SAB - recycling guide (final version August 17)

Website: mynewcastle.org
May 2011
Town of New Castle
Town Hall
200 South Greeley Avenue
Chappaqua, New York, 10514
(914) 238-4771
www.mynewcastle.org
Elected Officials
Supervisor
Deputy Supervisor
Town Board Members
New Castle
Recycling Center
210 Hunts Lane
Hours: Wed.-Sat.
7:00 am - 2:30 pm
(914) 238-8091
www.mynewcastle.org
Barbara Gerrard
Elise Kessler Mottel
John V. Buckley
Robin Stout
Michael Wolfensohn
Administration
Town Administrator
Commissioner of Public Works
Deputy Commissioner
Penelle Paderewski
Anthony Vaccaro
Gerard C. Moerschell
Recycling Center
New Castle Recycling Foreman
Bart Carey
Sustainability Advisory Board
Chairs
Members
Ethan Fuirst & Beth Sauerheft
Michael Drillinger
Richard Goldsmith
Nancy Lyman
Maxine Margo
Amy McNamara
Jennifer Mebes
Molly Pickel
Robi Schlaff
Tracy Stein
Steven Wolk
Inside This Guide
Introduction
The Town Of New Castle, Promoting
A Sustainable Waste Management Policy..................................................1
Reducing Solid Waste ...............................................................................3
What to Do With It When You’re
Through With It ........................................................................................ 4
Residential Garbage/Recycling Collection ................................................7
Residential Garbage Collection .................................................................8
Residential Recycling Collection ..............................................................9
Collection For Bulk Items, Construction Materials, and
Others ......................................................................................................12
New Castle Recycling Center .................................................................14
Take It or Leave It Shop At Recycling Center ....................................17
The Recycling Center Composting .....................................................18
Composting & Grasscycling At Home ....................................................19
Special County Material Recovery Days ................................................21
Hazardous Waste.................................................................................21
Electronic Waste .................................................................................22
Shred Mobile ......................................................................................23
Disposing of Medications ...................................................................23
Trouble-shooting Tips ..............................................................................24
Resources .................................................................................................24
New Castle Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) ..................................25
INTRODUCTION
The Town of New Castle,
Promoting A Sustainable
Waste Management Policy
!
Over the last decade, the Town of New Castle has taken
significant steps toward becoming a climate-smart community. The
Town participated in developing the Westchester Global Warming
Action Plan, which calls on Westchester residents, schools, government
and businesses to reduce carbon emissions by 20 % by 2015.
The Town of New Castle was the first in New York State to
partner with the New York State Office of Climate Change to adopt the
State’s ten-measure resolution, which includes a commitment to
promote renewable energy, to increase recycling efforts, and to
incorporate climate change, sustainability and the use of
environmentally friendly goods and services into any development
plans. In 2010, we joined with thirteen other environmentallyconscious jurisdictions to form NWEAC, the Northern Westchester
Energy Action Coalition, to work cooperatively on all issues of
sustainability. The Town also took its place in the international
community of local governments by becoming a member of the
International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). As a
member, the Town committed to numerous measures to combat
pollution and global warming.
Through these initiatives, the Town is seeking to advance a
sustainable New Castle committed to protecting our land, resources, and
waterways and to promoting a healthy, safe, and vibrant community.
-1-
As a critical part of the effort of promoting a sustainable New
Castle, the Town has pledged to expand and promote the “reduce, reuse,
recycle” approach to waste management. Each year, we generate tons of
waste, much of which is dangerous or harmful to both human health and
our environment. Effective waste management must include reducing
consumption by making smart purchasing choices, reusing all usable
products and containers, and recycling as many materials as possible.
This booklet describes solid waste management services provided
by the Town of New Castle and gives other information that can help the
Town and its residents reduce the volume and safely dispose of
household waste. The policies contained are part of the Town’s program
of promoting a philosophy of conservation and preservation that will
benefit the entire community and promote a sustainable future.
REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE
Recycling helps the environment. It also makes economic
sense, saving you and other New Castle tax payers real dollars.
New Castle’s recycling rate is one of the highest in the county.
