Environment and Recycling

Protecting our environment for the future is our responsibility.

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. Larger businesses, schools and institutions are also required to file a solid waste disposal and recycling plan with the county every three years.

We continually build on existing programs and look for new opportunities to conserve resources. For example, the county recycles vegetable oil, by turning it into biodiesel. We're offer free pick-up of used vegetable oil from food establishments and county facilities, process the vegetable oil into biodiesel, and use it in county vehicles, boilers and the Veggie Van. The Veggie Van is a mobile classroom that visits schools and public events in the county, to educate students and residents about conservation and recycling.

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