Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 11/11/2021 09:30 AM EST
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
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Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter 

U.S. Emerging Composter Challenge - Apply Now!

The U.S. Composting Council is excited to announce the opening of the 2022 Emerging Composter Challenge, an annual business pitch/poster competition, open to young professionals looking to showcase their businesses and research within the composting, compostable products, and organics recycling space. Applicants from college students to any business (that meets requirements) that recycles or supports the recycling of organics are encouraged to apply! Submit your application by November 30, 2021. Both first and second place winners from last year were from New York State.

The final round of the 2022 competition will be held in Austin, Texas during the Annual Conference at COMPOST2022.

Recycle Right NY: Skip the Slip! Preventing receipt contamination

Don't Recycle ReceiptsDid you know that not all paper is recyclable? Receipts are one of those paper items that do not belong in your recycling bin! This is because most receipts are made with thermal paper containing chemical compounds that affect their ability to be made into new products. The best way to dispose of receipts is in the trash, but if you’re able to, next time skip the slip and ask for a digital receipt.

#KnowBeforeYouThrow #SkiptheSlip

 

 

Polystyrene Foam Ban Updates

Polystyrene Foam Ban

Effective Jan. 1, 2022, no covered food service provider or store (retail or wholesale) will be allowed to sell, offer for sale, or distribute disposable food service containers that contain expanded polystyrene foam in New York state. In addition, no manufacturer or store will be allowed to sell, offer for sale, or distribute polystyrene loose fill packaging (commonly referred to as packing peanuts) in the state.

Proposed 6 NYCRR Part 353 will implement the prohibition on the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene foam containers and loose fill “packing peanuts.”

Foam Free NY Outreach Materials Now Available
Educational materials that provide information about NY State’s foam ban are now available. Materials include a flyer and rack card summarizing the requirements of law and a social media toolkit with graphics. Please check back to the foam ban webpage for materials that are translated into different languages.

Waiver Request Form Now Available
Covered food service providers and facilities that meet certain criteria may request a renewable 12-month financial hardship waiver from DEC. Determine if you are eligible and download the waiver request form. The waiver request form is available for download in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Yiddish, Bengali, Korean, Haitian Creole, Italian, Arabic and Polish languages.

Public Comment Period
Persons wishing to comment on the proposed Part 353 regulations have the opportunity to submit written comments or make a statement at the following virtual public comment hearing.

  • November 15, 2021 1 p.m. – Virtual Public Hearing - Register

DEC will accept written public comments through November 22, 2021 at foamban@dec.ny.gov

For more information about NY state’s Foam Ban, contact foamban@dec.ny.gov with any questions.

Sign up to receive Expanded Polystyrene Foam Container and Polystyrene Loose Fill Packaging Ban announcements.

America Recycles Day

Know Before You ThrowDid you know that November 15th is America Recycles Day? America Recycles Day is a day dedicated to focusing on promoting and celebrating recycling nationally. Its purpose is to educate and encourage people to think more about the choices they make when purchasing products and goods, as well as to properly recycle when a product has reached its useful end-of-life. According to “National Geographic,” the typical American will send 64 tons or 128,000 pounds of waste to landfills during their lifetime. That’s a lot of waste. Learning better purchasing and recycling habits can help to reduce the waste we send to landfills.

How can you celebrate and lessen your waste footprint?

  • Buy better – Purchasing products made with post-consumer recycled content helps close the recycling loop by using what we put in our recycling bins to make new products. This lessens the need for virgin materials and keeps waste out of landfills.
  • Recycle better – Know what can be recycled and avoid “wishcycling.” It is important to know what products can be recycled in your locality. Placing items that cannot be recycled in your recycling bin leads to contamination which lowers the value of recyclables. A great resource for learning how and what to recycle can be found on the Recycle Right New York website.
  • Educate better – Educate and encourage family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to recycle right and to take the America Recycles Day pledge.
  • Travel better – The holidays are right around the corner and many people will be traveling to see friends and family. Rather than purchasing single-use products while on the road, bring snacks and drinks in reusable containers. This not only reduces waste, but it may also save you money too.

Each of us has the ability to lessen our waste footprint and protect the environment by taking simple steps and making small changes. As Captain Planet says, “The Power is Yours.”

Events

DEC Proposed Rule Makings & Public Hearings

Conferences, Workshops & Webinars

  • April 5 - 6, 2022: NYS Organics Summit - Albany

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.