In 2010, a total of 1,470 tons of paper/cardboard was collected and
recycled. The Town of New Castle received $92,356 for this material.
On the other hand, reducing trash disposal saves money. We pay
$71.50 for every ton of trash that is disposed.
-2-
Reducing Solid Waste
The first step toward managing solid waste is to reduce the volume
of waste we generate at home. This can be done by making changes in
purchasing choices and by reusing what we buy. Waste reduction
conserves natural resources and energy. It saves individuals and
corporations money by reducing purchasing costs; it saves public money
by reducing the cost of disposing those items that you no longer want.
Here are some ways for you to reduce what you use in your lives:
‣
‣
‣
‣
‣
‣
‣
‣
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buy reusable, durable products instead of disposable products,
such as razors, batteries, tableware, paper plates and cups, paper
towels, and disposable diapers
choose products with the least packaging
purchase durable, repairable equipment
rent seldom-used tools and equipment
take reusable bags when you go shopping
use reusable containers
cut down on use of paper by copying on two sides of the page,
reusing paper in discarded document drafts, using two-way
envelopes, using e-mail or posted notices rather than distributing
individual copies
sell or donate used items rather than discarding them
buy in bulk, buy concentrates.
-3-
WHAT TO DO WITH IT
WHEN YOU’RE THROUGH WITH IT
!
Donate used clothing and other household items that can be used
again rather than throw them away. Numerous local organizations will
accept housewares, appliances, books, bric-a-brac, clothing, electronics,
furniture, housewares, jewelry, sports equipment, toys and other
household items.
Drop Off at Town Recycling Center
‣ The Town Take It Or Leave It Shop. The Town runs the Take It
Or Leave It Shop from approximately April through October, where you
may drop off reusable items that may be of use to others. See page 17
for more details.
‣ Goodwill Industries bin. Bring clothing and books to donate at
the New Castle Recycling Center.
Drop Off at Local Charities
!
The following are local not-for profit organizations. Call to check
on hours and what types of items are accepted. (Tax deductions may
apply.)
‣
‣
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Discovery Shop (to benefit American Cancer Society)
238-4900
400 King Street, Chappaqua
(accepts some furniture, gently-used clothing, bric-a-brac)
Opportunity Shop (to benefit Temple Beth El)
238-4420
61 North Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua
(accepts household goods, gently-used clothing)
Thriftree (to benefit Northern Westchester Hospital Center)
666-6557
449 Lexington Avenue, Mount Kisco
(accepts gently-used clothing, bric-a-brac)
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‣
Church of St. Mary the Virgin (Episcopal)
238-8751
191 South Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua
(accepts adult clothing)
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Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer
238-8144
120 King Street, Chappaqua
(accepts clothing)
Services That Will Pick-Up
Donations & Other Items
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Salvation Army
694-0800
(furniture and clean, bagged clothing)
Big Brother and Big Sister
963-4453
(clothing, books, and toys)
Furniture Sharehouse
834-1294
e-mail [email protected]
Internet Swap Services
Westchester County Used But Usable Clearinghouse
!
List or find items on the County Treasure Hunt Data Base, a free
informational swap shop maintained by the Westchester County
Department of Environmental Facilities. Log on to
www.westchestergov.com/envfacil, then click on Treasure Hunt or
contact 813-5415. Items can be listed on the Treasure Hunt website,
where those wanting these items can contact you to pick them up.
Other On-Line resources
‣
Salvation Army freecycle.org: a network where you can give (or
get) stuff for free from others throughout Westchester;
‣
craigslist.com.
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Where To Take Other Household Items
Hangers
Clothing hangers accepted at local dry cleaning shops
and thrift shops.
Printer
Cartridges
Cartridges for laser printers and copiers are accepted by
New Castle Recycling Center. In addition, Staples and
Office Max offer money back (through reward
certificates) for recycled cartridges.
