What a year 2025 has been for Rockland County! We’re excited to share numbers that represent real environmental progress in our community. None of this would be possible without the residents, businesses, volunteers, and partners who participated and believed that small actions add up to something incredible.

Food Scrap Recycling: 270 Tons Composted

Our Residential Food Scrap Recycling Program hit a major milestone: 270 tons of food scraps diverted from landfills and delivered to our Co-Composting Facility. That's over 594,000 pounds of organic waste transformed into nutrient-rich compost instead of ending up in landfills.

Food Scrap, Composting, and Mulch Stats:

• 270 tons of food scraps collected
• 5,500 tons of compost produced at our facility
• 3,475 tons of mulch distributed free to Rockland County residents
• 493,300 leaf bags distributed for yard waste collection

Every time Rockland County residents tossed apple cores into their food scrap bin instead of the trash, they prevented greenhouse gas emissions and created valuable compost for local use.

Recycling Community Outreach

Our recycling education programs reached over 14,600 attendees in 2025 through presentations and events across Rockland County, helping people understand proper recycling and contamination prevention.

Community Outreach Stats:

• 14,600+ residents reached through educational programs
• 2,500+ door hangers distributed for recycling education
• 109,000+ pounds of paper shredded at free community events
• 3,184 residents participated in shredding events
• Green Schools program expanded with milk carton and lunch tray recycling

Through workshops, demonstrations, and conversations, we're building a community that understands waste sustainability and proper recycling.

Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Recycling

Old paint, batteries, pesticides, automotive fluids, and electronics need special handling. Our Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days and Electronics Recycling Program provide safe disposal options.

2025 HHW Collection Stats:

• 24,496 total people served HHW collection events
• 80,846 gallons of paint collected
• 154,000 pounds of resins and adhesives disposed
• 52,617 lead-acid batteries recycled
• 40,200 aerosol cans safely processed
• 3,773 pounds of medications properly disposed

Electronics Recycling Stats:

• 541,623 pounds of electronics collected
• 150,952 pounds of flat-screen TVs recycled
• 139,920 pounds of small electronics processed
• 84,936 pounds of computer peripherals recycled
• 55,303 pounds of computers and laptops processed

These free events give Rockland County residents convenient ways to properly dispose of hazardous waste while protecting our environment.

R.G. C.A.R.E.S. Animal Shelter: 673 Animals Found Forever Homes

Over at R.G. C.A.R.E.S. (Rockland Green Community Animal Rescue, Education & Services), we had an incredible animal adoption year!

2025 Animal Adoption Stats:

• 513 cats found their people
• 98 dogs went home with new families
• 23 guinea pigs found homes
• 22 rabbits adopted
• 11 chickens placed with backyard flock owners
• 3 ferrets adopted
• 2 hamsters found families
• 1 bearded dragon was adopted
• Total: 673 animals placed in loving homes

Through our TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) program, we humanely helped 737 feral cats — fixing, vaccinating, and returning them to their colonies. This approach is better for the cats and the community, and it helps manage the feral cat population responsibly in Rockland County.

Looking Ahead: 2026 Goals

We're not stopping. In 2026, we're already taking next steps to:

• Expand our food scrap recycling program with a pilot curbside pick-up initiative
• Increase animal adoption numbers by growing community awareness
• Launch new environmental education programs
• Fine-tune commercial recycling programs to serve more businesses
• Steer innovative waste reduction initiatives based on community feedback
• Launch our new Rockland Green Immersive Theater Experience

They’re big goals, but we know Rockland County is ready for them.

How Rockland County Residents Can Get Involved

There are so many ways to be part of Rockland Green's mission and help build a more sustainable Rockland County:

At Home:

• Participate in curbside recycling and follow proper sorting guidelines
• Sign up for food scrap collection to compost kitchen waste
• Choose reusable products to practice waste reduction
• Compost yard waste and food scraps

In the Community:

• Volunteer with Rockland Green programs and events
• Adopt a pet from R.G. C.A.R.E.S.
• Participate in paper shredding events
• Support local businesses that prioritize sustainability

At Events:

• Use designated recycling and compost bins at community events
• Attend Household Hazardous Waste collection days for proper disposal
• Bring electronics to collection events for responsible recycling

Thank You, Rockland County

Every single number in this 2025 Impact Report represents people who chose to do something a little differently — they separated their food scraps, showed up to volunteer, asked us questions about recycling, adopted a pet, and more.

All of it matters. Every action adds up to a more sustainable Rockland County.

Thank you for being part of Rockland Green's mission in 2025. Together, we're building resilient communities that can act on the environmental challenges of the future. Here's to an even better 2026!

For more information about Rockland Green programs and services, visit us or call (845) 753-2200.