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Dan Rain Recycling Coordinator c/o Highway Department 74 Elm Avenue East Selkirk, NY  12158 (518) 439-4955, extension 1510 E-mail:   Hours 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri

MANDATORY RECYCLING LIST
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
PAPERS	HOW TO PREPARE	TOSS IN TRASH
Newspapers    Including Inserts	Remove plastic wrapping if applicable. Place in paper bag.  DO NOT leave out in rain or snow.	Paper plates and cups, napkins, paper towels Tissue and wrapping paper Plastic cards, rubber bands, paper clips or other hard plastics Food contaminated boxes Plastic coated boxes Plastic wrappers School binders - remove paper and recycle, toss or re-use the binder   Plastic bags - recycle at stores Books - see Voluntary Recycling Peanuts and foam forms - see Voluntary Recycling
Magazines and Catalogs Glossy Mail, Calendars	Remove plastic wrapping Tie in bundles or place in paper bag according to your hauler's instructions Call your hauler if not sure of the instructions
Home, Office, School or Shredded Paper and Junk Mail	Place in paper bag according to hauler's instructions, tie shut Include all stationery, register tapes, photocopies, envelopes, white and color paper Staples are acceptable Window envelopes are okay
Corrugated Cardboard,  Paperboard triple and single layer	Empty, FLATTEN and stack together Boxes will collapse when the bottom is opened
Kraft Paper bags All non-shiny bags okay	Empty, FLATTEN and place with triple-layer corrugated cardboard and paperboard	QUESTIONS? 439-4955, x1510 Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
CONTAINERS	HOW TO PREPARE	TOSS IN TRASH
Glass Bottles and Jars     Clear,     Green,     Brown	Remove caps, lids, rings Rinse thoroughly and drain Labels can remain Mix bottles and cans LOOSE in recycling bin provided by hauler	Plastic sprayers and lids Window or auto glass Ceramics or crystal Mirrors Drinking glasses Pyrex or Corning Ware Dishes Styrofoam food containers Plexiglas Medicine vials Buckets and toys Motor oil containers Deli and microwave containers and dishes Laundry baskets Snack cans that are paper Small appliances Silverware Bake ware, pots or pans Alkaline batteries Flower pots Grease laden trays   Recycle metal objects at the Rupert Road Transfer Station
Plastic Bottles ONLY #1 and #2	Remove and discard lids, caps, tops and spray nozzles Rinse or wash thoroughly and drain Flatten large milk, juice jugs to prevent blowing in the wind Return deposit bottles to stores
Metal Cans   Aluminum,   Steel,   Bi-metal	Remove paper labels if possible Rinse or wash thoroughly and drain Flatten with metal lids in the can
Aluminum Foil and Aluminum Trays	Rinse and clean thoroughly for reuse or recycling

Click here for a printable version of the above list (pdf)

Recycling of certain items is mandatory for all businesses and residents in the Town of Bethlehem (see the brochure.) Glass bottles, plastic bottles (#1 and #2), and metal cans must be placed loose in the recycling bin provided by private waste haulers.   Newspapers, corrugated cardboard (flattened), kraft paper bags, magazines/catalogs, paperboard, single layer boxes (flattened) and office paper should be bagged or tied according to the hauler’s instructions.  It is important to FLATTEN all boxes before putting curbside for recycling.   Those who use the Rupert Road Transfer Station are also required to separate the above-mentioned items from trash for recycling.  Paperboard boxes (single layer cardboard) can be recycled all year round at the Elm Avenue Park 'n' Ride.

The public is encouraged to donate their used eyeglasses, sunglasses and hearing aids to their local Lions club; look for the blue and white Lions Recycle For Sight collection box at the Town Clerk's office at Town Hall.  Located there are also drop-off boxes for recycling the following:  U.S. flags, license plates, six-pack rings, non-alkaline household batteries and cell phones.  Cell phones, plastic six-pack rings and household batteries can also be dropped off any time during business hours at the Highway Garage in Selkirk or Elm Avenue Park Offices.  Year round voluntary recycling is offered for single layer paperboard boxes, clothing and shoes, paperback books, and more.  Recycle at the Rupert Road Transfer Station or call the Recycling Coordinator for drop-off locations for items as well as how to recycle hard cover textbooks by removing the cover.  For more information, please see the Voluntary Recycling List.

