Westchester officials say 2009 was a record-breaking year with the County reaching its highest-ever recycling rate of 61%. The majority of the increase is said to be due to a number of large local construction jobs, specifically the Ridge Hill project in Yonkers, which recycled a huge amount of recyclable construction debris.
In addition, more and more residents continued to recycle material after the County in 2008 began enforcing its recycling laws.
Authorities say the amount of recyclables brought to Westchester's recycling center increased by 19%, bringing the overall residential recycling rate to 51%, well above the national goal of 35% set by the EPA, and the State goal of 40%.
The communities with the highest rate of recycling was Bedford, with 74% and Bronxville and Scarsdale, both at 66%.
Some of the lowest rates included Somers at 17%, Lewisboro at 23% and North Salem at 28%