Sharon Fisher Recycling Coordinator c/o Highway Department 74 Elm Avenue East Selkirk, NY  12158 (518) 439-4955, extension 1510 E-mail:   Hours 8:00 a.m. to noon

Town Receives Recycling Award

Recycling brochure

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, kraft paper bags, magazines/catalogs, 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, below, on how and where to recycle electronics such as computers, printers, faxes, cell phones, etc.

A seasonal voluntary recycling program is offered by the Town for telephone books.  A bin for telephone book (NO plastic bags) recycling will be placed at the Elm Avenue Park 'n' Ride lot during the months of April and May and again in October and November.

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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HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY 

Each spring, the Town of Bethlehem holds a household hazardous waste (HHW) and computer recycling collection day. Residents can bring unwanted paints, thinners, and solvents, unused pesticides and lawn chemicals, as well as properly bagged asbestos, used florescent tubes, and outdated computers and their components.  Each fall an electronic collection day is held. The town offers residents the opportunity to dispose of old and outdated electronics such as computers and computer parts, televisions, VCRs, cell phones and telephones.  All unusable electronics collected will be recycled in an environmentally safe manner.  Computers found to be serviceable will be donated locally for minor repairs and redistributed for further use.  Cell phones will be given to an area emergency program.  People turning in old cell phones are asked to keep the battery on the phone and include the charger, if available; attach the charger to the phone with a rubber band.  Both of these special collections are held at the Highway Department Garage Facility (address listed above).

2008 Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Computer Recycling Day Information

Household Hazardous Waste and Computer Recycling Collection Day will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2008, 8:00am to 1:00pm at the Town Highway Garage, 74 Elm Avenue East, Selkirk.

Residents who attend this program must bring proof of residency such as a driver’s license or current tax bill.  Please make sure all lids are secure and cans and bottles or containers are in boxes to prevent spills.  Do not smoke near chemicals or leave these products in a hot, unventilated vehicle for an extended period of time.

For your safety please remain in your vehicle.  Workers will unload the wastes.  See the Spring Cleanup Brochure for complete instructions.

The town has a Donating Reusables Brochure listing organizations that welcome donations of good reusable appliances, furniture, clothing, books, toys, eyeglasses and hearing aids.  Copies of the brochure are available at all town facilities or by clicking here.  

Proper disposal of home “sharps” (needles, syringes, and lancets) is available through St. Peter's Hospital  (525-1163), Albany County Nursing Home (869-2231 x240) or Albany Medical Center (262-8000).

For up-to-date recycling and waste reduction information, watch for articles and advertisements in the Spotlight and News Herald newspapers and on TV Channel 18, Bethlehem’s public access cable station.

Recycling brochure (requires Acrobat Reader)

If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you may download it here

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FALL ELECTRONIC RECYCLING PROGRAM

Bring your old computers and electronics out of the closet and basement.  The opportunity to do the right thing with this equipment is approaching.  How about the VCR or television or telephone that doesn't work anymore?

Many items contain heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury (for instance, see the article, below, regarding compact fluorescent light bulbs).  They should be handled properly and not disposed in a landfill.

Town of Bethlehem residents and pre-registered businesses can bring their obsolete electronics to the Highway Garage, 74 Elm Avenue East, Selkirk, NY on Friday, September 26, 2008 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Items that are acceptable include computers and all their parts, VCRs, televisions, cell phones and telephones.  All cell phones will be donated for emergency services.  Do not bring stereo speakers, vacuums, lights or other electric items.  If you are unsure of any of your items, please contact the Recycling Coordinator.  If you cannot wait for the Fall Electronic Recycling Program or the Spring Household Hazardous Waste Days, please see the article, below, on how to recycle your electronics.

All electronics determined to be unusable will be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.  Computers that can be serviced will have the hard drive data destroyed and the repaired computer will be redistributed for further use.  The electronic vendor hired for this program will also refurbish radios and televisions that can still be used.  97 % of all non-repairable electronics will be recycled.  Cell phones will be donated to area emergency programs.  Those turning in used cell phones are asked to keep the battery in the phone and include the charger.  Please attach the charger to the phone with a rubber band.  Cell phone recycling is also ongoing.  Cell phones with their batteries and chargers can be dropped off during business hours at the Highway Department or in the box at the information desk in front of the Town Clerk's Office.

Businesses in the Town of Bethlehem may participate in this electronic recycling program, too.  They must pre-register due to regulations and quantities they may wish to turn in for recycling.  Please call 439-4955, extension 1510, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, to pre-register or for all other inquiries.

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SEE WHAT STAPLES WILL RECYCLE FOR YOU!

Staples recently unveiled a program to recycle used computers and other office technology.   Although they are targeting businesses this service is also for the general public.  All brands of computer monitors, laptops, printers, faxes and all-in-one copiers will be accepted at any U.S. Staples store, for a fee of $10 per large items.   Staples is working with Amandi Services, one of the country’s most experienced electronics recyclers, who recycles the equipment according to standards set by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (The Town of Bethlehem is holding a full electronic collection on September 26 & 27, 2008, see article above.)

Stapes also recycles used ink and toner cartridges in the Recycle for Education Program. Donations from the cartridges will go to your designated school.

Cell phones, PDAs, pagers, digital cameras and chargers are recycled through their nonprofit partner Collective Good, who refurbishes or recycles these items and donates a portion of the proceeds to charity.  The Town of Bethlehem accepts cell phones at Town Hall and Highway Garage.

Rechargeable Batteries are also accepted at Staples for recycling with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation.  Radio Shack and the Town of Bethlehem accept rechargeable batteries also.

