Tried and True Pilot Programs

New Paltz staff prepared a low tech commercial food waste composting site where material was received from three Mid-Hudson Valley college campuses and a local retail chain three times a week. The site was upgraded with a collection system to manage any run-off. Over the life of the program almost 900 tons of food waste was received before the commercial hauler collecting from campuses opted to take the material to another composting location. Brush drop-off has gone up significantly since the price per yard fee was waived creating a resource for the bulking agent needed for composting and for sales of mulch. The pilot program for rigid plastics has yielded an average of one ton each month of un-mandated but recyclable material diverted from the waste stream.

Trends in 2013 Staff recognizes that the zero waste initiative has reduced landfill fees collected in 2013; however, this trend has also lowered disposal costs and increased ReUse Center sales thereby creating a fiscally sound program that supports its own operating costs. Although the landfill fee revenue line goes down the disposal line drops as well and diverted materials have made up the revenue gap through sales at the ReUse Center. New Paltz envisions future community collaborations to re-localize our economy and food sources including support of local businesses and agriculture. More interest has been generating by providing composting and permaculture workshops than any of the other recycling programs. Over 150 compost bins have been distributed to residents for voluntarily reduction of home generated organics in the waste stream. Patronage of the ReUse Center has also increased and educational institutions including Bard’s MBA in Sustainability have been sending in dozens of students to pick up course material. Staff continues to develop methods to achieve the goals outlined in the Zero Waste Action Plan that was approved by the Town Board in December 2013. These goals for waste reduction programs and legislation require community, governmental and business involvement.

Staff Laura Petit – Recycling Coordinator/Environmental Educator recycling@townofnewpaltz.org Robert Karlsbarch – Transfer Station Operator Kevin Boudreau – Municipal Worker I www.newpaltzreuse.org

2

TOWN OF NEW PALTZ RECYCLING CENTER ANNUAL REPORT ON RECYCLABLES RECOVERED: 2013 The summary of this report was submitted to the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency pursuant to Local Law Nos. 8 & 9 of 1991 (modified 2011), NYSDC Registration No. 56R to operate the New Paltz Recycling and ReUse Center located at 3 Clearwater Road, New Paltz, New York and to EPA Waste Wise Re-trak as a Waste Wise partner and Pilot Municipality in the Zero Waste Initiative. Period Reported: January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013 Date: June 1, 2014 Planning Unit: Town of New Paltz Contact Person: Laura Petit, Recycling Coordinator

1.0 Mandatory and Voluntary Recycling 2013

Approximately 1,084.54 of materials were recycled through mandatory and voluntary enhanced recycling programs in the community. Waste diversion including materials warehoused in the ReUse Center and shredded paper for a local farmer is part of the total tonnage recycled. The recycling rate for 2013 was 67% including commercial food waste that was received January through May 2013 (See Table 1)

For the fifth consecutive year, New Paltz met the NYSDEC goal that calls for maximization of recycling efforts or 75% processible recycling with a 20% reduction in outgoing Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). In this category, mandatory recycling totaled 250.42 tons. (Table 3) Non-mandated recycling including brush, electronics, Solid Waste tonnages transferred out of the recycling center for landfill disposal dropped by 40 tons. Of the 364 tons transferred out, there is still more potential for reducing and diverting more materials.

Table 1. – 2013 New Paltz Recycling and Solid Waste

Recycling: Tons Percent Regulated and Diverted Residential Recycling –

Total Recycling 1,084.54

73%

Solid Waste Shipped Out: 364.00 27%

Total Material Handled 1,448.54

*Commercial Food Waste Composting 428.12 Numbers included in the Recycling rate

3

Materials accepted for recycling are included in Table 2. With ongoing efforts to enhance recycling programs to accept addition/new materials for either recycling or diversion into the reuse center.

