Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 09/24/2020 12:25 PM EDT
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
DEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Share or view as a web page || Update preferences or unsubscribe

Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter 

State-Academic Collaborations to Rethink Our Current Solid Waste Management

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced new academic collaborations between DEC and three State University of New York colleges that will help drive solutions to benefit local and statewide solid waste management and recycling. These partnerships with the University at Buffalo, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and Stony Brook University will focus on innovative strategies to improve recycling and waste reduction to simultaneously strengthen New York's economy and protect the environment. Read the full announcement for more details.

Webinar Recording Available: Updates on the NYS Food Donation & Food Scraps Recycling Law

DEC recently held a webinar on updates to the NYS Food Donation & Food Scraps Recycling law. The agency was joined by the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute which provided an overview of its services and the Food Waste Reduction and Diversion Reimbursement program. The webinar recording is now available.

Effective January 1, 2022, businesses that generate more than two tons of wasted food and food scraps per week must donate their excess edible food and recycle all remaining food scraps if they are within 25 miles of a food scraps recycler (composter, anaerobic digester, etc.). This law excludes businesses in New York City (that already has a local law in place), hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities and K-12 schools.

Sign up to receive the latest announcements on the NYS Food Donation & Food Scraps Recycling law. Please contact FoodScrapsLaw@dec.ny.gov with any questions.

Can I recycle That? - Paper

School Supplies

Although many communications are now electronic, the start of a new school year or semester can still mean an uptick in paper around the house. Whether it’s drawings, book reports, worksheets, notes or quizzes, it’s important to recycle school paper when they’re no longer needed. Below are some tips to recycling paper:

  • Check what types of paper are accepted in your local recycling program or by your recycling hauler, especially construction paper, photo paper, and sticky notes.
  • Paper going into your recycling bin should be dry.
  • Printer and loose leaf paper are examples of two types of paper that are widely accepted in recycling programs across New York State.
  • Do not recycle paper containing glitter, ribbons, felt, or other decorations.

When possible, use electronic communication options, and submit and share documents online to both reduce paper waste and clutter. A win-win!

How Recycled Paper & Cardboard are Beneficially Reused

Cow in Stall

Cardboard and paper collected from residential recycling programs are sorted and sold to recycled paper mills which re-process them. Depending on the fiber length and quality, fibers from recycled paper products can be used to make cardboard packaging, office paper, paper towels, toilet tissue, and other products. Some fibers, especially after going through the recycling process several times, break down and are too short to be used in any kind of paper product. These short paper fibers (SPF) are collected, dewatered and sent to landfill, or processed for beneficial use.

One way these SPF may be reused beneficially is as animal bedding. SPF is dried using heat or mixed with a binding agent (e.g. lime, cement kiln dust) and develops useful absorbent qualities. Following chemical analysis to ensure environmental safety, the dried SPF is used for livestock bedding and can even be applied to farm fields after use in the animal stalls.

DEC reviews use of SPF as animal bedding and in other products on a case-specific basis under the Beneficial Use Determination (BUD) program. SPF can also be land-applied for its soil benefits pursuant to DEC regulations.

Events:

Conferences, Workshops & Public Comment Hearings:

Award Nominations

Funding/RFP Opportunities - Application Deadlines

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. 

Was This Newsletter Forwarded To You?

Sign up for DEC Delivers Solid Waste and Recycling topic to stay up to date with news, regulatory requirements and changes, funding opportunities and upcoming events in the materials management industry.