Waste Reduction And Recycling Events

Skip The Straw Day

Plastic straws are commonly found in litter clean-ups. According to the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 2024 Report, straws ranked as the ninth most commonly found item in global litter clean-ups. To combat this, Milo Cress started the original Be Straw Free campaign in 2011 at the age of nine, aimed at reducing the use and waste of disposable plastic straws. National Skip the Straw Day is celebrated every fourth Friday of February. Participating in this day can be as simple as politely declining a single use straw when offered one, if you do not need one. Alternatives to single-use straws include reusable straws such as silicone, bamboo, glass, and stainless steel, or not using a straw at all. Opting for a paper compostable straw is a step in the right direction, but it's still not the most sustainable choice as single-use items are less preferable. If you do choose compostable straws, ensure they are BPI or CMA certified and compost them at a commercial composting facility. Businesses can also join the effort by only providing single-use straws when requested by the customer and not automatically providing single-use straws, as well as encouraging customers to bring their own.

Earth Day

Every year on April 22nd, people all over the world celebrate Earth Day. It's a special day dedicated to taking care of our planet and making sure we're all aware of how important it is to protect the environment. The first Earth Day was in 1970, and since then, it's become a global movement. There are many ways to get involved in Earth Day, like joining local clean-up events, recycling, engaging in reuse and reduction events, planting trees, or supporting organizations that help the environment. No matter how small your actions may seem, they can make a big difference in building a healthier and more sustainable future for us all. Remember, we can celebrate Earth Day every day by taking care of our planet!

International Compost Awareness Week

New York States joins the international community in celebrating International Compost Awareness Week on an annual basis in early May. Each year highlights a special theme and provides tools to individuals and communities to raise awareness about the importance of composting. 

Composting can help reduce waste, improve soil health, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Communities and individuals use Compost Awareness Week to organize workshops to teach people how to start composting at home or in community projects. Schools can also get involved by educating students on the benefits of composting and the composting process.

Resources

• International Compost Awareness Week
• NYS Compost Awareness Week
• Home Composting 
• NYS Food Scraps Collection Map

World Refill Day 

World Refill Day, which falls on June 16th, is a day dedicated to encouraging people to reduce their use of plastic and minimize waste. The aim is to promote a shift towards a reusable culture. To take part in the festivities, participants can swap out daily single-use items for reusable alternatives such as a water bottle, coffee cup, or utensils. Visit a local store to purchase items in bulk and cut down on packaging waste. Additionally, show support to local businesses in the community that are committed to sustainable practices, and see if they are organizing any events to mark this special day.

National Upcycling Day

June 24th is National Upcycling Day! This day is all about finding creative ways to give new life to old things. Upcycling is the process of taking items that you might otherwise throw away and turning them into something new and useful. It's a fun and eco-friendly way to be creative and reduce waste. To celebrate National Upcycling Day, try a DIY project using items already at home. Schools and communities can host an upcycling event to celebrate and to transform old items into something beautiful, practical, and “new”! The possibilities are endless, so get creative and join in the upcycling fun on June 24th or any day!

Plastic Free July

Join millions of people around the globe in reducing the number of single-use plastics used throughout the month of July. Taking small steps together to reduce or refuse single-use plastics helps create a collective positive impact for the planet and our communities. Less waste means less litter and decreased costs to towns and cities that must haul and manage our waste, as well as greater conservation of natural resources.

Ways to participate in Plastic Free July:

• Start small - Participating in Plastic Free July doesn't mean you need to overhaul your life or spend money. Contact your favorite brands and let them know you'd like to see refillable products offered.
• Discover items you may be able to reduce the use of by taking the Pesky Plastics Quiz. After taking the quiz, select an item to reduce or refuse for the month or try a new item each week.
• Register to take the Plastic Free July challenge.
• Support local businesses that have refill and reuse options by choosing to shop at their establishments and if possible leave them a positive review or a shout out on social media.
• Opt Out - "Skip the Stuff" - When dining out or ordering takeout, you can let food service staff know you'd like to skip plastic straws, plastic cutlery, or condiment packets if you do not need these items.
• Learn about businesses offering reuse options in the areas of food service, retail, and shipping and packaging.
• Start any time - Things too busy right now? You don't have to wait until next July to commit to reducing the number of single-use plastics in your life. Start planning plastic free goals for September or any month of the year to refocus your attention to choosing less single-use plastic in your life whenever possible.