Table 2. – 2013 Mandated Recyclables are as follows: Residential: Mixed Paper All plastic (except #6, plastic bags and Styrofoam) Glass: Food and Beverage Containers Metal: Food and Beverage Containers Rigid plastic including pill bottles, toys and storage containers Corrugated Cardboard and Brown Paper Bags Food Waste Aluminum Foil Automotive fluid Vegetable Oil Books and Magazines Shredded paper for animal bedding Clothing and Shoes

Table 3. – 2013 New Paltz Recycling By Commodity Tons Percent Regulated Residential Recycling –

Commingled 36.82 Mixed Paper 110.49 Cardboard 52.03 Non-ferrous 2.31 Glass 48.77 Total Recyclable Materials 250.42 17%

Diverted Materials: Scrap Metal 38.90 Automotive fluids inc. vegetable oil 4.17

Batteries .83 Tires 4.86 Brush & Leaves 324.02 Materials Diverted to ReUse Center 3.23 Pallets .67

Electronics 19.09 Fluorescent .03 Textiles 8.64 Shredded Paper 1.56

Food Waste 428.12 Total Diverted 834.12 58% Total Solid Waste 364.00 25%

4

Table 4. Electronics Collected Type of Covered Electronic Equipment Pounds Computers 2,423 Computer Peripherals 8,031 Small Electronic Equipment 2,993 Small Scale Servers 0 Televisions 24,721 Total Pounds 38,168

2.0 2013 Sustainable Materials Management and Recycling Operations New Paltz disposal fee revenues provide the financing for recycling center operations. Ongoing enforcement of Town user policies for materials received at the Recycling and ReUse Center to ensure that all users had purchased either a day or annual permit has increased permit holders. Staff closely monitors that users pay for all items being disposed of and that they are following recycling procedures. Between fees and grants monies received, the ReUse and Recycling Center was $56,500 over expended operating costs. The New Paltz recycling program processes arranges for collection and markets residential recyclables which covers costs necessary to assure that disposal fees are held to a minimum. New Paltz provides a well-maintained drop-off area for collection of materials such as mixed paper products, scrap metal, small appliances, commingled (plastic & metal cans), rigid plastic (toys and containers), glass, cardboard, textiles, electronics, etc. Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency (Solid Waste Authority) under an Intermunicipal Agreement continued collecting and transporting all mandated recyclables to their designated facility(s) and the Town of New Paltz markets all other recyclable materials not included in that contract. Beginning February 1, 2013 the Ulster County Legislative Local Law Number 10 of 2012 Section 9. Flow Control (a) “All Municipal Solid Waste generated within the County of Ulster shall be delivered for disposal to a Solid Waste Management Facility designated by the Agency” was implemented. There was concern that the UCRRA would also gain flow control over recyclable materials of value in addition to control over all waste generated in Ulster County. Draft legislation had been submitted to the State requesting the deletion of “exclusion of recyclable materials of value” clause in the UCRRA’s enabling legislation. If municipalities lose valuable materials such as scrap metal, then significant financial impacts may have warranted their closure. Several municipal representatives including New Paltz spoke against amending legislation at Ulster County Legislative sessions and contacted local state representatives. To date, flow control only covers municipal solid waste (not construction and demolition debris) generated in the County. New Paltz is taking all plastics except No. 6. Certain plastics that are not accepted by the UCRRA are being pulled out of containers manually by staff. A thirty (30) cubic yard container is on site full of this “other plastic” material. The Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency agreed to market rigid plastic as part of a pilot project and over one ton of rigid plastic a month was recycled since the program started in June 2013. A self-tipping hopper was purchased and recycling instructions updated to reflect the process for

5

source separating rigid plastic. This has been an opportunity to remove a significant amount of bulky materials from the waste stream. There is ongoing confusion about the different types of molded and rigid plastic since everything “has a number” on it including Styrofoam and plastic bags. Another issue is receiving recyclables contaminated with food, gable boxes and petroleum oil. Recycling Center users either want to recycle everything or do not want to pay disposal fees for items such as oil containers or spoiled food. Staff continues to follow up by posting the actual item(s) found in recycling containers to the outside wall of the office so as users drive up; they will see what is not acceptable for recycling. For those recycling center users that take issue with materials that are not accepted, they are either offered alternative locations for recycling them or educated on consumer modification for future purchases. Two additional 40-cubic yard containers were purchased to add materials diversion programs such as collecting construction and demolition debris (C&D) to rescue usable lumber which will further reduce waste transferred out for landfilling. However, without constant monitoring, the public was contaminating the loads with other C&D material (i.e. roofing shingles and drywall) and “recycling” wooden furniture. Several attempts to obstruct public access failed and the loads had to be disposed of at the County transfer station. Further evaluation will be necessary to create a viable program.

Outgoing MSW was reduced from 404 tons to 364 tons through waste diversion efforts and converting operations from the solid waste concept to sustainable materials management. Rather than dispose of bicycles as salvage, more than fifty were sold through the reuse/waste diversion program. Diversion of saleable materials from source separated recycling has been increasing the diversion rates as well since movement of recyclable material is far from carbon neutral and impacts transportation costs. Sustainable practices will continue to be incorporated into the program.

