The good, the bad, and the dubious

Recycling in our region

List compiled by ANNEMARIE SCHUETZ
Posted 1/19/22

All the following information was taken from county websites devoted to recycling. New to the region or confronted with an item that might be recycled? The best first step is to contact the solid …

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The good, the bad, and the dubious

Recycling in our region

Posted

All the following information was taken from county websites devoted to recycling. New to the region or confronted with an item that might be recycled? The best first step is to contact the solid waste and recycling department in your county. They’ll help you. Contact information is included with each county.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY

The following information is taken from the Sullivan County Solid Waste and Recycling website, https://sullivanny.us/Departments/SolidWasteRecycling.

For single-stream recycling, it’s best to check with your sanitation provider or the Sullivan County Department of Solid Waste & Recycling if you need more information. See contact info below.

Single-stream materials can be commingled together for either curbside pickup or drop-off at transfer stations. But the materials must be clean.

Here’s what else is acceptable.

  • Newsprint—Includes daily, weekly and monthly news periodicals plus all glossy inserts, fliers and advertisements. There is a separate bin for newsprint at the transfer stations.
  • Corrugated cardboard—Includes cardboard boxes, brown paper bags and brown “kraft” paper fibers; there is a separate bin for the material at the transfer stations.
  • Mixed paper—Includes magazines, waste (junk) mail, catalogs, cereal boxes, mailing boxes and envelopes, TV dinner cartons, paper milk /beverage cartons, aseptic drink boxes, aseptic milk/juice/soup cartons, envelopes, soft-covered books, spiral-bound notebooks, books and textbooks with hard covers removed, paper towel tubes, toilet paper tubes, notepads, clean paper egg cartons, shredded paper (shreds may be placed in clear plastic bags), copier paper, computer printer paper, manila folders and paper campaign signs. Transfer stations have a separate bin for mixed paper.
  • Plastic containers, #1-#7, steel cans and glass bottles—Plastic soda pop bottles, clean yogurt containers, soap and laundry detergent jugs, plastic milk containers, water bottles, sour cream/cottage cheese containers, margarine tubs, mayonnaise jars, clean plastic containers, empty/clean five-gallon plastic buckets.
  • Steel cans includes ferrous (“magnetic”) steel containers, soup cans, cookie tins, empty aerosol cans, clean pet food cans and vegetable cans.
  • Glass includes brown, green and clear glass bottles, jars and beverage containers.
  • Aluminum cans, foil and pie tins includes aluminum soda pop cans, clean pet food cans, aluminum pie tins and aluminum foil.
  • Paper beverage cartons and drink boxes includes empty, clean paper milk and juice cartons and aseptic drink boxes.
  • Clean #1-#7 plastic containers, aluminum cans/foil/pie tins, steel cans, glass bottles, cardboard, newsprint and mixed paper/aseptic beverage packaging can all be mixed together in the single stream recycling program.

Find a transfer station:

  • Highland—475 State Rte. 55, Eldred. Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. No commercial haulers permitted. Call 845/557-6983.
  • Rockland—13 Overlook Dr., Livingston Manor. Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Scale closes at 2:30 p.m. No commercial haulers. Call 845/439-3654.
  • Western Sullivan (interim)—433 Mitchell Pond East Rd., Cochecton. Hours: Wednesday and Saturday, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. No commercial haulers permitted. Call 845/932-8845.
  • Mamakating—164 Dump Rd., Wurtsboro. Hours: Wednesday and Sunday, 7:45 a.m to 2:45 p.m. No commercial haulers. Call 845/888-0256.
  • Ferndale—78 Lt. J.G. Brender Hwy., Ferndale. Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Scale closes at 2:30 p.m. No commercial haulers. Call  845/292-3670.
  • Monticello—91 and 237 Landfill Dr., Monticello. Commercial hauler hours: Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday 7:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. Scales close at 11 a.m. Residential access: Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Scales close at 2:30 p.m. Saturday scales open from 7:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. Bags only/No scale 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Call  845/807-0293. All out-of-county customers must show proof of user-fee payment.

For other recyclables not included in the single-stream program, such as scrap metal, tires, electronic scrap, used motor oil, antifreeze, consumer batteries, fluorescent bulbs, textiles, cell phones and leaves, ask your sanitation person for details.

