Feed The Hog!

New Paltz ReUse and Recycling Center is accepting "used" pumpkins for livestock feed. According to the owners of Briarcreek Farms, a local farm in New Paltz, animals LOVE pumpkins. Food for animals removes a significant amount of usable organic material from the waste stream and provides a valuable resource to local farm businesses. The ReUse Center is open Tues-Sat from 9-4:30pm and is located on Clearwater Road off Route 32 in New Paltz. This program runs through November 30th and is open to EVERYONE with pumpkins. Our zero waste goals, in partnership with EPA, include the Food Recovery Hierarchy pyramid. https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-man…/food-recovery-hierarchy The Town was invited to represent EPA Region II in 2011 as part of a zero waste initiative with twelve other municipalities nationally and developed a road map with input from the community. Interestingly enough, the New Paltz Zero Waste Action Plan has been implementing food recovery goals in reverse - from the bottom of the pyramid up.

• 2012 A commercial composting site was encouraged by students and faculty of SUNY New Paltz and a registered facility was opened in June.
• 2012 Free backyard composting and permaculture workshops for the public.
• 2014 An intern from SUNY New Paltz created a list of active farms that was provided to several local retail and wholesale food distributors. Products beyond the sell by dates are collected and used to feed livestock.
• 2016 A partnership was formed with the Food Insecurity Collaborative (Family of Woodstock, Ulstercorp and Rondout Valley Growers Association) to include New Paltz as part of a recovered food distribution system. A donated freezer is already full of healthy foods from a bumper crop of tomatoes (tomato basil sauce), eggplants (Ratatouille) and peppers. A Cool Bot system to keep produce cold until pantries can pick it up will be installed before the end of the year.
• 2017 New Paltz plans to implement a Master Organics Material Management program that focuses heavily on consumer modification.

For more information contact us at (845) 255-8456 or recycling@townofnewpaltz.org Website www.newpaltzreuse.org

Household Generated SHARPS

Household generated medical waste INCLUDING SHARPS CAN NOT BE RECYCLED at the curb or at your local transfer station. If you are NOT using a red SHARP container, then a #2 milk jug or detergent bottle can be used (Although a red SHARP container is recommended) When full use packaging or duct tape to secure the top, mark HOUSEHOLD GENERATED MEDICAL WASTE and drop off at a collection point. DO NOT PLACE IN RECYCLING CONTAINER. For more information on SHARP drop off locations see www.newpaltzreuse.org; www.ucrra.org orwww.dcrra.org

R-3 (ReUse) Bus Maiden Voyage

The R-3 (ReUse) bus will be making its maiden voyage to Blueberry Fields across from Groovy Blueberry on Water Street tomorrow, Friday September 23rd from 2-4:30pm. Create at the craft table and get a sample of materials available at the ReUse Center on Clearwater Road of Route 32 by the ballfields.

We have windows, doors, shingles and ceramic tile available at the ReUse Center. On Sept 23rd see our selection of fabric, yarns, frames, wooden discs, lamps, mugs and other housewares.

Saturday, August 27, 2016: Unveiling of the Mural

An unveiling of the Roost Youth Group mural at the New Paltz ReUse Center on Clearwater Road is planned for Saturday, August 27th, 2016 at 2pm followed by an ice cream social generously provided by Stewarts Shops. The event will be open until 4pm with members of the RYG available to discuss the mural.

New Paltz ReUse and Recycling has partnered with the Roost Art Gallery and New Paltz High School students (Roost Youth Group – “RYG”) who completed a mural on the front of the ReUse Center in late July. The ReUse Center is a warehouse opened in 2011 for usable materials that were destined to be landfilled. 

The mural depicts a dismal future as our natural resources continue to be abused and depleted. However, there is a pilgrimage of people moving toward sustainability and a healthier environment which could reverse the damage that has been done. 

Laura Petit, New Paltz Recycling Coordinator said,” This group (RYG) of talented young people created a visual story to educate everyone about the consequences their decisions have on the environment.” She added, “Even through the adverse conditions of this summer’s extreme heat and sudden violent thunderstorms, the RGY group finished this priceless mural for the community to enjoy.”

Special Thank You to Our Volunteers!

The Town of New Paltz ReUse and Recycling Center has been recognized several times by the EPA for its composting and reuse programs. It was also one of the first in Ulster County, New York to begin holding textile collections in partnership with the NYSDEC and local solid waste authority beginning 2014. This event was attended by NYSDEC Region Director, Martin Brand on April 25, 2015, in recognition of the ReClothe NY textile recycling campaign.

From August 2nd through 6th, 2016, New Paltz had a booth at the annual Ulster County Fair where volunteers offered information and ideas for repurposing material. An unofficial record setting 50,591 visitors attended the Fair. Over 150 children's books with blank pages for their own illustration and authoring were distributed as volunteers explained that this material would have been thrown in a recycling bin. (Recycling is not number one on the NYSDEC hierarchy and would have created 900 pounds of CO2 emissions for each roll-off container load sent out for recycling.) Instead, new and gently used materials are diverted to encourage reuse and modified consumerism to keep everything local AND out of landfills.

All of these programs have been a success because of public support and the amazing volunteers that offer their time and experience. The perennial garden, the greenhouse, the ongoing clothing collections for more than ten charitable organizations and the evolving food recovery program all rely on our network of volunteers. Thank you to each and everyone of them!