Several student interns worked on projects which enhanced or created new programs. A SUNY New Paltz advanced marketing major “adopted” the New Paltz ReUse and Recycling Center as part of her class project. After a lengthy interview with staff, she submitted recommendations including adding ReUse to the website title, creating a separate facebook page, a proposal to market and promotes the ReUse Center including recommendations for branding the programs and publication updates. (See attached) She also prepared the 2013 Fall Newsletter for distribution. The other was a Hunter College graduate with a paid internship who had a degree in Urban Design and Planning. She created an overlay of vacant parcels within the New Paltz municipality and created lists of farms, restaurants and businesses to create sustainable local purchasing programs including a Farm to Fork. This intern also presented a County accepted training session for local Planning and Zoning Boards as part of the annual education requirements for Board volunteers. The goal for this intern was to catalog local resources and create an asset inventory for future programs and grant applications.

6

During 2013, New Paltz Recycling and ReUse Center managed:

Yard waste composting site; open to the public five days per week with permit; leaf mold available to permit holders only at no charge;

Electronic collection; was discontinued due to the vendor breaking the contract and requesting payment for all e-waste collected. Feedback from customers is that they are unwilling to pay for e-waste disposal. The County continues to offer e-waste recycling to all residents;

Annual Spring Cleanup; open to Town residents the end of April to drop off specific materials. Total participation was two hundred twenty-five (225) Spring Cleanup coupons were distributed. Almost twenty-one tons of waste was collected including that picked up from seniors;

Special Services; Spring pick up of materials collected from twenty-five (25) seniors; Brush processing site; open to the public five days per week at no charge to Town/Village

residents through amnesty program to save time for highway personnel doing curbside and to arborists; ground mulch or wood chips available at a fee with limited supplies. Delivery also available to New Paltz residents only;

Commercial Food Waste composting – facility registered with New York State DEC. No material was brought in after May 2013;

Administered special services and outreach programs at local area events Direct program costs in 2013 (unaudited), associated with recycling services (Table 5.) Mandated Recycling - Recyclables are self hauled by residents and collected in 30 and 40 cubic yard containers placed on site by the Ulster County Resource Recovery as part of the Intermunicipal Agreement (IMA) with the Town. The UCRRA per the IMA provides for pickup and processing of mandated recyclable materials with no tipping fee, but does add a pull charge of $43 per container and fuel surcharge based on the Northeastern Department of Energy estimates. There is no Town fee for

Table 5. – Expenses by Program

Recycling Personnel $ 102,054

Equipment Purchase inc. hopper

and highway excavator $ 18,811

Operating Costs (uniforms, etc) $ 14,033

Public Education $ 3,758

Composting/Mulch $ 2,840

Electronics Collection $ - 0 -

Waste Disposal $ 44,328

Total Cost $111,700

Revenues – Tip fees $ 123,072

Grant Reimbursement $ 119,245

Total Revenue $ 242,317

* Programs costs do not include maintenance, utilities, uniforms, etc.

7

recycling, however, site users must have a permit – both one day and annual are available to offset the transportation surcharge required by the UCRRA.

The UCRRA transports materials collected at the New Paltz Recycling Center to the Material Recovery Facility in Kingston, NY for further processing and marketing. The MRF is taking single stream recycling from commercial haulers but continues to collect municipal material dual stream. Single stream collection has impacted both the quality and marketing of material. Commercial sector single stream recycling and variations in other counties recycling programs continue to cause contamination issues at the New Paltz Recycling and ReUse Center. It has been a challenge to monitor at the Town level to ensure facility users are not placing unacceptable materials in collection containers. Generally, New Paltz staff does a significant amount of on-site materials handling to clean up materials so contamination is significant enough for the UCRRA to landfill it. Marketing single stream generates revenues of approximately thirteen ($13.00) per ton, whereas source separated materials can generate up to $150 ton for fiber and thirty-six (.36) a pound for HDPE and LPET plastic. Shortly after the UCRRA started enforcing flow control, a commercial hauler asked if the recycling center could handle three drop-offs a week up to two tons each of single stream recycling to save them from driving their split body packer truck back to an Orange County recycling facility twenty miles away. Staff attempted to manage the first two loads delivered, however, the sheer volume and contamination of the material which included large rigid plastic swimming pools, Styrofoam and garbage made it impossible. The Recycling and ReUse Center’s charges are determined by disposal costs and marketed material revenues. In 2013, recycling of scrap decreased due to the poor economy also contributed to more people delivering their metal to a scrap yard so they would receive the revenues. The Recycling and ReUse Center does not pay for scrap metal. New Paltz revenues were reduced by approximately 30%.