Contact information: Sullivan County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling, 100 North Street, P.O. Box 5012, Monticello, NY 12701. Email recycling@sullivanny.us or call 845/807-0291.

WAYNE COUNTY, PA

The county is home to the Wayne County Recycling Center and several municipal drop-off sites. Note that some items are accepted at the recycling center that are not accepted at the municipal drop-offs, due to space issues.

Electronics are not accepted at the Wayne County Recycling Center at this time.

Mattresses are not accepted at any time.

The following information is taken from the Recycling Center website at https://waynecountypa.gov/330/Recycling.

  • Cell phones for VIP—The Wayne County Recycling Center is now a drop-off site for cell phones. The phones will be donated to the Victims Intervention Program (VIP) for emergency use by clients.
  • Glass bottles (clear, brown and green; each color needs to be separate)—Empty and rinse. Discard caps and tops. Do not include the following with glass bottles: windows, mirrors, light bulbs, white glass, dishes, drinking glasses, Pyrex, heat-tempered glass or ceramics.
  • Metal cans (Metal and aluminum cans may be mixed together)—All food and beverage cans (aluminum and tin) are included. Empty and rinse. Labels may stay on. Do not include the following with metal cans: pie plates, foil, paint cans, aerosol cans, pots and pans, fuel tanks, coat hangers or other metal items.
  • Plastic bottles (#1 plastic must be separated from #2 as we have a bin for each)—For bottles marked with #1 or #2 on the bottom, empty and rinse. Do not include the following with plastic bottles: plastic bags, tubs, trays, toys or other plastic items (even if they are labeled #1 or #2), Styrofoam, plastic bottles labeled with #3, #4, #5, #6 or #7 on the bottom. Do not include motor oil bottles.
  • Cardboard and chipboard—Can be mixed together. Examples: cereal boxes, tissue boxes, shoe boxes, gift boxes, dry and frozen food boxes, paper product end rolls, corrugated cardboard boxes (please remove all bag inserts and flatten boxes) and soda and beer packs.
  • Do not include with chipboard: bag inserts from cereal boxes, pizza boxes (because of grease), dishwasher soap boxes and laundry detergent boxes (wax inside), ice cream boxes (wax inside), drink boxes (wax inside), milk boxes (wax inside).
  • Refrigerant—We accept appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and ice makers that contain refrigerant. For a fee of $15 per unit, residents can drop off these appliances knowing that the refrigerants will be safely evacuated by trained and certified personnel.
  • Newspapers—Includes clean newspapers and newspaper inserts. Keep dry, clean and out of sunlight. Place in neat stacks and tie with heavy string or twine. Do not tie with plastic, wire, cloth or pantyhose. May also be placed in brown grocery bags. Do not include with newspapers: phone books, junk mail, cardboard or magazines.
  • Magazines/mixed paper—May be mixed together. Includes: office paper, catalogs, magazines, phone books and junk mail, paperback or hardcover books (hardcover books should be kept separate unless you rip off hard covers, in which case the hard cover will go with cardboard). Tie with heavy string or twine separately from newspaper. Do not tie with plastic, wire, cloth or pantyhose. May also be placed in brown grocery bags.
  • Do not include with magazines: cardboard or newspapers.
  • Scrap metal—Includes items such as dishwashers, ovens, water heaters, furnaces, BBQ grills, string lights (i.e. Christmas lights), microwave ovens, metal desks, lawn mowers (all fluids drained), bicycle frames, lawn chair frames, old swing set frames, washers, dryers and metal stove tops, etc.
  • Tire recycling program—Passenger vehicle or light-truck  tires: $3 off rim, $5 mounted on rim. Commercial, agricultural or industrial tires: $10 off rim, $20 mounted on rim. Large tire pricing is also subject to size and weight as determined by the Wayne County Recycling Center
  • All prices subject to change by WCRC.
  • Soft plastics—This includes plastic grocery bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, case overwrap, newspaper sleeves, ice bags, Ziploc and reclosable bags, produce bags, bubble wrap, salt bags… any plastic that is soft, including cereal bags. Plastics must be clean and dry and free of food residue.
  • Textiles—The center accepts used clothing and textiles for recycling.

Wayne County residents only.

