Reduce
Reuse
Recycle
Compost
Do your best and advocate for the rest!
- Shelbi Orme
How Recycling Gets Done
Zero-Sort recycling is available to all Chemung County residents, regardless of the hauler you use. Recyclables go to Casella's state-of-the-art facility.Zero-Sort is a process during which numerous operations will separate the recyclable materials by category, making sure your recyclables take the shortest route from your bin back to the shelves.No sorting on your end makes recycling quick and easy!
Just focus on tossing all recyclables into your recycling bin and your hauler will take care of the rest.Please empty and rinse your containers (to keep the critters and smell away) and flatten/break down cardboard boxes.
Recycling at Work
These materials and others are recyclable at your workplace or business:
White and colored paper
Glossy paper
Envelopes (plain and window) and folders
Cardstock and cardboard (dry and flattened)
Newspapers and junk mail
Magazines, trade journals, and catalogs
Telephone directories
Brown paper bags
Soft cover books
Clear, green, or brown glass jugs and jars
Plastic bottles, jugs, and containers
Tin and aluminum cans
Plastic bags, wraps, and films can’t be recycled in your curbside recycling bins. But, you can take some of these items to local retail stores where they collect plastic grocery bags for recycling. Any package that you see with the How2Recycle Store Drop-Off label can be recycled this way.
Get more information at how2recycle.info or click the icon below to be redirected to the store drop-offs page!
Tips for Reducing Your Waste & Reusing What You Already Have
Reduce your contribution to our landfills by recycling and composting
Pre-cycle -- the practice of reducing waste by attempting to avoid buying items which will generate waste in your home (cut waste at its source!)
Be mindful of what packaging your purchases are coming in - look for items in less packaging or packaging that can be recycled or reused
Buy items made from recycled materials
Donate unused or unwanted items
Reuse and repair items as much as possible
Don't fall into "fast fashion" -- inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends (this is incredibly unsustainable and often uses unethical labor practices)
Bring a reusable container with you when you go out to eat to avoid needing a styrofoam or plastic to-go container for your leftovers
Resources to Know
freecycle.org = a grassroots, entirely nonprofit movement for giving and getting free stuff right in your neighborhood!
Membership is free and there is now an option to set up a personal "Friends Circle" for gifting or lending items with just your friends.
Click the magnifying glass icon below to find your town.
Habitat for Humanity Restore = items in good, working condition can be donated and purchased here.
There are no Chemung County locations, however, there is a location in Corning (Steuben County).
They provide free pick-up for larger donations and are open Tuesday through Friday 10am to 4:45pm and Saturday 10am to 1:45pm.
For questions, call (607)377-5524 or email info@habitatcorning.org.See photos below for their detailed donation guide, or click the house icon to redirect you to their webpage.
What is Compost?
Compost forms naturally nearly everywhere. Leaves that fall from trees, leftover grass clippings from mowing the lawn, dead plants and animals... Over time these organic materials breakdown and decompose. The result is a rich, dark brown, crumbly, soil-like material aka compost.
Compost is nature's way of recycling nutrients and returning them to the soil so they can be used again. By taking advantage of this natural recycling process, you can help lighten the load of waste that otherwise goes to landfill.
Landfills do not allow for an effective breakdown of materials. Instead, due to the dry and oxygen-poor conditions of modern landfills, organic matter is mummified. Landfills are not designed to break down waste, only to store it; so when we contribute otherwise recyclable or reusable materials, we are only adding to the perpetually growing pile.
What Can I Compost?
Yard waste such as, fallen leaves, grass clippings, weeds, and the remains of garden plants
Raw kitchen scraps except for meats, fish, bones, and fatty foods like cheese, dressings, and leftover cooking oil; these are not suitable for at home composting, as they will attract unwanted guests to come snooping around
Woody yard waste, chipped or shredded, can be used as a mulch or for paths where they will eventually decompose and become compost
Why Compost At Home?
The average American household wastes $2,200 worth of food every year. Composting at home puts your food waste into perspective and can give you a much clearer idea about what you are throwing out. You can begin to shape your grocery lists and consuming habits to help you save food and money, while producing material that you can use.
This means composting might just save you money on your garbage service too.
Choosing Your Method of Composting
There are a variety of ways to compost, so choose the best one for your lifestyle!
You can purchase a compost bin or tumbler, or DIY (there are simple and more complex versions to suit your skill level).
At Home Composting Resources