Packaging
Materials
Boxes and loose-fill packaging, such as styrofoam
peanuts, shredded paper, and plastic bubble wrap, can be
taken to:
‣ The New Castle Recycling Center
‣ UPS stores:
72 N. State Road
Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
914-941-4120
487 E. Main Street
Mount Kisco, NY
914-666-4336
Shopping
Bags
Westchester County law requires many large retailers
that provide plastic bags to accept and recycle them (A&
P in Millwood)
Motor Oil
Return to New Castle Recycling Center or service
stations
-6-
Residential Garbage/Recycling Collection
All residents of New Castle are members of the New Castle
Residential Refuse District. New Castle contracts with a private
firm for the collection and disposal of solid waste. The Town tax
bill pays for this service.
Collection Services
‣ Recyclables are collected town-wide once a week.
‣ Regular household garbage is collected once a week
‣ Bulky items are collected once a week.
‣ Yard waste is collected March to December only.
‣ Holiday trees are collected town-wide on a January date. For
schedule details, refer to the Refuse and Recycling Schedule
received in the U.S. mail. It also is posted on the town web site.
All material must be at the curb by 7:00 am.
Additional Services
Residents who wish to have garbage and recyclables collected
in-driveway or in-garage or at the rear door of their residence may
arrange for it directly with the contractor for an additional fee.
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Residential
Garbage/
-7Residential
Garbage
Collection
Doʼs and Donʼts for Your
Regular Household Garbage
Regular household garbage must be in garbage containers with tightfitting lids that will prevent “raiding” by pets and wild animals. Only
garbage that is normally generated by residential activity is collected,
including food wastes and trash.
What Goes Out With Garbage
‣ food waste
‣ regular household trash
‣ sharps (see guidelines below)
What Cannot Go Out With Garbage
‣ hazardous materials and
household chemicals
‣ yard waste
‣ commercial waste
‣ compact flourescent
lightbulbs, fire extinguishers,
mercury thermometers
‣ recyclables
‣ bulky items, such as furniture,
mattresses, carpeting, toys or
unusable appliances
‣ construction and demolition
debris
Guide To Sharps
Many people use sharps (needles, syringes and lancets) as part of
their home medical care. Properly contained, these should be included
with regular household garbage (NEVER with recyclables).
‣ Use a container that is leakproof, shatterproof, and puncture proof,
and that has a screw top, such as a durable plastic bottle, or a
bleach or detergent bottle
‣ Label the container “SHARPS.” Put lancets or needles and
syringes in the container immediately after using
‣ DO NOT recap or bend needles or break lancets
‣ When the container is full, make sure the top is screwed on
securely, then apply tape around its top and neck.
-8-
Residential Recycling Collection
Itʼs the Law, Recycle . . .
Plastics (#1-7) * metals * glass * paper * newspapers *
magazines * mail * cardboard.
!
Recycling saves energy, conserves our resources for future
generations, reduces pollution, and saves you money. Recycling is
mandatory by both State and County law. As of February 2008, waste
collectors will not accept household trash containing commingled
recyclables, and residents risk fines for not following recycling laws.
The Town collects two categories of recyclables:
(1) Paper, including newspapers, magazines, all mail and cardboard. All
should be tied in bundles, put into brown paper bags or placed in a
separate blue recycling bin. Bins are available at the Recycling
Center for a nominal fee. Please note that cardboard must be bundled
separately;
(2) Commingled containers, including glass bottles and jars, metal cans
and plastics. All should be rinsed clean and put in blue or clear
recycling bags (available at grocery stores) or in blue recycling bins
(available at the Recycling Center).
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Doʼs and Donʼts For Your Recycling
Recycling Papers & Cardboards
Do Recycle
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Newspapers
Magazines
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All mail
Cardboard boxes – flattened and
in pieces no larger than 4’ x 4’
‣
Do Not Recycle
Dirty paper plates and cups
Waxy paper, such as milk cartons
or frozen food boxes
‣
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Tissues, napkins, paper towels
All material listed above that
All other paper – any color. No
cannot be accepted for recycling
need to remove staples.
should be put out for collection
Cereal and tissue boxes
with the regular household
garbage.
For papers, tie with string into bundles, place into brown paper bags or put
into a separate blue bin.