Wayne County municipal drop-off sites

All municipal sites are now open on their respective Saturdays. Municipal sites are staffed by local volunteers, and are open on various Saturdays throughout the month. The county provides roll-off containers and collection and processing services to these sites. The materials are processed at the County facility, where they are then shipped to market.

Acceptable materials

The following materials are accepted at the drop-off sites: clear, brown and green glass bottles, metal cans, aluminum cans, #1 and #2 plastic bottles, newspapers, magazines and junk mail and office paper. Materials are to be dropped off only during operating hours.

The sites are listed on the website at https://waynecountypa.gov/337/Municipal-Drop-Off-Sites.

Contact information: The recycling center is located at 66 Volunteer Dr., Honesdale. For more information, email wcrecycling@waynecountypa.gov or call 570/253-9727. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed on Sundays.

PIKE COUNTY, PA

General information

  • Recyclables must be clean—A quick rinse is adequate in removing food waste residue in most cases. However, if the container or material is heavily soiled with food waste residue or grease and cannot be cleaned, it should be discarded in the trash.
  • Recyclables must be dry—After rinsing out containers, ensure all containers are free of excessive moisture. Moisture itself can contaminate the recycling stream, because it degrades the quality and recoverability of cardboard and other fiber-based materials.
  • Don’t break glass—Aside from being a hazard to collectors and workers, broken glass degrades the quality and recoverability of fiber-based materials. It is important to follow your local recycling program guidelines concerning glass and only include it in the approved manner.
  • Don’t “wishcycle”—Put in the correct recyclables—Only include recyclables that your program collects. Some material may potentially be recyclable; however, if your local recycling program does not collect the material, do not include it in your bin. Incorrect material causes contamination and good recyclable material can end up in a landfill.

Know this: important recycling facts

  • The most common materials that cause problems include plastic bags, plastic film, garden hoses, and wiring. Never include any material that may bind or restrict recycling sorting machinery. Sortation lines are routinely shut down due to the inclusion of these materials, which must be manually removed and disposed of by workers.
  • Never include any potentially hazardous material in your curbside bin. That includes items like propane tanks, broken glass, needles, chemicals/pesticides, and any other dangerous materials. In addition to contributing to contamination in the recycling stream, these materials are dangerous to the haulers and workers handling this material.
  • While not all inclusive, these are some of the most common items to place in, and keep out, of the recycling bin; however, it is important to check with your vendor prior to including or excluding any material.

Include:

  • Plastic bottles and containers
  • Cardboard and paperboard
  • Magazines and catalogs
  • Cereal/soda/beer boxes
  • Chipboard/box board
  • Office paper and mail
  • Newspaper
  • Paper egg cartons
  • Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
  • Glass bottles and containers

Do not include:

  • Plastic bags or plastic films
  • Recyclables in plastic bags
  • Any soiled/wet/greasy material
  • Food waste
  • Broken glass
  • Ceramics, crystal, and leaded glass
  • Plastic toys, bins, bulk items
  • Garden hoses and wire hangers
  • Propane tanks
  • Styrofoam
  • Shredded Paper

Special materials

The following provides a listing of materials that may also be recycled in Pike County and potential options for recycling these items. Residents should call ahead to confirm the designated materials are accepted at these facilities.

  • Recycling plastic bags

Local grocery or retail stores, including Weis Markets, Price Chopper, Shop-rite, and WalMart.

  • Scrap metal

Arthur Trovei & Sons, 845/856-1142

Burnett Trucking, 845/754-7671

George’s Salvage, 973/459-4445

  • Electronics

Advanced Recycling, 570/253-2083

Best Buy, 845/692-7553 or 570/346-8977 (no TVs)

Staples, 570/491-2840

  • Used oil and antifreeze

Most auto parts stores accept used oil and antifreeze for recycling.

Advanced Oil Recovery, dba S&M Waste Oil, 570/409-6631 (bulk)

Lorco Petroleum Services, 800/734-0910 (bulk)

  • Batteries

Home Depot, 570/491-5938 (Westfall); 570/253-3148 (Honesdale)

Lowes, 570/491-9440

  • Tires

Most tire retailers will accept tires for recycling for a nominal fee.

  • Paint

See section below on paint disposal.

