake Placid
• November 4 - 6, 2019: NYSAR3 Annual Recycling Conference - Cooperstown

Funding Opportunities - Application Deadlines

• July 15, 2019: Food Waste Creative Solutions Microgrant Program - NYC
• July 26, 2019: NYS DEC Climate Smart Communities Grant Program
• Recycling Partnership 2019 Residential Curbside Recycling Grant Program - Rolling Grant Program while funding is available

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