#RecycleRightNY Campaign Materials

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

Facebook/Instagram: Online shopping is likely to increase as we all begin to plan for this season’s festivities while maintaining social distance. You can recycle right by folding cardboard boxes before placing out for recycling. Do not include foam, film packaging, or bubble wrap envelopes in your recycling bin. You can take film plastic to drop-off containers at retail stores for recycling. To find a film plastic drop-off location visit https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/ #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Online shopping is likely to increase for the season’s festivities while maintaining social distance. Recycle right- fold cardboard boxes before recycling. Do not recycle foam, film packaging, bubble wrap, or plastic shipping envelopes in your home recycling bin. #RecycleRightNY 

Week 2 Campaign Materials (Gift Exchange with a Twist)

Facebook/Instagram: Put a new spin on your holiday gift exchange! Instead of buying new gifts, take stock of your personal belongings or donation items for things you no longer use that others may cherish. Gift experiences or services instead of things. If purchasing gifts, buy used and buy local to support your community! #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: Put a new spin on your holiday gift exchange! Take stock of your personal belongings for things you no longer use that others may cherish. Gift experiences or services instead of things. If purchasing gifts, buy used and buy local to support your community! #RecycleRightNY

Week 3 Campaign Materials (Reduce Your Gift Wrap Footprint)

Facebook/Instagram:  This season try swapping your gift-wrapping habits! Purchase wrapping paper made with recycled content if possible. To add a unique and personal touch, use newspaper or brown craft paper and draw your own designs! Be sure to keep ribbons and bows out of your recycling bin as they get tangled around the machinery at recycling facilities. Reusable gift bags are also a great alternative to single-use. Paper bags WITHOUT glittery, metallic, or foil elements can also be recycled after their useful life. #RecyleRightNY

Twitter: Ribbons, bows, gift bags, cards, or wrapping paper with glittery, metallic, or foil elements DO NOT belong in your recycling bin. Reduce waste and support recycling by wrapping gifts in newspaper, brown craft paper, or opt for wrapping paper with recycled content. #RecycleRightNY

Week 4 Campaign Materials (Lead by Example, Know What's In and What's Out This Holiday Season)

Facebook/Instagram: “Wishcycling” during the holiday season can contaminate our local recycling streams. Before the festivities begin, double-check your local recycling provider’s website to make sure you know what is recyclable and what is not. You may be surprised! For instance, do not place the following materials in your recycling bin: string lights, ribbons and bows, and wrapping paper and gift bags with glittery, metallic or foil elements. #RecycleRightNY 

December Newsletter/Newspaper Article

Clearing Up Holiday Recycling Confusion

This year, lighten your holiday celebrations by reducing waste and recycling right! Check your local recycling provider’s list of accepted items (twice!), and use the following tips as you prepare for the season’s festivities and clean-up afterwards. 

Recycling Bin “Do’s” and “Don’ts” – Holiday Edition:

• String Lights: DO NOT include. Check with your local recycling coordinator for special string lights recycling programs.
• Wrapping Paper: DO NOT include metallic, glittery, or foil-lined papers. DO include other wrapping papers by folding into flat sheets before recycling.
• Ribbons & Bows: DO NOT include. They get tangled around recycling machinery and contaminate other materials.
• Tissue Paper: DO NOT include. Save tissue paper in good condition to reuse next year.
• Gift Bags: DO NOT include glittery, metallic, or foil-lined bags. Save gift bags in good condition to reuse next year.
• Foam Packaging or Packing Peanuts: DO NOT include. These items need to be disposed of in your trash bin.
• Plastic Shipping Envelopes: DO NOT include. Some plastic shipping envelopes can be recycled at Return-to-Retail drop-off programs.
• Holiday Cards: DO NOT include cards with glittery, metallic, or foil elements. DO include all others.
• Cardboard Boxes: DO recycle! Flatten boxes to save space and remove loose tape.

Other Holiday Waste Reduction Tips:

• Purchase wrapping paper, cards, and gifts made with recycled content.
• Gift personal belongings that you no longer use. 
• Wrap gifts with newspaper and pages from old magazines.
• Opt for reusable gift bags and wraps instead of single-use wrapping paper.
• Gift experiences or services instead of things, or connect with Buy Nothing groups.
• Buy used and local to support your community’s economy and check out materials exchange groups on social media.
• Teach your family and friends how to recycle right during cleanup. Offer prizes for correct answers.

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.