Recycling plays a crucial role in New York City’s waste management system, with over 600,000 tons of material recycled annually through curbside programs. However, this only represents a fraction of the total waste produced. If New Yorkers maximized recycling efforts for paper, glass, plastic, and metal, a significant amount of waste could be diverted from landfills, according to the Department of Sanitation.
While skepticism exists about the impact of recycling, errors are common even among those with good intentions. Experts emphasize the importance of recycling over disposing of items as trash, as the recycling process can still salvage materials even if they are incorrectly sorted.
Following the principle of reduce, reuse, recycle, individuals are encouraged to minimize consumption, reuse items, and recycle the rest. However, navigating the complexities of recycling can be challenging. THE CITY engaged waste experts to address common myths, identify mis-sorted items, and simplify the recycling process in New York City.
Notable misconceptions include the incorrect placement of milk cartons, gadgets with rechargeable batteries, and vape pens in recycling bins. These items should be handled differently to prevent hazards and ensure proper recycling practices.
Paper recycling encompasses a wide range of materials, including coffee cups, mailer envelopes with plastic liners, and even greasy pizza boxes. Pratt Industries, a leading recycling facility in the city, processes various paper products, emphasizing the importance of recycling all types of paper except those with plastic linings.
For metal, plastic, and glass items, rigid plastics, glass, and metal objects can be recycled. Understanding what constitutes rigid plastic simplifies the sorting process, ensuring that recyclable items are properly disposed of.
Plastic bags and film plastics pose unique recycling challenges due to their composition. While plastic bags can be recycled at designated locations, film plastics are less recyclable and require specialized handling.
Exploring the symbols on plastic products, it is important to note that all types of plastic are accepted in New York City’s recycling system. Despite variations in recyclability, the city aims to maximize recycling volumes by accepting a wide range of plastics.
Regarding cleanliness, recyclable items should be rinsed, but perfection is not necessary. Trace amounts of food residue are acceptable, as the recycling process can effectively manage organic waste during processing.
Dealing with items that contain multiple materials, such as spiral bound notebooks or composite packaging, can be simplified by choosing either recycling stream. The key is to avoid discarding such items as trash.
Recycling sharp objects, electronic cables, and textiles requires specific handling to ensure worker safety and prevent contamination of recycling streams. Proper disposal methods for hazardous items and non-recyclable materials are essential to maintaining effective recycling practices.
In cases where buildings lack recycling facilities or face improper sorting, reporting violations to the Department of Sanitation can prompt corrective actions. Understanding what is recyclable and what is not helps individuals make informed decisions to support sustainable waste management practices.
For any recycling queries not covered in this guide, refer to DSNY’s resources or reach out to THE CITY for further assistance. Stay tuned for Part Two of our recycling series to learn more about the recycling process and the utilization of recycled materials.
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