What happens to everything we throw "away"? 

Most of us never think about our waste after we bring it to the curb. The journey may surprise you. 

• When our trash is picked up, it is first brought to the MRF (Material Recovery Facility) located in Yonkers, across the Thruway from Costco and Home Depot.

• It is weighed and carted to the Weelabrator in Peekskill. Our Village is billed a fee based on this weight.

• While our trash is not creating methane at a landfill, it does generate CO2 when burned. Either way, the less trash we make, the better.

• Remember, "keep it out of the landfill" thinking doesn't exactly apply to us in Hastings – but think: "keep it out of the incinerator"! 

• Know what you can and cannot recycle. Review this list here.

• Make sure your recyclables are clean.  Why? If enough households do it incorrectly our entire load could be considered contaminated, rejected, and sent to the incinerator.

• Contamination is caused by inclusion of incorrect items and dirty items. Clean out those peanut butter jars and only recycle what's allowed!

• Don't "wishcycle" and include something you're not sure about. When in doubt, throw it out.

• Our biggest contamination is PLASTIC BAGS. Do not bag your recycling.  It gets caught in the sorting machines. 

• You can tour the MRF! Schedule your tour here.

• Simply begin collecting your scraps and bring them to the collection bins at our DPW at 67 Southside Avenue. For more detailed instructions click here.

• You can also work with Hudson Compost Services to arrange for curbside pickup.

• Know what you should and should not compost. Keep it to food and plants and do not include "compostable" material like cups and utensils. See the complete list below.

• Learn about UCCRA.

• Composting is most effective when done as locally as possible -- like your backyard.  Then, it doesn't need to be transported as ours does. Click for backyard composting instructions and tips.