Safety-Kleen, 570/825-8134

  • Household hazardous waste

Safety-Kleen, 570/825-8134

  • Bulk recycling

Contact your garbage/recycling hauler or local municipality.

Specific items

  • Alkaline batteries (single-use/Disposable)

Consumer batteries may be safely disposed of with normal household waste.

  • Automotive Parts & Scrap Metals

These are too large and cumbersome for recycling equipment and could cause injury and damage to recycling processing equipment. Most scrap metals can be recycled, but not via your curbside services.

  • Household Glass

Items like window panes, mirrors, light bulbs, and dishes are dangerous and should be left out of your recycling. Light bulbs can be recycled at many hardware and home improvement stores. Dishes, if not broken, can be donated to local charities.

  • Medications

Household unused medication must be disposed of properly. Do not dispose in your household garbage or flush down the toilet or drain. Please dispose unused medications at the following locations:

 Pike County Sheriff’s office, 506 Broad Street, Milford.

 Eastern Pike Regional Police Department,10 Avenue I, Matamoras.

 Lord’s Valley Village Pharmacy - Rt739, Lords Valley Traders Market, Lords Valley.

  • Mercury-containing devices

Contact Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection at (570)826-2580.

  • Paints
Tips to dry paint
Open can in a safe, ventilated area and allow to dry.
Use paint hardener. Some local hardware and paint stores carry a paint solidifier. Follow directions, and when paint is dried, put out for trash collection.
Get a sturdy cardboard box and fill with clay-based kitty litter, pour the paint onto the kitty litter and let dry. When dry, dispose of this dried mixture with your trash.
 Pour kitty litter into paint can, just enough to absorb the paint. Leave lid off in a safe and ventilated area and allow to dry. When dry, dispose with your trash.

Paint and paint fumes may be hazardous in liquid form. Solidify first, then dispose of paint. Do not pour paint down household drains. Do not throw liquid paint in the trash. If only a small amount of paint is left, simply remove the lid (outside, ventilated, safe area that is protected from rain, children, pets, animals) and let dry. Once dried, the can may disposed in with household garbage.

  • Rechargable batteries

Automotive or rechargeable batteries should be recycled according to US federal guidelines. Some retailers accept rechargeable batteries for recycling and may include Home Depot and Lowes.

  • Shredded paper

Shredding paper reduces its size so dramatically that it ends up mixed with the residue or glass at recycling facilities. Because the machines sort broken glass and other debris by size, the shredded paper often gets destroyed or disposed of because it ends up in the wrong place. Once it is mixed with glass or residue, it cannot be recovered for recycling.

  • Styrofoam (polystyrene)

Although Styrofoam is recyclable, there are few vendors. It requires highly specialized equipment that single stream recycling facilities are not equipped with. Some restaurants accept their own Styrofoam products for recycling.

  • Take-out containers and donut boxes

Food residue can contaminate the boxes or other recyclable material. They can only be recycled if free of food waste and residue from food (think cheese/grease from pizza).

  • Televisions/electronic devices

Televisions are difficult to dispose of in Pennsylvania due to the Covered Device Recycling Act (CDRA). The CDRA requires manufacturers to provide recycling programs for desktop computers, laptop computers, computer monitors, computer peripherals and televisions sold to consumers in Pennsylvania.

A disposal ban on covered devices exists in Pennsylvania. No person may dispose of a covered device, or any of its components, with their municipal solid waste. These devices and their components must be properly recycled and may not be taken to, nor accepted by, landfills or other solid waste disposal facilities for disposal.

  • Yard waste

Consider recycling/composting yard and leaf waste on-site. Mulching yard waste adds nutrients to the soil. In addition to the municipal yard waste programs identified above, most local landscaping businesses will provide yard waste recycling services.

  • Municipal recycling and yard waste programs

The county encourages all residents and occupants of commercial, institutional, and municipal establishments to recycle to their fullest potential and divert recyclables and yard waste from disposal. Recent data indicates that only about 20 percent of the solid waste generated in the County is recycled.

The following table provides a list of public recycling and yard waste services in Pike County offered by various municipalities. Residents in the county can arrange with a private hauler of their choice for curbside recycling services and yard waste recycling.

For more information, see the source of this list, the Pike County residential recycling guide, at https://bit.ly/3tpwadu.

recycling, Sullivan County, Wayne County, Pike County

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