Maya Ellison
The Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management provides recycling services to residents, including curbside recycling and drop-off locations for various materials. While the county accepts small rigid plastics for recycling, such as flower pots and small plastic toys, plastic bags are not accepted for curbside recycling and should not be used to collect other recyclables. However, clean and dry plastic bags and films can be recycled at select grocery and retail stores throughout New York State.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags and films | Accepted at select grocery and retail store locations throughout New York State |
| Plastic bags for collection | Not allowed |
| Container size | No larger than 50 gallons |
| Container weight | Weighs no more than 40 pounds when full |
| Container marking | Clearly marked with an "R" |
| Container lid | Allowed |
| Collection day | Before 6:00 AM (4:00 AM in Ithaca, 7:30 AM in the Village of Cayuga Heights) |
| Collection placement | Bin placed at least 2 feet from the trash with the "R" decal facing the road |
| "R" decal availability | Free at the Recycling and Materials Management Office, the Recycling and Solid Waste Center information kiosk, municipal offices, and most grocery stores |
| Small rigid plastics | Flower pots, small plastic toys, and other hard plastics no larger than a 5-gallon bucket |
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What You'll Learn
Small rigid plastics, e.g. flower pots, are accepted
The Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management accepts small rigid plastics for recycling. This includes items such as flower pots, small plastic toys, and other hard plastics, as long as they are no larger than a 5-gallon bucket.
It's important to note that these small rigid plastics should not be placed in plastic bags for recycling. Instead, they should be placed in a container that is clearly marked with an "R" and follows the size and weight restrictions. The container can have a lid, and the "R" decal stickers are available for free at various locations, including the Recycling and Materials Management Office, the Recycling and Solid Waste Center information kiosk, municipal offices, and most grocery stores.
The Recycling and Solid Waste Center in Tompkins County also accepts other items for recycling, such as electronics, scrap metal, and plastic bags and films. Plastic bags and films need to be clean and dry and can be dropped off at select grocery and retail store locations throughout New York State.
The Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management provides a convenient single-stream, non-separated collection system for curbside recycling. This means that residents don't need to separate their recyclables, making it quick and easy to prepare their recycling for pickup. The department also provides a newsletter, the 4RTimes, which covers topics related to recycling and materials management in the county.
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Plastic bags and films are accepted at select stores
In Tompkins County, plastic bags and films are accepted at select grocery and retail stores across New York State. It is important to ensure that the plastic bags and films are clean and dry before dropping them off at these locations.
The Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management recommends visiting Earth911 to find a list of specific stores that accept these materials for recycling. It is also advisable to contact stores in advance to confirm that they are indeed participating in the plastic bag and film recycling program.
The Department of Recycling and Materials Management is committed to implementing a sustainable materials management strategy for Tompkins County. This strategy prioritizes environmentally sound, cost-effective, and socially responsible practices. The department encourages residents to reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink their waste practices to maximize diversion from landfills.
In addition to plastic bags and films, the Recycling and Solid Waste Center in Tompkins County offers drop-off areas for electronics, scrap metal, and other materials. The center is open from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Saturday, and residents can also refer to the department's newsletter, the 4RTimes, for more information on recycling guidelines and proper waste disposal.
It is important to note that plastic bags should not be used to collect recyclables in Tompkins County. Instead, residents should use the designated recycling bins, ensuring that they are properly prepared and do not exceed the specified size and weight limits.
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Tompkins County has curbside recycling
Yes, Tompkins County does have curbside recycling. The county's Department of Recycling and Materials Management provides recycling bins for sale, which can be placed at the curb on the scheduled collection day with the "R" decal facing the road. These bins should not exceed 50 gallons in size and should not weigh more than 40 pounds when full. They can be purchased from the Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management office, and the "R" decal stickers are available for free at various locations, including the Recycling and Materials Management Office and most grocery stores.
