Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter 

Can I Recycle That? - Thanksgiving Edition

With the traditional Thanksgiving meal comes pots and pans, a myriad of empty containers, and dishes crowding countertops. As the cleanup ensues, it is important to ”Know Before You Throw” and recognize what can go in your home recycling bin and what cannot.

Tips for Recycling on Thanksgiving:

• Know before you throw. Start by checking your municipality’s recycling rules or those provided by your recycling hauler.
• Glassware and ceramic dishes should not go into your home recycling bin. Drinking glasses, dinnerware, and baking dishes, whether whole or in pieces, should not be put in your home recycling bin. However, glass items like empty food jars are usually acceptable to put in your home recycling bin.
• Recycle metal cans and plastic bottles. You might also have steel cans from cranberry sauce or jugs and bottles of juice and milk. Empty metal cans and empty plastic bottles and jugs can also typically go in your home recycling bin.
• Leave the liquids behind. Show your thanks for recycling and recycling workers by making sure food scraps and liquids are not disposed of in your recycling bin.
• And the soiled pie pans too. Soiled disposable foil bakeware and pans, such as those used for pies, casseroles, and breads, should not go in your recycling bin.

U.S. Emerging Composter Challenge - Applications Due November 30

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.

Don't Let Your Venison Go To Waste, Donate It

Each year, DEC partners with the Venison Donation Coalition and Feeding New York State to help provide food for those in need. Through a cooperative relationship involving the New York State Department of Health, non-profit organizations like Feeding New York State's regional food banks and deer processors, hunters contribute nearly 40 tons of venison each year to families in need across the state!

There are many ways hunters can help feed those less fortunate. If you'd like to learn how you can support these programs or donate venison (whole deer or partial) to help feed local families, visit the Venison Donation Coalition or Feeding New York State.

Events

• November 2021: Pumpkin Drop Off For Composting - Radix Center in Albany
• November 2021 Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Pumpkin Drop Off for Composting - Town of Saugerties Transfer Station (must have composting permit)

Conferences, Workshops & Webinars

• December 7, 2021: NYS SWANA Technical Webinar: Past, Present & Future Solid Waste Challenges - Virtual
• April 5 - 6, 2022: NYS Organics Summit - Albany

Funding/RFP Opportunities - Application Deadlines

• November 30, 2021: USCC Emerging Composter Competition
• December 6, 2021: EPA 2021 Environmental Education (EE) Local 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.