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COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS (CFLs)

CFL light bulbs save energy and last longer.  The claim is that they use 2/3 less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer, with an average life span of 5 years.

However, did you know that the CFL light bulbs contain trace elements of mercury that may affect the nervous system if not used or handled properly?  Mercury was used in history to cure ills, process felt fiber, fill teeth, make thermometers, medical equipment, and light bulbs work better.  Today mercury is being phased out in medicine, dentistry and other applications, because it has been discovered that mercury is toxic.

The Town of Bethlehem accepts spent fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs and old thermometers at the Bethlehem Highway Garage daily during normal working hours, 7:00am to 4:30pm. or at Town Hall where a box is located near the Town Clerk's office; please note, this box is for spent compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs only.  We also accept these items during household hazardous waste programs.  Please keep them in a box or bag or their original container.  These items are categorized as “universal waste” which allows the Town to accept these items at all times.

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TEXTILES - CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES AND FOOTWEAR, CAN BE REUSED, RECYCLED

A person generates about 35 pounds of textile/clothing waste per year.  Textiles include clothing, sheets, towels and other fabrics.  This textile waste represents 4.5 percent of the entire residential waste stream.

Fortunately, each year, Americans reuse or recycle 2.5 billion pounds of textiles.  Every ton of recycled textile waste creates two person days of semi-skilled labor.  Textile recyclers, who also recycle scraps from textile manufacturers, export 61 percent of their products, thus reducing the U.S. trade deficit.

Here are several ways to recycle your textile waste.   Clean wearable clothing and footwear can be recycled in bins located at the Elm Avenue Park 'n’ Ride, the Rupert Road Transfer Station and appropriately marked green bins at various businesses throughout the town.  Shoes should be tied together if there is a pair.  Throw un-wearable footwear in the trash.  Please put clean and dry clothing in plastic bags and tie shut.  Put the filled bags into the bins.  If left outside the bins, rain and snow will cause the clothing to get wet and be thrown away.  Acceptable items include clothing, shoes, purses, belts, hats, sheets, blankets, and towels.  Do not include pillows, mattresses, furniture foam, toys and household goods.

Pick up the “Donating Reusables Brochure” at Town Hall, Town Park, Highway Garage or Rupert Road Transfer Station.   It lists organizations and charities with specific needs that may coincide with what you would like to donate.  It also lists the voluntary recycling programs that the Town of Bethlehem will hold.

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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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TIPS FOR RECYCLING OLD CARDS AND BOOKS

Cleaning out old cards or books can be either emotional or backbreaking, but the task is inevitable.

Textbooks, over 10 years old, are outdated according to the experts.  As a demonstration, note how fast the world has changed in technology, science, and medicine.  The exception to outdated is historical books, first editions and signed books.  These books may have an intrinsic value that would make it worth one’s while to seek out a used book buyer rather than tossing away.

The Town of Bethlehem has a soft cover book recycling bin at the Rupert Road Transfer Station in South Bethlehem.  A hard cover book can become a coverless soft cover book when one removes the cover.  Bend the front and back covers the wrong way. The inner pages will bulge out so that they can be torn or cut out of the hard cover.  Once this is accomplished, the book is acceptable for recycling with soft cover books at the Rupert Road Transfer Station. Throw the hard covers into the trash.

If you are clearing out a large number of textbooks or encyclopedias, please call the recycling coordinator at 439-4955, extension 1510 for a recycling alternative.

Greeting cards arrive throughout the year and we often have saved too many. Shiny, glossy cards can be recycled with magazines and catalogs.  Non-shiny cards and envelopes are recycled with office/home/copy paper. 

Holiday greeting cards are often too pretty to recycle and one may wish to reuse rather than recycle.  Here are two options for reusing holiday card fronts.  The first option is to reuse the card fronts as gift tags for holiday presents.  Yes, they will be bigger than the tags one buys yet they will be both pretty and unique on the package.  Some card tags may even substitute as a bow or ribbon.  Use light-colored background cards so you can write a message on the front of your tag or a darker card to write the message on the back.

A second option is to use the card front as a postcard.  On the back there will be room to write an address and your message.  Use them as invitations to your holiday party. Send them to friends as a greeting another year. Don’t forget to add the stamp before mailing.

At this time, St. Jude's Ranch for Children is no longer accepting greeting card fronts.  Please check their web site to see if the program becomes available again.   To purchase any of the finished cards, call (702) 293-3131.

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Town Receives Recycling Award

The Town of Bethlehem was among three government entities to be honored with a 2003 Governor's Waste Reduction and Recycling Program Achievement of Excellence Award.  The other honorees were the Town of Amherst in Erie County and Chautauqua County.

State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Erin Crotty presented the award on October 21 at the 14th annual Recycling Conference held in Albany.  Recycling Coordinator Sharon Fisher accepted the award on behalf of the town.

The award was established to recognize the efforts of businesses, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, environmental groups, and individuals who reduce solid waste through the use of source reduction, reuse, or recycling programs.

In a letter to Supervisor Sheila Fuller, Governor George E. Pataki wrote:  "The Town of Bethlehem has achieved excellence in diverting waste from disposal by implementing waste reduction and recycling initiatives.  Your commitment to waste reduction and recycling goals is commendable and serves as an exemplary model for others to follow."

Between the years 1995 and 2000, Bethlehem's reduction and recycling diversion rates grew from 16 percent to 50 percent.  The town's Compost Facility, the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection days, and fall Electronics Collection days contributed greatly to the increase.

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