Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 09/17/2020 06:06 PM EDT
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Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter 

Materials Management in the Event of a Natural Disaster

Heavy rains and winds from tropical storms and hurricanes can cause flooding, property damage and power outages in New York State communities. Be prepared with a plan to keep yourself and your family safe. Use these tips to prevent litter, recycle right, and manage storm debris.

When a Storm is on the horizon, keep your recycles indoors.

In the event of a severe storm or natural disaster:

  • Your recycling and trash pickup schedule may change if you have curbside service, to protect the safety of workers out in the field. Check with your municipality or hauling company to learn about their disaster debris management plan and any weather-related changes in service for pick-up and drop-off services.
  • Do not put recyclables or trash out when wind speeds are high if you have curbside service, to avoid materials blowing out of the bin and into the street (especially if your bin does not have a lid). Also, keep wet paper and cardboard out of your recycling bin, and empty beverage and water bottles before recycling.

After a storm: Be sure the storm has passed before assessing damage and cleaning up. Wear closed toe shoes and protective gloves when necessary.

  • An increase in yard debris (such as tree limbs) and construction/demolition debris is common. Do not include these materials in your recycling bin and look for sustainable options for managing these materials instead.
  • Check with your municipality on how to handle tree and yard debris after a storm. For larger tree damage, you may need to contact a local tree service, and for tree damage to your home, you should contact your homeowners insurance.

In the event of a flood:

  • Separate hazardous from non-hazardous materials. Keep items such as damaged electronics, household cleaning products, paint, batteries, vehicular fluids, gasoline, antifreeze, and garden chemicals separate from regular trash and recycling.
  • Contact your municipality to learn what to do with hazardous items since they may require special handling.

International Coastal Clean Up Day

Join us in celebrating International Coastal Cleanup Day September 19th! International Coastal Cleanup Day is a day to document and clean up litter along coastlines. Don’t live near the coast? No problem. Taking action locally, whether it’s in your own neighborhood, a nearby park, or at a local stream or lake, is just as important. Litter impacts the neighborhoods we work and play in. Litter is known for harming wildlife, clogging storm drains, and imparting costly clean-up costs on our local governments. And it doesn’t just stay where it has been tossed - litter often takes a long journey to our waterways where it can cause more harm.

Duck surrounded by litter

Contain your recyclables. Taking action and preventing litter can be as simple as making sure your trash and recyclables are contained.

  • If you have curbside pickup or keep trash and recycling outside, make sure recyclables are placed in a container with a lid to prevent materials from blowing out and becoming litter. Be sure to request a lid from your trash or recycling hauler if needed.
  • Always store trash and recyclables in a location not accessible by wildfire to prevent nuisance situations and prevent wildlife from ingesting harmful items like plastic packaging that smells like food or contains food residue.

Reduce your waste. Another simple step we can all take is not creating waste to begin with.

  • Use reusable items such as reusable water bottles, straws, and other refillable containers to eliminate the need to search out a trash or recycling bin.
  • If you do need to dispose of something while you're out, remember - never put items in overflowing trash or recycling bins since doing so creates more litter.

An easy way to remember how to decrease litter is by reminding yourself and others to "Reduce, Refuse and Reuse".

  • Reduce the amount of garbage you create by choosing products with less packaging.
  • Refuse single-use products like plastic utensils and stirrers if you don't need them.
  • Reuse by not only choosing reusable items but by also finding new uses for items you already have.

If you'll be participating in International Coastal Cleanup Day, remember to follow health and safety guidelines, and practice social distancing.

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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. 

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