By the Bronxville Green Committee

Oct. 27, 2021: One of the most significant environmental contributions we can all make on a daily basis is to reduce, reuse and recycle our waste. These practices are good not only for the environment but also for our economy and our communities.

Following up on our Recycling Refresher article from last week, we’d like to take a quick moment to highlight some tips and resources for disposing of and recycling items that are not collected in our curbside trash or recycling. 

Village Hall offers convenient drop off for cell phones and unused medications

-Drop off cell phones for recycling at a container in the lobby of Village Hall. Bronxville HS students, concerned about the U.S.’s 9.4 million tons of annual e-waste, have developed a program called iTRAID to recycle phones responsibly.

-Dispose of unused medications at the Police Station’s collection bin. Only pills are accepted. Liquids and needles are not accepted. Never put medications in the trash or down the sink/toilet. 

Westchester Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) accepts most household hazardous waste and other items worthy of special handling. The facility is located in Valhalla and is available to Westchester County residents on a year-round, appointment-only basis. See the list of accepted items below and check out the County website for more specific information on items and to schedule appointments.

Accepted Wastes:

-New! Textiles (including shoes, sneakers, boots and cleats, belts, handbags, scarfs, hats/gloves, sheets, towels and blankets)

-Automotive Fluids

-Car Tires

-Kerosene and other flammable liquid

-Electronic waste (computers, printers, televisions, cell phones, most appliances)

-Refrigerant-containing household appliances (air conditioners, refrigerators, and dehumidifier)

-Expired or unused pharmaceuticals 

-Polish for metals, jewelry and furniture

-Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides

-Chemicals for swimming pools and photography

-Propane Tanks

-Fluorescent light bulbs (including CFLs and tube-shaped fluorescent bulbs). Note: LEDs do not contain mercury and are not classified as toxic; therefore, they can be disposed of in the garbage.

-Rechargeable batteries (including vehicle batteries and button cell)

-Fire Extinguishers

While the H-MRF is a helpful resource for big cleanouts, most of us are not able to make it to Valhalla often. Fortunately, there are many convenient resources available to properly dispose of and recycle our everyday items. For example, everycartridge.com offers a guide of solutions for recycling your printer cartridges.

For more solutions, download the Recycle Right Westchester app by Sustainable Westchester. It has a searchable “Recyclopedia” that provides local trash and recycling guidelines as well as resources to donate or sell your goods for reuse.  

Leaf season is here: please consider asking your landscaper to place whole leaves around plants, then mulch the rest and leave them on the lawn.  The best way to deal with leaves is to recycle them back into the earth, replenishing nutrients and supporting pollinators.

Bronxville’s popular TAKE BACK DAY will be held on November 6! Look for details soon…

The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. We work to propose and implement environmentally sustainable programs in our community. Visit our website to learn more. Please consider joining our efforts!