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Staten Island, New York-New York State Department of Environmental Protection (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos designated November 15 as "New York Recycling Day" to celebrate the state's leadership in promoting recycling and reducing waste.

New York’s efforts are complementary to the U.S. Recycling Day, a national initiative aimed at raising people’s awareness of the economic, environmental, and social benefits of recycling.

"New York continues to lead the nation in formulating forward-looking recycling strategies, plans and policies, with a focus on reducing solid waste and protecting the environment," said Commissioner Seggos. "As the global recycling market continues to fluctuate, DEC remains focused on simplifying the recycling process and helping communities achieve recycling goals. On New York Recycling Day, I encourage all New Yorkers to commit to the core protection principles of reduction, reuse and recycling."

Throughout New York State, New Yorkers, community groups, businesses, schools, and government agencies celebrate New York Recycling Day in a variety of ways, from promising to start office or school recycling programs to encourage others to reduce waste, holding recycling seminars, and participating in New York recycling Poster contest to raise awareness of local recycling requirements. These joint efforts help educate and inform New Yorkers about the advantages of recycling. For more information about U.S. Recycle Day events, please visit the Keep America Beautiful America Recycles Day website.

· Put recyclables in the trash bin; do not use plastic bags (unless required by your municipal government or trash transporter);

· Return the rechargeable battery to the retail collection point;

· Compost at home or send yard debris and food waste to local or municipal composting projects;

· Donate tableware, mirrors, glassware and ceramics in good condition;

· Donated textiles-even if they are no longer wearable or useless, as long as they are clean, they can be recycled;

· Return the needle to the appropriate collection location. Please visit DEC's home sharps website for more information.

· Clean and dry items before putting them in the collection box.

DEC urges the public to “be vigilant when in doubt” because pollution in the recycling supply chain will reduce the quality of recyclable materials. For more information, please contact your local recycling coordinator or visit the DEC website for information and resources about the "Recycle Right NY" event.

New York State has a long history of implementing some of the nation’s strongest recycling programs, including the Solid Waste Management Act of 1988, which required the separation of recyclable or reusable materials from solid waste and inspired the entire Separation of local sources plans across the state. Millions of tons of recyclable materials have been captured and transferred, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions, energy use, and natural resource use.

Over the past three decades, New York State has invested millions of dollars in recycling grants through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund to support urban waste reduction and recycling programs, including recycling infrastructure, equipment, collection vehicles, local education and foreign Development plan and salaries of municipal recycling coordinators. Targeted funding and focus in the past few years include food recycling, food waste collection and organic recycling, and electronic waste recycling. Other programs designed to encourage waste transfer in New York include management programs such as the Electronic Waste Reuse and Recycling Act, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act, the Mercury Thermostat Collection Act, and the Drug Recycling Act, as well as the Lead Acid Battery Recycling Act and the Bottle Act.

Help stop the ban on environmental waste

In 2020, New York State passed the most stringent statewide ban in the United States, prohibiting the use of expanded polystyrene, disposable foam food and beverage containers, and polystyrene loose-filled packaging materials, commonly known as packed peanuts.

The ban will take effect on January 1, 2022. Foam packaging is one of the main contributors to environmental waste, which has a negative impact on wildlife, waterways and other natural resources, and littering our communities and natural areas. It is light in weight, easily decomposed, and not easily biodegradable. When polystyrene foam eventually becomes garbage in the environment, it can exist for a long time, or it can become microplastic pollution. In addition, foam containers and loose-filled packaging (such as packed peanuts) are not accepted in most recycling programs in New York State because foam is difficult to recycle and has low value. Part 353 of the proposed regulations for the reduction of expanded polystyrene foam containers and loose-filled packaging to implement the ban can be publicly requested for comments before November 22.

To help achieve New York State’s waste reduction goals and keep land and waterways clean, the New York State Bag Reduction Act entered into force on March 1, 2020. The bill prohibits retailers from distributing plastic tote bags in New York State and significantly reduces plastic garbage bags. Get more consumer information about the plastic bag ban.

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