If you cannot wait for the Household Hazardous Waste Day in the Spring or the Fall Electronics Recycling Program, please see the article in Recycling News (left), on how and where to recycle electronics such as computers, printers, faxes, cell phones, etc.

A voluntary recycling program for telephone books was arranged by the Town with Green Fiber, a paper recycling company.  Two (2) square green bins are placed next to the orange clothing bins at the Elm Avenue Park n' Ride; the bins will be there April through October.  If recycling telephone books there, do not include the plastic bag.

While visiting local stores, check out the Environmentally Preferable Products to purchase, such as paper products with post-consumer recycled content, remanufactured ink and toner cartridges, and furniture, binders and organizers made with post-consumer recycled content steel or plastic.  Also look for eco-friendly or nontoxic cleaners.  Purchasing recycled content items closes the loop of recycling.

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RECYCLING INSTRUCTIONS REQUIRED BY HAULERS* FOR PLACING RECYCLABLES AND TRASH CURBSIDE

Instructions and haulers are subject to change due to changing rules, regulations, permits, and recycling facilities acceptance of items.  The haulers mentioned here have permits to recycle and pick up trash in the Town of Bethlehem.

DEFINITIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

	Do not use plastic bags unless instructed by hauler.
	Commingled is bottles and cans mixed together.
	Paperboard/boxboard is the single layer cardboard of cereal, cracker, tissue, and shoe boxes.  Freezer boxes are NOT acceptable.
	All Cardboard MUST be flattened to save space in the hauler’s truck.

Robert Wright Disposal, Inc.                                               439-3376

All Recyclables are picked up weekly along with the trash on the scheduled day.

• Newspaper (in paper bag) next to brown recycling bin
• Bottles and cans commingled loose in brown recycling bin
• Corrugated (triple layer) and paperboard/boxboard (single layer) cardboard must be empty and flattened and placed under or near recycling bin. Cut large cardboard into 3’ x 3’ pieces to fit in truck. Include excess paper bags with cardboard.
• Magazines and catalogs bundled with string, or placed in paper bag with the newspaper
• Mixed office paper and junk mail in a clear plastic bag (tied shut) or in paper bag with newspaper
• TRASH CONTAINER must be placed on the opposite side of the driveway from the recycling bin and all the recyclables

Allied Waste Services of N. America, Inc.                              785-7030

Recyclables should be put out on scheduled day:  commingled bottles and cans one week and paper items the next week. Trash is collected weekly.  A calendar is provided to each customer.

• Bottles and cans commingled loose in blue recycling bin
• Newspapers, kraft paper bags, magazines, office paper, junk mail, paperboard, telephone books and clean, dry milk and juice cartons commingled in a second recycling bin
• Corrugated cardboard emptied, flattened, cut to 2’ by 2’ size and placed near the paper recycling bin

County Waste & Recycling Service, Inc.                                  877-7007

All recyclables should be placed curbside next to trash on scheduled day.
Recycling is picked up every other week. Trash is picked up weekly.  A calendar is provided to each customer.

• Plastic and glass bottles, metal cans and wax coated milk and juice cartons are to be commingled loose in recycling bin
• Mix paper items in second recycling bin:  newspapers, magazines, catalogs, telephone books and boxboard (cereal boxes and the like)
• Corrugated cardboard, empty, flattened and stacked next to paper goods

I.C.S. of Albany                                                                            439-4209

Trash is picked up every week, note even-odd weeks for recyclables.

