"People are actually questioning whether or not to just toss them back into the landfill. That is just heartbreaking to hear." -Stephen Aquario, Executive Director, NYSAC
A variety of factors could threaten the future of recycling in Upstate, NY.
Overzealous or "aspirational" recyclers are just one of the factors. In this podcast, Diane Donato talks with Stephen Aquario, Executive Director of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) about a recycling crisis that looms large. China's new National Sword policy has restricted the types of recycling material that we can export and that has led to a drop in the market for recycled goods. New York State policies prohibit recycling from being stored for too long and counties are trying to weigh environmental issues over the costs that might get passed along to taxpayers.