Extreme Recycling

Or:How to Drive Your Family and Friends Crazy

but Have Them Appreciate You in the End

Inconvenient truths:

tlastic and paper degrade with each loop around the cycle.

Glass could be infinitely recycled, but currently isn’t

Desirable to recyclers: cardboard, plastic soda bottles

Less desirable: hther plastics, paper

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Recent recycling developments

Municipal recycling ain’t all it’s cracked up to be: ⊷China and other countries

now reluctant to buy our recycling.

⊷Some municipalities are collecting recycling, but not actually recycling it.

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In Monroe County:

⊷County is losing money on paper recycling⊷Glass is being shipped to landfills or used

at landfills to build access roads and landfill trash cover.

⊷tlastics Still desirable, but market is in chaos

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●https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2018/06/29/blue-bin-curbside-recycling-losing-money-new-york-plastics-paper-glass-china-bans-imports/715017002/

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCRKvDyyHmI

Thinking beyond recycling:The Circular Economy

●https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/ ●https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCRKvDyyHmI

OK, so recycling is lowest priority – but let‛s still do it

right.

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MONROE COUNTY RECYCLING:

YESRecycle glass and plastic by

shape:bottles, jugs, jars, and tubs

Milk cartons and drink boxesLids – attachCLEAN!

NOFood or liquidsPlastic silverwareStyrofoam or plastic cups and

take-home food containersCoffee podsPlastic bags (take to Wegmans)

Or check with your local hauler

Detailed flyers with recycling information can be found at https://www2.monroecounty.gov/des-recycle-right-signs

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At Wegmans and other retailers:

“WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW

IT OUT”

NOWishcycling !

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https://www2.monroecounty.gov/files/DES/recyclopedia.pdf

A huge document of pretty much everything you need to know about recycling in Monroe County: https://www2.monroecounty.gov/files/DES/recyclopedia.pdf ●https://sustainability.wm.com/downloads/

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LANDFILL NO-NOs !!

• Automotive Fluids• Cleaners (soaps, waxes, drain cleaners,

etc.)• Driveway Sealers• Flammables (gasoline, thinners,

solvents, etc.)• Mercury (thermometers, thermostats)• Liquid Paint: Dry it out, or mix it with

kitty litter first• Pesticides/Insecticides & Fertilizers• Pool & Photo Chemicals• Resins & Adhesives• Wood Stain & Preservatives

AND**Don’t put medicines down the toilet!**

What needs to stay OUT of your trash and out of the landfill (take to EcoPark)

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10 Avion Drive, Rochester, NY 14624Wed 1pm-6:30pm, Sat 7:30am-1pm

Closed on Holidays

https://www.monroecounty.gov/ecopark/

●https://www.monroecounty.gov/ecopark/

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A huge array of things can be recycled, donated, and safely disposed of at EcoPark (see link above)

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Aluminum, mixed paper, corrugated cardboard,newspaper, carpet, steel cans

YOU CAN PRIORITIZE

None of us can do everything. In a pinch, here are some recycling priorities.

Full list: https://colorbrightongreen.org/initiatives/rec

ycling-at-brighton-farmers-market

A sample of items collected:

ShoesReusable grocery bagsCompact discs and DVDsShoesBrita brand filters CorksCrayonsGently used or unused school

suppliesPull tabs from cans.LegosPersonal care and beauty

containers:Oral care packaging:Used Contact lens and blister

Volunteer effort on Sundayat .righton Farmers’ Market:

A great volunteer organization that helps people make sure their items get recycled or reused. Here is a full list of their schedule and the things they currently accept: Full list: https://colorbrightongreen.org/initiatives/recycling-at-brighton-farmers-market

THINK .EFORE YOU .UY. DON’T .RING HOME TRASH.

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Consider: Packaging Materials Transportation Toxicity

Things to consider when you need something. Also: Can you get it used? Can you borrow or share?

Consider:*Local products* Reusable shopping bags or no bags* Minimal Packaging* Alternatives to plastic bags:

Naked produceRe-use your plastic bagsMulti-use bags

* Restaurant containersEat at restaurants that use

reusables,or bring your own cups, cutlery,even plates

BYO take-home containers26

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Help in making environmentally friendly buying choices:

Home building, fabrics, misc.

Timber and wood products

●Cradle to Cradle: https://www.c2ccertified.org/ ●FSC: https://us.fsc.org/en-us/certification

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Construction materials, paper

products, packaging,

cleaning products, hotels, restaurants

.usiness as a force for good. Have made a legal commitment to consider their impact on workers,

customers, suppliers, community, and the

environment.

