#RecycleRightNY Campaign Materials

This month’s resources are dedicated to educating the public about recycling right as we move into the month of October. To spread the message, please use the resources below (Facebook / Instagram posts, Twitter tweets, newsletter article and other resources) through the month of October 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".

Week 1 Campaign Materials (Single-use Cups)

Facebook/Instagram: While many coffee shops are not accepting reusable mugs at this time due to Covid-19, you can still do your part to reduce waste and prevent recycling contamination by keeping single-use cups, lids, and straws out of recycling bins unless they are listed as accepted in your recycling program. Skip out on using a lid, straw or stirrer by brewing your own coffee or tea at home and avoid take-out waste altogether.
#RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Skip out on a lid, straw or stirrer by brewing your own coffee or tea at home and avoid take-out waste altogether. Keep single-use cups, lids, and straws out of recycling bins unless they are listed as accepted in your recycling program #RRNY 

Week 2 Campaign Materials (Turn a New Leaf and Recycle Right)

Facebook/Instagram: You can sustainably use fallen leaves a number of ways: add nutrients to your lawn by mulching the fallen leaves into the grass with a lawn mower, or you can collect them for your home compost pile. If at-home use isn’t an option, check with your municipality about pickup and collection of leaves. #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Use fallen leaves sustainably by mulching them into the grass with a lawn mower for added nutrients, or you can collect them for a home compost system. If possible, use reusable bins or barrels for your yard debris. #RRNY 

Week 3 Campaign Materials (Reuse and Repurpose for All Occasions)

Facebook/Instagram: As Halloween approaches, here are some ideas for getting creative with your decorations and costume. Use fallen leaves in craft projects or repurpose items from around the house or outside into new decorations. Reuse clothing or give a past costume a new twist. When carving jack-o’-lanterns, roast those tasty seeds and compost pumpkins after the celebration concludes! #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Get crafty and creative with your costume and decorations this Halloween. Give a past costume a new twist or repurpose clothing and items from around the house into something new. If pumpkin carving, roast tasty seeds and compost your pumpkin after the celebration concludes!

Week 4 Campaign Materials (Avoid Trick or Treat Contamination)

Facebook/Instagram: While enjoying treats this Halloween, it’s important to not trick ourselves into “wishcycling” items like candy wrappers. Contamination is scary for any recycling program and certain items do not belong in the recycling stream. Make sure your recycling bin isn’t full of scary tricks by knowing your recycling program and only recycling items that are accepted. #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Contamination is scary for any recycling program. While enjoying treats this Halloween, it’s important to not trick ourselves into “wishcycling” items like candy wrappers that don’t belong in the recycling stream. Know your recycling program and only recycle accepted items.

October Newsletter/Newspaper Article

Fall Into Good Recycling Habits This Year

Whether you’re sipping warm apple cider, raking leaves, or having some Halloween fun, you can do it all with the environment in mind by following these easy tips.

While many coffee shops are not accepting reusable mugs at this time due to Covid-19 despite health experts around the globe verifying the safety of reusables, you can still do your part to reduce waste and prevent recycling contamination by taking these steps:

• Keep single-use cups, lids, and straws out of recycling bins unless they are listed as accepted in your recycling program- many recyclers do not accept these items.
• Skip a lid, straw or stirrer by letting your server know if you don’t need these items.
• Brew your own coffee or tea at home and avoid take-out waste altogether.

Once the leaves have fallen, property owners can sustainably use them a number of ways:

• At home- add nutrients to your lawn by mulching leaves into the grass with a lawn mower, or you can collect them for you home compost pile.
• If at-home use isn’t an option, check with your municipality about pickup and collection of leaves.
• If possible, use reusable bins or barrels for your yard debris.

As Halloween approaches, get crafty and creative with your costume and decorations:

• Reuse and repurpose items from around the house or outside, such as using leaves in craft projects.
• Reuse clothing, other accessories or give a past costume a new twist.
  When carving jack-o’-lanterns, roast those tasty seeds and compost pumpkins after the celebration concludes!

While enjoying treats this Halloween, it’s important to not trick ourselves into “wishcycling” items like candy wrappers that don’t belong in the recycling stream. Contamination is scary for any recycling program. You can make sure your recycling bin isn’t full of scary tricks by:

• Knowing your recycling program and only recycling items that are accepted
• Containers are empty and paper and cardboard are dry

Other Resources

Westchester County "Love Em' and Leave "Em" Benefits of Mulching

NYSDEC: Home Composting

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.