CHENANGO COUNTY — New Berlin residents have voiced concerns about what happens to their recyclables after they are picked up weekly by private recycling haulers. Chenango County Waste Management Program Assistant Patricia Pittsley answered these concerns by explaining the recycling process within the county.
“Chenango County is a source-separated county, which means people have to separate their recycling at the source before bringing it to us,” said Pittsley. “Because we do not have a municipal recycling pick-up in the county, private haulers decide where to bring residents’ recyclables.”
Pittsley said the only way for residents to ensure their items are recycled the way they have separated them – and know where they are going – is to bring their recyclables to the Chenango County landfill in Pharsalia or one of the transfer stations in North Norwich and Brisben.
“Residents have to individually take their recyclables somewhere or hire someone to haul it. Some private haulers bring the items they pick up to us. Residents have to ask the haulers they hire where they are taking their recyclables,” said Pittsley.
Pittsley further explained that even if private haulers pick up recyclables in the county, they may not end up going to one of the county facilities. There are some haulers that take the recyclables to facilities outside the county.
One concerned New Berlin resident said a private hauler he once hired would take his separated recyclables and dump them in the same truck, crushing them. Pittsley said this is an example of private haulers who take recyclables out of the county to places that do not require items to be separated at the source.
“There are places outside of the county that separate items at the facility instead of requiring items to be separated at the source, so it is not necessary for the items to be transported separately. Haulers that take recyclables out of the county do not need to transport them separated,” said Pittsley.
In order for recycled items to be picked up, they have to be separated. This is the reason residents were alarmed by some haulers putting all their recyclables in the same truck.
“I am certain they are recycling the items if they say they are. I just don't know where they are taking them. They cannot throw the recyclables out; it's against the law,” said Pittsley.
Pittsley said all recyclable items are brought to the Chenango County waste management facilities separated. Once brought to the landfill in Pharsalia, the items that can be baled—like plastic, tin cans, newspapers and cardboard—are baled.
After the items are baled, they are put in a tractor trailer and “spot marketed” to the highest bidder. Spot marketing is similar to an auction. Pittsley said they do spot marketing because it produces the highest profit. Glass gets dumped in a separate tractor trailer and also taken to market to be sold.
“All of the money received from post consumer recyclables lowers the tax dollars used to run the recycling program. This is why it’s good for county residents to bring or hire someone to bring their recyclables to county facilities. The money earned from their recyclables stays in the county and lowers the tax money used,” said Pittsley.
Pittsley said there is value in recycling and specifically in recycling locally. “Not only do they save money by recycling but they save air space used in the landfill and tax money used to run the county program. For every ton of garbage recycled, there is a ton of air space saved,” she said.
When describing issues with recycling, Pittsley said the biggest issue is recycling electronics. Anything with a circuit board is considered an electronic. “Everyone needs to improve when it comes to throwing away electronics,” she said. “We can recycle electronics here at county facilities and it’s free. We take them every day we are open,” she said.
There is a limit on old television and computers monitors to two per person a day. These types of electronics can only be recycled into certain types of materials and because of this, the county facility has to pay to have them recycled. Whether or not people can make money from recycling electronics is market driven and according to Pittsley, the market is currently “way down.”
“We need to do better with recycling. We can always do better. It saves citizens and communities money, saves natural resources and leaves more for future generations,” said Pittsley.
“You can no longer legally burn trash or brush anyway, and recycling in the county is free. Plus, it cost the county $12 million to make the landfill in 1994. Not recycling is expensive,” she said.
For recycling locations, days and times, or for more information, call 337-1792 or visit the Chenango County Waste Management website at co.chenango.ny.us/dpw/waste-management. For more information about the new agricultural plastic recycling program, call Emily Anderson at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County at 334-5841.