4R Times
Summer Newsletter
Volume VI | Issue II
New Curbside Guidelines
The July 2021—June 2022 Curbside Recycling Guidelines for Tompkins County brochure is now available! The cover of the new brochure emphasizes how recyclable materials can be made into useful new products. Inside the brochure is all of the info one needs to recycle curbside in Tompkins County, including a pickup schedule, an illustrated list of accepted materials, and instructions for how to set out recycling.

The brochure is available at the Recycling and Materials Management Office, the Recycling and Solid Waste Center, municipal offices, and grocery store service desks throughout Tompkins County. It can also be viewed online at RecycleTompkins.org. Brochures are no longer mailed to households.
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Pay as You Throw System Encourages Waste Reduction
In most municipalities in the US, residents pay for trash disposal through taxes and fees regardless of how much (or how little) they throw away. A major drawback to this traditional model is that it doesn’t provide any direct incentive for residents to reduce the amount of trash they generate, and it subsidizes the habits of the most wasteful.

Since the 1990s, Tompkins County has operated under a Pay-as–You-Throw (PAYT) model which charges residents only for the trash they dispose of. This is why residents are required to use tags for trash collection, and fees are collected for trash disposal at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center. PAYT communities have been shown to reduce the amount of trash they generate by at least 25%, and increase the amount of material they recycle.
View Our 2020 Annual Report
The 2020 Annual Report, which is now available at RecycleTompkins.org, provides information about TCRMM’s programs during the 2020 calendar year. This edition includes a Director’s Report, a 2020 By The Numbers infographic, and highlights from Department programs such as Recycling, Recycling Collection, Waste Reduction, Household
Hazardous Waste, and more. For example, 546 tons of food scraps were collected at Drop Spots in 2020.
ReBusiness Spotlight: Dairy One
The newest business to go through the ReBusiness Partners Program is Dairy One Co-Op Inc., which is a not-for-profit cooperative of approximately 3,000 dairy farmers throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. The cooperative’s primary office and laboratory facilities are located in Ithaca. TCRMM staff worked with Dairy One remotely to conduct a free waste assessment and develop recommendations for improved waste management practices. Some of the recommendations included ways to divert food scraps and improve recycling practices in office settings. Visit RecycleTompkins.org/ReBusiness to learn more about the program.  

Borrow-A-Bin for Public Events
When hosting a public event, quality bins and clear signage are critical for achieving recycling success. TCRMM’s Borrow-A-Bin program is a free service that aims to maximize waste diversion at events in Tompkins County. Organizers of public events big and small can request a loan of up to 20 recycling bins. The borrower is responsible for transport, use, and return of the bins in good condition. To request a bin and learn more about the program, visit RecycleTompkins.org/BAB
Holiday Closings
 
Independence Day (Observed) 
July 5th
Office closed, RSWC and curbside recycling follow normal schedule.
 
Labor Day
Sept 6th
Office and RSWC closed. Curbside
recycling on one day delay.

The Find My Recycling Day tool automatically adjusts for holidays.
Sign up today!
Household Hazardous Waste Events
July 17th
August 21st
 

Did You Know...
 
Fats, oil, and grease from cooking can be collected and brought to the Recycling Center.
Tompkins County Recycling and Materials Management
(607) 273-6632 | reducewaste@tompkins-co.org | recycletompkins.org