Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo directed the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to identify new actions to improve recycling in St. Lawrence County and the rest of the state in response to changes in global recycling markets.

Recycling conserves natural resources, reduces the need for raw materials, and helps keep a significant amount of material out of the waste stream and out of landfills. To address changes in recycling markets head on, DEC is convening stakeholder meetings to identify new actions and initiatives that can be taken to improve conditions. The state continues to partner with municipalities to help meet specific recycling goals as part of solid waste management plans.

"Our recycling programs are putting thousands of New Yorkers to work in the state's green economy, while cutting the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and protecting our environment," Gov. Cuomo said. "For 30 years, New Yorkers have proven the power of conservation, and these actions will jumpstart even more efforts to support and expand municipal recycling programs across this great state."

Volatile recycling markets are due in part to tightening import restrictions in Asia. As a result, some U.S. recycling operations are struggling to find suitable markets for material, impacting local solid waste recycling efforts. DEC is working with key stakeholders and municipalities to strategize how New York can bolster new markets and help municipalities address these challenges and build capacity in the state and northeast region.

"DEC is working with recycling industry stakeholders, municipalities, academic institutions, and others to develop short- and long-term actions to sustain recycling markets in New York, improve the quality of recyclable materials, and increase flexibility for recycling facilities. To support recycling here at home, New Yorkers can do their part to reduce contamination in our recycling supply chain by following our tips to recycle right," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos.

DEC will hold a series of stakeholder meetings with representatives from industry, local government, state and federal agencies, and the public across the state to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for recycling in New York and identify open markets to utilize recyclables. The inaugural meeting is scheduled for Aug. 29, at DEC headquarters in Albany, and DEC is scheduling additional meetings.

DEC will continue to work with partners to help support new and existing businesses in New York that can capitalize on the high supply of low cost recyclable materials that can serve as raw materials supply for future manufacturing that has been historically moving to other countries.

New York continues to help maintain the sustainability in the recycling industry by encouraging and helping municipalities and companies to maintain recycling efforts. The state provides recycling grants through the Environmental Protection Fund to support programs that encourage waste diversion, including multiple programs for usable food recovery, food waste collection, and organics recycling.

Stewardship programs like the bottle bill, electronic waste reuse and recycling act, rechargeable battery recycling law, and mercury thermostat takeback program are among the programs that encourage and make recycling easy and cost effective.