#RecycleRightNY Campaign Materials

June is dedicated to educating the public about how to Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Right this Summer as well as celebrating World Environment Day and World Oceans Day. To spread the message, please use the resources below (Facebook / Instagram posts, Twitter tweets, newsletter article and other resources) through the month of June via your social media platforms, newsletters, etc. Modify the order for the month as necessary to fit your needs. For more content visit the Recycle Right NY webpage. 

High resolution images formatted for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram 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".

Extra Content on COVID-19 This Month

During the COVID-19 response, recycling operations are considered essential services. For detailed information and social media about COVID-19 and recycling/ waste management services see the “Extras” section of these resources. 

During this time of uncertainty, please follow all guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and your state and local government officials as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve.

Week 1 Campaign Materials 

Facebook/Instagram/ Twitter: June 5th is World Environment Day! Disposable masks and gloves are becoming a litter problem in our communities. Protect our environment and your neighbors June 5th and every day by properly disposing of these items in a trash container. #WorldEnvironmentDay #COVID19

Facebook/Instagram: June 5th is World Environment Day! If you’re out and about recreating locally and see an overflowing trash or recycling bin, you can help our environment by not adding to overflowing bins, which helps to reduce litter. You can also go one step farther to protect our environment by choosing reusables, such as a reusable water bottle. This way when you’re recreating locally, you won’t even need to search out a recycling bin. #WorldEnvironmentDay

Facebook/Instagram/ Twitter: June 8th is World Oceans Day! Help protect the world’s oceans and all the outdoor places we love by making sure trash and recyclables are contained. If you have a bin with a lid, you can take an additional step and keep it closed to prevent recyclables from blowing out. #WorldOceansDay

Facebook/Instagram: June 8th is World Oceans Day! Disposable masks and gloves are becoming a litter problem in our communities. After running errands, many people are simply tossing used masks and gloves on the ground or leaving them in shopping carts. These littered items can be swept into storm drains and waterways, forming microplastics and harming animals along the way. We’re pretty sure wildlife don’t want to wear or eat our littered PPE. Please help protect our environment by properly disposing of these items in a trash container. #ProtectOurHome

Twitter: We’re pretty sure wildlife don’t want to wear or eat littered PPE. Please help protect our environment by properly disposing of masks and gloves in a trash container. Celebrate World Oceans Day on June 8th by keeping the environment clean. #ProtectOurHome

Week 2 Campaign Materials

Facebook/Instagram/ Twitter: We’ve swapped mittens for gardening gloves and snow boots for flip flops! These items are seasons apart, but they have one thing in common – they shouldn’t go in your home recycling bin. Consider donating these items when options are available again. #RecycleRightNY #COVID19

Facebook/Instagram: New grills are popular items around Father’s Day. Let’s #RecycleRightNY and also respect our local waste and recycling workers by making sure that grills, propane tanks and charcoal are not put in our recycling bins or left curbside. If you’re replacing a grill, check to see if your old one is accepted by a scrap metal recycling facility near you.

Twitter: New grills are popular items around #Father’sDay. Make sure that grills, propane tanks and charcoal are not put in our recycling bins or left curbside. If replacing a grill, check to see if your old one is accepted by a scrap metal recycling facility near you. #RecycleRightNY

Week 3 Campaign Materials

Facebook/ Instagram/ Twitter: Tired of the usual single serve sports drinks? You can reduce waste and create a refreshing thirst quencher with just three things – water, a reusable jug or cup, and any type of fruit. Add a squeeze of lemon, slice of lime or other fruit! Compost any fruit scraps if you can.

Facebook / Instagram/ Twitter: Grilling, cookouts, barbeques – whatever you call them, they’re one of the best parts of summer. If you’re using your extra time at home to grill up a storm, remember that only non-soiled aluminum foil can go in the recycling bin. #RecycleRightNY #RecyclingBinWin

Week 4 Campaign Materials 

Facebook / Instagram: If you’re breaking out the water toys, outdoor furniture, goggles and s’more sticks, you aren’t alone! If you come across items you no longer need or want, please reduce waste and donate items if possible when those options become available. For large items you can also check locally to see if your area has a bulky item pickup. And remember- items like these do not belong in your home recycling bin. #WasteReduction

Twitter: Breaking out the water toys, outdoor furniture, goggles and s’more sticks? If you come across items you no longer need or want, please reduce waste and donate items if possible when those options become available. #COVID19

