County government has many programs, including those that focus on recycling, climate change and sustainability and land preservation. It operates four solid waste and recycling facilities and established the Solid Waste Commission to foster honesty and competition in the garbage collection industry.

Recycling is the law for all residents, businesses and schools in Westchester County. To report a suspected violation, file the Recycling Complaint Form with the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities.

Recycling Central
No, it's not a new environmental facility!  It's a navigational suite of icons that help you get to the recycling information you need easily and quickly. We've described their use on the Recycling page.

Recycling extends to all sectors
Larger businesses, schools and institutions are also required to file a solid waste disposal and recycling plan with the county every three years. Recycling is moving ahead in Westchester: on June 1, 2011 plastic containers coded 3 through 7 were added to the county’s list of mandated recyclables under the Westchester County Source Separation Law. Now, municipal and private haulers are required to accept and residents, businesses, schools and institutions are required to source separate plastics coded 1 through 7, in commingled recycling bins.

Danial P. Thomas Material Recovery Facility
The Daniel P. Thomas Material Recovery Facility ("MRF"), where 90 percent of the residentially collected recyclable material in Westchester County is processed, recently underwent a five-month retrofit. Now high tech optical sorting equipment shoots thousands of laser beams per second through each plastic container to identify the resin type. This allows the county to continue recycling plastic containers coded 1 and 2 and also collect and recycle containers coded 3 through 7, including yogurt containers, plastic cups and take-out food boxes.

A permanent Household Materials Recovery Facility (H-MRF) is being constructed  at the centrally located Grasslands campus at Valhalla.  The H-MRF will accept household hazardous waste and all other items that were collected at the HMR Days. Once the facility is open, residents will be able to drop off items, by appointment, throughout the year. To receive a notice on the facility’s opening, subscribe to the county’s Environment/Conservation Quick News.

We continually build on existing programs and look for new opportunities to conserve resources. For example, the county reuses waste vegetable oil from county facilities, such as concession stands at parks and golf courses, as an alternative fuel. After it is processed, waste vegetable oil is used in county vehicles and facility boilers, offsetting the consumption and expense of diesel and heating oil.

Waste reduction by donating and recycling used items
One significant way that everyone can contribute to environmental conservation is through waste reduction. In addition, old products can also be donated to reduce additions to the waste stream. Charities accept old furniture, clothing, toys, and other items for reuse. Through Westchester County's Treasure Hunt program, residents can recycle their old items by giving them away for free.

Hybrid vehicles
The county continues to buy hybrid cars, as well buses that run on ultra low-sulfur fuels. We provide financial incentives for septic system owners to properly maintain their septic systems and protect the environment. We buy cleaning supplies that don't hurt the environment and promote pest-management methods that do no rely on pesticides. We protect open space and have enacted laws to get contaminants such as mercury out of our water. And we adhere to high environmental standards at our airport, which is one of only a few in the nation where the management system has achieved ISO 14001 certification.

Our Hilltop Hanover Farm is an environmental education center and runs a variety of programs that are open to the public.

Our goal is to be innovative, to take small and large steps to make a difference.