Archive: Around Town

Updates will soon take place with Tompkins County's highly-successful food scraps recycling program, in partnership with Trumansburg-based Cayuga Compost.

Beginning April 1st, the only materials accepted in the program will be food items, paper napkins and towels, and compostable bin liners.   That means all plastics, even those labeled as 'compostable' and other food soiled paper – including all cups and plates – will no longer be accepted.

"These changes will apply to both the residential and business sectors and are the result of efforts to decrease plastic contamination and increase the quality of the finished compost product," said Solid Waste Division Manager Barbara Eckstrom.

In order to help your household with this important transition, consider reducing the amount of disposable items you purchase and be on the lookout for recyclable packaging. If you plan on eating out, be sure to bring reusable to-go cups and containers with you.

"We understand this transition will likely have a greater impact on businesses than residents," said Kat McCarthy, the County's Waste Reduction and Recycling Specialist. "As a result, we are offering our support as needed to encourage consumers to recycle and reuse, to ensure material diverted from the landfill is done so in an environmentally safe manner."

There are seven residential food scraps recycling drop spots around Tompkins County. Combined with what was collected from the business sector, over 3,400 tons of food scraps and other organic materials were diverted from the landfill in 2015.

v12i11