Facebook/ Instagram: While recreating locally this summer you can enjoy the outdoors and #ReduceWaste by packing picnics with things like reusable utensils, lightweight reusable plates, and handy reusable napkins. You can also pack food in reusable containers instead of using disposable trays or sandwich bags. If you do end up using disposable versions of these items, please put them in the trash and not your recycling bin #RecyleRightNY

Twitter: When you #RecreateLocal this summer you can enjoy the outdoors and #ReduceWaste by packing picnics with reusable utensils, containers, lightweight plates, and cloth napkins. If you use disposable versions, put them in the trash and not your recycling bin #RecyleRightNY

Week 5 Campaign Materials 

Facebook / Instagram: Having a stay-cation this summer? Reduce wasted food with a video conference style “no food left behind” cookoff with family and friends! #RecycleRightNY tip: Put vinegar in your ketchup bottle, shake it up to get that last bit out and use the vinegar and ketchup mixture in a marinade for your cookoff. Don’t forget to recycle the vinegar and ketchup bottle if they’re empty and free of food residue

Twitter: #RecycleRightNY summer BBQ tip: Put vinegar in your ketchup bottle, shake it up to get that last bit out and use the vinegar and ketchup mixture in a marinade. Don’t forget to recycle the vinegar and ketchup bottle if they’re empty and free of food residue.

Facebook / Instagram/Twitter: The sun is out and that likely means your sunscreen isn’t far behind. From bottles to tubes and jars and sprays, sunscreen exists in so many ways! When your sunscreen container is empty, check your local recycling rules to see if it can go in your recycling bin. #RecycleRightNY

June Newsletter/Newspaper Article

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle This Summer

Whether you’re breaking out the water toys, outdoor furniture, goggles and s’more sticks, planning to recreate local, or having a cookout at home, it’s important to remember how to properly recycle, reduce waste, and dispose of trash properly this summer. Follow these tips to reduce, reuse, and recycle right this summer.

Reduce Waste

• Choose reusable plates, cups, cutlery, napkins and straws if possible. There are many non-breakable, lightweight options you can use outdoors.
• Making your own drinks can be a fun hobby! There are plenty of resources available online to learn how to make your own drinks with simple ingredients that create less waste than single-serving beverage containers.
• When switching from spring to summer items, donate items you find that you no longer need. Follow your local rules regarding COVID-19.
• Repair summer items you find that are broken.
• Reduce wasted food and stretch your food dollars by meal planning. 
• Compost food scraps if you can.

Recycle Right

• Most recycling programs can’t accept single-use plastic plates, cups, straws, and cutlery. Paper serving ware is often too food soiled or covered in a waterproof coating that prevents them from being recyclable. Check with your local recycling coordinator, hauler, or local transfer station for your communities recycling program rules.
• Only recycle foil that is free of food residue.
• Paper napkins, tissues, paper towel and wipes do not belong in the recycling bin.
• Clean out ketchup and mustard bottles using a little water, shaking the bottle, and pouring liquid out before recycling them. Keep a small spatula by the sink with your dish washing supplies to clean out jars.
• Grill beyond repair? Contact your local recycling coordinator, transfer station, or scrap metal yard to ask if it can be recycled in a scrap metal program.
• Gas tanks and canisters from grills cannot be recycled in your home recycling bin. They can become a hazard for drivers during transportation and workers at recycling facilities.
• Not in the bin! Gardening gloves, tools, flip flops, goggles, pool toys, life jackets, beach chairs, and outdoor furniture do not belong in your recycling bin.

Prevent Litter

• Prevent plastic pollution and other trash from entering waterways and the environment by disposing of trash responsibly.  Avoid placing trash in overflowing outdoor bins and keep a lid on curbside bins and toters.
• Do not litter disposable masks and gloves. Keep a small baggie or container with you on the go to place used items in to throw away later if a trash container is not available. Masks and gloves do not belong in home recycling bins. 

Extras

Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: Get ready for Plastic Free July by learning about plastic waste reduction and setting a goal. Be part of the solution and learn more at www.plasticfreejuly.org

COVID-19 Response Resources

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) have both issued guidance associated COVID19 and waste management.

Waste and Recyclables Essential Services Statement

As identified in the Guidance on Executive Order 202.6, essential business or entities in NY that are not required to reduce in-person workforce by 100% include “trash and recycling collection, processing and disposal services.” The exclusion includes collection, transportation, processing and disposal activities for any solid wastes, regulated medical waste, hazardous wastes, radioactive wastes and other associated waste categories. Currently, there is no evidence that suggests managing residential wastes or recyclables represents a danger to the general public. For questions please e-mail the DEC at dmm@dec.ny.gov.

