Program Highlights

The Tompkins County Solid Waste Division provides reliable recycling and solid waste services to Tompkins County residents, educational institutions, businesses and other organizations.  Annual revenue from the sale of over 17,000 tons of recyclables exceeded $1 million in 2006.  In light of the high degree of financial stability in recent years, we have been able to expand our programs to reduce waste and increase reuse in an effort to decrease our reliance on waste disposal.

New and continuing programs include food waste collection and composting, computer and building material reuse, school education, household hazardous waste collection at the DEPOT, illegal dumping enforcement, expanded recycling services including a planned upgrade of the Recycling and Solid Waste Center to a single stream recycling processing facility.

In 2006 the Solid Waste Division initiated the Re-Business Partners program to help businesses reduce waste. As part of the program, businesses receive a free waste assessment and a follow-up report with specific tips to increase recycling, reuse and the purchase of green office products.  This program will be expanded to the education, retail and restaurant sectors in 2007.  Our partnerships with other non-profit organizations involved in waste reduction and reuse include Historic Ithaca's Significant Elements, Cooperative Extension, PRI 's Museum of the Earth, the Sciencenter, Sustainable Tompkins and ReImagine Style.  The new website, FingerLakesBuyGreen.org will help businesses buy office products made with recycled content.

Our expanded programs will help our community reach the goals established in our 20 year Solid Waste Management Plan.  As a result, our community will continue to succeed in significantly reducing the amount of garbage we throw away.