3.0 Program Enforcement New Paltz continues to enforce Ulster County Local County Law mandating source separation for recycling on site through of public education, outreach and surveillance. However, off site there is little to no enforcement. In June 2013, a special task force which was a sub-committee of the Recycling Enforcement Committee created under the Zero Waste Initiative, sent volunteers out to do a “recon” by using New Paltz parcel assessment information for multi-family dwellings and businesses. The group inventoried each parcel and documented what types of containers were onsite for garbage/recycling removal. The information on non-compliant parcels was forwarded to the Village Enforcement Officer and the newly hired UCRRA compliance office since the Town does not have an enforcement law on the books. With the help of a volunteer, New Paltz recycling education was modified to simplify instructions mainly on handling plastics. Approximately, one thousand past and present Recycling and ReUse Center users were mailed the information along with medical waste disposal information and waste reduction ideas. Staff conducts daily inspections of loads of solid waste at the Town Recycling Center looking for bags containing recyclables and diverting reusable materials to the ReUse Center. Pictures are taken of bags that are dumped in the commingled container and, if possible, staff identified the origin of the waste,

8

however, many customers are removing their information making indentifying them more difficult. The violator is mailed a compliance warning with educational material.

4.0 2012 New Paltz Sustainable Materials Management and Waste Reduction Initiative

The ReUse Center was open the end of 2012 and fifty percent of construction costs were reimbursed through a New York State Department of Environment waste reduction grant in 2013. It is anticipated that by the end of 2016, the revenues from sales of diverted materials will have covered the rest of the construction costs. Public education

programming, marketed under the new “ReUse and Recycling Center” (changed from “Recycling and Reuse Center,” per the SUNY New Paltz advanced marketing major’s recommendation) has increased sales. The target audience is artists and contractors which includes sales to and donations from these sources. BARD MBA Sustainability Program students are required to visit a center such as New Paltz to collect materials can that be re-purposed for their class projects.

The EPA pilot zero waste initiative has created national attention for the ReUse Center and other programs in New Paltz. Staff provided information on the New Paltz program to students in Ohio, towns throughout the mid-Hudson region and shared grant information with local municipalities.

Compost Sponsorship requests went out to New Paltz businesses to offset the cost to Composting 101 participants of Earth Machine ® compost bins. Five responses were received (Fairweather Consulting, New Paltz School of Ballet, Seakill Construction, Wallkill View Farms and Jim DeMaio Insurance) which provided twenty-one attendees of a Compost 101 workshop with an Earth Machine compost bin. The workshop was lead by a local Master Gardener. A second workshop was held two months later with fifteen people in attendance. Additionally, Red Hook, NY Citizens Advisory Committee purchased twenty-five bins to distribute at their Arbor Day event.

9

Twenty rain barrels were also purchased for public distribution with the shipment of compost bins. Due to public interest, the Recycling Coordinator is seeking partners to participate in bulk purchase of rain barrels. Operational changes have been made for onsite mulch and wood chips. Permit holders still have access to leaf mold which is relatively low maintenance; however, access to the mulch and wood chips was restricted. 1) Bulking agents are needed to effectively run the commercial food waste program especially the double ground mulch; 2) Commercial landscapers were taking the material and using it on job sites. Food Waste Composting - New Paltz received 428 tons of food waste from local college dining halls and a large retail chain through May 2013. The site had a black crow issue throughout the winter months that lasted through late spring. The birds left but preparation to discourage their return had been discussed with local pest control companies. Several methods will be used including an air cannon and installation of “shiny foil” barriers. Mitigation of the composting site to control leachate with the assistance of a retired expert in the field of commercial food waste composting included installation of perforated pipe, a blacktopped entry driveway, further grading of the site and a fifteen hundred gallon leachate collection tank. Total site upgrades were $1,500. Since local food waste composting sites are limited, the single commercial packer truck collecting and delivering food waste was sought after by the UCRRA. Their tonnage fee was lowered from $50/ton to $30/ton at a May 2013 Board meeting and the hauler started delivering food waste to their Kingston facility. Except for minute quantities of food waste that are collected at local events such as the Taste of New Paltz and the SUNY New Paltz Recyclemania dinner, no material was delivered after May 2013. Local sources are being sought so the program can continue. A small carting business that provides a composting collection container to its customers and delivers food waste to local farmers for composting has started through public interactions at Zero Waste events. New Paltz supports a three bin systems and has been working with the New Paltz Village Mayor to create a curbside collection program that includes food waste composting.

