RECYCLING PROTOCOL
Columbia County, like many other municipalities, is working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and our vendor Casella Recycling to assist in educating residents in what materials are recyclable.
As there is a fee for recycling, please click on FEES for more information.
Recycle don't WISHcycle
Wishcycling is the act of recycling items we WISH could be recycled, even though they can't.
Unfortunately, this is common and does more harm than one would think.
Placing non-recyclable items in the recycling containers leads to contamination, causing true recyclables to end up in the landfill. Please review the information provided when bringing your recyclable items to the Columbia County Solid Waste Stations.
RECYCLING TIPS
When in doubt, ask! If you are not sure ask one of the Station Attendants or call the Administrative Office for clarification. Putting items in the recycling container when you’re not sure they’re acceptable for recycling can damage equipment, harm workers, and ruin the value of other recyclables!
Always keep recyclables loose; do not bag your recyclables. Do not place plastic bags or flexible plastic films in the recycling bin.
Rinse containers clean and dry of any food or liquid residue.
Break down cardboard boxes.
Do not put scrap metal in the recycling container.
Do not put hazardous wastes in the recycling container.
Do not put household garbage in the recycling container.
Do not put batteries, solar lights, electronics in the recycling container.
RECYCLING CONTAMINATION
What is Recycling Contamination? Contamination happens when non-recyclable items are mixed in with recyclables items or when recyclable items are placed in the wrong recycling bins. For example, plastic bags are recyclable but can only be recycled if they are placed in specific recycling bins at your local retail store. Plastic bags and film plastics can not be recycled in your household recycling bin. In addition, electronics and clothing, can also be recycled but not with your household recyclables.
Why is it bad to place these contaminants with my household recyclables? It slows down the recycling process and can damage the sorting machines. Your recycling is brought to a materials recovery facility. Once there the materials are sorted by hand and machinery. Items such as plastic bags or electronic wires can damage the machines causing the whole process to shut down.
Household recyclables should always be placed loosely in the recycling container, not in a plastic bag.
The following items are accepted for recycling at the Columbia County Transfer/Convenience Stations. If it is not on the list then it is considered TRASH and must be disposed of properly.
ALL RECYCLABLES MUST BE CLEAN,
WITH NO FOOD DEBRIS.
Newspaper
Magazines
Cardboard boxes - NO Food Debris
Brown Bags
Junk Mail
Catalogs
Soft cover books
Envelopes
Advertisements/Inserts
Boxboard & Paperboard
Cereal boxes
Pasta boxes
Shoe boxes
Mixed Office paper
Plastic bottles #1, #2, & #5 - Clean and Empty
Milk jugs - Clean and Empty
Bleach/Detergent bottles
Soda/Juice bottles #1, #2, & #5 - Clean and Empty
Shampoo bottles #1, #2, & #5 - Clean and Empty
Water bottles
Plastic containers #1, #2, & #5 - Clean, No Food Debris
Aluminum can and bottles - Clean and Empty
Tin Cans - Clean and Empty
Glass bottles and jars - Clean and Empty
So what do I do with those contaminants?
Now it’s easier than ever to find the appropriate location to recycle materials that are not household recyclables. Recyclables are useful but not when they are contaminated.
Plastic bags and film plastic — This is one of the largest contaminants found at any materials recovery facility. These materials can and should be recycled, but only in an appropriate receptacle. Most retail grocery stores now have a recycling bin for these materials.
Electronic waste — The Greenport Transfer Station accepts E-Waste year round. Click E-Waste for more information.
Clothing and Textiles — All Columbia County Stations have clothing bins available to collect clothing and shoes. There are also hundreds of textile collection locations available in New York. Click Textile Recycling for more information.
When in doubt, ASK. Please call the Administrative Office or ask a Station Attendant for assistance.
Please view the link listed below for more recycling information.
Did you know?
Glass can be recycled infinitely. Recycling glass is cheaper than making new glass and uses less energy.
Recycling paper and cardboard helps to save trees and takes material out of the waste stream (here in Columbia County our waste goes to a landfill!).
Columbia County stations only take plastics #1, #2, and #5. You can find the number on the bottom of the container.
Light bulb Disposal Information
Incandescent Light Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs can be thrown out with your household trash and have a filament that is heated until it glows. As of August 1, 2023, incandescent light bulbs can no longer be produced or sold in the United States, in an attempt to raise energy-efficiency standards throughout the country.
Fluorescent Tubes
Fluorescent tubes can be brought to the Greenport Transfer Station ONLY. Please secure tubes together to prevent breakage.
CFL Bulbs
CFL Bulbs are not accepted at ANY station. CFL bulbs can be brought to your local Lowes and Home Depot stores for FREE recycling.
AUTOMOBILES
Vehicles can be donated to the "Wheels for Wishes" donation program benefiting Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does the chasing arrows symbol printed on items mean that it's recyclable?
No. The number printed on plastic items is called a resin identification code, and it is used to identify the type of plastic container it is made from, not recyclability. The number alone is not a good indicator that the item is accepted in the recycling program you participate in. If you have curbside collection, it is always best to check with your hauler for recycling instructions.
Number 1 – PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate):
Soda bottles, water bottles, cooking oil bottles, and medicine containers.
Number 2 – HDPE (High-density Polyethylene):
Containers for: laundry/dish detergent, milk, shampoo, conditioner, also various toys, and grocery bags.
Number 3 – V (Polyvinyl chloride):
Pipes, shower curtains, clear medical tubing, vinyl dashboards and seat covers.
Number 4 – LDPE (Low-density Polyethylene):
Wrapping films, grocery bags, and sandwich bags.
Number 5 – PP (Polypropylene):
Tupperware, yogurt tubs, (orange) medicine containers, and plastic caps of soda bottles.
Number 6 – PS (Polystyrene):
Plastic cups, disposable cutlery and cups (clear and colored), coffee cups, packing peanuts, Styrofoam insulation.
Number 7 – OTHER:
They are made of any combination of 1-6 or another, less commonly used plastic
Why is it important to sort recyclables according to the guidelines?
Recycling programs can vary. It’s important to know your local program for many reasons! In order for recycling to be truly successful and sustainable, the industry must reduce contamination. This means keeping recyclable items clean, dry, free of food and liquid, but it also means making sure undesirable items are not mixed in with the recycling stream. Putting items in the recycling bin when you’re not actually sure they are accepted in your recycling program is called ‘wishcycling’ and this can lead to damaged equipment, injured workers, lost efficiencies in time management, which leads to financial losses for recyclers. In some cases, contaminated loads of recycling are no longer marketable to manufacturers. These are some of the reasons it’s important to know your program! When in doubt, ask!
Are bottle caps and lids recyclable?
Yes, caps and lids are recyclable. If the container is plastic keep the caps/lids on. If it is a glass container please remove the metal lid.
Do NOT put e-cigarettes (disposables and rechargeable) in your household trash or recycling. These contain lithium batteries and can become damaged and cause fires. The cartridges contain nicotine that is toxic and pose a risk to both workers and the environment.
Check with your local vape shop - they might have a recycling program for disposable vapes.
Please note: The County-hosted Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day DOES NOT accept vapes, cartridges, or any other part of an e-cigarette.