UCRRA Sustainable Materials Management (2023)
March 14th 2024
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. Our mission at UCRRA is to manage 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 mission 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 achievements from last year, and with your help, we can all do our part to protect public health and the environment by first reducing waste as much as possible, and properly recycling what’s left!
Last year, we diverted over 1,400 tons (2.8 million pounds) of material from our transfer station!
3,211 appliances containing Freon refrigerant
2,359 fluorescent light bulbs containing mercury
3,818 tires (all sizes)
125 propane tanks
581 tons (1,162,000 pounds) of scrap metal
378 tons (756,000 pounds) of rock and rubble
54 tons (108,000 pounds) of electronic waste
206 tons (412,000 pounds) of clean, compostable wood waste
164 tons (328,000 pounds) of corrugated cardboard
3 tons (6,000 pounds) of food
339 automotive batteries
Our dedicated staff ensured these items were separated from incoming trash! 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 (11.7 million pounds) at our Materials Recovery Facility!
1,719 tons (3,438,000 pounds) of plastic and metal containers
474 tons (948,000 pounds) of glass containers
1,708 tons (3,416,000 pounds) of mixed paper
1,735 tons (3,470,000 pounds) of corrugated cardboard
The Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency recycled 248,260 pounds (124.13 tons) of plastic beverage bottles (#1) last year. That’s the equivalent weight of eighteen full size school buses! UCRRA recycled 256,820 pounds (128.41 tons) of plastic jugs (#2) last year. That’s the equivalent weight of sixty four African elephants! Plastic food tubs are also highly recyclable; UCRRA recycled 81,100 pounds (40.55 tons) of plastic tubs (#3-7) last year. Thank you for recycling!
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 over 10,000 tons (20 million pounds) of natural materials and produced 5,434 tons (10,000+ cubic yards) of finished compost!
5,481 tons (10,962,000 pounds) of food scraps
1,396 tons (2,792,000) of clean wood and yard waste
3,631 tons (7,262,000 pounds) of wood chips
12 tons (24,000 pounds) of animal mortalities (deer carcasses)
When we compost food scraps and other natural plant materials, 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 74 families to start composting with confidence! Residents also took advantage of the rain barrel in the online pre-order sale, and 88 rain barrels were purchased! Our 2024 Spring Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale is back up and running! Mark your calendar for our bin distribution event (to pick up your pre-order) will be Saturday, May 18th 2024.
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 recycled 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 148 tons (296,000 pounds) of electronic devices!
1,878 televisions
2,504 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. During the off-season, residents can take advantage of other available e-waste recycling programs. Check our Recycleopedia for more details!
With your help, we diverted 95,000+ pounds of hazardous waste last year!
43,450 lbs. paint
17,650 lbs. flammable liquids
10,850 lbs. pesticides
7,431 lbs. of acids, caustics, ammonia, and aerosols
2,290 lbs. of fluorescent lamps
13,250 lbs. of epoxy, resins, and adhesives
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 2024. Please visit our webpage and check back frequently for updates as we prepare for another successful program year.
With widespread community participation, we can reach even greater milestones for waste diversion, lowering Ulster County’s carbon footprint, and creating a culture of sustainability that values being a good steward to our natural resources. You can be a leader, too. Help share this message with your friends, family, and coworkers, and let’s unite to recycle right!
