Recycling regulations are changing across Long Island as residents of both Nassau and Suffolk counties are switching recycling systems from dual to single stream.
Dual stream recycling means that the materials accepted will rotate on a weekly basis. For example, one week solely card-board will be accepted and the next would be plastic or metals.
Glass will only be collected at certain collection sites and cannot be put out as a recyclable. This is a hassle for residents. Residents will now have to sort through their recyclables and bring their glass to a center where glass is accepted.
China’s “National Sword” policy went into effect in January 2018. Meaning, China will no longer accept United States recyclables. According to the National Public Radio, China has previously accepted plastic wastes from developed countries since 1992. NPR continues to state that China took this initiative due to “the protection of the environment and people’s health.” This raises questions on the future of recycling in the United States and how the recycling system will change in response to China’s policy as of the beginning of 2018.
The Village of Bayville has begun a single stream recycling system. A letter from Mayor De Natale and the Board of Trustees states, “The Village of Bayville is launching a Recycling Awareness/Education Campaign in advance of our change to Sing. Stream Recycling, which will go into effect November 1, 2018.” The letter continues to say, “There are some changes to what can be recycled- glass is no longer recyclable and only plastics 1 and 2 are recyclable.” Plastic recyclables are labeled on a scale from one to six, mean-ing residents will now have to check whether the plastics that they are putting out are accepted by the town.
Towns in Suffolk County such as Smithtown and Brookhaven are expected to switch to dual stream recycling in early 2019. However, the town of Smithtown has not yet officially notified its residents of this change.
Smithtown resident Brandon Charletta recently learned of the towns switch to dual stream recycling beginning in early 2019. “The town hasn’t officially notified its resident, she said. “Which is important for us to know because we will have to follow a new recycling schedule,” she added. “We would need to know these dates in order to continue putting out recyclables on days that they are collected.”
Though recycling on Long Island might change, officials apparently need to reinforce their policies for these changes to take effect.
