Recycling Stats: How Does Your Village Measure Up?

According to data released by the Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities for 2010, Irvington's percentage of waste that was recycled (66 percent) was topped only by Scarsdale, whose residents recycled an impressive 68 percent of all waste. When it comes to recycling, there is more at stake than preserving our quickly-diminishing supplies of natural resources. Your pocketbook is also involved. 

"Municipalities pay a $25 per-ton tipping fee to dispose of their waste as garbage," said Sean O'Rourke, who works for the county department of environmental facilities. "Municipalities do not pay a tipping fee to ‘tip’ recyclables. Further, whenever recycled content is used as a feedstock in the manufacturing of a product, less energy is used which impacts positively on the environment."

Beginning on June 1, more items will be recyclable. Those classified as  plastic containers coded three through seven— including shampoo bottles, yogurt cups and pill bottles—can be thrown into the plastic bins. 

For a quick recycling tutorial, check out Westchester County's guide to curbside recycling. 

Scroll down to see how your village did in 2010:

Recycling Stats 2010: Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities 

*Measurements are in tons.