UCRRA Sustainable Materials Management (2022)

February 1st, 2023

Blog by Angelina Brandt, UCRRA Director of Sustainability

Did you know that the average American generates 4.4 lbs. of trash each and every day? Much of what we “throw away” can be managed more sustainably when recyclable and recoverable materials are kept out of the general trash. Central to our Mission at UCRRA is to manage Ulster County’s waste with a focus on resource conservation, which is why we strive to use materials in the waste stream for their highest and best use.

Our dedicated operations staff helps us achieve our goals by ensuring that recoverable items are removed from the waste stream before reaching their final disposal destination, the Seneca Meadows Landfill. I’m happy to share some of the results of their hard work over the past year, and with your help, we can all do our part to protect public health and the environment by reducing waste as much as we can, and properly recycling what’s left!

Last year, we diverted over 1,500 tons of material from our transfer station!

596 tons of light iron, 1.14 tons of metal wire, 640 lbs. copper, and 5.24 tons of aluminum
2,999 appliances containing Freon refrigerant
1,877 fluorescent light bulbs containing mercury
3,824 tires
323 tons of rock and rubble
119 propane tanks
270 tons of clean, compostable wood waste
189 tons recyclable cardboard
9 tons of compostable food waste
382 automotive batteries

The landfill is not the best disposal solution for any of these materials. To find better recycling solutions near you, visit our Recycleopedia and browse recycling options and alternatives!

When we properly separate recoverable items, it

Keeps our essential workers safe from hazardous materials and hazardous conditions
Improves the efficiency of the overall solid waste system
Reduces solid waste requiring disposal

Last year, we recycled 5,881 tons at our Materials Recovery Facility!

1,338 tons of plastic and metal containers
509 tons of glass containers
1,918 tons or paper
2,116 tons cardboard

When we recycle, it

Reduces solid waste requiring disposal
Conserves natural, non-renewable resources
Protects ecosystems from habitat destruction
Saves significant amounts of water and energy
Keeps our neighborhoods clean and beautiful
Creates a more sustainable and circular economy

Residents of Ulster County can recycle curbside or they can use their local Town Transfer Station. Please contact us to request recycling bin stickers, posters, or other tools to help encourage recycling at home, at school, at work, or in the communities we serve.

Last year, we composted 7,510 tons of organic materials and produced 4,685 tons of finished compost!

4,320 tons of food scraps
1,138 tons of yard waste
2,025 tons of woodchips

When we compost food scraps, it

Greatly reduces the amount of green house gases (Methane) generated at landfills
Inspires more conservation practices around our food system and wasteful habits
Recycles organic materials into compost, which has many benefits;
Compost improves soil health, aids in storm water management, moisture retention, weed suppression, improves the soil’s physical structure which reduces erosion, and has many other benefits!

At our Annual Spring Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale last year, we helped 65 families to start composting with confidence! Residents also took advantage of the rain barrel in the online pre-order sale, and 55 rain barrels were purchased! Our 2023 Spring Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale will launch in early March. Mark your calendar for our bin distribution event (to pick up your pre-order) will be Saturday, May 20th 2023.

Residents of Ulster County can compost at home or they may utilize a local food scraps drop off program. Commercial businesses or organizations can become a Partner in our Composting Program, or take advantage or other local composting services. Please contact us for more information about how to compost at home, at school, or at work.

Did you know? Biosolids are now composted instead of landfilled!

Biosolids are the semi-solids or solid materials resulting from treatment of wastewaters from sewage treatment plants. In previous years, Biosolids delivered to the Agency were exported for final disposal at the Chemung County Landfill in Elmira, NY. In December 2020, the Agency started working with Denali Water Solutions LLC for the transport and disposal of all Municipal Sewage Sludge at the Rockland County Compost Facility in Hillburn, New York, a permitted, NYSDEC regulated composting facility.

On their website, the Rockland County Solid Waste Management Authority states:
“The bio-solids are mixed with clean wood waste and then composted. The finished product is an excellent soil amendment for use on golf courses, flower gardens, and landscaping projects. The Facility is a state-of-the-art in-vessel agitated bin composting plant that processes clean brush, wood waste, bio-solids (sludge), and other organic residues in the production of exceptional quality compost. The Facility is operated by WeCare Organics under contract to the Authority. It is located adjacent to the Authority’s Materials Recovery Facility and Transfer Station in Hillburn, NY.”

The Agreement with WeCare/Denali is a critical partnership to the Agency’s vision to maximize resource recovery, as the new biosolid diversion program accounts for about 3% of the total waste stream managed by UCRRA.

Last year, we recycled 188 tons of electronic devices!

2,336 televisions
2,879 computers

When we recycle electronics, it

prevents pollution in our landfills from toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium
recovers precious metals such as aluminum, copper, silver, and gold
protects environmentally sensitive areas from being mined for raw materials
protects global communities that are vulnerable to environmental injustices
protects water and soil resources from being polluted by heavy metals

Our FREE electronics recycling program is seasonal, offered every Saturday April-November. Please do not drop off electronics to unattended areas outside of our scheduled collection times. Until our program resumes again in the Spring, you can take advantage of other available e-waste recycling programs. Contact your local Town Transfer Station or visit an electronics retailer such as Best Buy, Staples, etc. Electronics repair centers may also accept certain types of electronic devices for recycling. Check our Recycleopedia for more details!

With your help, we diverted 92,421 pounds of hazardous waste last year!

52,650 lbs. paint
15,350 lbs. flammable liquids
13, 250 lbs. pesticides
8,645 lbs. of acids, caustics, ammonia, and aerosols
3,835 lbs. of fluorescent lamps
35 lbs. mercury containing devices
195 lbs. PCB containing material and other materials!

Our vendor, Clean Harbors, is North America’s leading provider of environmental and industrial services. Clean Harbors provides collection, packaging, transportation, recycling, treatment, and disposal services at over 100 company-owned recycling, incineration, landfill, wastewater, or other treatment facilities. All materials collected are chemically neutralized, treated, and safely disposed in the most environmentally-responsible way possible.

When we properly manage toxic household materials and chemicals, it

Creates a healthier and safer home by minimizing harm associated with mishandling and storing old chemicals
Protects water, land, and air resources
Promotes community values that enhance environmental protection

Our FREE household hazardous waste collection program resumes in Spring 2023. Please visit our webpage and check back frequently for updates as we prepare for another successful program year.