Image Credit

Recycle Right New York

National Thrift Shop Day

On August 17th, National Thrift Shop Day celebrates the positive impact of thrift shops on communities by promoting the purchase of second-hand items. National Thrift Shop Day aims to highlight the practical use of items that already exist and extend their lifespan. Thrift shops, consignment stores, and charity shops exist through community donations and reuse. These shops help reduce waste and resource consumption while supporting the local community. Use this day or any day as an opportunity to visit thrift stores, find items on your wish list, donate gently used items instead of landfilling, or volunteer your time and services. To celebrate this special day, many thrift stores also offer sales on already discounted items to mark the occasion. Check out the Recycle Right New York Reuse Locator Map for thrift store locations near you.

International Coastal Cleanup Day

International Coastal Cleanup Day, organized by the Ocean Conservancy, is an event held every year on the third Saturday of September. This day focuses on cleaning up water bodies and coastal areas around the world, bringing together volunteers who share a common goal: to remove waste that threatens marine/freshwater ecosystems. 

Communities come together on this day to protect our water resources. Participants not only help to clean waterways but also raise awareness about the impacts of pollution on our environment and aquatic life.

DEC Division of Marine Resources balloon survey/cleanup. Balloons were found by volunteers during a 2023 beach clean up at Jones Beach. Balloon litter is one of the most dangerous types of marine debris, often injuring sea birds and sea turtles 

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

Every year on September 29th, we observe the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, a day dedicated to highlighting the global issue of food waste. This day is a reminder of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of wasting food. To reduce food waste, action should be taken at every stage—from production to our own dining tables.

To get involved, start by learning simple strategies to reduce food waste in your daily life:

• Eating all leftovers and perishable food first. Designate an “Eat Me First" area in your refrigerator. Making a weekly meal plan and grocery list before shopping
• Checking the refrigerator, freezer and pantry before shopping
• Properly storing, freezing and canning perishable goods
• Volunteer at a local food bank, food pantry or meal center

America/New York Recycles Day

On November 15th, America celebrates our recycling efforts and highlights the importance of recycling. America Recycles Day is one of the most comprehensive recycling awareness campaigns in the nation. Each year gives the opportunity for people to become better informed about the advantages of recycling and buying recycled products as a result of the group's efforts. New York Recycles! Is celebrated alongside America Recycles Day.

New York Recycles! Day promotes recycling and buying recycled in New York State. Schools, businesses, community organizations, and others are encouraged to organize or attend events featuring waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, and buying recycled.

New York Recycles also encourages waste reduction, reuse, and composting in addition to recycling. This effort can be supported by sponsoring and encouraging others to host a recycling or buy recycled (or waste reduction, reuse or composting) event at places like libraries, places of worship, businesses, government agencies, schools, and civic organizations.

Resources

• NYSAR3 Annual New York Recycles! Poster Contest
• EPA America Recycles Day

Buy Nothing Day

Every year, Buy Nothing Day takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States. This day is an alternative to the large amount of shopping associated with Black Friday. Buy Nothing Day aims to make people more aware of how our shopping habits impact the environment and society. To participate, avoid making any purchases this day and focus on reducing waste, reusing, and reflecting on impulsive shopping habits. Some communities host events where people can exchange items without using money, known as "Reuse Exchanges" or "Freecycling". Buy Nothing Day reminds us to be mindful of our consumption and its impacts on natural resources and communities. Remember, we can apply these practices every day, not just on Buy Nothing Day.

Plastic Free Lunch Day (Week)

Plastic Free Lunch Day can be initiated at anytime, but each year a week in November serves as an eye opener for schools to recognize their environmental impact and work towards a positive change! 

Plastic Free Lunch Day aims to inspire schools to ditch single-use plastics! Typically, local recycling facilities cannot process certain single-use plastics such as utensils and straws. The equipment in many recycling facilities cannot capture some of these plastic items, because the items are too small to be captured by most recycling facility equipment. As a result, small single-use plastics usually end up in landfills, waste combustion facilities, or can also end up as litter in the environment if the items are not properly disposed of.

