ITHACA, N.Y. —The new guidelines for curbside recycling from the Tompkins County Department of Recycling and Materials Management are now available.
In a brochure released this week, residents can find important information such as a curbside recycling pickup calendar, as well as a list of items that can be recycled at the curb, and at the Recycling and Solid Waster Center at 160 Commercial Avenue. The guidelines are valid from July 2020 through June 2021.
Residents were reminded that they will not be allowed to use single-use plastic bags in the curbside bins and recyclable materials cannot be collected in plastic bags. If items were found to be unacceptable for recycling, they will be left at the curb with a sticker explaining why they were denied.
The brochure urges residents to empty and rinse all the containers before taking them to the bins. As a reminder, metal cans and foils, cardboard and mixed papers, paper cartons and drink boxes, glass containers, and plastic containers marked #1, #2, and #5 are all recyclable.
Materials that are not recyclable include compostable disposables, electronics and appliances, rigid plastic, syringes, hangers, and more. If you are not sure about a specific item, you can search for it using the "What Do I Do With...," feature at www.recycletompkins.org.
As for recycling bins, the county green recycling bin can be used, as well as another recycling container of your choice. If another container is chosen, the size needs to be less than 50 gallons and the container must weigh less then 40 pounds when full. It may have wheels and.a lid and must be marked with "R" decals on both sides of the bin.
Recycle Right also suggested that residents opt to recycle their food scraps free of charge at drop off locations. You can visit www.recycletompkins.org/dropspots for hours and locations.
Copies of the brochure can be found at the Tompkins County Recycling and Materials Management office at 122 Commercial Avenue, open municipal offices, food scraps drop spots, major grocery stores and, RSWC public drop off.
If you have any questions you can visit www.recycletompkins.org or call Recycle Right at (607) 273-6632.