The Politics of Trash: How Governments Used Corruption to Clean Cities, 1890–1929 (Cornell Univ. Press, 2023) by Patricia Strach of the University of Albany and Kathleen Sullivan of Ohio University explains how municipal trash collection solved odorous urban problems using nongovernmental and often unseemly means. [Read more…] about Politics of Trash: Corruption & Clean Cities, 1890–1929
solid waste
How To Keep Black Bears Away From Your Home
New Yorkers who feed birds in areas with black bears (which includes most of upstate New York), should begin emptying and cleaning up spilled seed from feeders, and let nature feed the birds from spring through fall. [Read more…] about How To Keep Black Bears Away From Your Home
Unwanted Donation: Man Leaves Old Home Heating Oil At Salvation Army
On March 8, NYS Environmental Conservation Officers Pabes and Smith concluded a four-month investigation into several 55-gallon drums abandoned at a Salvation Army donation site in Elmont, in northwestern Hempstead, Nassau County, NY. [Read more…] about Unwanted Donation: Man Leaves Old Home Heating Oil At Salvation Army
State Sues 29 Companies for Illegal Dumping in Ulster County; Owner Charged In Killing
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced a lawsuit against 29 waste haulers and brokers for illegally dumping waste at a site in Saugerties, Ulster County, owned by a man who also faces up to 25 years in state prison in the beating death of a 66-year-old excavation company owner. [Read more…] about State Sues 29 Companies for Illegal Dumping in Ulster County; Owner Charged In Killing
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 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
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