10

Residential Electronics Recycling On April 1, 2011 New York State implemented its ban on electronics being commingled with solid waste for landfilling or burning. Over 38,168 pounds of electronics were collected in 2013 from Ulster County residents for proper disposal. New Paltz residents were able to drop off old computers, electronic equipment and TVs at the New Paltz Recycling Center five days a week. Additionally, working monitors, computers and laptops were diverted to Town departments for reuse. Several of the Towns were notified by their electronic vendor in October of 2013 that they would either no longer be able to service municipalities or that fees for electronics collection would be applied. New Paltz was not able to contract with another NYSDEC registered vendor to continue offering free drop off of electronics to its users but the UCRRA has continued its electronics collection so residents are directed to take e-waste to their Kingston facility. Manufacturers were complaining that the NYSDEC was not advising them in a timely fashion of annual e-waste tonnage expectations and vendors were complaining that manufacturers were not promptly paying them. The direct program costs to New Paltz were limited to staff management of incoming materials. This program offset disposal costs by $1,641 plus pull charges had electronics been commingled with the trash.

Residential Battery Collection

Permit holders can drop off their old rechargeable batteries at several drop boxes including the Recycling Center, Best Buy and Lowe’s. Several large retail chains also accept fluorescent light bulbs at no charge too. Automotive batteries are accepted at the recycling center for no charge since it is a revenue maker. Alkaline household batteries are not toxic and there is currently not a market to recycle them so they are disposed of in the regular trash. Approximately .83 tons of automotive batteries were collected and recycled in 2013 adding to revenues. A forty pound box of rechargeable and NiCad batteries were also sent in to CalltoRecycle for proper handling.

Lowes Three-Bin Collection Container for batteries, bags and fluorescents

Public Education

Every year the population needs to be reminded that recycling is mandatory with more emphasis have been placed this year on waste reduction and diversion. To maximize outreach, the Recycling Coordinator informs the public at special events such as the Reformed Church Earth Day, Ulster County Fair and Clean Sweep.

11

In 2013, public education through public access, social media, and print media campaigns was done with the assistance of Advanced Marketing Major, Lauren Levin. New Paltz employs one Recycling Coordinator and two trained Recycling Center staff to engage the public about proper ways to recycle and, more importantly, modifying consumerism. The objective is to create a functioning “Zero Waste” program while setting up a model of a sustainable municipal department for future

“green” Town projects. The educational component of the program encourages environmental stewardship through waste reduction, diversion and reuse. It included composting education and re-purposing materials. The Recycling and ReUse Center’s website, www.newpaltzreuse.org, provides extensive recycling education and waste reduction information, as well as recycling instructions. Links for information on SHARPS and HHW collection, educational material and other programs are also provided.

Vertical Gardening Creative Minds

Tool Library

School and Community Gardening Initiative New Paltz Middle

School Garden started

Received wood chips and compost from Recycling and

ReUse Center Lenape

Elementary School Received wood chips from

Recycling and ReUse Center Elting Library Received mulch from Recycling

and ReUse Center Recycling and ReUse Center

Tweefontein CSA put perennial herbs in

12

Recycling and ReUse Center There were 942 permit holders and a significant increase in one time users (613 purchases of one day permits). Although the waste transfer out was reduced by 40 tons and the revenues decreased by nearly $8,000, the disposal budget line was reduced by $29,000. Nearly $5,000 was lost in scrap metal due to lower market value and a poor economy lending itself to more people taking scrap to market themselves for cash payouts. However, patronage at the ReUse Center has increased making up the revenue losses for scrap and landfill fees through sales of reusable items. Equipment A 2013 Ford F350 dump truck was delivered in May for use at the ReUse and Recycling Center. The cost of the truck will be covered in part by NYSDEC grant funds as part of a waste reduction program. This vehicle will be used to collect materials for the reuse center and to transport compost offsite. SUNY Dorm Cleanup Is May 17th through 18th. Volunteers are being sought to help pick up materials from the dorms and sort and set up at the United Methodist Church on 1 Grove Street. This event is well attended, items are free for the taking, and it diverts material from the waste stream. There was no material left at the end of the event for disposal. The goal of the New Paltz Recycling and ReUse Center is to reduce waste by offering opportunities for individuals to divert materials and find “new homes” for them. This year students had final exams through Friday the 17th and were hurried to leave dorms by the weekend resulting in less material being placed in common areas for volunteers to pick up. The roll-off containers stationed outside of each dorm were full of clothing, electronics and campus refrigerators. The 2014 challenge will be to continue increasing waste diversion rates until the Town reaches its Zero Waste goal. Finding commercial resources to continue filling shelves with new items has been difficult and will be addressed.

