In 2020, New York State adopted the nation’s strongest state ban of expanded polystyrene, single-use foam food and beverage containers, and polystyrene loose fill packaging materials, commonly known as packing peanuts. On January 1, 2026, the state’s Foam Ban expanded to include a ban on polystyrene foam coolers and other containers designed or intended to be used for cold storage. [Read more…] about New York State’s Polystyrene Foam Ban Expanded
Recycling
The Dirt on Composting Podcast Highlights New York State
The latest New York State Department of Environmental Conservation DEC Does What?! podcast, “The Dirt on Composting,” spotlights the work of DEC’s organics reduction and recycling staff who oversees statewide food scraps and yard waste management and composting efforts. [Read more…] about The Dirt on Composting Podcast Highlights New York State
Capped Adirondack Landfill Becoming Native Pollinator Habitat
In April 2024, AdkAction, a non-profit environmental conservation and community development organization, was awarded a grant through DEC’s Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Grant Program. AdkAction will use the grant funds to convert an eight-acre grassland located on a capped landfill to a native pollinator habitat. [Read more…] about Capped Adirondack Landfill Becoming Native Pollinator Habitat
Starting Repair Cafe Events in Your Community
Repair Cafes are free community gatherings where skilled volunteer “Repair Coaches” help neighbors fix broken household items. Repair initiatives divert usable items from landfills, build DIY skills, and help shift our cultural mindset to one that embraces circular economy.
To establish a repair event in your community, you’ll need: [Read more…] about Starting Repair Cafe Events in Your Community
Microplastics in Our Waters, Food, Air
Microplastic pollution is not a new problem. However, in recent years, the public has become more aware, and scientists are studying the seriousness of the situation. Have you ever stood on a riverbank after a heavy rain and noticed how much plastic waste floats by?
Gallon milk jugs, plastic bottles, food wrappers, plastic bags, rubber balls, etc., all race downstream. Plastic, plastic, and more plastic. [Read more…] about Microplastics in Our Waters, Food, Air
New York State Solid Waste Management Plan Finalized
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has finalized the 2023-2032 New York State Solid Waste Management Plan. The New York State Solid Waste Management Plan: Building the Circular Economy through Sustainable Materials Management is a 10-year plan that describes actions to reduce the climate impact of solid waste and provides direction for New York’s waste reduction, reuse, recycling, collection, transportation, and disposal investments, policies, and practices over the next decade. [Read more…] about New York State Solid Waste Management Plan Finalized
DEC to Lead Multi-Agency Effort to Investigate Bottle Bill Fraud
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced a statewide multi-agency effort to help prevent returnable container schemes – bottle bill fraud – that defraud the state of millions of dollars each year. [Read more…] about DEC to Lead Multi-Agency Effort to Investigate Bottle Bill Fraud
Paint Collection Program Exceeds One Million Gallons
The New York State Postconsumer Paint Collection Program, which began on May 1, 2022 to encourage responsible paint recycling and disposal, recently surpassed one million gallons of collected paint. [Read more…] about Paint Collection Program Exceeds One Million Gallons
Recycling Companies Illegally Dumped 800 Tons of Hazardous E-Waste
Dumping e-waste is illegal and has the potential to damage natural resources and impact the health of New Yorkers. ALPCO Recycling, Inc., (ALPCO), and its owner, Alton Plumb, Jr., as well as Finger Lakes Cleanup and Recycling Consultants, Inc., and its project manager, Craig Foster, have been convicted for their roles in illegally processing and disposing of 800 tons of electronic waste (e-waste) in Wayne County. [Read more…] about Recycling Companies Illegally Dumped 800 Tons of Hazardous E-Waste
NYS Solid Waste Management Plan Comments Sought
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the release of the draft New York State Solid Waste Management Plan for a 60-day public comment period.
The “New York State Solid Waste Management Plan: Building the Circular Economy Through Sustainable Materials Management” recommends actions to reduce the climate impact of solid waste and provides direction for New York’s waste reduction, reuse, recycling, collection, transportation, and disposal investments, policies, and practices over the next decade. [Read more…] about NYS Solid Waste Management Plan Comments Sought
Batteries: Hidden Hazards in the Recycling Stream
In 2018, a total of 323 reported fires occurred at waste facilities across the US and Canada, some of these events causing injury and in some cases, death, to recycling workers and firefighters.