There are many ways to participate and promote plastic free initiatives:

• Do an easy Single-use Plastic Search in your cafeteria with a follow-up lesson plan! 
• Want to take things a step further? Another idea would be to look at all single-use and disposable items no matter what material they’re made of and work towards reduction and reuse wherever possible. 
• Can’t participate this year? Plan for next year and learn more about making a plastic-free plan.

It is important for both schools and offices in New York State to operate in accordance with local recycling laws and the Solid Waste Management Act of 1988. New York schools must recycle right along with other municipal agencies, residents and businesses. It is important not only that schools have recycling programs in place, but that people are able to recycle right. To make the current recycling program streamlined, ensure it is properly communicated which materials are recyclable in the program. Steps to improve school and office recycling:

• Setup a program if one does not exist.
• Evaluate your current recycling program.
• Contact your municipal recycling coordinator or recycling hauler to identify what is accepted in your recycling program.
• Prevent waste where possible.
• Educate through signage and other outreach and resources.
• Engage students and staff.

Benefits of collecting deposit cans and bottles and returning them for their deposits can help to fund programs for your school or organization.

Setting up a bottle and can drive in your community is a great way to teach people about the importance of recycling and reducing waste. Be clear about which containers can be returned for a 5-cent deposit in New York State. A list of acceptable containers can be found on the DEC Bottle Bill page. Let your attendees know that the benefit of bringing back deposit containers to a redemption center guarantees that the containers will be recycled. 

A single new soda can (made with virgin aluminum) uses the same amount of energy as twenty soda cans that are made from recycled material. Also, recycling one soda can saves enough energy to run a television for three hours.

Encourage your community to take part in creating a cleaner, more sustainable environment and provide funding for your initiatives.

New York school running a bottle and can drive, ensuring the successful recycling of materials.

Every reuse exchange works by providing a platform where people in the community can swap or donate items they no longer need, such as books, plants (native), seeds, clothes, and kitchen items. Reuse exchanges can take place in a physical space, like a reuse center, swap shop, or “Take It Or Leave It Shed”. Online social media platforms can serve as hubs for local reuse exchanges, such as Buy Nothing Groups. Many online platforms have also been successful in facilitating sales of secondhand items, which helps to reduce the need for new materials while retaining monetary value. In offices, reuse exchanges can also be encouraged by setting up a designated table where employees can swap items for reuse. 

The goal of reuse exchanges is to expand the lifespan of products, reducing waste and the need for new items. By establishing a reuse exchange within the community, we can minimize unnecessary landfilling or disposal of useful items and foster a greater sense of community.

DEC Central Office hosts an employee reuse event on NY Recycles Day aimed at giving items a second life.

Collecting and composting food scraps is a great way to reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, by keeping wasted food out of landfills. The first step in starting a community composting program is educating the community about the importance and benefits of composting.

To establish a composting program, consider partnering with a local composting service or creating an onsite composting system to accept food scraps. A compost pile requires a balance of greens (fruits and vegetable scraps), browns (leaves or woodchips), water, and air. Alternatively, vermicomposting uses a bin, bedding, worms, and food scraps to break down organic materials.

Local businesses can play a key role in improving food diversion. Encourage them to compost food scraps or, when applicable, donate edible food to community organizations. These efforts not only reduce waste but also support the community.

Learn more about composting and set up a food scrap collection program.

Plan a community clean-up event to gather volunteers to clear litter from bike paths, parks, schools, nature trails, and other public areas. Raise awareness about waste reduction and recycling to prevent the need for future clean-up initiatives. Steps in planning a Litter Clean-up:

• Pick a cleanup date and site, get permission, organize teams, safety first, promote the event.
• Promote waste reduction and properly recycling to reduce future litter build-up.
• Work with other volunteers within the community to clean up bike paths, parks, school grounds, nature trails, community centers, vacant lots and other locations that have been littered.
• Record the type and amount of litter removed from your cleanup location.
• Work cooperatively with public works departments to coordinate garbage and recycling pickup.
• Improve the beauty and quality of the environment in your community and celebrate!

Embracing green practices in our everyday lives is a crucial step towards reducing waste and promoting sustainability. 

• DEC Living the Green Life: Living a green lifestyle involves taking actions that minimize our environmental impact. 
• Get There Green: By adopting eco-friendly transportation methods such as biking, walking, carpooling, and using public transit, we can significantly reduce carbon emissions.
• Community Participation: Actively participating in local recycling and waste reduction programs are important steps in our journey towards a more sustainable future.