New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Recycling

NYS Solid Waste Management Plan Comments Sought

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DEC LogoNew 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

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recycling imageIn 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

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Fast Food Packaging Floating In a RiverOn 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

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used paint recycling (photo courtesy The Green Project)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

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reduce reuse recycleNew 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

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Buffalo Center for Plastic Recycling Research and InnovationNew 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’

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greening new york stateThe 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

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Community composter designed by Compost for Good, installation at the Wild CenterThe 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

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Mylar Balloons collected by DECNYS 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

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NYS Foam BanDepartment 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