13

Community Events

New Paltz is committed to maintaining high levels of community participation in the Zero Waste Initiative program. In 2013, New Paltz’s recycling team were part of numerous area events and fairs including:

Ulster County Fair Reform Church Earth Day Creative Minds Tool Fix It Composting 101 Vertical and Container Gardening Workshops Several tours for schools and municipalities of the ReUse and Recycling Center Environmental Task Force on SUNY campus Tour with EPA of Culinary Institute food waste and

vegetable oil recovery program Meetings with Town Supervisor’s Association Tool Library SUNY New Paltz AMA (Marketing) club Climate Action Coalition

Recycling staff and volunteers participated in the Great Community Giveaway by collecting materials left behind in fourteen student housing units. The Town partnered with the United Methodist Church on Main Street where materials were taken to be sorted and set out on tables for the public to take for free. Four tons of material was recovered; non-perishable food was delivered to Family of New Paltz; and, the Methodist Church took clothing for its “closet”. Only one large garbage bag filled mostly with plastic had to be discarded.

Make a Difference Day

14

Sixteen students spent the day working at the Recycling Center as part of the annual Make a Difference Day. Students broke up into three groups. One group worked on the pine tree seedlings and cleared around the shed before painting it. Another group started the framework for a greenhouse that will eventually be used to start plants for the demonstration gardens. The last group worked in the ReUse center straightening and stocking shelves. Spring Cleanup 2013 Spring Cleanup ran from April 20th to May 4th. 225 Spring Cleanup coupons were requested by property owners; 19.22 tons of waste was delivered for landfilling; 1.38 tons of material was picked up from twenty-five (25) seniors for landfilling. (Total 20.60 = $2,188.00 inc. tip fee, fuel surcharge and four Agency pickups) This is the third year that we have been enforcing NO C&D which has made the event very manageable. (Call ins for pickup appointments for seniors ended on April 19th) Material from seniors residences was easier to sort through and material collected during the 2013 Spring Cleanup were diverted mainly to the reuse center and metal container which reduced the outgoing waste by 7.69 tons from 2012.

New Paltz Clean Sweep Working with the New Paltz Beautification Committee and Ulster County DPW, over 200 volunteers assembled and collected nearly two tons of litter and 200 tires from roadways and ditches. This was the seventh annual clean-up of this type. The Town and Village partnered with over a dozen different community groups and local

school children utilizing St. Joseph Church as a headquarters to register volunteers for a variety of clean up locations. It has been reported by event planners that each year less and less material is being found on roadsides so cleanup has expanded to the Wallkill rail trail. This successful program will take place again on Earth Day week on April 26, 2014.

ZERO WASTE INITIATIVE National conference calls with EPA and thirteen municipalities

The Zero Waste Initiative is a pilot project partnership with the federal Environmental Protection Agency to create a roadmap for other communities nationally. New Paltz was one of only thirteen communities nationwide to be selected to partner with the US Department of the Environment to develop a Zero Waste Action Plan for our country. The mission of the New Paltz Municipal Recycling Drop-Off and ReUse Center is to create a prototype for sustainable standard of living by promoting local purchasing, creating green jobs and diverting usable materials out of the waste stream. Since partnering with the EPA as one of the original thirteen municipalities to address Zero Waste initiatives, New Paltz has taken on a sustainable materials management approached to its transfer station and recycling facility operations.

