Waste Reduction

REFUSE
Don’t consume what you don’t need to! It’s okay to say no to unnecessary waste. We can all be more conscious of the plastics and the single use items that we bring into our lives, use for only a few minutes, and then discard in the trash. When buying new things, ask yourself: Do I really need this? Is there a more durable, reusable option? How long will this item last? Is the item made ethically? Can it be recycled? Consumers ‘vote’ with every dollar they spend!

REDUCE
Containers and packaging make up the largest component of the municipal waste stream (an estimated 30% or 80 million tons) but only 50% is captured by recycling. Small acts make a big difference to reduce waste. Buying in bulk reduces packaging and many local stores offer bulk shopping items for both food and health/beauty items. Buy shelf-stable pantry items in bulk – and look at unit pricing to guide your savings! You can also reduce packaging waste by shopping at your local farmer’s market, avoiding purchasing products whose packaging is not recyclable, or by making your own products like soap, toothpaste, household cleaners, laundry detergent, etc.

REUSE
There are reusable options for almost every disposable product! We can create a culture of reuse by always bringing our own water bottles, coffee mugs, shopping bags, lunch containers, utensils, straws, etc. to work, to school, or on-the-go. Look for other ways to to swap disposable items with reusable options. Paper towels can be replaced with old dish rags; napkins can be replaced with cloth hand towels; coffee pods can be replaced with reusable pod inserts; wet mop pads can be replaced with washable, reusable mop pads. Show your creativity and reuse by upcycling unwanted items into new creations!

REPAIR
Fix broken items before you toss them! It is too easy to simply ‘buy a new one’. Why not learn a new skill, teach your children about woodworking, sewing, engineering, and just have fun taking stuff apart to see how it works! Need help? Visit a local Repair Cafe for free. There are Repair Cafes all throughout the Hudson Valley where expert Repair Coaches (who are also your neighbors) socialize and skill share to empower you to fix broken but beloved items, for free. Common Repair Cafe items include: bicycles, wooden furniture, clocks, dolls, radios, record players, sewing/hemming, untangling jewelry, and more!

REGIFT
Donate unwanted items that are still in good condition. It takes very little effort and can make all the difference to help our neighbors in need. Clothing, shoes, books, toys, furniture, home goods, excess food, building materials and more can be donated to the dozens of local charitable organizations throughout Ulster County. Or you can always ask a friend or neighbor if they want your unwanted items. Make a listing on Facebook Marketplace or another Materials Exchange website like Freecycle, Craigslist, etc. One person’s ‘trash’ is another person’s treasure!

RECOVER
Recover the nutrients and energy from your food scraps and return it to the soil by composting! Home composting is easier than you think, and if it seems too complicated, you can let someone else do the composting for you! Local companies offer curbside pick up of food scraps, and there are also several drop-off locations for food scrap recycling.

RECYCLE
Recycling is so important, but it should really be the last option for how we manage the wastes in our lives. It’s important to recycle as much as possible, but it’s just as important not to wishcycle! Know your program and follow the recycling guidelines provided by your hauler or town transfer station. Not sure what’s recyclable? Call the UCRRA Recycling Hotline 845-336-3336

Annual Waste Generation

• Nation wide, 267 million tons of waste is generated each year in America.
• New York State generates 17.7 million tons of waste per year.
• Ulster County generates about 109,000 tons of waste per year.

Recycling Rates

• Nationwide, America has a 32% recycling rate.
• New York has a 21% recycling rate.
• Ulster County has a 24% recycling rate.

Waste Generation Rate Per Capita

• The average American generates 4.4 lbs of waste every day. According to the EPA, this breaks down to be about 2.9 lbs of garbage and 1.3 lbs of recyclables (including 0.5 lbs of food waste) per person per day.
• The average New Yorker generates 4.1 lbs of waste and recyclables per day.
• The average resident of Ulster County generates about 4.18 lbs. of waste and recyclables per day.

Ulster County Waste Management

• All the municipal solid waste generated in Ulster County must come to UCRRA, per the Flow Control Law.
• Recycling is mandatory in Ulster County.
• Ulster County’s waste is exported via long haul transport tailors to Seneca Meadows in Seneca Falls NY.
• UCRRA sends out 10-15 tractor trailer transport vehicles per day, six days per week. Each truck can hold about 32 tons.
• 75-80% of municipal solid waste can be reduced or diverted through recycling, composting, and reuse!

The Agency’s Director of Sustainability and Recycling Educator are available to assist municipalities, businesses, schools, and other institutions with implementing or improving waste reduction, recycling, or composting programs. Learn more here.