Plastic Containers
Do Recycle
‣ All plastic containers
numbered 1-7 (number is in a
triangle or arrow stamped on
bottom of most plastics)
‣ Milk jugs
‣ Clean styrofoam (bag and tie in
plastic bag)
‣ clean grocery store plastic bags
(place all bags into one bag)
‣ detergent bottles
Do Not Recycle
‣ Toys
‣ Any plastic without a number
‣ Any plastic containing sharps
-10-
Glass Bottles & Jars
Do Recycle
‣ Food bottles and jars
‣ Wine bottles
‣ Liquor bottles (remove caps)
Do Not Recycle
‣ Drinking glasses
‣ Light bulbs
‣ Window panes
‣ pyrex or ceramics
Recycling Metal
Do Recycle
Do Not Recycle
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‣ Hangers (but DO take back to
cleaners)
‣ Oil and paint cans
‣ pots and pans
‣ Solvent or pesticide
containers
Clean aluminum foil
Clean aluminum cans
Clean aluminum pie plates
empty aerosol cans
pet food cans
old car license plates
Recycling -- It’s The Law
The Westchester County Source Separation Law, enacted in 1992
and amended in 2008, requires everyone in the county to separate waste.
Requirements are different for residents than for businesses and
institutions. Under the law, residents must separate and recycle
newspapers, glass jars and bottles that were used for food or beverages,
metal food and beverage containers, bulk metals such as appliances,
several kinds of plastic, and yard waste. Municipalities can designate
additional materials to be recycled. Residents may apply to the County
for an exemption if they cannot comply because of old age, or mental or
physical infirmity.
Violations of these rules can lead to stiff penalties. For residences,
the law provides for a warning or a civil or criminal fine of up to
$250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, $750 for a third; and
$1,000 for the fourth and succeeding violations. Although the
Town of New Castle is more interested in compliance than in
penalties, inspections are made from time to time.
-11-
Collection For Bulk Items, Construction
Materials, and Others
Bulk Items
Bulk items are collected once a week along with regular garbage
collection. There is a limit of three large items or two cubic yards,
whichever is greater. Bulk garbage is accepted every week except for
Holiday weeks. Put bulk garbage at curbside only (they will not be
accepted as part of the in-driveway service). Place items at the curb by
7:00 am on the day of collection. Disposal of items not considered Bulk
Trash can be arranged with SaniPro for a fee (1-800-273-9394).
Construction and Demolition Debris
!
Construction debris, such as lumber, block, concrete, insulation,
brick, and sheetrock, and car parts will not be picked up. Disposal of
such material can be made by special arrangement with SaniPro (call
1-800-273-9394).
Some organizations will remove construction debris for reuse. For
example, Build It Green, a non-profit organization, offers free
deconstruction removal of old cabinets, flooring, fixtures, and other
building materials (For more information, see bignyc.org).
Refrigerators, freezers or air conditioners
!
These items will be collected on bulk trash days only if all
refrigerant material, such as freon, has been removed. This must be done
by a professional who will then affix a red sticker that indicates freon
removal.
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Residents may:
1) Call the Recycling Center, which will pick up for a modest fee;
2) Take item to Recycling Center during normal business hours where
they will accept the item at a still lesser cost;
3) contact their own professional.
Recycling Yard Waste & Holiday Trees
!
Yard waste, such as leaves, brush and grass clippings, are collected
only March through November on dates posted on the Town website.
Yard waste must be placed in compostable paper yard waste bags, and
will be taken to the Recycling Center where they will be turned into
compost and mulch. The compostable paper yard waste bags are
available at the Recycling Center at a below-cost price.
Holiday trees are also collected and composted.
-13-
THE NEW CASTLE RECYCLING CENTER
The New Castle Recycling Center, located at 210 Hunts Lane in
Chappaqua, is open Wednesday through Saturday from 7:00 am to 2:30
pm. It is available in addition to the curbside collection program so that
residents can dispose of recyclables that were not put out for the garbage
collector. For a complete list of Town of New Castle Refuse and
Recycling Activities, visit mynewcastle.org.
