Monroe County Unveils New Plastic Recyling Effort

Awareness effort encourages recycling of plastics #1 - #7

County Executive Maggie Brooks has unveiled a new Public Education Campaign aimed at informing consumers about the expansion of the County’s plastics recycling/recovery program which includes most plastics labeled #1 - #7.

Brooks said, “The County’s efforts to better educate residents about which products they can recycle will surely keep more recyclable plastic products out of our waste stream and allow them to be repurposed in an effort to protect our environment.”

Examples of recyclable plastic materials accepted in the recycling box include clean:

• Cups, bottles, jugs and jars
• Yogurt containers
• Plant pots/containers
• Compact disc cases
• Lids & Caps
• Flatware
• Buckets
• Rigid product packaging
• Laundry baskets
• Recycling bins (broken)

Some plastic items not accepted, regardless of number, include: Styrofoam, plastic bags and non-rigid product wrap, prescription bottles, bulky items and pesticide containers to name a few.

The County estimates this expansion initiative could help residents recycle up to a combined 16 to 17 additional tons of plastics each year. The Monroe County Recycling Center (MCRC) accepts an estimated 4,200 tons per month of curbside recyclables from all households in the City of Rochester and from most households throughout local towns and villages.

Monroe County residents are also encouraged to drop off any recyclable item to the Monroe County ecopark located at 10 Avion Drive in the Town of Chili. Opened in September of 2011, the ecopark is a “one-stop-drop” facility that has the ability to simultaneously accept household hazardous waste, pharmaceuticals and recyclable materials. In addition to plastics #1 - #7 accepted items also include: Metal pots, pans, trays, foil and foil-ware.

Hours of operation for regular collections and dates for special collections can be found at www.monroecounty.gov/des-eco-hours. Regular collections will allow for the disposal of items such as: e-waste, appliances (without refrigerant), propane tanks, scrap metal, clothing, fluorescent lights and bulky plastics. Special collections will allow for the disposal of regular collection items as well as household hazardous waste, appliances (containing refrigerant), tires and pharmaceuticals. Some of these items will be subject to a small fee. Household hazardous waste disposal still requires an appointment.

A complete list of acceptable and unacceptable recyclable materials may be found by visiting the Monroe County Department of Environmental Services