Hi PCTF Members,
The question we get asked the most is in regards to recycling. From your unused medication to your furniture to whether or not your yogurt container can be recycled. NYC.gov makes it all really easy and lets you know laws and regulations and locations where all of this is possible. From car batteries to your own batteries.
Here it all is!
Recycling is the
law in New York City. Residents, schools, institutions, agencies, and all commercial businesses must recycle.
The requirements detailed below apply to all New York City residences, as well as schools, institutions, and agencies serviced by the Department of Sanitation.
What and How to Recycle:
PAPER & CARDBOARD
YES - PLACE IN RECYCLING- white, colored, and glossy paper (staples OK)
- mail and envelopes (window envelopes OK)
- wrapping paper (remove ribbon and tape)
- smooth cardboard (food boxes — remove inside & outside plastic wrappers — shoe boxes, tubes from paper towel and toilet paper rolls, cardboard from product packaging)
- paper bags
- cardboard egg cartons and trays
- newspapers, magazines, and catalogs
- phone books, softcover books (paperbacks, comic books, etc.; no spiral bindings)
- corrugated cardboard (flattened boxes)
NO - PLACE IN TRASH- hardcover books
- napkins, paper towels, or tissues
- soiled paper cups or plates
- paper soiled with food or liquid
- paper with a lot of tape and glue
- plastic- or wax-coated paper (candy wrappers, take-out containers, etc.)
- photographic paper
Place all paper together in CLEAR bags, or in any bin labeled with green recycling decals or marked " MIXED PAPER". (Or place in the white dumpster for paper recycling, if your building has one.)
Flatten and bundle large pieces of corrugated cardboard and tie with sturdy twine, or break into small pieces to place in your recycling bin or bag. (Or place loose in the white dumpster for paper recycling, if your building has one.)
See how you can reduce your
junk mail.
What and How to Recycle:
BEVERAGE CARTONS, BOTTLES, CANS, METAL & FOIL
YES - PLACE IN RECYCLING- metal cans (soup, pet food, empty aerosol cans, dried-out paint cans, etc.)
- aluminum foil wrap & trays
- household metal (wire hangers, pots, tools, curtain rods, knives, small appliances that are mostly metal, etc.)
- bulk metal (metal furniture, cabinets, large appliances, etc.)
- glass bottles & jars only
- plastic bottles & jugs only
- milk cartons & juice boxes (or any such cartons and aseptic packaging for drinks: ice tea, soy milk, soup, etc.)
NO - PLACE IN TRASH OR DISPOSE PROPERLY- plastic items other than plastic bottles & jugs (such as deli and yogurt containers; plastic toys, cups, wrap, etc. — if it's not a bottle or jug, DON'T put it in the recycling bin, place in trash)
- any glass items other than glass bottles & jars (mirrors, lightbulbs, ceramics, glassware, etc.), place in trash
- Styrofoam (cups, egg cartons, trays, etc.) place in trash
- batteries
- plastic bags
Empty and rinse containers before recycling. Place all together in CLEAR bags, or in any bin labeled with blue recycling decals or marked "BOTTLES & CANS".
Remove caps & lids. Place METAL caps & lids in the recycling bin; put plastic caps & lids in the garbage.
Wrap knives or similar sharp metal objects in cardboard (such as a piece of cereal box) and secure with tape. Label the package "CAUTION: SHARP" and place with other designated metal, glass, plastic recyclables. For Home Sharps/Hypodermics, see
Household Medical Wastes.Place bulk metal next to recycling bins or bags.
Call 311 before discarding appliances that contain CFC gas.
5¢ deposit: Bring deposit bottles and cans back to the store for refunds.
What and How to Recycle: BULKY TRASH
YES - PLACE WITH RECYCLING - Furniture and appliances that are predominantly metal* and are too big for your recycling container or clear bag — such as washing machines, metal filing cabinets, box springs, or water heaters — should be placed beside the recycling container on your regular Recycling Day.
- If you're participating in New York's Great Appliance Swap Out, be sure see important program details before setting any of your old items out for recycling collection. You must note your 311 appointment number for appliances with CFC gas as it is needed for filing your rebate. In order to receive the maximum rebate for a clothes washer, you must have the retailer recycle it since Sanitation does not provide proof of recycling for such items.
NO - PLACE IN TRASH OR DISPOSE PROPERLY
- Non-recyclable trash that is too big for your garbage container or bag — such as mattresses, lumber, or debris from small construction or garden projects — may be placed at the curb on any regular garbage collection day.
- For info on how to handle TVs and other broken electronics, see electronics recycling
- For info on how to donate reusable furniture and other goods, see new homes for old stuff.
The Department of Sanitation will collect up to six bulk items from one address. There are special regulations for wood from trees. For more information, see bulk collection on the DSNY website.
*Appliances with CFC Gas
Before discarding appliances containing CFC gas, or freon — such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, or dehumidifiers — you must schedule an appointment to place the item at the curb for CFC recovery. You can make an appointment on the Sanitation website or call 311. If you're participating in New York's Great Appliance Swap Out, be sure to note your appointment confirmation number from 311 as you will need it to file for your rebate. See important program details.
For safety reasons, the law requires doors to be removed from refrigerators and freezers before placing at the curb.
When to Recycle and Missed CollectionsTo find out your Recycling Day use the collection schedule feature on the
Sanitation website, or call 311.
To report missed collections, call 311, or complete the Missed Collection form on the Sanitation website.