What To Bring To the Recycling Center
In addition to the commingled, paper and cardboard items that can
be collected at the curb, the Center accepts:
Appliances & Scrap Metal
Appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, freezers, stoves, and
other metal items
Batteries
Automotive batteries may contain toxic components such as lead and
acid. When the Center has collected a sufficient quantity of such
batteries, they are sent out for recycling. Rechargeable household
batteries contain toxic components. Rechargeable batteries that no
longer accept a charge, and button batteries (such as those used in
watches, hearing aids and cameras) can be recycled by taking them to the
Recycling Center. All other household batteries, such as those used in
-14-
flashlights, should be discarded in the regular household garbage, since this
type of battery no longer contains toxic levels of mercury.
Books
Used books may be placed in special containers at the Center for recycling.
In addition, libraries throughout the county, including the Chappaqua
Library, hold periodic used book sales and will be happy to accept book
donations.
Plastic, metal, and glass bottles and cans
Redeemable deposit cans and plastic bottles that are included in
commingled collections are donated by the Center to the Westchester
Association for Retarded Citizens (WARC), whose clients sort them by
brand and bottler and redeem them for 6.5 cents per can.
CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs)
Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs should not be thrown in the garbage
because they contain mercury.
Clothing and other textiles
Used clothing and textiles, such as draperies and towels may be placed in
bins and donated to Goodwill Industries. Towels, blankets, stuffed animals,
old dog crates and cat carriers are collected at the Center and donated to the
SPCA.
E-Waste
Many electronics, such as computers, tv’s, and small electronics, contain
lead, mercury and other hazardous materials. E-waste may be disposed of
at the Recycling Center, and free of charge at certain County Recycling
Events. (Under New York law, manufacturers must also accept electronics,
see page 22 for more details).
-15-
Gas Grill Canisters
License plates
Make these unusable before including them with commingled
collections. Cut each plate in half with a tin cutter, if possible. Using a
permanent ink marker, cross out the plate number. Separate the set, i.e.
put one plate in your recycling material each week.
Office Waste Paper
Office waste paper is separated from other paper because it can be sold
for a higher price. Office waste paper brought in by residents and local
businesses should be placed in the specially-marked bin in the Recycling
Center. It will then be combined with that collected from the New Castle
Town Hall, the Department of Public Works and other town offices.
Printer Cartridges
Scrap Metal
Telephone Books
Tires
Because state law prohibits tires from being put into landfills or
incinerators, they must be excluded from regular garbage collection. The
Center will accept them for a nominal charge.
Yard Waste/Bulk Compost
In addition to the yard waste collected from homes and waste brought to
the Center by residents, the Center also accepts deliveries of larger waste,
such as logs. (New Castle residents’ landscaping contractors are
welcome to drop off yard waste material; a fee will be charged). All of
the material is processed and made into compost or shredded mulch,
which then is available free to residents who pick it up. Bulk quantities
of compost and mulch are available to residents at below market costs
and to non-residents and commercial customers at market costs.
Deliveries of bulk quantities can be arranged for an additional nominal
fee.
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The Take It Or Leave It Shop
At The Recycling Center
The Take It Or Leave It Shop
!
Established ten years ago and operated by volunteers, the Take It
Or Leave It Shop is an exchange point for reusable items unwanted by
their owners but perhaps of use to others. It is open on Saturday
mornings from 8:00 am to 12 noon from April through October.
Volunteers are provided with written criteria to evaluate items
brought to the shop; if a particular item does not meet the criteria, the
owner must take it back and put it out for bulk collection or dispose of
some other way. If the shop is full, no additional items will be accepted
until space becomes available.
For further information or to volunteer, call the Recycling Center
at 238-8091.
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The Recycling Center Composting
!
The Town of New Castle has a large-scale composting operation
that receives biodegradable material from several sources: leaves and
brush collected curbside; wood chips, brush, and tree limbs brought by
truck to the Recycling Center by landscapers and other professional
contractors; and debris brought by town employees from town projects
and clean-ups. After this material is ground, it is transported to the
composting site.