●Green Seal: https://www.greenseal.org/ ●https://bcorporation.net/

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Environmental Working Groupses safety of tap water; personal care ts; cleaners; food; business practices of rms, fracking wells, and factories;

and much more

●https://www.ewg.org/

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Consider:

Paper PrintingDo you really need to print?Reduce margins in documentsUse scrap paper.

Reduce junkmail:Get on Do-Not-Mail list -www.dmachoice.org.Online help and apps for junkmail – http://www.ecocycle.org/junkmail PaperKarma app – snap a photo of your

junkmail and send

Paper Karma app: ●https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paperkarma-stop-junk-mail/id1231098843?mt=8 or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.readabl.paperkarma&hl=en_US

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Fair to growers

Grown in environmentally responsible way

●Fair Trade Certified: https://www.fairtradecertified.org/ Also chocolate, clothing, produce ●FairTrade:\http://fairtradeamerica.org/ Also chocolate, clothing, produce ●Bird Friendly Certification – Smithsonian https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory-birds/about-bird-friendly-coffee

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GoodGuidehttps://www.goodguide.com/#/

Seafood Watchhttps://www.seafoodwatch.org/

●https://www.goodguide.com/#/ ●https://www.seafoodwatch.org/

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.eware of greenwashing.For example, many do not consider

this to be reliable certification

●Rainforest Alliance website: https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/ ●Criticism: http://www.coffeehabitat.com/2018/12/rainforest-alliance-useless-for-shade/

CONSIDER REPAIRING RATHER THAN REPLACING. CONSIDER REPAIRING BEFORE YOU DONATE (Many broken items simply get landfilled.)

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https://www.ifixit.com

Popular site with help for fixing just about anything https://www.ifixit.com

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http://hack.rit.edu/

RIT’s own makerspace. Helpful people. They may be an exception to the rule of not donating broken items. They keep all sorts of broken things on

hand to use for parts and supplies. Ask.

RIT Makerspace http://hack.rit.edu Located on 4th floor of RIT’s Institute Hall (Building 73B).

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https://rocmakers.org

●https://rocmakers.org ●Weekly community nights, classes ●Computer, stained glass, music tech, machine tools, woodworking, 3D printing, laser cutter, etc. The Rochester Makerspace is located at 850 St taul St, Rochester NY 14605 thone: (585) 467-5565 Email: RocMakers@gmail.com

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https://facebook.com/dreambikesrochester/

https://rcommunitybikes.org/

.ike repair.ike parts re-use and

recyclingUsed bike fitting and

salesAssistance to people

living in poverty

• Dreambikes: https://facebook.com/dreambikesrochester/ Located at 1060 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

• R Community Bikes https://rcommunitybikes.org/ Located at 226 Hudson Ave,, Rochester, NY 14605

FINDING WAYS Th REUSE ITEMS

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Estate sale companiesYard sales

Specialized Internet sites for the item you are selling

Selling items:

Nextdoor.com

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Donating

hnline:

• Freecycle:https://groups.freecycle.org/group/Roche

sterNY/posts/all • .uyNothing: https://buynothingproject.org/ • CraigsList: https://rochester.craigslist.org/

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Face to Face:Thrift stores (but make sure they want

your items)Refugee organizationsHomeless sheltersChurches that hold annual salesRonald MacDonald HouseSchools (supplies, warm clothing;

musical instruments)Rochester Minimalists:

Annual Free for All DayClothing swap parties

Rochester‛s delightful custom: putting things out by the curb, especially before trash pickup day

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Find out what is needed:

https://www.communitywishbook.org

●https://www.communitywishbook.org

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32 tons kept out of landfill per year

Unusable items responsibly disposed of

Unsold items thoughtfully donated

Financially self-supporting

Co-op experience for students

https://www.rit.edu/goodbyegoodbuy/

●https://www.rit.edu/goodbyegoodbuy/ ●Still looking for electronics, appliances, textbooks, other “high value” items. Contact Emma at ggRIT <ggrit@rit.edu>

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Who wants these?: Rags – GoodwillOld linens and towels –

vets, animal shelters Ink cartridges and

small electronics -OSHER

Misc items that might be used for crafts: Repurpose and More –odds and ends for crafters: fabrics, paper, wood, foam, poster prints, scrap materials, over-run goods and much more.

●Repurpose and More Store - 595 Blossom Rd, Rochester, NY 14610

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Books:

LibrariesLittle Free LibrariesCheck with:SchoolsPrisons

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Office supplies:see Community Wishbookschools

Shipping envelopes:Try advertising as a

giveaway.If you remove paper bits, can

be recycled at Wegman‛s

Boxes:Lots of demand for sturdyboxes that can be used for

movingLibraries (for book sales)

Packing Peanuts – take to mailing business

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Restaurant take-home containers can’t be recycled. Re-use.

.ikes, bike parts, bike tires:R Community .ikesDream .ikes

Fabrics, sewing supplies: SewGreen, 438 West Main St., Rochester

Electronics:EWASTE+Sunnking.est .uy

CDs and other media: .est .uy

●https://www.sewgreenrochester.org ●http://www.ewaste.com/our-services ●https://sunnking.com/

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Usable Paint:

½ can or more liquid paint: ReStore

Smaller amounts of paint: Theater companies Drama clubs Scout troops Community gardens

●Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore - https://www.rochesterhabitat.org/shopatrestore.html ○2 locations: 2199 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623 755 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14609

FOOD WASTE IS IMPORTANT, TOO.

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40% of U.S. food is wastedMethane released by food is 21 times more

powerful than carbon dioxideDiverting 15% of current food waste would be

enough to reduce the number of food-insecure Americans by half

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Accepts nonperishable foodup to 6 months past date

Compost household food waste

Foodlink: http://foodlinkny.org/ 1999 Mt Read Blvd, Rochester, NY 14615 Community Composting: https://www.communitycomposting.org/ Impact Earth: https://impactearthroc.com/

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Volunteer to rescue food at the Public Market:

●https://www.flowercitypickers.org/volunteer/

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good news!

NY passes“Food donation and Food

scrap Recycling Act”in 2019-2020 budget

Large generators of food waste -such as restaurants, supermarkets,

sports stadiums - must donate usable food and compost the rest.

●Link to details: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/margaret-brown/new-york-state-passes-landmark-food-waste-bill

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GreenovationThriftstore for a wide

variety of items, including home building supplies. Gives items to local

charities and teaches classes at .rainery about waste reduction

●https://www.facebook.com/RochesterGreenovation and https://rochestergreenovation.wordpress.com/ ●1199 E Main St, Rochester, NY 14609

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Impact Earth:Will help you create zero-waste event.

Just agreed with Rochester Public Market and Flower City Pickers to compost unsold and

inedible food from Market.

●https://impactearthroc.com/ ●585-478-2014 2340 Brighton Henrietta Townline Rd. Rochester, NY 14623

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What else can we do for the environment?

VOTE WITH OUR DOLLARS

Patronize businesses with environmentally-friendly

practices. Check certifications mentioned previously. Tell why we

are/are notpatronizing them.

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Who represents me?: https://www.monroecounty.gov/etc/voter/index.php

Find and track NY legislation: https://legiscan.com/NY/bill/

Communicate with decision-makers:

●Who represents me? (Local, state, and federal): https://www.monroecounty.gov/etc/voter/index.php ●Find and track NY legislation: https://legiscan.com/NY/bill/ ●Find and track federal legislation: https://www.govtrack.us/

INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENAL ISSUES THAT NEED

OUR ADVOCACY:

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VOTE!And then stay in touch with decision-makers:

●https://www.nysar3.org/

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“Right to Repair” law:Would require

manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair businesses with fair

access to service information and affordable

replacement parts.

Advocate: Right to Repair Lawhttps://states.repair.org/states/newyork or https://repair.org/stand-up

NY Assembly .ill A6589 and Senate bill 6033Read and conveniently express your opinion at https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/a6589

●NY Assembly .ill A6589 and Senate bill 6033. Read and conveniently express your opinion at https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/a6589 ●Advocate: Right to Repair Law. https://states.repair.org/states/newyork or https://repair.org/stand-up

60 https://repaircafe.org/en

Repair CaféAdvocacy: Get this great idea going in Rochester.Contact Rochester Museum and Science Center.Contact your local library.Contact Makerspace.

●https://repaircafe.org/en

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Concluding words:

Wishcycling Prioritize. CO influenCe Absolution

Questions?

Stay in touch with us. We’re happy to share our knowledge and even a few reasonably well-educated guesses. Rebecca Johnson Rebecca.Johnson@rit.edu Melissa Carlson melissacarlson22@gmail.com Evan Zachary evan@flowercitypickers.org ;

724-809-5225