Quick Reference Guide
to the Expanded Source Separation Law for Plastics:
Starting June 1, 2011, plastics 3 through 7 will be added to Westchester County’s list of mandated recyclables. Recyclable plastics include food, beverage, detergent and shampoo containers and caps, which should be rinsed clean before going in the recycling bin. With the expansion of the County’s Source Separation Law, all Westchester residents, businesses, schools and institutions alike will be required to separate for recycling all empty plastic containers marked with the triangular chasing arrows symbol and coded with a number 1 through 7 in the center, with the exception of items listed below.
Don’t include the following plastic items:
• Plastic bags, all plastic film (e.g. dry cleaning bags and packaging materials), vinyl*
• Unmarked or non-coded plastics (e.g. toys, clothing hangers, tableware and utensils)
• Large rigid plastics (e.g. toys and furniture)
• Plastic foam (e.g. hot beverage cups, trays and packaging materials)
• Containers that may have held hazardous materials (e.g. motor oil, solvents and pesticides)
• Building materials (e.g. pvc piping, bathroom and kitchen fixtures)
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* Regarding Plastic Bags: Be advised that plastic grocery and carryout bags, as well as other plastic bags (including dry cleaning bags), may be dropped off at any of several large grocery and retail stores for recycling. Each year, Americans throw away more than 100 billion plastic bags. Less than 1% is recycled. Recycling these bags reduces waste and litter, resulting in cleaner streets and waterways. In addition, using recycled plastic bags in place of virgin plastics reduces our demand for foreign oil. Recycled plastic bags provide valuable material to manufacturers of plastic lumber, plastic bags and other useful products. For more information on plastic bag recycling and drop off locations, visit: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/50034.html.