There, it is stored in long piles called windrows, where it is
monitored for internal temperature and moisture and turned as
needed to facilitate its decomposition. When sufficiently decomposed,
screened and sorted for use as compost, it is returned to the Recycling
Center where it is available to residents. The compost periodically is
tested for toxic materials. Logs and other large biodegradable plant
materials are ground into shredded mulch, which can be used in garden
beds to inhibit weed growth and retain moisture. Using mulch can
eliminate the use of pesticides. Mulch and compost at the Recycling
Center are free to residents who pack their own small containers.
Compost and mulch can be obtained in bulk at below market cost for
town residents. Deliveries of bulk quantities can be arranged for an
additional fee through the Recycling Center by calling 238-8091.
-18-
Recycling
COMPOSTING
& GRASSCYCLING
AT HOME
Compost At Home
!
Composting is the process of decomposing organic material, such
as food waste, leaves, and garden clippings. Composting reduces the
amount of organic material that otherwise finds its way into trash and
landfills.
You can make your own compost by gathering kitchen vegetable
scraps, garden weeds and grass clippings into a compost container or
simply in a compost pile in an out of the way spot in your yard. You may
periodically need to add water, soil and/or leaves, and turn it occasionally
to keep it aerated. Do not include meat scraps, sauces, cheeses, or oils to
your compost. The result of your compost will be a dark, crumbly,
earthy smelling material that will benefit your flowers, shrubs,
vegetables and soil structure. Finished compost can be used either as a
mulch or as a soil amendment, and will nourish and improve all soils.
Keep a small covered container under the kitchen sink to collect a
day’s or week’s worth of vegetable scraps; there will be no odor if meat
scraps, cheese and oils are omitted from the container. Add accumulated
scraps to a larger outside bin. To that bin, add weeds, leaves and other
non-woody gardening and yard work debris. The developing compost
should be kept moist to keep it in a “damp sponge” state. It should be
turned in order to aerate it. All this will allow the pile to heat up
internally, facilitating decomposition.
Compost containers are available in several styles in recycled
plastics, slatted wood or wire mesh, all readily available and relatively
inexpensive. Many models today exist ranging from simple bins or cans
to turning units, stacking bins, and electric units. The County Recycling
Office sponsors a compost bin sale each spring. Visit
www.westchestergov.com/envfacil for information or call 813-5425.
The best way to learn what works for you is through practice,
observation, trial and error. Composting will take place even if you
simply pile yard and food waste, with periodic watering, and let it
decompose.
-19-
Here are some helpful tips for efficient composting:
Symptoms
Problems
Solutions
The compost has a
bad odor.
Not enough air or pile
too wet.
Turn it, add coarse
dry materials such as
straw or dry leaves
Center of pile is dry.
Not enough water, too
much woody, coarse
material.
Turn and moisten
materials; add fresh
green wastes, chop or
shred wastes.
The compost is damp
and warm only in
middle.
Pile is too small
Collect more
material, mix old
ingredients into a
new pile.
Pile is damp and
odor-free but will not
heat up.
Lack of nitrogen.
Mix in nitrogen
sources like fresh
grass clippings.
Grasscycling
!
The Town urges residents to practice grasscycling to reduce the use
of fertilizer and avoid the cost of collection. Maintain your lawn at about
three inches tall. Cut only about one-third of the stem when you mow.
The grass clippings can remain on the lawn without causing thatch or
other problems as long as the grass is cut often enough. The decomposing
grass clippings add nutrients to the lawn and help cut down on your use of
commercial fertilizers, which should be used only once in the fall in order
to avoid over-fertilization. You can aid the process by using a mulching
mower that returns the nutrients to the soil. (Mulching attachments can be
purchased wherever lawnmowers are sold.) An electric mower with a
rechargeable battery is highly recommended.
-20-
Special County Material
Recovery Days
!
Hazardous Waste
Many products found in your home contain potentially hazardous
substances that are highly toxic to the environment, particularly to
drinking water. Do not dispose of them in regular garbage or by pouring
them down the drain.
To dispose of them, bring them to the County Hazardous Waste
Clean-Up Days, run by the Westchester County Department of
Environmental Facilities, scheduled several days during the year at
various sites around the county. See the Town’s website or call the
Recycling Center at 238-8091 for the dates, places and times.
