#RecycleRightNY January 2021 Resources

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 12/22/2020 04:22 PM EST
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

 

#RecycleRightNY Campaign Materials

This month’s resources are dedicated to educating the public about recycling right as we move into the month of January. To spread the message, please use the resources below (Facebook / Instagram posts, Twitter tweets, newsletter article and other resources) through the month of January 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 NYS DEC'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 (Another Year, New Recycling Habits)

Facebook/Instagram: Know Before You Throw. Learn the “ins and outs” of your local recycling program and recycle right this year. Research what can be done with items before trashing - Can it be donated? Can it be reused? By making a few simple changes, you can start the new year with waste reduction practices in mind! #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: A few simple changes can make a huge impact on your local recycling program. By learning the “ins and outs” of your local program you can recycle right and help clear-up confusion on items that cause contamination in recycling streams across NY #RecycleRightNY

Week 2 Campaign Materials (Holiday Decorations Do's and Don'ts)

Facebook/Instagram: As holiday decorations are taken down, please remember (and remind your neighbors, family and friends) that string lights do not belong in your recycling bin. These strands get stuck around equipment at the recycling facility and are dangerous and expensive to remove. If you have string lights that can’t be reused or repaired, check to see if your local recycling program or municipality offers any string light recycling opportunities. #RecycleRightNY

Twitter: As holiday decorations are taken down, please remember that string lights do not belong in your recycling bin. They get tangled around recycling equipment causing issues for your recycling facility. #RecycleRightNY

Week 3 Campaign Materials (Refuse Single-Use)

Facebook/Instagram: As COVID precautions remain in place and dining-in options are limited, reduce waste while supporting local restaurants by opting out of single-use cutlery and other single-use items such as condiment packets when placing your order. Disposable forks, knives and spoons are really not necessary if you are eating at home and not commonly accepted as recyclables in most programs. As more restaurants hear this request from customers, it will encourage them to adopt a “by request only” policy for single-use items and can save businesses money and unnecessary waste in the process. #RecyleRightNY

Twitter: As COVID precautions remain in place and dining-in options are limited, reduce waste while supporting local restaurants by opting out of single-use cutlery, condiment packets and other single-use items when placing your order. #RecycleRightNY

Week 4 Campaign Materials (Rethinking Textiles)

Facebook/Instagram: Refresh your wardrobe in 2021! Host a virtual clothing swap with friends and family. You can still have fun by showing items up for grabs over video and then arranging a socially distanced “drop and swap”.   Unwanted items can be donated to a local center/organization or try an online thrift store. Be sure to research the donation center's criteria for acceptance beforehand to help you sort through items. For textiles that cannot be donated, reuse the fabric to make cleaning cloths or research clothing take-back programs available to you. Whatever you do though, keep textiles OUT of your recycling bin. #RecycleRightNY 

Twitter: Refresh your wardrobe in 2021! Host a virtual clothing “swap and drop”, donate unwanted items or try an online thrift shop. For textiles that cannot be donated, reuse the fabric to make cleaning cloths. Just make sure to keep them OUT of your recycling bin! #RecycleRightNY 

January Newsletter/Newspaper Article

Reduce Waste and Recycle Right This Year!

Start 2021 off with waste reduction and recycling practices in mind! A few simple changes can have a positive impact for your local recycling program. By learning the “ins and outs” of your local program you can recycle right this year and help clear up confusion about items that cause contamination in recycling streams across NY. Before you throw an item in the trash, take a second to search some alternative ways to use or manage it. Can it be reused? Can it be donated? Does your recycling program accept it?

One common recycling stream contaminant after the holiday season is string lights. Please remember, and remind your neighbors, family and friends, that string lights do not belong in your recycling bin. These strands get tangled around equipment at the recycling facility, which can be dangerous for workers, expensive to remove, and it also slows down the recycling operation. Some big box home improvement stores have holiday lights recycling options and some companies also have mail back programs. A scrap metal recycling facility in your area may take them as well. It is best to check with a facility or program before bringing or mailing your lights for recycling. Check with your municipality to see if there are any special collection or recycling services for used lights in your community. While you are at it, you can also find out if your municipality offers a holiday tree collection or recycling program. Many offer this service free of charge and turn your tree into mulch or compost!

As COVID precautions remain in place and dining-in options are limited, reduce waste while supporting local restaurants by opting out of single-use cutlery and other single-use items such as condiment packets when placing your order. Disposable forks, knives and spoons are really not necessary if you are eating at home and not commonly accepted as recyclables in most programs. As more restaurants hear this request from customers, it will encourage them to adopt a “by request only” policy for single-use items and can save businesses money and unnecessary waste in the process.

If you are looking to refresh your wardrobe in the new year, host a virtual clothing swap with friends and family. You can still have fun by showing items up for grabs over video and then arranging a socially distanced “drop and swap”.  Unwanted items can be donated to a local donation center or try an online thrift shop. Be sure to research the donation center’s criteria for acceptance beforehand to help you sort through items. For textiles that cannot be donated, reuse the fabric to make cleaning cloths or contact your local recycling coordinator for other drop-off options. Whatever you do though, keep clothing and other textiles OUT of your home recycling bin.

Free Images

Free high resolution images formatted for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and newsletters can be downloaded by going to NYS DEC'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.

Image showing a 2021 cardboard cutout on green lawnspace

image showing holiday string lights with message not to put them in your home recycling bin

image with single-use cutlery stating

Recycle Right NY is an education campaign focused on supporting efforts to reduce contamination in household recycling programs across NYS. The campaign focuses on educating residents about one recycling topic per month. Campaign materials including monthly text and photos, as seen above, are available for use in your own social media and digital and print newsletters. For more information about the campaign or on how to get involved visit the Recycle Right NY webpage or e-mail recycling@dec.ny.gov.