Welcome to spring—or at least our spring update where we are sharing helpful information and taking a look at what some of our members are doing. While we may be thinking about making it all year long, spring really is this time of year when people start to think about the benefits of compost. It also a great time for NYSAR3’s 8th Annual Organics Summit which, of course features the most current trends, important updates, and a great tour! This Conference continues to be organized through NYSAR3’s Organics Council who have a great committee of volunteers representing a mix (so important for composting!) of sectors that work in this industry. NYSAR3 and especially those in attendance greatly appreciate your efforts in putting the program together and creating opportunities for learning and collaboration.
And here’s a quick look at some of our other pieces in this update:
Many in NYSAR3 are, well, relieved and thrilled to see New York’s Paint Product Stewardship Law going into effect on May 1st. Most often, municipalities have taken on the costs related to the proper disposal of our resident’s oil-based and other paint-related hazardous materials. Of course, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has provided a 50% reimbursement on eligible materials, but this has not included latex paint! This is all changing soon, so be sure to check this piece as we look at exactly how PaintCare will be working to help municipalities, residents, contractors, institutions, and businesses to recycle as much leftover paint as possible.
As an organization we’ve been working to increase the focus on the “Reuse” part of our name and our Community Reuse Award has been one great way to do this. We very much appreciate the work of the NYSAR3 Reuse Committee for making this award a reality and suggest everyone will want to be on the watch for future opportunities. In the meantime, please enjoy our story on the 2021 winners who have benefited from this competitive program.
And finally, we are sad but happy to wish a very fond farewell to longtime member, friend, and liaison, the now retired Terry Liabach from the Division of Materials Management for NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. As many know, Terry was an invaluable resource for NYSAR3 via work on conferences and several other programs including our annual awards. Terry has continued the long tradition of collaboration between NYSAR3 and DEC and as anyone will attest, she is truly amazing. We miss you Terry, but we are also very lucky that many other DEC staff continue to work with our Board and help NYSAR3 to meet its goals. Enjoy your retirement!
Gary Carrel
NYSAR3 President
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Hybrid Conference | April 5-6, 2022
Albany Capital Center - 55 Eagle St, Albany, NY 12207
NYSAR3’s Conference Committee has been hard at work planning a Hybrid Conference featuring both in-person and virtual formats for the New York State Organics Summit. NYSAR3 will host in-person sessions and networking events, such as the Exhibitor Show and a sold out tour at the Town of Bethlehem Composing facility. NYSAR3 has partnered with Hopin, a dynamic event management platform for our virtual participants.
This annual event brings together more than 150 materials management professionals from across the State and beyond to share success stories and discuss creative solutions for the further development of the organics recycling industry in New York State.
This year's Summit will be hybrid and offer opportunities for attendees to join us in-person or virtually.
NYSAR3 is taking additional safety precautions to ensure the in-person event is as safe as possible.
FAQs as well as the full list of additional precautions will be posted on the NYSAR3 website. Some of these precautions for in-person attendees include:
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Attendees should follow the CDC Guidelines for travel as well as for Community and work.
- A mandatory mask requirement will be in place during all indoor conference activities outside of eating and drinking.
- Conference attendees are asked to please stay home/switch to virtual if they are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms, and/or have recently been exposed to anyone who has tested positive.
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Testing for Covid-19 is available throughout NYS and available to all NYS residents. To view testing locations available near you, please visit the NYS Coronavirus website.
NYSAR3 also encourages those planning the Annual Conference in-person to take all the necessary precautions, including those recommended by the CDC guidelines above. Together, we can all work to keep everyone safe.
Student Sponsorships Available: Would you like to attend the Summit, but can't manage the registration fee? JSA Sustainable Wealth Management is offering to pay the enrollment fee for up to 5 students who self-identify as needing a scholarship for the Summit. For student enrollment,email Kristine.Ellsworth@dec.ny.gov and Leola@jsafinancial.com with your name, email address, where you go to school, a short paragraph about what you'd like to learn from the NYS Organics Summit and/or how you might take action from what you learn.
Book your reservation for the conference at one of our partner hotels.
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2021 Community Reuse Grant Winners |
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The NYSAR3 Reuse Committee is pleased to announce the funding of 3 projects under the 2021 Community Reuse Grant:
- Elizabethtown Thrift Shop
- The Dumptique: A New Resource for the People of Bethel
- Starflower Experiences: Free Trade Zone Events
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Every year the New York State Association of Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling (NYSAR3) annual New York State Recycling Conference in Cooperstown on Nov. 10. recognition is given to a few outstanding achievers for their dedication, innovation, and passion for recycling. At this past years 2021 conference the following individuals were recognized:
2021 Recycling Leadership, Private Sector Steve Hannon, Triad Casella Mattress Recycling
2021 Recycling Leadership, Lifetime Achievement – Diane Cohen Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Reuse NGO of Ithaca
2021 Recycling Leadership, Public Sector - Andrew Goldstein, Recycling and Compost Specialist at Erie County Environment & Planning in Buffalo.
2021 Recycling Leadership, Innovation – Jackie Junttoonnen, GrowNYC,
2021 Recycling Leadership, Lifetime Achievement – John Wackman, founder of the Hudson Valley Repair Café network was recognized posthumously for his outstanding efforts in promoting the ideals of reuse.
2021 State School Recycling Award - John Miola, Teacher and Green Team Creator at P721K
Congrats to all that received awards!
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City of Buffalo and Recycling Partnership Launch Collaboration |
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The City of Buffalo, in partnership with The Recycling Partnership, launched a Multi-Unit Apartment Building Recycling Initiative called “Let’s Do This Together!”. This initiative aims to increase recycling collection at 1,500 apartment units and 300 apartment buildings, located in neighborhoods citywide.
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SU and RIT Partner to Reduce Food Waste |
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Syracuse University’s Center for Sustainable Community Solutions (CSCS) and the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) at the Rochester Institute of Technology are partnering on a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist communities and stakeholders in New York State with reducing the amount of edible food that goes to waste. CSCS and NYSP2I will begin promoting the workshop series in the Spring of 2022 with the goal of facilitating multiple training events throughout the Summer of 2022. If you are interested in receiving updates about the workshop series, or learning more about this program, please contact SU-CSCS Program Manager, Jesse Kerns, at jekerns@syr.edu.
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Center for Sustainable Materials Management and TRUE certification announce MOU |
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The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), and the Green Business Certification Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding between their TRUE Certification for Zero Waste program and the ESF-based New York State Center for Sustainable Materials Management (CSMM) in pursuit of a state-wide circular economy. GBCI and CSMM will partner to identify opportunities to increase public awareness of zero-waste and waste-reduction strategies.
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Manhattan SWAB resources for Reuse |
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New York, NY, Nov. 30, 2021 – In an effort to reduce the enormous volume of reusable household items and furnishings thrown in the garbage and sent to landfills, the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board (MSWAB) has published a database covering hundreds of organizations where no-longer-wanted items can be donated, shared, sold or swapped in New York City. This extensive resource is the first of its kind - compiled from many sources - where citizens can learn how to keep usable, good condition items in circulation, and also find great buys for quality items (or get them for free). The database is now available on the MSWAB website, accompanied by an interactive map, to help readers locate these resources. Click HERE to read a brief “Donate, Reuse & Repair” Factsheet. Click HERE to download and explore the full database and map.
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HELPSY Battles Textile Recycling in NYS |
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Textile waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the country and HELPSY, the largest clothing collection company on the East Coast is tackling this problem head on in New York. Over the past year, HELPSY has worked with 113 municipal recycling departments across the East Coast and collected approximately 1.7 million pounds of textiles from those collaborations. Through a combination of clothing drives, home pickups, thrift store partnerships and clothing drop off bins located in 10 states, HELPSY diverts nearly 30 million pounds of textiles from landfills every year. For additional information about HELPSY or to join in our environmental preservation efforts, contact info@helpsy.co.
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Capital Region working to Reduce Food Waste |
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The New York State Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law, passed in 2019, went into effect in January 2022. The law requires businesses and institutions that generate an average of two tons of wasted food per week or more to donate excess edible food; and recycle all remaining food scraps if they are within 25 miles of an organics recycler. There are two major goals: divert food from landfills and feed hungry New Yorkers. Feeding New York State hopes to source 37 million pounds of food over 3 years and divert additional pounds away from landfills.
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Potential Ban on Single use Filter Cigarettes |
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State Senator Krueger introduced S 1278 to ban the sale of single use filter cigarettes (A/K/A/ butts) and e-cigarettes in New York State. The NoButts campaign includes promoting Senator Krueger’s bill to ban the sale of single use filter cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Here is a Gothamist article and an NPR audio file by Rosemary Misdary about the NoButts campaign.
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Hobart and William Smith Colleges launch a student-led food recovery initiative |
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For the past two semesters, Hobart and William Smith Colleges has had a student-led food recovery initiative! Food insecurity is a major issue in Geneva and many people expressed gratitude for the additional meals. Over two semesters we donated nearly 1000 full entrée meals, plus over 900 single serve items (slice of pizza, burger, sandwich), and over 600 side dishes, This equaled 1,350 pounds of perfectly good food that was diverted from the compost and instead fed hundreds of people. If your institution is launching a food donation effort and you have any questions please email Sustainability@hws.edu.
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On March 4th, CSCS Program Manager and NYSAR3 Organics Council Chair, Jesse Kerns, was featured on The Capitol Pressroom, a WCNY public radio program. A recording can be streamed online. Questions about the interview or NYSAR3's Organics Council can be directed to Mr. Kerns at jekerns@syr.edu.
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NYS Assn for Reduction, Reuse & Recycling
1971 Western Ave, #1180
Albany, NY 12203-5066
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