Examples of Hazardous Waste
In the Home
Abrasive cleanser
Scouring powder
Ammonia-based
cleaner
Chlorine bleach
Bleach-based cleaners
Disinfectants
Drain opener
Glass cleaner
Oven cleaner
Rug and
upholstery cleaner
Spot remover
Toilet bowl cleaner
Aerosol spray cans
Rechargeable batteries
Medicines
Paint thinners
Stains & wood
preservatives
Floor polish
Furniture polish
Metal & Jewelry
polish
Mothballs
Nail polish/remover
Shoe polish
Solvents
Photographic
chemicals
Chemistry sets
Mercury thermometers
In the Garage
Anti-freeze
Brake fluid
Motor oil
Auto and motorcycle
batteries
Engine cleaner and
degreasers
-21-
Gasoline and
diesel fuel
Kerosene
Transmission fluid
Around the Yard
Chemical fertilizer
Fungicide
Herbicide and
weed killer
Insecticide or
bug killer
Pesticides
Rodent poisons
Roach and
ant killers
Pool chemicals
Charcoal fluids
Turpentine
Further information about hazardous waste disposal is available
from the Household Recycling Info Line at 914-813-5425 or visit
www.westchestergov.com/recycling or www.westchestergov.com/
environment_householdrecyclingschedule.htm for locations and dates.
Electronic Waste Clean-Up Days
Many electronics, such as computers, tv’s, and small electronics,
contain lead, mercury and other hazardous materials. The Electronic
Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act, effective April 2011, makes it easier
to dispose of e-waste and keep them out of our waste stream. Under the
Act, manufacturers are required to take back electronics for recycling.
(For a list of manufacturers and their collection programs, see http://
www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/regceemfrs.pdf.) The law
also provides a residential ban on disposing electronics in garbage
collection starting in 2015.
In addition, as of December 2011, New York requires all retailers
who sell rechargeable batteries to accept used batteries from the public.
E-waste may also be disposed of at the Recycling Center, and free
of charge at certain County Recycling Events.
Examples of E-Waste
Televisions
Radios
Computer monitors
Laptops and parts
Computer
Peripherals:
keyboards, printers,
scanners, cables,
mouse
Computer parts:
towers,
desktops,
hard drives
CD ROM /DVD
drives
PC boards
Copiers
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Fax machines
VCRs
DVD players
Tape players
PDAs
Cell phones
Telephones
Stereo equipment
Shred Mobile
Periodically, the Shred Mobile visits the Recycling Center where you
can shred confidential, personal documents, safely protecting your
identity. The paper is then recycled. The Shred Mobile can be found at
other locations throughout Westchester during the course of the year.
For a schedule, visit westchestergov.com.
Disposing of Medications
Residents can also dispose of old or expired medications at Westchester
Household Material Recovery Days. Recognizing the environmental
hazards of improper disposal (often down the drain), the County accepts
medications to properly dispose of over-the-counter medications,
liquids, ointments, lotions, and pet medications.
Propane Tanks
Empty propane tanks of 2, 5, 10 & 20 lbs. accepted.
Appliances With Freon
Freezers, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners are accepted
on Westchester County household clean up days.
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Resources
!
Resources
Trouble-Shooting Tips
To report problems with your garbage collection:
First, call the Town’s contractor, Suburban Carting at
1-800-273-9394 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. If you still require
assistance, then call the Recycling Center office at 238-8091.
Resources
Cornell Cooperative Extension
For information on many
environmental subjects, including
composting, recycling, lawn care,
and grasscycling
Hazardous Waste Information
(914) 813-5425
For information on the
Westchester Action Plan for
Climate Change and Sustainable
Development, 2008,
www.westchestergov.com/
globalwarming
Green Seal, a non-profit
organization that checks for toxins
and carcinogens and keeps a
current list on the website,
www.greenseal.org
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA)
For information on recycling,
www.epa.gov/ebtpages/
pollrecycling; for information
about safe, non-toxic products and
cleansers, www.epa.gov/dfe/
index.htm:
New York State Energy
Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA)
For information on Home
Performance with ENERGY
STAR Program.
