Are candy wrappers recyclable?

REGION — With Halloween coming this weekend, the question may pop into your mind: How can I properly discard these candy wrappers?

Unfortunately, wrappers cannot go in your recycling bin because they are often made of what’s known as “multi-material packaging.” This means the packaging is made up of different types of materials. You’ll notice most candy has a shiny metal on the inside as compared to the outside. This helps keep treats fresh, but it makes the packaging very difficult to recycle because of the challenge of separating the materials from each other.

Residential recycling programs are designed for items such as bottles, jugs, cans, jars, cardboard and mail—not candy wrappers. Since the wrappers are small and lightweight, the equipment is often not designed to sort it out. When candy wrappers and other non-recyclables cannot be sorted out, they contaminate other valuable material streams like cardboard, plastics, metal, or glass. When these other valuable material streams are contaminated, it is much harder to reuse them and make them into new products.

Share what you know, prevent candy wrappers from getting into your recycling bin and research other ways to recycle. Terracycle (www.terracycle.com) offers a “zero-waste box” you can use to send them food wrappers, but this solution has a price. Look into whether you can mail back the wrappers to the manufacturer. Or buy your candy in bulk, unwrapped, and make your own festive, eco-friendly wrapping paper for family and friends.

DHC’s eagle watch programming goes virtual

ONLINE — The Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC) regretfully announces that all guided eagle watch bus tours for January and February 2021 are canceled due to COVID-19. The safety of staff, volunteers and program attendees is the DHC’s highest priority, and these tours cannot be hosted with appropriate social distancing measures in place.

Instead, visit www.DelawareHighlands.org/eagles for information on viewing eagles safely on your own. There you can also download a map to take your own driving tour and look for eagles in the Upper Delaware River region. Follow the DHC on Facebook and Instagram for virtual eagle watch content with photos, videos, updates and current educational information on the eagles in our region through the winter season.

Be aware that eagle viewing blinds and restrooms may not be open. If the blind is open, wear a mask, practice social distancing and limit the number of people inside at one time. During your visit, be compliant with CDC and state guidelines, and follow safety recommendations made by DHC volunteers. If the viewing blind is closed, it is important to remain inside your vehicle to avoid disturbing the wintering eagles and to park only in designated public parking areas.

The Upper Delaware River region is one of the largest wintering habitats for eagles in the northeast United States because of abundant clean water and large, undisturbed stands of trees. Protected lands in Sullivan County, NY and Pike and Wayne counties in PA provide a safe haven for these migratory birds, as well as breeding eagles that live here year-round.

For more information, call 570/226-3164, 845/583-1010, or visit www.DelawareHighlands.org.

Metzger announces funds to support Innovative Housing Initiative for veterans

GREENWOOD LAKE, NY — On October 20, Sen. Jen Metzger announced a $400,000 award secured by her office for Rumshock Veterans Foundation (RVF) to acquire the land for “Victory Village,” a tiny home community that will be built to serve veterans confronting housing insecurity and homelessness. Metzger made the announcement at the Greenwood Lake Elks Lodge 2067 and was joined by U.S. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, and local leaders and veterans organizations. 

Beyond offering a self-sustaining residential community for veterans, Victory Village will also offer employment and profit-sharing through hydroponic farming, a veterans transportation service, an e-waste recycling program, and an education center within Victory Village for veterans to learn energy technology and business skills. RVF, the non-profit organization leading this project, is dedicated to supporting veterans facing challenges as a result of military service. Also in attendance for the announcement were members of the Greenwood Lake Elks Lodge 2067, the Greenwood Lake American Legion Arthur Finnegan Post 1443, and the Warwick Valley VFW Post 4662, as well as Greenwood Lake Mayor Jesse Dwyer and Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton.