Recycling in Your Community
Since recycling is managed at the local level, recycling rules vary across New York State. Something that is recyclable in one community may not be recyclable in another, due to regional differences and end markets for each material. All recyclables must be free of debris and liquids before they are sent to recycling handling facilities, where they are processed and prepared for sale. For these reasons, it’s important to check your local guidelines to ensure you’re recycling right and contact your local recycling coordinator or curbside recycling hauler with questions about your recycling program.
Some residents may not utilize curbside recycling collection, but can bring their recyclables, trash, organics, and other items to a local transfer station. At these facilities, materials are sorted and sent to the appropriate processing centers. Make sure to check your local transfer station’s recyclables guidance to ensure proper sorting of recyclables.
If your community offers an organics recycling program, it is important to follow the list of acceptable items provided by the program itself. Composting facilities set specific guidelines on what organic materials they will process based on their composting process and capacity. Learn more about organics recycling programs across New York State.
Recycling Take Back Programs
Not all recyclables should be placed in home recycling bins with glass, metal, plastic, paper, and cardboard. Some items require special handling and need to be brought to proper locations or take back spots to ensure items are recycled and correctly managed at end of life and are not negatively impacting other recycling programs or creating hazards. Beverage containers that are part of NY’s Bottle Bill also have deposits that residents can get back when recycled through redemption centers and stores that accept and redeem these containers. Recycling facilities that accept recyclables from residential programs have equipment that is designed to sort containers and packaging accepted in their programs. Items that are not accepted and are not compatible with facility sorting equipment can jam/break the recycling equipment or, in the worst-case scenario, create hazards for workers, including starting fires. Some items also contain hazardous materials that need to be properly handled. The benefit of take back programs is that they give residents access to collection systems for items that are not recyclable in standard recycling programs for glass, metal, plastic, paper, and cardboard
Make sure to check your local guidance to determine which items are accepted in your program. Residents around the state should check recycling programs for:
