Bethlehem, NY - Official Website

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Recycling

Rechargeable batteries and vehicle batteries can be recycled at all businesses where they are sold per state law.

Lowes in Glenmont has a convenient recycling kiosk just inside their main entrance doors for rechargeable batteries (as well as for fluorescent bulbs.)

Batteries of all types EXCEPT non-rechargeable alkaline (please see below) may also be brought to the town’s household hazardous waste collection events in the spring and fall for recycling. Collections are usually held the first Saturday in May and the last Saturday in September (check the town calendar on the web site) from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the town highway garage, located at: 74 Elm Ave. East Selkirk, NY 12158

NOTE: Alkaline batteries no longer contain mercury or cadmium. Please throw alkaline batteries into the regular trash. Alkaline batteries include non-rechargeable A, AA, AAA, C, D, 9 volt and 6-volt, and lantern.

As of December 2011, per the new state law, it is illegal to dispose of rechargeable batteries in the trash. All retailers that sell rechargeable batteries are required to collect them for recycling. Please recycle at your choice of retailers.

2. How do I donate clothing and other textiles for reuse or recycling?: Almost all types of clean and dry clothing and other textiles can be donated. Wearable clothing will be reused, but you may also donate worn, torn, ripped, stained, or damaged items for recycling in marked bins placed throughout the town.

Recycling Textiles, Clothing and Footwear+

3. How do I recycle electronics such as computers and televisions?

Bring unwanted electronics to the Rupert Road Transfer Station for recycling throughout the year (fees may apply--see web page for details).

4. How do I dispose of household hazardous wastes, such as paint, chemicals, and auto fluids?

In typical years, these items may be brought to the town’s household hazardous waste collection events in the spring and fall. Collections are usually held the first Saturday in May and the last Saturday in September (check the town calendar on the web site) from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the town highway garage, located at: 74 Elm Ave. East Selkirk, NY 12158

NOTE: For 2020 we have had to cancel our HHW collections due to safety concerns and budget constraints from the Covid-19 pandemic

However, there are options for recycling or disposing of some of the items before our next event.

Rechargeable batteries and lead acid (vehicle) batteries can be recycled at all retail stores where they are sold. Fluorescent Bulbs and CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Bulbs) can be recycled at some retailers like Lowes in Glenmont.

Computers, televisions, and most other electronics can be recycled year round at the Transfer Station on Rupert Road (fees may apply--see web page for details).

Used motor oil can be brought to any shop that performs oil changes such as Valvoline or Jiffy Lube. Antifreeze can also be brought to any shop that performs radiator service.

Latex (water-based) paint is non-hazardous, and can be dried out and disposed in the regular trash. There are low cost "paint hardener" products for waste paint available for purchase for $2 - $3 that work for 2 - 3 gallons of paint. Or mix with cat litter or sand to help soak up the liquid, remove the lid, and set it in the sun. Once completely solidified, latex paint can be disposed in the regular trash (leave the lid off to show there is no liquid paint, as latex paint, while non-toxic, can gum up machinery and spill down the road).

That leaves items like oil-based paints, solvents, and lawn chemicals. The town recycling coordinator recommends using or storing these items until next year, seeing if any neighbors or friends wish to use them, and consider less toxic alternatives. There now exists water-based paints and stains for most applications, and information is available on the Internet about alternatives to pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

5. How do I recycle books and telephone books?: Softcover books and phone books can be recycled in your single stream recycling can curbside, or recycled with mixed paper at the town’s Rupert Road Transfer Station. Hardcover books can be donated for reuse at our spring and fall collection events (please see events page), or given to interested neighbors through social media like Next Door or Facebook Marketplace, or Albany Craigslist.

6. I am remodeling my home. What can I do with my old cabinets, appliances, windows, fixtures, etc.?: Donate to Capital District Habitat for Humanity at the Town of Bethlehem's Transfer Station in the special storage container there. Donations may be made during all regular Transfer Station hours of operation.

Capital District Habitat for Humanity accepts donations of new and gently used building materials and home improvement items. All donations are tax deductible. The ReStore is always looking for cabinets, appliances (less than 10 years old and in good condition), windows (not single pane), doors (not hollow), furniture (good condition), light fixtures, vanities and more. For details see the brochure or call 518-275-6638.

7. How do I recycle mercury containing devices – fluorescent light bulbs and thermostats?

Mercury Thermostats NYS law now requires mercury thermostats to be recycled. It is illegal to throw these highly toxic devices in the trash.

Any person, HVAC contractor, or Demolition Contractor is required to recycle all mercury thermostats removed from service—so if you’re having your old mercury thermostat replaced with a digital model, the contractor is required to recycle it for you. If you are replacing an old mercury thermostat yourself, you can take it to any of the following locations: http://www.thermostat-recycle.org/zipsearch/results/12054

The Town of Bethlehem accepts mercury containing thermostats and thermometers by appointment. Please call Recycling Coordinator Dan Rain at 518-439-4955 extension 1510 or email DRain@townofbethlehem.org.

Fluorescent Bulbs Spent fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) bulbs may also be brought to the town’s household hazardous waste collection events in the spring and fall for recycling. Collections are usually held the first Saturday in May and the last Saturday in September (check the town calendar on the web site) from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the town highway garage, located at: 74 Elm Ave. East Selkirk, NY 12158

NOTE: We do NOT accept fluorescent bulbs for recycling at any town locations throughout the year.

Some retail stores such as Lowes in Glenmont DO accept CFL bulbs for recycling throughout the year. Lowes in Glenmont has a convenient recycling kiosk just inside their main entrance doors for compact fluorescents as well as fluorescent tubes, and rechargeable batteries. Contact your local home improvement retailer for more details.

When transporting fluorescent bulbs for recycling, please pad them well with newspaper and/or bubble wrap to prevent breakage and place them in a tight-fitting box or bag, or their original packaging.

8. How do I recycle or reuse polystyrene foam?

Clean and dry polystyrene packing peanuts and foam blocks as well, can be given to shipping companies like Corner Gateway Printing and Shipping in Slingerlands.

Alternatively, white expanded polystyrene blocks or forms that are clean and contain no paint or tape can be saved until you have a quantity, then taken to Shelter Enterprises for recycling (you can identify polystyrene as expanded foam if is composed of numerous tiny foam beads and will separate into little balls when broken apart). You may want to call ahead to confirm their hours, 518-237-4100. Shelter Enterprises is located at 8 Saratoga Street, Cohoes, NY 12047

9. How should I properly dispose of household sharps?: In Bethlehem, the Four Corners Pharmacy in Delmar offers free sharps (needles, syringes, and lancets) disposal for their customers during their normal business hours through a sealed metal drop-chute machine. The sharps must first be placed in a proper red bio-hazard container (these are available free of charge at the pharmacy).

Please dispose of needles, syringes, and sharps only. Do not include medications or garbage. The machine does not accept containers larger than a 2-liter bottle.

For a list of other disposal sites in New York State including Albany County, please visit http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/harm_reduction/needles_syringes/sharps/docs/hospital_collection_sites.pdf

10. How do I properly dispose of expired or unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications?

The town holds a pharmaceutical collection each year. Check the recycling events page for upcoming event details.

Also, CVS Pharmacy and Four Corners Pharmacy, both located in Delmar, have secure drug disposal boxes accessible during business hours. Please visit their websites for more details: CVS and Four Corners Pharmacy.

Residents can bring unwanted medications to all New York Police Headquarters for anonymous disposal at any time, 24/7. Troop G Headquarters is located at: 760 Troy Schenectady Road Latham, NY 12110. After entering the building, place the meds in the clear bag provided on-site, and drop it in the mailbox. For more information, call the headquarters at 518-783-3211.

Or to dispose of pharmaceuticals safely at home:

Place in an empty container such as an old liquid laundry detergent bottle or plastic coffee can
Mix with something undesirable to ingest such as cat litter, dirt, or coffee grounds
Add water and shake to dissolve meds
Screw on cap and tape container closed to safeguard leakage
Toss in your household garbage

NEVER flush medications down the toilet or other drains as they can pollute drinking water and waterways.

11. Why is proper disposal important?

Medications, if not properly disposed of, can fall into the wrong hands and endanger human health and our communities. If flushed down the drain or otherwise improperly discarded, they can also pollute drinking water and the environment, and further compromise human health.

As one example, a nationwide study conducted by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) found low levels of drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, contraceptives and steroids in 80% of the rivers and streams tested.

Read more information about medication disposal.