Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 10/31/2019 09:54 AM EDT
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Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter 

Getting More Out of Your Fall Favorites: Apples & Pumpkins

Pumpkin SoupFall is a great time to come together with family and friends over food. In our efforts to enjoy the season's bounty and prepare food for our loved ones, sometime we can end up making too much or losing track of all the food we've bought, picked and prepared.

Prevent wasted food this fall by keeping the following in mind:

  • Try making pumpkin puree out of your extra pumpkins. It's a great way to use them before they go bad, and you can use it in anything from homemade pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin pie to a delicious and creative ravioli filling. Pumpkin puree can also be frozen for later use.
  • Don't toss (or compost) those old or slightly mushy apples! They're great for baking and can be used in almost any of your favorite apple-based desserts. If you don't have as much of a sweet tooth as some, try making a homemade, low-sugar applesauce with your mealy apples.
  • Freezing is your friend. If you're doing a lot of entertaining this fall, remember that you can freeze many of your leftovers and enjoy them later. Casseroles, hummus, and herbs, among many other foods, all freeze well.

Do you have your own tips for preserving food? E-mail organicrecycling@dec.ny.gov, and they may be featured in an upcoming DECDelivers Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter.

Recycle Right NY - Plastic Bottle and Jug Recycling

Many of the products we buy come in plastic bottles and jugs, and while reducing the plastic packaging we all use is ideal, we should also think about the container the product is coming in. Each year, Americans purchase billions of plastic beverage bottles alone! Recycling the bottles and jugs we have saves energy and natural resources and is an easy way for everyone to make a difference.

What is a plastic bottle or jug?Plastic Jugs

Plastic bottles are containers like plastic beverage bottles, condiment bottles, and shampoo bottles. Jugs include plastic containers with a handle such as milk jugs, orange juice jugs and other beverage jugs and laundry detergent containers.

Why are bottles and jugs valuable for recycling?

Most often, plastic bottles and jugs are typically made from #1, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or #2, high density polyethylene (HDPE), plastic. These types of plastics are some of the more valuable plastics in the recycling markets and can be used for a variety of purposes in products made from recycled materials.

What are bottles and jugs made into after they are recycled?

Recycled plastic bottles and jugs can be made into new bottles, jugs, and other plastic containers, plastic lumber, picnic tables, lawn furniture, playground equipment, recycling bins, t-shirts, sweaters, fleece jackets, insulation for jackets and sleeping bags, carpeting, and more!

How do I properly recycle plastic bottles and jugs, and why is it important?

It's not only important to make sure our plastic bottles and jugs make it into our recycling bins, it's equally important to follow a few simple steps before putting them in!

  • Know your program. Some recycling programs want caps or other tops left on containers while other programs would like them removed. Typically, most recycling programs don't accept bottles and jugs that have held motor oil, pesticides, and herbicides. Contact your local recycling coordinator or hauler for your recycling program rules.
  • Keep it empty. Make sure to empty all food, liquids, and other contents out of bottles and jugs before placing them in the recycling bin.
  • Keep it clean. Give it a quick rinse if you can. It doesn't have to be pristine. What's most important is that large amounts of food or liquids have been removed.
  • Return it? Is your beverage bottle marked with a NY 5 cent deposit? If so, these bottles are part of NY's Bottle Bill. You may want to set these aside to return and recycle at a local redemption center.
  • Put it in the bin. Place your clean, empty bottles and jugs in your home recycling bin and pat yourself on the back for recycling right!

How can I reduce my use of plastic bottles and jugs?

When we find ourselves with plastic bottles and jugs, the best thing to do is to recycle or reuse them. An even better option, is to reduce your use of them all together with reusable alternatives.

  • Ditch single use plastic bottle and jugs for reusable alternatives.
  • Look for options that are totally plastic free and reusable.
  • Look for alternatives that require less plastic such as drink mixes over single serving bottles.  

Remember! Although your local recycling program will differ based on where you live, most programs accept plastic bottles and jugs. Be sure you're not just recycling, but that you're recycling right!

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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 and it could be featured in an upcoming Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter.