Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
DEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
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Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter 

Plastic Bag Ban Coming March 1, 2020

New York's plastic bag ban starts March 1, 2020. Whether you're going to the grocery store, clothes shopping, or to a home improvement store, you can do your part and bring your own bag. Learn more about the upcoming plastic bag ban. #BYOBagNY

Plastic Bag Ban Shopping List March 1

For more information on available bag waste reduction law outreach materials.


DEC Grant Program Closing Soon: Household Hazardous Waste

Grant funding to assist municipalities in New York State with costs of household hazardous waste (HHW) collection and disposal is closing soon. Applications must be submitted in the Grants Gateway no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2020. Learn more about DEC's Household Hazardous Waste Assistance Grants Program.


Skip The Straw on February 28th

With so many challenges facing the environment, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and think “what difference do I make?” But did you know that making simple changes in your everyday life can make a difference? New York State is home to over 19 million people, and our small changes add up.

February 28th is National Skip the Straw Day. While a single plastic straw seems small and insignificant, single-use plastics like straws can really add up when millions of people use them and throw them away every day. You can help reduce waste, prevent pollution, conserve natural resources and fight climate change- each time you skip a single-use plastic straw- or any single-use plastic. And that’s no small thing!

It's just a little straw, what's the big deal?

  • Most of us can't recycle straws. Most recycling facilities don't have systems in place to effectively capture and recycle straws. Check with your local recycling coordinator or recycling hauler to find out if plastic straws are accepted in your local program.
  • They litter our environment. Plastic straws currently rank #3 in the top 10 items found on International Coastal Cleanup Day, meaning they are making their way to the environment as litter where they can harm fish, wildlife, ecosystems, and the beauty of our communities and natural spaces.
  • They aren't sustainable. Simply put, single use plastics are not a sustainable option and we should be looking to reduce single-use plastics in our day to day lives when we can.

How can I get started?

  • Form new habits. Let your cashier or waitstaff know you don’t need a straw with your drink. Or don’t pick one up at a self-serve beverage area.Women drinking with no straws
  • Ask for change. Suggest to your favorite restaurants to adopt an "ask first" policy where customers are not given a straw unless they ask for one.
  • Go reusable. If you need to use a straw, try a reusable straw you can bring on the go.
  • Volunteer. Sign up for (or organize!) a litter clean up in your community to see the impacts of single-use plastics first hand.
  • Reduce other single use plastics. After you become comfortable with one small act to reduce single-use plastics, try another! It's a fun way to challenge yourself while helping to reduce waste.

Upcoming Events


Conferences, Workshops & Webinars


Funding 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.