What do I recycle?
In the North Country, we focus primarily on these 5 categories. The "Big 5" are all recycled in "curbside recycling" or at transfer sites. These main commodities are reused in other industries or are diverted to save space in landfills.
Download the Development Authority of the North Country Recycling Guide!
How do I recycle?
In Jefferson County and the City of Watertown the recycling method used is source separation, or curbside separation. This means that the individual or business separates cardboard, glass, paper, plastic, and metal waste into separate containers that are then disposed of appropriately. Citizens in Jefferson County are required to dispose of their recyclables at the county or town transfer stations, unless through a private hauler. Citizens of the City of Watertown have free curbside pick-up for their recyclables on a bi-weekly basis.
In St. Lawrence and Lewis County, the recycling method is single stream. Single stream means that all recyclable waste is discarded into a single waste bin. The waste is then collected appropriately and disposed of at a facility that processes recyclables. Citizens in St. Lawrence County and Lewis County are required to dispose of their recyclables at the county or town transfer stations, unless through a private hauler.
If your use a private hauler, please check with your hauler to determine the method that they use to collect recyclables.
Why Recycle?
Recycling is defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. The Development Authority is a strong advocate for recycling not only as it protects our environment, but ultimately it reduces the amount of waste that goes into its landfill in Rodman. This means that, over time, the landfill will be in operation a lot longer! Other benefits of recycling include:
- Conserves natural resources such as timber, water and minerals;
- Increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials;
- Prevents pollution by reducing the need to collect new raw materials;
- Saves energy in multiple levels of production and manufacturing;
- Supports American manufacturing and conserves valuable resources;
- Helps create jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries in the United States;
- Prevents wasted space within the landfill by eliminating "void space" aka air pockets
