Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 03/10/2022 10:21 AM EST
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Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter 

How to Properly Dispose of Home Smoke Detectors

It’s important to remember to switch out your home smoke detector when it has reached the end of its functioning life and properly dispose it. Household smoke detectors contain a small amount of the radioactive isotope Americium-241, but it is not necessary to treat these items as low-level radioactive waste. Instead, do the following:

  1. Remove any batteries from the smoke detector that are easily accessible. (Do not breach smoke detectors with non-removable batteries to get the battery out.)
  2. Dispose of your old home smoke detector(s) in the regular trash. Alternatively, you may be able to return smoke detectors to the manufacturer, if the manufacturer can be contacted and agrees to take the item(s) back.

Use the Call2Recycle website to find a recycling outlet for any batteries removed from the smoke detector. Small rechargeable batteries, like those used in smoke detectors, should always be dropped off at these outlets for recycling. Primary batteries may be disposed of in the regular trash if you’re unable to find a recycling outlet for them.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events – Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors should not be collected at household hazardous waste collection events. The exemptions that have been issued for consumer products containing small amounts of radioactive material, such as smoke detectors, were based on the assumption that these items will be obtained in small quantities and subsequently disposed of in small quantities by individual homeowners. Some communities have accumulated large amounts of smoke detectors at annual hazardous waste collection events for disposal, but this is not how these devices should be disposed of. The impacts of these exemptions were not evaluated for situations where large amounts of these devices are collected, and disposed of at one time. Instead, inform your residents that they can use the steps above to safely dispose of their home smoke detectors.

NYSP2I Community Grants Program Now Accepting Applications

The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 Community Grants Program. Eligible applicants are able to receive up to $20,000 to fund their project.

NYSP2I provides an important funding source for community-focused pollution prevention initiatives. Proposals are solicited from community organizations, municipal departments, and other public sector and not-for-profit entities for projects that raise awareness and understanding of pollution prevention practices and lead to implementation at the local level. The application deadline is 5 p.m. EDT on April 15, 2022.

NYS Organics Summit

NYS Organics Summit - Early Bird Registration Closing Soon

The 8th Annual New York State Organics Summit will take place April 5-6, 2022 in Albany, NY at the Albany Capital Center. This will be a hybrid event and allow attendees to participate in-person or virtually. Early bird registration ends March 15, 2022 11:59 p.m. EST.

This annual event is an opportunity to connect with over 150 materials management professionals from across the State and beyond to share success stories and discuss creative solutions for the further development of the organics recycling industry in New York State.

This year’s summit will focus on…

  • Initiatives at the federal, state and local level to advance organics recycling
  • Co-Digestion of food scraps at anaerobic digesters
  • Large scale composting operations
  • Source separation and its impact on product quality
  • Community composting opportunities
  • Community engagement
  • Growing the organics recycling industry with diversity, equity and inclusion in mind
  • And more!

Public Events

Materials Management Job Opportunities

Conferences, Workshops & Webinars

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.