The county accepts small rigid plastics, such as flower pots, small plastic toys, and other hard plastics no larger than a 5-gallon bucket. However, it is important to note that plastic bags should not be used to collect recyclables, and recyclables should not be placed in plastic bags. Clean, dry plastic bags and films can be recycled at select grocery and retail stores throughout New York State, but it is recommended to contact stores in advance to confirm.
The Recycling and Solid Waste Center also provides drop-off areas for electronics, scrap metal, and other materials. The county's recycling program focuses on the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink, aiming to maximize diversion through coordinated administrative, operational, and educational initiatives.
For more information, residents can refer to the Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management's website, newsletter, or contact their office directly.
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The county's recycling bins are available for sale
The Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management provides county-wide curbside recycling services to residents. The department's mission is to develop and implement a sustainable materials management strategy for the county.
To facilitate this, recycling bins are available for purchase at the Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management office. These bins are designed for curbside collection and have specific requirements. Each bin should be no larger than 50 gallons and weigh no more than 40 pounds when full. It should also be marked clearly with an "R" decal, which can be obtained for free from various locations, including the Recycling and Materials Management Office, the Recycling and Solid Waste Center information kiosk, municipal offices, and most grocery stores.
The Recycling and Solid Waste Center also accepts additional materials that are not suitable for curbside collection, such as appliances with Freon®, batteries, electronics, fluorescent bulbs, household hazardous waste, rigid plastics, plastic bags, scrap metal, textiles, and tires. However, some of these items may require permits or incur fees.
Tompkins County encourages residents to recycle paper, glass, metal, and plastic containers, which can all be placed in a single bin for collection. The county also offers a convenient, single-stream, non-separated collection system, making it easy for residents to prepare their recyclables for pickup.
The department also provides a newsletter, the 4RTimes, which is available online as a PDF and in paper form at the Recycling and Materials Management Office. This newsletter keeps residents informed about recycling guidelines, fee changes, and proper waste management practices.
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Electronics, scrap metal, and more can be dropped off at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center
The Recycling and Solid Waste Center in Tompkins County offers a range of services to help residents properly dispose of their waste and promote environmental sustainability. One of the key services provided by the center is the acceptance of electronics and scrap metal for recycling. This means that residents can bring their old or broken electronic devices, such as computers, phones, and appliances, as well as any scrap metal they may have, to the center for proper recycling and disposal.
The center has designated drop-off areas for these items, making it convenient and straightforward for residents to recycle their electronics and scrap metal responsibly. This service is particularly important given the potential environmental and health hazards associated with the improper disposal of electronic waste, which can contain toxic materials. By offering a dedicated drop-off location, the Recycling and Solid Waste Center helps ensure that these items are handled and recycled in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.
In addition to electronics and scrap metal, the Recycling and Solid Waste Center also accepts a variety of other materials for recycling. This includes items such as small rigid plastics, which can include things like flower pots, small plastic toys, and other hard plastics no larger than a 5-gallon bucket. Residents are advised to avoid using plastic bags to collect their recycling and to separate their recyclables from their trash to ensure proper collection.
The center also provides residents with guidance on how to prepare their recyclables for drop-off or curbside collection, helping to reduce contamination and ensure that materials are properly sorted. This includes information on acceptable items, container requirements, and set-out times for curbside recycling. With a focus on the 4R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink, the center aims to maximize the diversion of waste from landfills and promote sustainable practices in Tompkins County.
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Frequently asked questions
Small rigid plastics such as flower pots, small plastic toys, and other hard plastics no larger than a 5-gallon bucket are accepted. Clean, dry plastic bags and films can be dropped off at select grocery and retail stores throughout New York State.
Place your recycling bins at the curb on your scheduled collection day with the "R" facing the road so the recycling collector can see it. If your recyclables are picked up on the same day as your trash, place your bin at least 2 feet from the trash.
You can visit the Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management website or office for more information. The website provides information on recycling dates and other recycling options. The office also offers recycling bins and "R" decal stickers for purchase.
