Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Westchester County, New York

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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Residents and business owners alike should know by now that recycling is the law in Westchester County. Everyone should be sorting their paper, plastic and other recyclables.

Westchester County decided to step up its enforcement of the 1992 mandatory recycling law - requiring all municipalities to separate the waste generated within their communities - given the harsh realities of how waste is playing a role in global warming. Recyclables that are not properly separated are no longer being picked up by municipal sanitation departments or private haulers.

Read the Quick Recycling Guide to learn how to separate recyclables for curbside collection. The guide is available in Spanish too. Besides curbside recycling of paper, glass, metal and plastic, you can bring other items for disposal at free county-organized recycling events. We're now able to accept plastic bags for recycling and old or expired medications for disposal at these events.

And, don't forget how environmentally useful composting yard waste and kitchen scraps is. Compost bins will be available for sale at discount prices at our yearly Compost Bin Sale Day on Saturday, May 17 in White Plains. Remember to reserve your bin by May 16 in order to get a free kitchen scrap bucket.

Please note that Westchester County are not requiring residents to use clear plastic bags as part of new recycling rules. It's up to the municipality or the private hauler to determine if clear plastic bags are required.

Residents and Small Businesses

Recycling is the right thing to do to keep our environment clean and green. It's also the law. We encourage everyone in Westchester County to read the recycling information on this site.

Large Businesses, Schools, Others

This section is for large waste generators such as businesses with over 100 employees or visitors, schools, apartment buildings, governments, department stores, shopping centers, restaurants, hotels, gyms and hospitals.

Municipalities and Private Haulers

Private haulers and municipal sanitation departments are responsible for picking up and transporting recyclables separate from waste or alternatively taking non-separated waste to a facility which sorts out the recyclables.

County Surplus Auctions on Ebay

Reducing the amount of waste we generate helps protect our environment. Recycling is just one way of reducing that amount of waste -- reusing is another. Westchester County offers its surplus items for reuse through Ebay. Check out what’s available.

Recycling Enforcement

Recycling is not an option. It's the law. Read about the Source Separation Law.

Material Recovery Facility Tours

Take a free tour of the county's recycling center, the Material Recovery Facility (MFR) in Yonkers. The tour provides first-hand insight into the recycling process.

Treasure Hunt is an informational "swap shop" where usable items are reused and residents and businesses giving away items are matched with those who need them. Items swapped are free. Treasure Hunt can be accessed by clicking the above link or by calling 813-5415. The Treasure Hunt brochure lists other ways to give away.

Links to local, state and federal environmental protection agencies and recycling information sources.

The Recycling Office has extensive public information and educational programs. Contact us if you have any questions or need assistance in recycling matters.

Westchester TV Library of Publications Recycling Schedule Veggie Van
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