Recyclopedia By Category

RECYCLOPEDIA - The Three Rs of Recycling 

 
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately 75% of the trash Americans throw away each week is recyclable. Yet only 25% is actually recycled. Simple steps can help our home, our families and the environment. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Small recycling efforts make a significant impact.
 
Recycling is more than just filling the red and blue bins every week. There are many questions you can ask yourself from the time of purchase onward. What is it made of? Is the packaging recyclable? How long will it last? What will I do with it once I am done with it? Does it have any life left? Getting into the habit of thinking this way will help you make “reduce” and “reuse” part of the recycling process.
 
Just as important as recycling is to keep your recyclables free of contamination. For example, plastic bags can be recycled, but not curbside. If they are added to your recycling bins, they can clog up the machinery in the transfer station. As another example, greasy pizza boxes should be discarded rather than added to your paper and cardboard bin. The goal is to recycle right, and the information you need can be found in this Recyclopedia.
 
If you cannot find an item in our database, see a mistake, or have other solutions, please email us with your suggestions, corrections and updates. Thank you!
 
 
Categories

 

Bathtubs

Reuse

 

 

Recycle

Currently, there is no recycle option available for this item.

Disposal

This is considered construction/demolition debris and must be disposed of by your contractor.

Concrete Blocks

This item is construction materials and must be disposed of properly. This item cannot be placed with your waste for pickup.

Reuse

If in good condition, consider selling on Craigslist or donating via Freecycle.

Freecycle

https://groups.freecycle.org/group/WhitePlainsNY/posts/all

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recycle

Currently, there is no recycle option available for this item.

Disposal

This item cannot be placed with trash for disposal. Request that your contractor properly dispose of old or unwanted construction materials.

Construction Debris

Reduce/Reuse

Contact Synergis for information on best methods for reducing or recycling construction materials. See "recycle."
 

Recycle

Many construction materials can be recycled or reused. Ask your contractor to evaluate or investigate options. Organizations may want to contact Synergis, a Zero Waste Group.

Disposal

Arrange proper disposal with your contractor.  Most construction debris cannot be put out with your regular trash or recycling.

Fiberglass Insulation

This material is hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly. This item cannot be placed with your waste for pickup.

Reuse

Currently, there is no reuse option available for this item.

Recycle

Currently, there is no recycle option available for this item.

Disposal

Fiberglass insulation is accepted at Westchester County's Hazardous Materials Recovery Facility. H-MRF is located on the Grasslands Campus: 15 Woods Road, Valhalla, NY.  Schedule a drop-off time here: https://environment.westchestergov.com/h-mrf-reservation

The County periodically holds a Household Recycling Day on a weekend at FDR Park in Yorktown Heights.  Most of the materials accepted at the H-MRF are also accepted on these days. More information here: https://environment.westchestergov.com/news/2583-household-material-reco...

 

Glass, Windows

Reuse

If in good condition, please consider donating:

Furniture Sharehouse in White Plains

https://furnituresharehouse.org/

 

Recycle

Currently, there is no recycle option for this item.

 

Disposal

If broken, wrap carefully and place with waste.  If glass is intact, tape with masking tape or painter's tape before placing curbside.

Nails and Screws

Reuse

Recycle

This is scrap metal. Scrap metal can be recycled curbside by scheduling a Wednesday special pickup.  Make an appointment for pickup here:

https://croton.seamlessdocs.com/f/metalpickup

Disposal

Please recycle.

Nuts, bolts, nails and screws

Reuse

Recycle

These are scrap metal and can be recycled curbside by scheduling a Wednesday special pickup.  Make an appointment for pickup here:

https://croton.seamlessdocs.com/f/metalpickup

Disposal

Please recycle.

Paint, Latex / Water-Based

Reuse

Currently, there is no donation option available for this item.

Recycle

Currently, there is no recycle option available for this item.

Disposal

Household paint cans must be dried before collection.  Harden remaining paint by mixing with kitty litter or another absorbent pellet material (hardening solvent, sold at Home Depot.) After paint is hard, put out for collection with waste, with lid off.

 

Paint, Oil-Based

Reuse

Please consider donating full cans that have not been opened.  You can join the Westchester Freecycle group to offer or find things for free: https://groups.freecycle.org/group/WhitePlainsNY/posts/all

Recycle

 

Disposal

Empty paint cans can be put out with trash as long as the lids are off.

Partially full cans will not be accepted as trash if the contents are liquid.  To dry the contents, take off the lid, add kitty litter and leave it to harden.  Put it out with the trash, lid off.

 

 

 

Pipes (PVC / Plastic)

Reuse

Currently, there is no reuse option available for this item.

Recycle

Currently, there is no recycle option available for this item.

Disposal

Place with waste.

PVC

Reuse

Currently, there is no reuse option available for this item.

Recycle

Currently, there is no recycle option available for this item.

Disposal

Place with waste.

Roof Shingles

This is construction material and cannot be placed with your waste for pickup.

Reuse

If in good condition, please consider donating:

Recycle

Currently, there is no recycle option available for this item.

Disposal

This is considered construction/demolition debris and should be disposed of by your contractor.

Screws and Nails

Reuse

 

Recycle

Scrap metal can be recycled curbside by scheduling a Wednesday special pickup.  Make an appointment for pickup here:

https://croton.seamlessdocs.com/f/metalpickup

Disposal

Please recycle.

Storm Windows

Reuse

If in good condition, please consider donating to

Furniture Sharehouse, in White Plains

https://furnituresharehouse.org/

Recycle

If the window frame is made of aluminum, or other metal, this item is considered scrap metal once the glass is removed.  Scrap metal can be recycled curbside by scheduling a Wednesday special pickup.  Make an appointment for pickup here:

https://croton.seamlessdocs.com/f/metalpickup

Disposal

Window glass cannot be recycled and must be disposed of in the trash.  If broken please wrap. 

Metal window frames without glass can be recycled:  see "recycle" option.

 

Toilets

Reuse

Currently, there is no reuse option available for this item.

Recycle

Currently, there is no recycle option available for this item.

Disposal

This is considered construction/demolition debris and should be disposed of by your contractor.

 

Tools

Reuse

Tools in working condition can be donated through Freecycle.

Recycle

If the tool is made of metal it can be recycled as scrap metal.

Disposal

This item is waste and can be placed curbside, but the other disposal options outlined under "Recycle" will avoid it being discarded into a landfill.

If made of hard plastic and wood, place with waste. Remove and recycle rechargeable batteries.

Windows

Reuse

If in good condition, please consider donating:

 

Green Demolitions - Green Demolitions accepts kitchens, appliances (less than 5 years old), bathrooms, home décor, architectural artifacts, building materials, art, and more. Phone 973-461-2339 or go to website for more information: https://renovationangel.com/donate-form 

Recycle

If the window frame is made of aluminum or steel, this is considered scrap metal and can be recycled on Wednesdays by special appointment: https://croton.seamlessdocs.com/f/metalpickup

 

Disposal

This item may be considered waste and placed for pickup, but the other disposal options outlined under "Reuse" and "Recycle" will avoid it going to a landfill or incinerator.

Wood, Lumber

Reuse

Recycle

Currently, there is no recycle option available for this item.

Disposal

Lengths up to 4 feet will be accepted with your curbside trash if bundled together.

Anything larger must be taken away by your contractor.

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