• Plastic and glass bottles, metal cans and wax coated milk and juice cartons are to be commingled loose in recycling bin on even weeks
• Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, telephone books, boxboard (cereal boxes and the like) and cardboard (empty, flattened) in recycling bin on odd weeks

*PERMITTED HAULER REQUIREMENTS

1. Compliance with all mandatory residential and commercial recycling criteria.
2. Submission of mandatory quarterly recycling report forms.
3. Hours of Collection:
        Commercial stops            5:00 AM – 6:00 PM              Monday – Saturday
        Residential stops             6:00 AM – 6:00 PM              Monday – Saturday

Your hauler MIGHT pick up bulky items.  Bulky items include refrigerators, washers, dryers, furniture, and tires, for example. You must call hauler to arrange a pickup.  Often there is an extra fee for these extra items.  Many bulky items are accepted at the Rupert Road Transfer Station.

Look at the Voluntary Recycling List (see second page) and Donating Reusables Brochure for additional recycling and reuse of household items.

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DONATING REUSABLES

Before throwing out reusable items, first check with your local day care facilities, schools, churches and hospitals.  They may need books, magazines, games, toys, furniture, flower pots, clothing or have a thrift shop that supports their programs through sales.

All donated clothing should be in current season, clean, and not torn.  Many organizations do not have large storage areas but are happy to receive your donations.  Please call ahead.

Furniture and appliances must be undamaged and in working condition.  Padded items and mattresses must be clean and not torn, with no holes.  Check with your municipality for proper disposal of broken furniture and non-working appliances.

Additional Information for Reusable Items

Cotton towels and cotton clothing - stained, torn cotton items make great rags for home, the local gas station mechanic or the Bethlehem Highway Department

Eye glasses - Bethlehem Lions Club collects eye and sun glasses for reuse.  Deposit metal and plastic framed glasses in boxes located in the Town Hall, Town Library, Key Banks, Trustco, Charter One, Bank of America, Cohoes Savings Banks, DiNapoli, Hughes and Buenau's Opticians.  The Bethlehem Lions Club also accepts hearing aids.

Hearing aids - will be refurbished and reused if sent in a padded box or bag to Hear Now, 9745 East Hampden Avenue, Denver, CO  80231.  Include your name and address to receive a letter of acknowledgement for tax purposes.  The Bethlehem Lions Club also accepts hearing aids.

Shoe Exchange (if one wears two different sized shoes) - instead of discarding the odd sized shoe, why not investigate The One Shoe Crew, 86 Clavela Avenue, Sacramento, CA  95828.  This organization attempts to match up persons who need different sized left and right shoes.  Another alternative is the National Odd Shoe Exchange, Phoenix, AZ, their telephone number is 602-841-6691.

Styrofoam (PS) peanuts - check with local mail order businesses or Mail Boxes, Etc. listed in the telephone book.  Call the Recycling Coordinator for alternatives in town.

Greeting cards - Shiny, glossy cards can be recycled with magazines and catalogs.  Non-shiny cards and envelopes are recycled with office/home/copy paper.  Metallic cards or cards with glitter on them cannot be recycled.  For more information on other ways to "recycle" greeting cards, see below.

Old Flags - deposit in special boxes at Town Hall, the Library, and after 3:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post on West Poplar Drive, Delmar, for proper disposal.

Yarn, Embroidery thread, and other craft materials - craft and quilt clubs, art classes at schools, senior projects and scout troops may need these items for projects.

Household batteries - put lithium, rechargeable (nickel-cadmium), button, lithium ion, mercury, cadmium and sealed lead acid batteries in boxes at Town Hall, Elm Avenue Park, Highway Department in Selkirk, Rupert Road landfill, Radio Shack stores, Quality Photo and various Post Offices.  All alkaline batteries can go in the trash.

Plastic six-pack rings - recycle in special boxes located at the Town Hall, Elm Avenue Park and the Highway Department in Selkirk.

Records, tapes, and discs - look under the yellow page headline in the telephone book for Buying, Trading and Selling Used Audio Tapes, Records, and Discs.  They must be free of scratches and not warped.

Second hand stores - listed in the yellow pages of the telephone book, see Additional sources for selling or donating reusable clothing and furniture.

For locations, telephone numbers, and items accepted at local organizations, please click here.

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