Laws

Solid Waste

UCRRA is a permitted solid waste facility that is regulated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Activities at both UCRRA transfer stations are governed by 6 NYCRR Part 360.

In compliance with the Ulster County Solid Waste Management Law, Local Law Number 10 of 2012, establishes a solid waste system whereas all municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in Ulster County must be disposed of by sites directed by the County. This local law is commonly referred to as ‘Flow Control’. All trash, including curbside collection, must come to UCRRA facilities for consolidation and final disposal. Flow Control allows all users of the system to pay the same rate for waste disposal, ending tax-payer subsidies for waste disposal, making the Agency financially self-sustaining.

Recycling

The Ulster County Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Law, Local Law Number 4 of 2010, establishes regulated recyclables materials and requires all persons in Ulster County (individuals, organizations, commercial businesses, institutions, haulers, etc.) to source-separate those materials for recycling. It is considered an unlawful act for any person to discard or fail to separate regulated recyclable materials. The Law establishes the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency as the solid waste planning unit for Ulster County, and gives UCRRA delegated authority to enforce the law, and gives UCRRA responsibility to manage the solid waste stream and implement reporting procedures to measure progress in achieving recycling goals.

Single Use Plastics

Polystyrene

The Food Service Waste Reduction Act, Local Law Number 4 of 2015, prohibits the use and distribution of expanded polystyrene containers at food service establishments. No Chain Food Service Establishment shall sell or otherwise provide prepared food in any disposable food service ware that contains polystyrene foam. Contact  environment@co.ulster.ny.us with any questions or concerns. The New York State Expanded Polystyrene Foam Container and Polystyrene Loose Fill Packaging Ban went into effect January 1, 2022 and prohibits covered food service providers or stores (retail or wholesale) to sell, offer for sale, or distribute disposable food service containers that contain expanded polystyrene foam statewide. In addition, no manufacturer or store will be allowed to sell, offer for sale, or distribute polystyrene loose fill packaging (commonly referred to as packing peanuts) in the state. Refer to New York’s educational Brochure or Fact Sheet for more information and contact FoamBan@dec.ny.gov with any questions or compliance concerns.

Plastic Bags

The Ulster County Bring Your Own Bag Act, Local Law Number 5 of 2018, banned the distribution of single use plastic bags at the point of sale at most retail locations in Ulster County. The Law establishes a minimum five cent fee on recyclable paper bags, and no fee for consumers to bring a reusable shopping bag. The New York State Plastic Bag Ban went into effect on March 1st, 2020 and supersedes the Ulster County BYOBag Act. All covered stores may provide or make available to customers recycling paper bags or reusable bags for the purpose of carrying away goods from the store. Customers may bring their own bags to carry away goods in lieu of using bags provided by the store. Educational materials are linked here. Contact plasticbags@dec.ny.gov with any questions or compliance concerns.

Straws & Service ware

The Ulster County Skip the Straw Act, Local Law Number 2 of 2019, provides that single use plastic straws can be made available to patrons of restaurants and fast food establishments only upon the customer’s request. This law was enacted to reduce the plastic placed into the environment. The Skip the Straw Act was later amended by Local Law Number 7 of 2019 to include plastic stirrers, plastic cutlery and condiment packets. Contact environment@co.ulster.ny.us with any questions or concerns.

Organics 

The Ulster County Food Waste Prevention and Recovery Act, Local Law No. 1 of 2020, establishes a hierarchy for the reduction, reuse and recycling of food scraps and excess food by large generators in Ulster County. Large generators are defined as ‘supermarkets, food service businesses, hotels, correctional facilities, entertainment venues, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and universities and other food processors.’ The law requires that by January 1st 2021, all generators who produce 2 tons per week or more must donate excess edible food, and manage all inedible food scraps by organics recycling (composting, anaerobic digestion.) By July 1st 2021, the law will apply to generators of 1 ton per week or more. By January 1st 2022, the law will apply to generators of 0.75 ton per week or more. By July 1st 2023, the law will apply to generators of 0.5 ton per week or more. Please contact Ulster County Department of the Environment at foodwastelaw@co.ulster.ny.us  with any questions or concerns.

The New York State Food Donation and Food Scrap Recycling Law, Title 22, establishes a hierarchy for the reduction, reuse, and recycling of food scraps by designated generators in New York State. Designated generators are defined as ‘ supermarkets, large food service businesses, higher educational institutions, hotels, food processors, correctional facilities, and entertainment venues.’ The law requires that by January 1 2022, all generators who produce 2 tons per week or more must donate excess food and recycle all inedible food scraps if located within 25 miles of an organics recycler. For additional questions on managing food scraps under the law, please reach out to DEC at FoodScrapsLaw@dec.ny.gov 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law Guidance for New York State Businesses

Interested to learn more about waste/recycling policy? 

Waste Dive – Tracking the future of US recycling policy in Congress