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!
 

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Categories

 

Paint Thinner

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

This material is hazardous waste.  Do not put in trash or down drains. 

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 hazardous waste materials accepted at the H-MRF are also accepted on these days. More information here: https://environment.westchestergov.com/news/2583-household-material-reco...

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.

 

 

 

Paint, Stripper, or Varnish

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

Paint and varnish stripper are accepted at Westchester County's Household 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...

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