Introduction
In 1992, Monroe County passed a recycling law that requires all residents, businesses, industries and institutions to recycle. Everyone has a role to play in recycling. We want to help businesses understand the law and how it affects employers and employees. The following provides information necessary for business managers to set up a recycling collection system that works for everyone involved—management, employees, custodial staff and the recycling collector. If you have additional questions or need further information, please contact [email protected].
What to Recycle
Paper - Businesses, institutions (schools/colleges) and industries must recycle corrugated cardboard and high-grade (office) paper-all clean paper, however, may voluntarily be recycled. Unless other specific arrangements are made with a waste hauler, all paper can be mixed together in the recycling container-there is no need to separate paper by type (exception-shredded paper should be contained in paper bags).
Plastic, Metal, and Glass Containers - Businesses, institutions and industries that have cafeteria-type services and all restaurants must recycle the following containers used in food preparation-type activities: food and beverage containers made of glass, aluminum, metal, or plastic- clean of contents. Gable-top cartons/drink boxes, empty steel aerosol cans (no pesticides or spray paint), and pots/pans/foilware may also be recycled. All appropriate containers must be rinsed and caps/lids should be reattached (labels OK). Containers used by students/staff (milk cartons, soda bottles, soup cans, etc.) are not required to be separated for recycling. Again, all appropriate containers that are separated for recycling must be rinsed and caps/lids attached prior to recycling. These containers should be mixed together in the recycling receptacle- there is no need to separate containers by type.
It is illegal for businesses, institutions and industries to dispose of ewaste (computers, TVs, printer cartridges, etc.) in the regular trash. Please click here for ewaste recycling options.
Resources
Business Recycling Guide
Our Business Recycling Guide contains information on desining a collection system, taking into consideration the layout/size of a business, container type, program cost and accessibility.
The Western New York Materials Exchange (MAT-EX)
Western New York Materials Exchange (MAT-EX) is an opportunity for businesses to exchange unwanted/unusable products that would otherwise end up in a landfill. The MAT-EX website also allows businesses to locate free/inexpensive materials that can be used in daily business operations. Logon to MAT-EX and see what is available for your business and add materials to the MAT-EX listing.
MAT-EX involves businesses in twenty-one counties of Western/Central New York (Genesee, Livingston, Wyoming, Erie, Allegany, Steuben, Chautauqua, Monroe, Seneca, Tompkins, Orleans, Cattaraugus, Broome, Cayuga, and Tioga), Niagara Consortium, and the Western Finger Lakes and Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Management Authorities.