ReUse v Recycling

Everyone can identify with recycling.  For decades now, people have been separating paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic and glass from their garbage so it can be re-manufactured into another product saving hundred of trees and eliminating mining for new, unused material.

But recycling is not the preferred method to keep garbage out of landfills.  At the top of the New York State Department of Environment and Environmental Protection Agency hierarchy is modified consumerism (buy less; use less) followed by reuse (the favorite thing to do at the New Paltz ReUse Center) followed by composting THEN it's recycling.  In order to recycle one forty cubic yard of 

cardboard collected at the New Paltz Recycling Center it is necessary to deliver it to the local Materials Recovery Facility "MRF" which is a thirty-two mile round trip, use heavy equipment to push in onto a conveyor belt where it is compacted into 800-1,200 pound bales, then lift the bales with heavy equipment to place it in a truck so it can be shipped several hundred miles away to a broker who finds a buyer/manufacturer to send it to,  NOT the best way to reduce our carbon footprint or keep things local.

Next time you start to fill up the recycling bin, think about alternative uses for your recyclables. Cardboard can be used as a weed barrier in your garden or shred it to add to your backyard composter.  Paper should have both sides used before it is shredded and used for animal bedding. Invest in reusable takeout/storage containers to take to the supermarket or your favorite restaurant to reduce plastic.  It can be the next fun and creative challenge to helping New Paltz reach its Zero Waste goals.

Annual Zero Waste Day at the New Paltz ReUse and Recycling Center

Looks at what's happening this weekend (the 13th) at the New Paltz ReUse Center from 11am to 3pm (Clearwater Road).

Thank you Heady Teddy Outfitter, Kniffen Homes and Lion Zen for helping out! So now we have tents and music!! 

Climate Action Coalition – The Climate Action Coalition of New Paltz works to alert people in our area to the changes they can expect from climate change, and to help them reduce the causes and adjust to the effects. Meets every Thursday at 5pm at the New Paltz Village Hall. http://www.newpaltzclimateaction.org

Dolphin Plumbing, Inc. – Master plumbers and a local business.  Phone: (845) 834-2797  Website: www.dolphinplumbingandheating.com

Environmental Protection Agency – National organization for the protection of human health and the environment.  Phone: 877-251-4575  Website: www.epa.gov

Food Not Bombs/NPZ De Facto - The De Facto Community Project is a long -term project to create a multi-functional , multi- purpose, multi-service community center in New Paltz, NY.  Email: npzdefactoproject@gmail.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/334257156703786/

Heady Teddy Outfitters is the Hudson Valley's only shop which specializes in vintage music memorabilia and Grateful Dead collectibles. Phone: (845) 444-1720 Website: www.headyteddys.com

Home Energy Consultants, Inc. – Jonathan Flynn. Will show you how to reduce energy costs and guide you through the process by demystifying the NYSERDA process.  Phone: 845-635-8302 Email: HEC@SaveEnergyNY.com

Fossil Fuel Resistance – Check out the Mercedes converted to run on vegetable oil and chat with them about the Pilgrim Pipeline project.  Learn more about what you can do to conserve and advocate for the environment.

New Paltz ReUse and Recycling Center – Focusing on education and waste reduction, staff helps the public understand the importance of changing consumer habits, reusing everything possible, eliminating hazardous materials, recycling and other lifestyle changes to move toward zero waste and sustainability.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation The NYSDEC division of solid waste and recycling is responsible for oversight and management of solid waste. Their hierarchy encourages education on waste reduction, reuse and recycling Phone: (845) 256-3000  website: www.nysdec.gov

Rifton Woodcrest - Woodcrest was the first community of the Bruderhof in the United States, started in 1954 on a property near the Walkill River. They are a faith based community that advocate local volunteerism and support.

Solid Waste Disposal Service, Inc – This local company has offered garbage and recycling collection for over ten years and has recently added  organics to the list of services provided to customers.  Learn more from owner Phil Ferraro. 845-453-8741

Solarize Hudson Valley Solarize Hudson Valley is a partnership of municipalities, community organizations and solar companies working to expand renewable energy in the Hudson Valley. Email: solarizeinfo@sustainhv.org website:   http://solarize-hudsonvalley.org
Take Me Home Pet Rescue, Inc. Take Me Home Pet Rescue Inc., is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization that rescues pets from high kill shelters & finds them loving homes. Website: http://www.tmhpetrescue.com

Dan Guenther has been a farmer and farm consultant for 20 years. He helped create CSA’s in the Hudson Valley including Brook Farm Project and Phillies Bridge Farm. He and his wife, Ann, have actively been educating the people on climate change and offering alternatives to energy consumption through education. They co-founded New Paltz Climate Action Coalition. Their work involves community outreach and SUNY New Paltz interns to reduce climate change effects and carbon footprint.

Food Not Bombs is part of the De Facto Community Center project which is a local movement to sustainability and social outreach through community events and membership.   This group of advocates for real change with hands on support for food security, farms, local businesses and artisans.  

Lion Zen plays a blend of rock and blues which they refer to as Playing Groove Rock ((Psychedelic Country Blues)) Come on out and “Get your Groove On” with this newly formed band.               

Special thanks to Davy from Heady Teddy for helping us out with tents and getting us in touch with Lion Zen.  YOU ROCK!