Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 11/12/2020 10:36 AM EST
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Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter 

Awareness and Gratitude for Recycling this November

Recycle Right NY

November 15 is America Recycles Day (ARD), a nationally recognized day dedicated to bringing awareness to and energizing recycling across the United States. During this celebration, we are encouraged to recognize the importance and impact of recycling, to take steps toward solutions that address the challenges of recycling today, and to protect the environment. America Recycles Day is the perfect time to be extra conscious about recycling right. No matter if you are at home, on the go, in the office or at school, you can reduce, reuse and recycle right in honor of America Recycles Day.

Ways to Join the Celebration

  • Get involved by taking the pledge.
  • Avoid contaminating the recycling stream. Check with your local recycling program on what materials are acceptable to put in your recycling bin.
  • Get involved in local ARD events. Be sure to follow all safety guidelines.

Later this month, as we prepare for Thanksgiving, a great way to show gratitude for the resources we have is to do our best to keep waste at a minimum.

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

  • Properly estimate how much food you need.
  • If you’re short on plates, cups or utensils, you could borrow from a friend or family member to avoid single-use items.
  • Know your local recycling program rules. Recycle right with properly labeled and accessible trash and recycling bins.
  • Be sure that recyclables are free of food and liquids and paper and cardboard are dry.

The traditional Thanksgiving meal can include many commonly recycled items, such as empty metal cans from cranberry sauce, paperboard boxes, and glass jars from other ingredients and foods. Find out what materials your local recycling program accepts, and make sure to recycle right with gratitude in your heart this Thanksgiving.

Request for Input from Recycling & Organics Recovery Facilities

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry have developed two surveys as part of a research and demonstration project to determine the extent of waste paper disposal at recycling facilities; characterize the main characteristics of waste papers; identify major causes of contamination of the paper stream; and determine the potential for recovering various types of waste paper for diversion to composting facilities.

Recyclables Handing & Recovery Facilities
This survey is intended for those who own, operate, or manage recyclables handling and recovery facilities and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. We are interested in learning about the characteristics of non-recyclable, or non-marketable, waste paper that is generated at your facility.

Organics Recovery Facilities
This survey is intended for those who own, operate, or manage organics recovery facilities and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. We are interested in learning about New York State composting operations and determining whether facilities currently process or have interest in processing waste papers.

The survey must be completed by November 25, 2020. Survey responses will be used to inform the next stage of the research and demonstration project, including follow-up interviews and identifying potential partnerships. Survey results will be aggregated by the research team in order to assess present and future capacity on a statewide level. If you have any questions regarding the survey or the use of survey results, please email SUNY ESF Research Assistant Michaela Regner at mregner@syr.edu.

Virtual Public Meeting on 1,4-Dioxane Limits for Household Cleansing, Personal Care, and Cosmetic Products Regulations (6 NYCRR Part 352-1)

DEC cordially invites stakeholders to attend two virtual public meetings, via Webex, on 1,4-Dioxane Limits for Household Cleansing, Personal Care, and Cosmetic Products.

  • Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 2 p.m. DEC will present topics for discussion related to implementation of the recently enacted law establishing limits on the amount of 1,4-dioxane that can be present in household cleansing, personal care and cosmetic products. - Register Now!
  • Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 2 p.m. Stakeholders will discuss the information presented in the first meeting.

You must register in order to attend these virtual public meetings. Learn more about the law and how to register. Email 1-4d.hcpccproducts@dec.ny.gov with any questions.

Events

Awards - Nomination Deadlines

Conferences, Workshops & Public Comment Hearings

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? Email us at organicrecycling@dec.ny.gov and it could be featured in an upcoming Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter.