Recycling

Photos courtesy BradMandell

The Rochester area is an active recycling community with returnable bottles and cans, curbside paper and metal recycling collection, and numerous other recycling activities. See our Rochester Environmental Issues

Bottles/Cans/Plastic - Residential - Scrap Metal - Compost - Electronics - Other

Under New York State's Returnable Container Act (Bottle Bill) returnable carbonated beverage bottles and cans can be redeemed at local retailers, such as Grocery Stores, Convenience Stores and redemption facilities.

Cans and plastic bottles are typically fed through automated machines that read the container's barcode, reject any non-returnable containers, and issue a ticket receipt for the total containers entered at the machine. Bottles are returned at an associated counter near the automated machines. Visitors from outside New York, especially children, may be interested and amused by the process.

Many of the larger redemption areas also provide containers for shoppers to recycle plastic bags, such as those used for groceries. Some retailers are now promoting reusable shopping bags as an alternative to the plastic bag. Plastic bags may also be taken to Rochester Greenovation
.

The mainstay for residential recycling in the Rochester area is the Monroe County Residential Recycling "Blue Box" program. As of 2014 the county has gone to a Single Stream Recycling process so there is no need to segregate these materials within your recycling box.

Materials which can be placed into the provided blue bins for this curbside recycling program include

• Metal cans/lids, pots & pans, aluminum foilware
  

• Glass bottles and jars (clear, green, or brown)
  

• All plastics (#1-7)
  

• A wide variety of cardboard and paper products

Please do not put plastic bags in your recycle bin. Monroe County does not have the facilities to recycle them and they can damage the equipment.

Scrap metal, both ferrous and non-ferrous, is a valuable commodity. Scrap Metal Dealers will buy retail scrap from consumers or businesses. If you have too little to make it worth selling, it can also be taken to the ecopark where it will be recycled without any cost or payment to you. Rochester Greenovation also accepts bulk scrap.

Note that as scrap metal prices have risen dramatically this has prompted certain unscrupulous individuals to steal any metal objects that aren't nailed down, and some that are.

Community Composting is a company that collects compostable materials door-to-door for a monthly or yearly fee. They serve the following area codes: 14604, 14605, 14607, 14608, 14609, 14610, 14614, 14618, and 14620. Scraps may also be brought to Rochester Greenovation for pickup.

Many people in the area, including the city, do their own composting. They may be willing to accept their friends' compost as well.

Impact Earth is a is a company that collects compostable materials door-to-door for a weekly or bi-weekly fee. They also have some lifestyle shops offering kitchen, bath and Laundry items that are locally sourced and fair trade.

Disposal of electronic waste through the normal curbside garbage pickup programs is not a responsible option to take (and is illegal for business and institutional waste generators). Electronic waste contains a number of materials that can be readily recycled (copper, iron, plastics) and some that are environmentally problematic (lead). A number of alternative options to landfilling electronic waste are available.

As of 2011 manufacturers of electronics must provide programs for recycling electronic scrap based on the volumes of product that they sell in the state. Most electronics retailers now offer free recycling for specific consumer electronics covered under the NYS Electronic Equipment Recycling & Reuse Act. In addition:

• Computer Systems Asset Disposal works with businesses and individuals on a consignment bases for used computers, IT equipment, medical equipment and other electronic devices. Visit http://www.TheElectronicsRecyclers.com for information on selling your used electronics.
  

• I Want A Computer provides on-site pickup, 24-hour on-site secure data destruction, and consignment sales for all things electronic, home or business. - (585)789-7720
  

• Rochester Greenovation accepts electronics and appliances of all kinds. Please bring your items to their Green Center at 1199 East Main, Rochester.
  

• Sunnking in Brockport is New York State's first EPA R2 Certified responsible electronics recycler. Their 80,000 square foot facility services both residents and businesses in NYS and the surrounding areas. Residential recycling is free of charge and there is no cost to recycle for businesses up to 50 employees and nonprofits up to 75 employees. For a list of items that Sunnking will accept for recycling please view their acceptable materials and stay up to date on free community recycling events on Sunnking's event calendar
  

• Regional Computer Recycling & Recovery accepts residential electronic waste in cooperation with a number of computer stores throughout the area. See their eWaste Partners web site for details.
  

• Maven Technologies sponsors a number of events with local municipalities featuring free drop off days. They are also open for drop-offs from 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday. They accept all kinds of computer equipment (e.g., old modems, graphics cards, cables) for free, but do charge for TVs and CRT monitors.
  

• Imagine It Recycling is a fundraising/recycling organization that accepts nearly all small electronics and printer cartridges. They place collection stations in various locations around town.
  

• These and a number of other Computer Stores accept some computer equipment to sell for re-use.
  

• The IT Center on the ground floor of UR's Rush Rhees Library has bins for batteries and ink cartridges.
  

• The ecopark accepts electronic wastes from County residents.

See also the Monroe County Electronics Recycling page.

Many products used around the home (e.g., paints, solvents, pesticides) can be dangerous if disposed of in the general trash stream. The county runs a Household Hazardous Waste Program to collect these materials and dispose of them properly. Periodic collections are scheduled in local Towns and are done several times per month at the ecopark.

For consumer items that are still usable and in good condition there are many options to Sell, Barter, Consign, or Donate Stuff. Buying used is also helpful to the environment.

SewGreen Rochester accepts scrap fabric and clothing.

Bottles/Cans/Plastic - Residential - Scrap Metal - Compost - Electronics - Other

Comments:

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2010-03-04 12:51:58   Should a link to Imagine It Recycling be added in someplace? They seem prominent as they have significant media coverage. —DanielChristensen

2012-08-15 14:38:19   X-Ray films recycling services in Rochester NY http://www.xrayfilmsrecycling.com/New-York/Rochester-Monroe-County.htm —SamBizaoui