Waste Reduction And Recycling Events You Can Organize
There are lots of ways you can reduce waste, recycle in your community, and protect the environment- not only on Earth Day but EVERY day.
Litter Clean-up
Organize a group to safely remove garbage/litter from bike paths, parks, school grounds, nature trails, community centers, etc.
- Pick a cleanup date and site, get permission, organize teams, safety first, promote the event.
- Work with other volunteers within the community to clean up bike paths, parks, school grounds, nature trails, community centers, vacant lots and other locations that have been littered.
- Record the type and amount of litter removed from your cleanup location.
- Work cooperatively with public works departments to coordinate garbage and recycling pickup.
- Improve the beauty and quality of the environment in your community and celebrate!
School and Office Recycling Program
In accordance with the Solid Waste Management Act of 1988, New York schools must recycle right along with other municipal agencies, residents and businesses. It is important not only that schools have recycling programs in place, but that people are able to recycle right.
- Evaluate Your Current Recycling Program.
- Contact Your Municipal Recycling Coordinator or recycling hauler to identify what is accepted in your recycling program.
- Prevent waste where possible.
- Educate through signage and other outreach and resources.
- Engage students and staff.
New York Recycles!
All of New York State's public and private school children and youth organizations are invited to showcase their artistic talent and their commitment to the environment by participating in the Annual New York Recycles! Poster Contest. This poster contest will help us to achieve our goal of higher excellence in recycling, composting, and buying recycled products and packaging.
New York Recycles Day promotes recycling and buying recycled in New York State. You can celebrate New York Recycles! on November 15.
Deposit Bottle & Can Drive
You can collect deposit cans and bottles and return them for their deposits to fund programs for your school or organization.
Reuse Exchange
Set up an exchange - books, plants (native), seeds, ties, clothes, kitchen, whatever you like.
Food Scraps Collection and Composting Program
Learn more about composting and setup a food scrap collection program.
Educate
Volunteer in your community to give presentations about environmental issues to schools, libraries, and community organizations
Alternate Transportation to Work Day
Take the bus, ride a bike, walk, kayak, whatever you want and record how many miles you didn't drive and the impact on greenhouse gas emissions. You can make it a contest within your agency or department by having people track their fuel savings for a week and the person who saves the most fuel gets a prize.
Odd Materials Recycling
Collect materials that most people don't think to recycle. View our odd recyclables document (PDF).
DMM, Bureau of Waste Reduction and Recycling
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