Improve recycling in your apartment building by participating in
New York City's Apartment Building Recycling Initiative.Special Waste Sites - Residents OnlyThe NYC Department of Sanitation operates
Self Help Special Waste Drop-Off Sites in every borough for the collection and recycling (or proper disposal) of: batteries (household & auto), fluorescent bulbs, latex paint, mercury-filled thermostats and thermometers, motor oil and filters, transmission fluid, and tires.
Special Waste sites are open to residents only. City agencies, schools, businesses, and institutions are not permitted to use these sites, and must make alternative arrangements for proper disposal and recycling of material. Residents, City agencies, schools, businesses, and institutions can use the links below for waste prevention tips and how to properly dispose of these items (do not place these materials in your recycling bin!):
batteries: automotive for residents
batteries: automotive for agencies
batteries: household
batteries: businesses
fluorescent bulbs
mercury thermometers and thermostats
motor oil
paint
tires
FurnitureResidents - First, consider donating your used furniture. To find a new home for your used furniture, visit new homes for old stuff. For disposal, see what and how to recycle: BULKY TRASH.
Rechargeable BatteriesALSO SEE: NYC rechargeable battery law: info for consumers, and
rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling: info for agencies.While rechargeable batteries reduce waste and can be more economical than alkaline batteries, they may contain mercury, cadmium, lead, and other heavy metals which can be dangerous if not disposed of properly.
Residents - Effective December 2006, New York City's Rechargeable Battery Law (Local Law 97 of 2005) makes it illegal for New York City residents to discard rechargeable batteries in the trash.
All NYC stores that sell rechargeable batteries or products that contain rechargeable batteries (with the exception of small food stores) must accept up to ten batteries of the same shape and size as they sell, no purchase necessary.
Large Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) batteries are not covered under this law. Visit batteries in resources for more info.
Do not place these materials in your recycling bin.
Businesses, Agencies, and Institutions - All businesses, City agencies, and institutions are required to recycle rechargeable batteries and cell phones. Visit rechargeable battery and cell phone recycling: info for agencies.
Syringes, Lancets, and Other Household Medical WasteMany people use syringes, needles, and lancets (known as household sharps) to manage their health care at home. Proper storage and disposal of used household sharps is necessary to protect children, pets, and Sanitation workers.
These products must be packaged safely, and can be discarded at any hospital or nursing home in New York State. If packaged safely, properly labeled sharps containers can be placed in the trash. Never place loose sharps in the trash and never place sharps containers in your recycling bin.
Visit household medical wastes in reducing toxics at home for info on syringes and lancets, thermometers,
unwanted medications, and medical equipment.
Toner and Ink CartridgesGo to
recyclers and vendors to find toner cartridge recyclers and manufacturers with toner cartridge recycling programs.
Visit
new homes for old stuff to find toner cartridge donation outlets.
Also See
toner cartridges in Tips for Your Agency
Additional MaterialsFor items not listed here, try the
"how do I dispose of..." feature on the Sanitation website.
Go to recyclers and vendors to find recyclers for bulk quantities of items NOT collected for recycling by the NY Department of Sanitation, including cell phones, and CDs.
Visit
new homes for old stuff to find places to donate, sell, or buy second-hand goods.
Recycling Containers and Decals
The Department of Sanitation does not provide recycling or garbage bins or bags. See where to buy recycling bins.
Any container can be used for recycling so long as it is properly labeled. Containers cannot be larger than 32 gallons and must have a lid. CLEAR bags must be 13- to 55-gallon size.
Label containers on both sides and the lid with Department of Sanitation decals, or permanently marked in letters at least 4" high:
RECYCLING: MIXED PAPER (green decal)
RECYCLING: BOTTLES, CANS & FOIL (blue decal)
You can get free decals to label containers for curbside recycling collection using Literature/Decal Request or call the NYC Citizen Service Center at 311.
Decal application is most effective when decal is applied:
to a receptacle that is dry, clean, and free of all dirt;
during temperatures between 40° and 50°F; and
to a receptacle with a smooth surface.
Request new decals when fading/peeling occurs.
Recycling Symbol
Many residents are confused about what to recycle because so many products display the universal recycling symbol. However, only items that have a viable resale market are accepted by New York City's Recycling Program.
Some manufacturers voluntarily place a number inside the recycling symbol on their plastic products, but these numbers only serve to identify the plastic resins used in manufacturing, and do NOT indicate that the item is recyclable.
The only plastics accepted for recycling in New York City are bottles & jugs (with necks smaller than their bodies). All other plastic containers and all other plastic items should be placed in the regular trash — even if they are labeled #1 PETE or #2 HDPE.
Refer to the lists above to decide what to put into recycling containers. Do not place items in your recycling containers just because the package contains a recycling symbol or other recycling information. When in doubt, leave it out.
Helpful Hints- Keep containers for collecting paper in your main work areas, such as where you sort your mail and discard kitchen items. Devise your own system to make it easy for you.
- If you are concerned about the confidentiality of your mail, remove address labels and tear up or shred mail. Find out how to opt out of credit card offers and reduce junk mail.
- Set up a place in the kitchen to recycle paper packaging.
- Leave labels on. Discard plastic caps and lids; recycle all metal.
- Avoid pests and odors by rinsing recyclables before storing them.
- Save space by flattening beverage cartons and plastic bottles (it won't affect recyclability).
- Recycle aluminum foil used for wrapping, not for cooking (unless food and grease washes off easily).