Westchester County Department
of Environmental Facilities
www.westchestergov.com/
envfacil:
270 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10801
(914) 813-5400
Recycling Hotline:
(914) 813-5420
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The Sustainability Advisory Board
About the Sustainability Advisory Board
The New Castle Sustainability Advisory Board (“SAB”) provides
advice and guidance to Town decision makers to ensure that policy
decisions and programs reflect the integration of environmental,
economic, and social impacts for the benefit of the entire Community's
health and prosperity now and for the future.
!
SAB Mission Statement
SAB aims to assist the Town of New Castle in reducing its
carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions, and heat trapping pollutants
through the following action steps:
‣
Reviews the greenhouse gas emissions inventory and forecasts to
determine the source and quantity of greenhouse emissions in Town.
Conducts reviews of energy audit reports for all existing public
buildings and facilities, and reviews existing proposed public
transportation policies Town-wide.
‣
Reviews data and baseline information and assists the Town Board in
establishing medium and long-range targets for greenhouse gas
emissions reduction and developing a program to achieve those
targets. Such reviews will include the evaluation of policies and
recommendations relating to energy management, transportation,
waste management, construction and land use.
‣
Recommends modifications to improve fuel efficiency, reduce fuel
consumption and promote alternative fueled vehicles in fleet use.
‣
Researches new technology and alternatives for reducing greenhouse
gas emissions, cooperating with other municipal jurisdictions and
neighboring communities to amplify positive results.
‣
Continues to monitor and promote the “reduce, reuse and recycle”
approach to waste management on a Town-wide basis, including
schools and businesses.
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‣
Continues to advise the Town Board about policy administration of
solid waste collection and disposal (residential, commercial, and
governmental), recycling, and waste reduction. Assists the Town
Board in evaluating proposed solid waste contracts, capital projects,
operational changes, and inter-governmental agreements, considering
the short and long-term costs to the Town, its residents and
businesses, environmental impact, regulatory compliance, and
program convenience.
‣
Advises on local codes and guidelines for new construction projects
and renovation projects to promote environmentally sustainable
practices.
‣
Creates, sponsors and promotes awareness and education of the
Town's sustainability efforts, including promoting the benefits of
reducing energy use, conserving resources through the “reduce, reuse
and recycle” approach to waste management, and encourages the use
of green products and renewable energy sources by holding Town
forums, updating the Town Web page, participating in Community
Day and communicating with the public.
‣
Encourages conservation in order to immediately reduce energy use
and save resources.
1. Communicates need to conserve water by repairing leaks, turning
off water while brushing teeth, taking short showers, watering lawns
early morning or late evening, running dishwasher and laundry
machine only with full loads and at night, if possible, when
electricity is cheaper;
2. Communicates need to conserve resources by: (a) reusing plastic/
paper bags; (b) taking reusable bags for shopping; (c) buying
products in bulk rather than pre-packaged; (d) saying “No” to plastic
bottled water (New Castle has state-of-the-art water); (e) borrowing
or renting tools infrequently used; (f) reusing boxes/wrapping
materials (e.g. popcorn, bubble wrap); (g) utilizing New Castle's
"Take It or Leave It" Shop at the Recycling Center to drop off and
pick-up usable items (toys, books, sports equipment); and (h)
donating larger items to Good Will or Salvation Army (pick-up
service available);
3. Communicates need to conserve energy by: (a) replacing
incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents; (b) turning off lights if
not in the room; (c) turning off computers when not in use; (d)
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keeping thermostat low in winter and high in summer (programmable
thermostats are best); (e) getting an energy audit to determine if you
need to add insulation to seal doors and windows; (f) using public
transit, bikes, walk, carpool; (g) reducing your speed when driving;
(h) keeping vehicles maintained and tires inflated; and (i) combining
errands in one trip.
If you have any other ideas for conserving energy or making our Town
more sustainable, send your suggestions to our recycling Foreman, Bart
Carey at [email protected].
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