15

People from three counties have heard about New Paltz’s Zero Waste Initiative and have called to offer to sit on a committee since the March 29th 2012 a Zero Waste Initiative Workshop where over a hundred attendees welcomed EPA Region II Administrator Judith Encke. From that workshop several sub-committees have been formed including Gardens, Organic Composting and BioFuel; Sub-Urban Planning and Financing; Green Businesses in Action. Volunteers sitting on the Garden committee had been up to the Recycling Center several times to work on the demonstration areas: backyard composting and gardens. Another volunteer initially interested in bringing a tool share and tool library program to the area has held several permaculture and Tool Fix It workshops at the ReUse Center. Participants were instructed on repair of tools, vertical and container gardening and reuse of common materials for creative containers. New Paltz plans to open a municipally run tool share in 2014 so permit holders can borrow hand tools for up to two weeks rather than purchase new tools that will only be used occasionally. (See attachment.) The first Repair Café modeled after the Amsterdam cafes took place at the United Methodist Church. The goals of the founder, John Wackman, are to encourage repair rather than disposal and “how to” education for the public as part of New Paltz’s Zero Waste goals. Public response was overwhelmingly in favor of this free event held every other month and has lead to similar café s being held throughout the Mid-Hudson Region. Recycling Coordinator, Laura Petit, has been asked to speak at several events including the New Jersey Environmental Federation event and New York State Chapter of Solid Waste Association of North America. Information discussed at these events was mainly transitioning from a solid waste management facility to a sustainable materials management system. Noteworthy activities A host of other services continued to be provided through the diversion and recycling program, including the following:

Expanded recycling drop-off program to include rigid plastic, aluminum foil and household food waste five days a week at the Clearwater Road location;

Continued submission of grants to support a variety of Town activities including outreach and public education, waste reduction and diversion, recycling personnel costs;

Expanded its web site to include minutes and articles regarding Zero waste action plan; Reconvened meetings of municipal recycling coordinators (MRCs) to share valuable information

with other municipalities; Provided opportunity for hands on training and volunteer hours for community service; Completed terms of NYSDEC Waste Reduction project; Partnered with the EPA as a pilot municipality for their Zero Waste Initiative New Paltz Recycling

and held an Interactive Workshop with Regional Director Judith Encke in attendance.

Application for two (2) CFA grants were submitted August 12th with the assistance of Carol

Connolly, Dave Clouser and George Lithco:

16

o Sustainable and Resiliency- Cleaner, Greener Communities to revise Master Plan, zoning

ordinances and land use planning including water and waste water infrastructure. (See

attached)

o Wallkill Valley Rail Trail – Trail head development and information kiosks

Applications for Hazard Mitigation grants were submitted for installation of micro-grids on

essential buildings including the Town Hall, Highway Department inc. Salt Shed, Waste Water

Treatment #6 and the Community Center. Also for repair to Cragswood Road.

Work in Progress – Electrical Vehicle charging stations and Photo Voltaic streamlining. Funding

available from NYSERDA at $2,500 each.

Team: New Paltz Recycling Team: - Town Supervisor and Town Board - Laura Petit, Recycling Educator - Robert Karlsbarch, Transfer Station Operator

17

New Paltz Recycling and ReUse Center Expanded and Enhanced Program

2013

Meetings January - Town Supervisors’ Association for discussion on flow control and changes to Public Authority Law January 22nd -Presented recommendations on changes to public authority’s law to Ulster County Legislator. February - Intern from SUNY New Paltz has begun working on a recycling project for New Paltz. Paige will be in on Tuesdays to work on marketing and recycling compliance. A presentation will be her final project. February - Site tour with representatives from the EPA at the Culinary Institute to visit their food composting and vegetable oil collection program. February - Meeting with Town of Gardiner representatives and tour of New Paltz site. February - Municipal Recycling Coordinators meeting at Hurley Transfer Station. (Helped set up but was unable to attend. February - “Creative Minds” at the ReUse Center for people to come in and make items out of materials available. Turn out of approximately twenty people and good media coverage February - “Tool Fix It” had approximately twelve participants and created another avenue for the Wolf Bravo to create modules for people to be able to learn about gardening and repair tools. He hopes the permanent site for the Ulster County Tool Share will be in the City of Kingston. February - Tool Library – Informational workshop held at the Community Center to share information on setting up a tool share at local farms or libraries. March - Meeting at SUNY New Paltz with AMA club for marketing assistance. The club has placed in the top ten nationally for its ideas and has agreed to take on the New Paltz Recycling and ReUse Center as this year’s project! March - EPA conference call – Exit meeting for thirteen municipal participants to discuss next steps in the Zero Waste movement and how to invite more communities to participate. March - The “Container Garden” workshop had approximately eight participants. Sales at the ReUse Center to increase when we hold workshops. March - I conducted a tour of the New Paltz facilities with Red Hook CAC members and a Red Hook Board member. They are interested in joining the Recycling Coordinator meetings in Ulster County so they can upgrade their transfer station and recycling center. They purchased 25 compost bins for distribution at their Arbor Day celebration. April 1st – I spoke at the Retired Men of New Paltz meeting with approx. 25 people in attendance. It was a lively group with great questions. I have been receiving positive feedback. April 6th – New Jersey Environmental Federation Zero Waste Day; I was asked to be a speaker at the event along with a NJDEP representative.