Rechargeable batteries should never go in your household recycling bin with your paper, plastic, metal, and glass. When they get crushed and moved around during transportation and sorting processes, they can catch fire or explode causing dangerous and costly fires in trucks and facilities. [Read more…] about Batteries: Hidden Hazards in the Recycling Stream
New York State’s Foam Ban: A Primer
On January 1st, 2023, NY State celebrated the one year anniversary of the start of the Expanded Polystyrene Foam Container and Polystyrene Loose Fill Packaging Ban.
Polystyrene foam is a concern for people and the environment. It is a top contributor of environmental litter and is not accepted in most recycling programs in New York State because the foam is difficult to recycle and has a low value. [Read more…] about New York State’s Foam Ban: A Primer
New Paint Recycling Program Launched
The New York State Postconsumer Paint Collection Program is underway, making it easier for households and businesses to safely dispose of leftover paint. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) oversees the program, which is operated by PaintCare to manage unwanted architectural coating products and provide for recycling or proper disposal. [Read more…] about New Paint Recycling Program Launched
First New York State Reuse Summit Set For June 16th
New York State’s first ever Reuse Summit will be June 16th, 2022 in Ithaca, NY.
The goals of this event are to convene community leaders from across New York State, feature innovative and inspirational models of reuse, highlight the many benefits that reuse generates for communities, and explore the challenges and opportunities of expanding reuse. [Read more…] about First New York State Reuse Summit Set For June 16th
$4.5M for Buffalo Center for Plastic Recycling Research and Innovation
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced $4.5 million is being awarded to the State University of New York’s University at Buffalo to create a new Center for Plastic Recycling Research and Innovation and support crucial work to reduce plastic waste.
This expanded academic partnership will improve plastics recycling by researching the development of secondary recyclable markets to ease the financial burdens on municipal recycling programs and streamline the recycling process, especially with certain types of lower-grade plastics. [Read more…] about $4.5M for Buffalo Center for Plastic Recycling Research and Innovation
New York State Issues 10th ‘Greening New York State Report’
The GreenNY Council has issued the tenth annual Greening New York State Report for 2020-21, documenting the continued progress made by New York State to reduce the environmental footprint of State operations.
Highlights of this year’s report include a record $300 million invested in green products and services, 4.4 trillion BTUs of energy saving projects completed or underway as part of the BuildSmart 2025 program, and a record 94 percent recycling rate. [Read more…] about New York State Issues 10th ‘Greening New York State Report’
North Country Large Scale Composting Support Available
The Compost for Good (CfG) team has announced they are seeking farmers, haulers, composters, retailers, landscapers, grocery stores, manufacturers, restaurants, etc. in St Lawrence, Franklin, Essex and Clinton Counties to discuss their organics recycling goals and dreams.
Municipalities or non-profit organizations interested in supporting businesses in your areas, or businesses who are trying to navigate the Food Donation and Food Scrap Recycling Law, are encouraged to contact CfG as well. [Read more…] about North Country Large Scale Composting Support Available
Dirty 30: Mylar Balloon Pollution Collected in Herkimer County
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Region 6 in the Herkimer County office have collected at least 30 mylar balloons in 2021.
Nicknamed the dirty 30, coincidentally, a large 3-0 balloon found this year corresponds with the number of balloons in the pile. [Read more…] about Dirty 30: Mylar Balloon Pollution Collected in Herkimer County
Statewide Ban on Polystyrene Foam Starts January 1
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has reminded New Yorkers that the State’s ban on expanded polystyrene foam containers and ‘packing peanuts’ begins January 1st, 2022.
While an estimated 65 percent of New Yorkers are living in communities that have already banned polystyrene, New York’s statewide ban on polystyrene foam containers and loose fill packaging is among the first in the nation. DEC and partners continue outreach efforts to advise affected entities about the ban, particularly sellers and distributors of disposable food service containers, such as retail food stores, restaurants, hospitals, and schools. [Read more…] about Statewide Ban on Polystyrene Foam Starts January 1
Recycling Electronics This Holiday Season
Many will give or receive new electronic equipment this holiday season. As you switch out of the old and welcome the new, remember to recycle your old electronics responsibly.
Examples of common electronic equipment that must be recycled: [Read more…] about Recycling Electronics This Holiday Season