Don’t take a vacation from recycling when you visit the Finger Lakes this fall!

The fall is the perfect time for a Finger Lakes trip, but it can be tough to know the in’s and out’s of recycling when you’re away from home.

Are the rules the same as back home?
To sort or not to sort?
What to do with pet waste?

Questions like these often lead to leaf peepers opting for a “safer” choice and putting everything in the bin or trashing it all.

And who can blame them? It’s a vacation, right! We’ve got some simple tips to take the stress out of recycling on your next trip:

1)    Know what belongs in the bin. 


These items are Not Bin-Friendly:

• Styrofoam, wax coated paper products, paper towels or tissues
• Window glass, light bulbs, Pyrex, drinking glasses or ceramics
• Car parts, batteries, appliance parts, or other scrap metals
• Plastic bags, plastic film, biodegradable plastic

2)  Don’t waste time sorting.
Ontario County is a Zero-Sort community! That means all the bin-friendly materials listed above can get tossed in the same recycling bin and brought out to the curb each week. We like to keep the sorting as simple as possible!

3)  Get the scoop on pet waste.
A fall trip to the Finger Lakes is the perfect vacation for your furry friends to tag along. Pet waste can be a great fertilizer if properly composted but leaving it to take natures course can be a health risk in public parks or at a vacation rental property. The best way to dispose of your pet’s poop is with biodegradable pet waste bags and tossing it in the trash.

If you’re interested in learning about proper pet composting check out the previous 'Scoop on Pet Waste' blog post.

4)  Cut back on the plastic.
Even though it’s fall you’ll need to stay hydrated while hiking on trails or walking your dog. Reduce bottle waste by staying hydrated with refillable containers. Get refillable bottles for the whole crew to cut back on disposable plastic bottles. Not only is it better for the environment it will cut back on your vacation expenses.

5)  Pack with reusable shopping bags.
Reusable shopping bags are a great way to pack for your trip and leave a smaller waste footprint when you head home. Plus, they’ll come in handy for trips to the grocery store or if you’re packing lunch for a scenic hike.