Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter 

Plug In To Electronics Recycling

As you switch out of the old and welcome the new, please remember to recycle your old electronics responsibly.

Examples of common electronic equipment that must be recycled:

• Computers (desktops, laptops, e-readers, tablets, etc.)
• Computer peripherals (mice, keyboards, monitors, printers, etc.)
• Small electronic equipment (DVR's, DVD players, MP3 players, video game consoles, etc.)
• Televisions

It is illegal to dispose these and other covered electronic equipment (CEE) in the trash under New York's electronic waste law.

How to recycle electronics:
Visit DEC's Consumer Electronic Waste Recycling webpage for information on all available recycling/reuse opportunities.

Manufacturers of CEE are required to provide consumers a free and convenient opportunity to recycle their equipment or one piece of CEE from another manufacturer with the purchase of the same type. Depending on a specific manufacturer's acceptance program, CEE recycling/reuse opportunities may include: permanent collection locations, local collection events, mailback programs, or at-home pickup (when no other free and convenient option is offered).

Questions or concerns? Contact the E-waste Recycling Team.

DEC Now Accepting Applications for HHW Matching Grants

The Department of Environmental Conservation announced that funding from the Environmental Protection Fund is available for grants to assist municipalities in New York State with costs associated with household hazardous waste (HHW) collection and disposal. Grants are offered to match eligible costs of HHW collection days or construction of permanent HHW collection facilities to provide a safe alternative for recycling or disposal of household hazardous materials.

State funding will reimburse up to 50 percent of the costs of municipal HHW collection programs. DEC will be accepting applications only during January and February of 2021 for projects that were completed during January - December 2020. During the application period, applicants must initiate a proposal in the New York State Grants Gateway by going to the Grant Opportunity Portal.

Applications must be submitted in the Grants Gateway no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2021.

For more information, visit DEC's Household Hazardous Waste Assistance Grants.

Virtual Public Meeting on Expanded Polystyrene Foam Container and Polystyrene Loose Fill Packaging Ban

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, in partnership with the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I), invites stakeholders to attend a one-hour virtual public meeting about NY’s Expanded Polystyrene Foam Container and Polystyrene Loose Fill Packaging Ban.

Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 11 a.m. EST: The NYSDEC in partnership with NYSP2I will provide an informational presentation with interactive stakeholder engagement regarding the recently enacted law.

Beginning January 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. 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.

Registration is required to attend the virtual public meeting. Learn more about the law and sign up to receive the latest information.

For questions, email foamban@dec.ny.gov

Events

• December 26, 2020 - January 30, 2021: Recycle Your Christmas Tree - Broome County
• December 28, 2020 - January 15, 2021:Recycle Your Christmas Tree - City of Watertown
• January 2021: Recycle Your Christmas Tree - Tompkins County
• January 2021: Recycle Your Christmas Tree - City of Buffalo
• January 2021: Recycle Your Christmas Tree - City of Rochester
• January 2021: Recycle Your Christmas Tree - Monroe County
• January 4 - January 15, 2021: Recycle Your Christmas Tree - New York City
• January 4 - January 15, 2021: Recycle Your Christmas Tree - Onondaga County
• January 11 - January 15, 2021: Recycle Your Christmas Tree - Clifton Park
• Monday - Friday: Household Toxics Drop Off - Onondaga County

Conferences, Workshops & Webinars

• January 20, 2021: NYS Food Waste Legislation: Is Your Community Ready? - Webinar
• January 20, 2021: Depackaging and Commercial Composting - An Integrated System for Organics Recycling - Webinar
• January 21, 2021: DEC Public Meeting on Expanded Polystyrene Foam Container and Polystyrene Loose Fill Packaging Ban - Virtual
• January 25, 2021: Compost Cafe: Compost Systems - From Backyard to Commercial - Virtual
• January 26-27,2021: Compost2021 - Virtual
• February 3, 2021: Strategies for Collecting Residential Food Waste - Webinar
• February 8, 2021: Compost Cafe: Community Scale Composting - Make It Happen In your School Or Community - Virtual
• April 13 - 15, 2021: NYS Organics Summit - details coming soon

Funding/RFP Opportunities - Application Deadlines

• February 26, 2021:DEC Grants for Household Hazardous Waste Programs
• March 31, 2021: The Recycling Partnership Polypropylene Recycling Grant Program
• Rolling Deadline: NYSP2I Food Waste Reduction & Diversion Reimbursement Program

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.