#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

November is dedicated to plastic bottles and jugs- the importance of emptying these containers before recycling, the value of recycling bottles and jugs, and having residents check with their hauler or municipality about specific rules for recycling plastic bottles and jugs- such as caps on or off and what other plastics are recycled in local programs.  Please use the resources below (Facebook posts, Twitter tweets, social media polls, newsletter article and other resources) through the month of November 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

Social media polls

Facebook Poll: True or false- it matters whether we clean & empty our plastic bottles and jugs before recycling. #RecycleRightNY

Answer Choices: True or False

Twitter Tweet: True or false- it matters whether we clean & empty our plastic bottles and jugs before recycling. #RecycleRightNY

Answer Choices: True or False

Facebook Answer: The answer to our poll is True! Plastic bottles and jugs need to be emptied of food, liquid, body care products, detergents and other materials before being placed in your household recycling bin. Excess food, liquid, etc. can contaminate the recycling stream and adds extra unnecessary weight during transport that requires more fuel. #RecycleRightNY

Twitter Answer: True! Plastic bottles and jugs need to be emptied of food, liquid, body care products, detergents and other residues before being placed in your household recycling bin. #RecycleRightNY

Week 2 Campaign Materials

Facebook Post: Let’s give our empty plastic bottles and jugs a new life! Recycling our plastic bottles and jugs is an easy way everyone can participate in saving energy and natural resources. 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! #RecycleRightNY

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

Facebook Post: Although most plastic bottles and jugs are recyclable, plastic bottles or jugs that held motor oil, herbicides, or pesticides typically should not be recycled in your local program, even if empty. Remember to check with your recycling hauler or county/ town recycling coordinator about recycling rules. We all make a difference when we recycle right! #RecycleRightNY

Twitter Tweet: Although most plastic bottles and jugs are recyclable, if they held motor oil, herbicides, or pesticides typically should not be recycled in your local program, even if empty. Check with your recycling hauler or local recycling coordinator about recycling rules. #RecycleRightNY

Week 3 Campaign Materials

Facebook Post: Ask about the cap! When it comes to recycling plastic bottles and jugs, some recycling programs want the caps on while others want caps removed. Because of differences in recycling facility equipment, make sure to check with your hauler or local recycling coordinator to ask whether your caps and other tops stay on or off plastic bottles and jugs. #RecycleRightNY

Twitter Tweet: Ask about the cap! Because of differences in recycling programs, make sure to check with your hauler or local recycling coordinator to ask whether caps and other tops stay on or off plastic bottles and jugs for recycling. #RecycleRightNY

Facebook Post: #DidYouKnow most current recycling facility equipment can’t capture anything smaller than a business card? If your local program rules require you to remove caps from bottles, find creative ways to reuse and upcycle them! #RecycleRightNY

Twitter Tweet: #DidYouKnow most current recycling facility equipment can’t capture anything smaller than a business card? If your local program rules require you to remove caps from bottles, find creative ways to reuse and upcycle them! #RecycleRightNY

Week 4 Campaign Materials

Facebook Post: Nearly a million plastic beverage bottles are sold EVERY MINUTE around the world! Let’s be sure we’re recycling our clean, empty bottles or choosing reusable bottles when we can # RecycleRightNY

Twitter Tweet: Nearly a million plastic beverage bottles are sold EVERY MINUTE around the world! Let’s be sure we’re recycling our clean, empty bottles or choosing reusable bottles when we can # RecycleRightNY

Week 5 Campaign Materials

Facebook Post:  Don’t trash your plastic bottles! Recycling just five plastic bottles provides enough fiber to create one square foot of carpet or enough fiber fill to fill an entire ski jacket. Always recycle clean, empty bottles and check to see if the items you purchase are made with recycled content. #RecycleRightNY

Twitter Tweet: Recycling just five plastic bottles provides enough fiber to create one square foot of carpet or enough fiber fill to fill an entire ski jacket. Always recycle clean, empty bottles and check to see if the items you purchase are made with recycled content. #RecycleRightNY

Facebook Post: Each day in the US we throw away more than 60 million plastic water bottles. Most end up in landfills or incinerators, and millions litter America’s streets, parks and waterways. How can we do better? #RecycleRightNY

Twitter Tweet: Each day in the US we throw away more than 60 million plastic water bottles. Most end up in landfills or incinerators, and millions litter America’s streets, parks and waterways. How can we do better? #RecycleRightNY

Extra Posts

Facebook Post: Are products that come in plastic containers taking up space in your home and in your recycling bin? From laundry detergents, body care, home cleaners, and reusable beverage bottles and mugs- many alternative products exist to help you reduce bulky plastic containers in your home to simplify and make space. Reduce waste and save space!

Twitter Tweet: From laundry detergents, body care, home cleaners, and reusable beverage bottles and mugs- many alternative products exist to help you reduce bulky plastic containers in your home to simplify and make space. Reduce waste and save space!

Facebook Poll: Does it matter whether you leave caps on or off plastic bottles and jugs when you put them in your home recycling bin?

Answer Choices: Yes or No

Facebook Answer: The answer to our poll is Yes! It matters whether you leave caps or other tops on or off plastic bottles and jugs in your recycling bin. Because of differences in recyclables sorting procedures, equipment, and available markets- your local recycling program may want caps on or may want  caps and other tops removed from plastic bottles and jugs before you place them in your home recycling bin. In addition- bottle caps are typically a different, harder type of plastic than the bottle itself! #RecycleRightNY #KnowYourProgram

November Newsletter/Newspaper Article

Plastic Bottle and Jug Recycling- keep it empty, consider the cap, and conserve natural resources!

Many of the products we buy come in plastic bottles and jugs, and while reducing the plastic packaging we all use is ideal, most of us are using products in plastic bottles and jugs everyday. 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 that everyone can participate in conserving natural resources through simple everyday actions. Recycling our plastic bottles and jugs makes a difference!

What is a plastic bottle or jug?

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.

What are plastic bottles and jugs made of?

Most often, plastic bottles and jugs are typically made from #1 plastic, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or #2 plastic, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) while the caps are often made from a different type of plastic.

Why are bottles and jugs valuable for recycling?

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 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! 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!

• Is your plastic item a bottle or jug? If so, it can likely go in your recycling bin! Contact your hauler or recycling coordinator so you know what other plastics are accepted in your local recycling program and rules about whether caps, lids, and other tops stay on or off
• Did the bottle or jug hold motor oil, pesticides, or herbicides? If so, these containers typically can’t go in your household recycling program. If product remains in these containers, contact your county or municipal recycling coordinator to learn about household hazardous waste collection events in your area.
• 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.
• Are any beverage bottles 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! You make a difference.

What are alternatives to bottles and jugs to reduce plastic?

When we find ourselves with plastic bottles and jugs, the best thing to do is to recycle or reuse them. But there is an even better more environmentally friendly option! Reduction and reuse. Some options to reduce the number of plastic bottles and jugs you use are:

• Plan! Read about plastic free alternatives and plan before heading to the store or shopping online
• Find alternatives that require less plastic such as drink mixes over single serving bottles.
• Look for options that are totally plastic free. Many options exist as waste reduction has grown in popularity as a preferred sustainable choice that realizes the maximum environmental benefit.
• Start small- you may surprise yourself with how much you like these new and exciting options! Give it a try!

Other Resources

The Recycling Partnership

• Anti-contamination Toolkit
• DIY Signs Recycling Sign Generator
• The Bridge to Circularity Report

The Container Recycling Institute

The Association of Plastic Recyclers

Keep America Beautiful

• I want to be recycled campaign for bottles

Buy Recycled Product Directory

Free 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.

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