Student’s Guide to Recycling |
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Now that the Fall college semester has begun, the Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management would like to take a moment to help students recycle right in Ithaca and Tompkins County.
1: Pick up a copy of the Curbside Recycling Guidelines for Tompkins County brochure at your grocery store service desk or municipal office, or use our website.
2: Be warned, improper recycling set outs will be rejected at the curb to prevent recycling contamination. Bins with plastic bags, Styrofoam, electronics, and other unacceptable items will receive a red rejection sticker and won’t be picked up.
3: Not sure when your recycling day is? https://RecycleTompkins.org has a Find My Recycling Day tool, and you can even sign up for automatic reminders via text, email, or phone call.
Thanks, and don’t forget to practice the 4R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rebuy.
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NYS EPS Ban Coming in 2022
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In 2020, New York State passed into law a ban targeting expanded polystyrene (EPS, often called Styrofoam), foodware containers and loose fill packaging. The ban affects restaurants, delis, food trucks, caterers, and grocery and retail stores, and will take effect in January of 2022. Expanded polystyrene is not recyclable, and is one of the most frequent sources of contamination in the recycling stream. New York will be joining several other states like Maine, Vermont, and Maryland in passing an EPS ban.
Packaging for uncooked eggs, meat, and fish are exempt, as are any
pre-packaged food items sealed before delivery. Alternatives for EPS food packaging include paper, bagasse, and molded paper.
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Maintaining Tompkins County’s Old Landfills |
TCRMM staff work hard every year to maintain two closed landfills in Tompkins County. A large part of this work is managing leachate, which is formed when rainwater passes through the landfills. This liquid must be captured, stored, and removed for hazardous waste processing. Staff monitor how much leachate has accumulated, and conduct testing of groundwater in the area.
Pictured: Testing equipment used to monitor the landfill wells.
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Plastic carryout bags have been banned in New York State, but did you know that paper bags can also have a big environmental impact? The best way to save trees, water, and reduce waste overall is to bring your own reusable bag to the grocery store. It’s safe, convenient, and will even save you $.05 per bag compared to paying for single use paper bags. That adds up! Keep a bag or two in a convenient location like a car, purse, or backpack, and be sure to clean your bags regularly. Cloth bags can go right in the washing machine along with other clothes and linens. |
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Reduce Food Waste with Catch-All Recipes |
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If you find yourself frequently composting fresh produce and leftovers, you might benefit from learning a few “catch-all” recipes. These are delicious dishes that can be easily pulled together from disparate ingredients to use them up
before spoiling. Examples include:
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CFCU Community Shred Day October 16th |
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Holiday Closings
Indigenous Peoples Day October 11th
Office closed.
Veterans Day
Nov 11th
Office closed.
Thanksgiving
Office closed 11/25-26. No curbside recycling and RSWC Closed 11/25, one day delay for rest of week.
The Find My Recycling Day tool automatically adjusts for holidays.
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Household Hazardous Waste Events |
Household Hazardous Waste
Events
October 16th
November 20th
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Did You Know...
Meat, bones, and dairy can be composted through the Food Scraps Recycling program.
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Tompkins County Recycling and Materials Management
(607) 273-6632 | reducewaste@tompkins-co.org | recycletompkins.org
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