*Check your programs locally as this is an evolving situation.

New Content! COVID-19 and Recycling Social Media 

Facebook/ Instagram/Twitter: From production to packaging to shipping, disposable items pass through a countless number of hands by the time they reach a restaurant. Bottom line? The most hygienic food-ware for your meals is the kind that can go through a dishwasher. #indisposable

Facebook/ Instagram/Twitter: Thank you to all essential workers who work in waste and recycling. Whether at the curb or local transfer station, to our janitors maintaining buildings, and waste and recycling facility workers- we want to thank you for your service. #RecycleRightNY #ThankYouRecyclingHeros

Facebook/ Instagram: In some locations, essential sanitation workers are in need of masks to keep themselves safe. If you are making masks or can donate masks, consider reaching out to your municipality with your interest in donating masks to workers who collect your trash and recycling or sort recyclables at recycling facilities. #RecycleRightNY #COVID19 #ThankYouRecyclingHeros

Facebook/ Instagram/ Twitter: #RecycleRightNY Tip - disposable masks and gloves do not belong in your home recycling bin and will cause problems at recycling facilities. Properly dispose of these items in the trash. #RecycleRightNY #COVID19

Facebook/ Instagram: Disposable masks and gloves are becoming a litter problem in our communities and in the environment. If you are using masks or gloves, please be sure they are disposed of properly in a trash container to protect your neighbors and the environment. #RecycleRightNY #COVID19

Twitter: If you are using masks or gloves, please be sure they are disposed of properly in a trash container to protect your neighbors and the environment. #RecycleRightNY #COVID19

Facebook/ Instagram/ Twitter: Take a small bag or container with you on-the-go that you can put used gloves and masks in if there’s no trash can nearby. Then you can put the used items in the trash later. Keep our communities safe and protect the environment by not littering these items.

Facebook/ Instagram: Pack and set aside any useful items you want to donate. While many Goodwill and other donation centers are closed, these items will be of value to area nonprofits once the pandemic ends. So instead of sending them to the landfill, please consider locating a clean, dry space to store these in your home, attic, or garage.

Facebook/ Instagram: #RecycleRightNY Tip - During the #COVID19 response, curbside pickup services for large, bulky trash items may be reduced. Contact your hauler or municipal transfer station for updated information.

Facebook/Instagram: New York- Keep Calm and Recycle on. Recycling is an essential public service. Contact your local recycling programs and redemption centers for guidance as the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve. #RecycleRightNY #COVID19

Twitter: New York- Keep Calm and Recycle on. Recycling is an essential public service. Contact your local recycling programs and redemption centers for guidance as the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve. #RecycleRightNY #COVID19

Facebook/Instagram: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and other organizations have issued guidance associated with COVID-19 and waste management to keep their workers and our communities safe. #RecycleRightNY #COVID19

Twitter: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) have issued guidance associated with the COVID-19 and waste management to keep their workers and our communities safe. #RecycleRightNY #COVID19

*Please remember to follow the CDC's Guidelines. If you are sick, stay home. 

Other Resources

World Environment Day

World Oceans Day

Plastic Free July

• Free resources and a challenge to plan for going plastic free in July  

Upstream

• New! FAQ Sheet- The Safety of Reuse During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• New! Free Social Media Toolkit- Reuse Safety during COVID-19 
• New! Reuse, Resilience, & COVID-19 podcast
• New! Reuseables Resources for COVID-19
• New! The Safety & Future of Reuse recorded webinar

The Growing PPE Litter Problem

Northeast Resource Recovery Association

• Coronavirus Resource Page- Support for Municipalities
• School Recycling Club Learning Tools

Monroe County

• Free Recycling Coloring Book

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Waste Management Q&A’s

Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Guidance on COVID-19

NYS Department of Health Reusable Bag Guidelines

The Recycling Partnership

• New! COVID-19 Social Media Kit
• Keep Recycling Coloring Sheet
• Thank a Recycling Collector Coloring Sheet
• Recycling While Social Distancing – How to Commit to Sustainability at Home
• K-3 and grades 4-5 Teaching Activities about Recycling
  
  • Free teaching activities and coloring book page
• Free Downloadable Resources to help your community Recycle Right

NYSDEC

• NYSDEC Waste Management and COVID-19
• Local Recycling Coordinator Contacts
• Caregiver, Parent and Educator Resources While At Home
• The Virtual River- from the Hudson River Estuary Program
• Quick Family Activities
• Environmental Education Lesson Plans

Free Images

Free high resolution images formatted for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram 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.