#RecycleRightNY Campaign Materials

February is dedicated to educating the public about paper recycling dos and don’ts. To spread the message, please use the resources below (Facebook posts, Twitter tweets, newsletter article and other resources) through the month of February via your social media platforms, newsletters, etc. 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 (Household Paper Recycling)

Facebook/Instagram: Did you know that of all recyclables, paper is the most recycled material in the United States? According to the US EPA, over 65% (approximately 44.2 million tons) of the paper and paperboard produced was recycled in 2017. Let’s recycle even more in 2020 and make sure that the paper we’re recycling is of high value and free of contamination. How? Recycle paper from your home, office, school and just make sure it is clean, dry, and free of food residue. Recycle paper right NY! #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Recycle paper from your home, office and school; just make sure it is clean, dry, and free of food residue. Recycle paper right NY! #RecycleRightNY

Facebook/Instagram: There are many types of paper that can be recycled such as newspapers, magazines, white and colored office paper, stationery, and packaging boxes (non-paper inserts removed), paper bags, soft cover books and cardboard tubes. For a complete list of accepted items, check your local program rules. #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: There are many types of paper that can be recycled such as newspapers, magazines, white and colored office paper, stationery, and packaging boxes (non-paper inserts removed), paper bags, soft cover books and cardboard tubes. Check your local recycling program rules. #RecycleRightNY

Week 2 Campaign Materials (Valentine's Day Cards & Gift Wrap)

Facebook/Instagram: Make sure the messages you share with your loved ones this Valentine’s Day aren’t trash! Avoid purchasing cards or gift wrap with shiny elements such as glitter or metallic foil – bonus points for choosing cards with as much recycled content as possible or making your own from upcycled material! #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Make sure the messages you share with your loved ones this Valentine’s Day aren’t trash! Avoid purchasing cards or gift wrap with shiny elements such as glitter or metallic foil – bonus points for choosing cards with as much recycled content as possible! #RecycleRightNY

Facebook/Instagram: Let your love shine this Valentine’s Day (but not your cards). Shiny, metallic, and glittery cards and paper contaminate the recycling stream. Keep them out of your recycling bin and #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Let your love shine this Valentine’s Day (but not your cards). Shiny, metallic, and glittery cards and paper contaminate the recycling stream. Keep them out of your recycling bin and #RecycleRightNY

Week 3 Campaign Materials (Reduction: Junk Mail)

Social Media Polls:

Facebook Poll: I very often use promotional mail, catalogs, and other “junk mail” that comes to my home
Facebook Answers: Yes or No

Twitter Poll: I very often use promotional mail, catalogs, and other “junk mail” that comes to my home
Twitter Answers: Yes or No

Facebook/Instagram: Break up with clingy junk mail! So much of the paper that makes its way into our homes is unwanted. Opting out of junk mail is a powerful waste reduction measure you can take which has an even bigger impact than simply recycling. To get started, you can register on the National Do Not Mail List https://tinyurl.com/q38br8e. #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Break up with clingy junk mail! Much of the paper that makes its way into our homes is unwanted. Opting out of junk mail is a powerful waste reduction measure that has a much bigger impact than recycling. To get started, register on the National Do Not Mail List https://tinyurl.com/q38br8e. #RecycleRightNY 

Facebook/Instagram: Still working to rid yourself of junk mail? In the meantime, you can recycle junk mail, including envelopes with plastic address windows. Do not include foil or plastic coated paper, paper envelopes padded with bubble wrap or plastic inserts like fake credit cards. For magazines and catalogs delivered in plastic wrap, recycle the paper components in your blue bin and the plastic wrap at retail film plastic collection bins. #RecycleRightNY   

  
Twitter: Still working to rid yourself of junk mail? Recycle junk mail (envelopes with plastic windows are okay), but NOT foil or plastic coated paper, paper envelopes padded with bubble wrap or plastic inserts. For plastic wrapped items, recycle paper components and return plastic wrap to retail. #RecycleRightNY

Week 4 Campaign Materials (Shredded Paper)

Facebook/Instagram:  A shred of truth: shredding paper is great for protecting sensitive information but the shortened fibers are near impossible to separate at sorting facilities and difficult to recycle into new paper. Go paperless if you can and only shred documents that you really need to. Make sure that you check with your local recycling program about where and how to properly recycle shredded paper in your area. #RecycleRightNY

Twitter:  A shred of truth: shredding paper is great for protecting sensitive info but the shortened fibers are near impossible to separate and difficult to recycle. Only shred documents that you must and check with your program about how to properly recycle paper shreds in your area.

Facebook/Instagram:  Most (but not all) recycling programs do not accept shredded paper since the pieces are too small to be sorted at the recovery facility. But don’t toss your shreds in the trash without considering other options first such as composting, animal bedding, packaging for fragile objects, arts and crafts and more! https://tinyurl.com/sbocgxj #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Most (but not all) recycling programs do not accept shredded paper. But don’t toss your shreds in the trash without considering other options first such as composting, animal bedding, packaging for fragile objects, crafts and more! https://tinyurl.com/sbocgxj #RecycleRightNY

February Newsletter/Newspaper Article

Show Paper Recycling Some Love!

Did you know that of all recyclables, paper is the most recycled material in the United States? According to the US EPA, over 65% (approximately 44.2 million tons) of the paper and paperboard produced was recycled in 2017. Let’s recycle even more in 2020 and make sure that the paper we’re recycling is of high value, clean, dry, and free of food and other contamination.

Do Recycle

• Newspapers, magazines and junk mail (envelopes with plastic address windows are okay)
• White and colored office paper, and stationery
• Paper bags, packaging boxes, paperboard containers and cardboard tubes (non-paper inserts removed)
• Soft cover books
• BONUS: Have a bigger impact by opting out of junk mail by registering on the National Do Not Mail List

Maybe Recycle (Check with your local recycling program guidelines)

• Wrapping paper
• Pizza Boxes
• Paper cups

Don’t Recycle

• Paper products with metal, foil, glittery or large plastic components
• Paper mailers and envelopes padded with bubble wrap and Tyvek® envelopes
• Plastic inserts, fake credit cards, and other hard plastic cards
• Receipts
• Paper towels and tissues (consider composting instead if chemical cleaners are not used)
• Soiled paper plates, bowls, takeout boxes etc.

Make sure the messages you share with your loved ones this Valentine’s Day aren’t trash and avoid purchasing cards with shiny elements – bonus points for choosing cards with as much recycled content as possible or using upcycled materials to DIY! Recycle paper right NY!

Other Resources

Video: Paper Recycling Best Practices - Why you shouldn't "wishcycle"

Paper Recycling and the Holidays

How to Recycle Common Paper-based Items from your Mailbox

Stop Junk Mail for Good

What to Do with Shredded Paper You Can’t Recycle

Think Before You Shred!

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.

* 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.