18

April 11th Poughkeepsie –Arlington Rotary: “…… we look forward to Laura Petit from the New Paltz Re-Use Center. Laura will talk about New Paltz’s zero waste goal and ideas about how to spread the goal across the bridge. She will be sharing ways we can be more environmentally friendly both in our homes and our offices. “There were fifty people in attendance. It was a diverse group with great questions. April 13th Composting 101: $10 signup fee with an Earth Machine compost bin provided at the end of the workshop presented by Sue Stegen. Approx 15 people were in attendance. The discounted bins were courtesy of local sponsorships: Fairweather Consulting, Seakill, Jim DeMaio Insurance, New Paltz School of Ballet and Wallkill Farm. April 20th Sustainability Day at SUNY: Laura Petit, Green Panel at 1:00pm; Tables set up from 12 to 4pm. Approx 200 people were in attendance April 20 through May 4th was the annual Spring Cleanup. Twenty one seniors were picked up and 313 residents picked up coupons to bring in material. We received 25 tons of garbage. Approx 11 tons of scrap and 3 tons of rigid plastic was diverted thanks to staff, Bob and Kevin, and volunteer, Mike Matt. Unfortunately, residents were still trying to bring in construction and demolition debris from home improvements and fencing/deck removals. We also took in 3,600 pounds of electronics. April 25th Sustainable Agriculture Day: Table set up 10-4pm. Approx. 100 people in attendance April 27th: Clean Sweep. Provided recycling information at event. Several hundred people participated. April 28th Reform Church Day: 11 – 3pm Table with educational information and a lot of networking opportunities. Several hundred people attended. May 4th Composting 101 with Sue Stegen. Approx. 6 people attended. The video from SUNY film student Joseph DiBlasi has been completed and can be viewed on http://vimeo.com/62678319 . He has given us authorization to put it on public access. It includes interviews with Jim Taylor, Taylor recycling, local business Green Palette, SUNY Recycling Coordinator and SUNY professor, and Re-Community. Really is an inspiring documentary on rethinking waste and recycling opportunities. May 2nd – I spoke with Melissa Everett who is preparing the Mid-Hudson Valley Climate Smart Action Plan. Climate Smart and Zero Waste Action plans closing parallel each other. May 5th – Second sponsored Compost 101 class was held with Sue Stegen as educator. May 17th and 18th – The Great Community Giveaway. A dozen volunteers and students met at the SUNY campus to collect materials that students were not bringing home with them. More volunteers were waiting at the United Methodist church to organize materials on tables under a tent provided by the church. All leftover items were taken to Family of New Paltz on Saturday evening including four cases of food. Estimate three tons of material was rescued. June 8th – Second Annual Zero Waste Day with our First UpCycle Fashion Show with a panel of judges to view live runway models exhibiting the creations. There will also be a Scare Crow contest and Accessory Contest. Of course, the materials used must be from rescued and recyclable materials. The event will be at the Recreation Center and parking lot with lots of vendors and music. Better than last year. July 10th – Attended CFA writing workshop at Mount St Mary’s in Newburgh for information on upcoming grants. It was a great networking opportunity and made contact information available for grant writing and technical questions.

19

July 27th – Wolf Bravo held the last “Tool Fix It” workshop. We would like to formally open the Town’s tool share and library program. The tools will be available only for anyone holding a current New Paltz Recycling and Reuse Center permit and there is a sign out sheet. Tools can be borrowed for two weeks at a time. October 19th – Make a Difference Day. SUNY Students will be bussed out to the recycling center to volunteer their time. Starts at 10am and goes until 2pm. November 28th - Brogan O’Donnell, the intern, assisted in application for a Partnership grant to create a “Farm to Fork” initiative. December 10th, New Paltz received a recognition award for the food waste composting program.