Residential Recycling in

New York City

Sem Sepulveda | Agency & Institutions Outreach Coordinator

Bureau of Recycling and Sustainability
NYC Department of Sanitation
 Welcome!

• Why Recycle?
• What To Recycle
• What Happens to Recyclables?
• Blue & Green Bin
• Other Recyclables
• Brown Bin (Organics)
• Apartment Programs
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Resources

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 Why Recycle?

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 NYC Recycles!

• It’s the law!

• Reduce waste to landfills

• Conserve natural resources

• Create jobs

• Fewer rodents

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 What’s in NYC’s Residential Waste

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 What To Recycle

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 HOW TO GET RID OF:
Recyclables
DSNY collects recyclables in two separate streams.

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 RECYCLING:
Mixed Paper & Cardboard

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 if you can tear it, we can take it

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 RECYCLE:
Mixed Paper & Cardboard
NOT accepted:
• “Soft” paper
(napkins, tissues, paper towels)
• Soiled paper
• Hardcover books
• Bubble-padded envelopes
• Waxed- or plastic-coated paper
(candy wrappers, oatmeal packets,
Chinese food containers)

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 RECYCLE:
Metal, Glass, Plastic & Cartons

Empty before recycling.

Caps & lids ok.

Please rinse

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 RECYCLE:
Metal, Glass, Plastic & Cartons
NOT Accepted:
• Batteries
• Foam plastic (BANNED in NYC!)
• Plastic wrappers & pouches
• Plastic bags
• Lighters
• Cassette and VHS tapes
• Pens and markers
• Cables, Wires, Cords

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 What Happens To
Recyclables?

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 What Happens to NYC’s Recyclables?
(Quick side trip to recycling facilities)

Metal, Glass, Plastic & Cartons Mixed Paper Recycling

• SIMS Material Recycling Facility • Visy Paper Mill, Staten Island
(MRF), Sunset Park, Brooklyn • Private paper vendors

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 Pratt Paper Mill
Staten Island

Contaminants screened out during pulping process

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 Sims Recycling Facility, Brooklyn
metal, glass, plastic, cartons

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 • Organics
• Electronics and Household Hazardous
Waste
• Textiles

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 Organics

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 ORGANICS COLLECTION
Why Recycle Organics?

Reduce waste to Create compost and Reduce vermin

landfills renewable energy

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 Organics Collection
nyc.gov/organics

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 HOW: Curbside collection of brown bins

• DSNYs organics curbside service

collects food scraps, food-soiled
paper, and yard waste from
residents, nonprofits, and city
agencies.

• Participants receive rodent-proof

brown bins with latching lids.

• Just like your trash and recycling,

DSNY collects organic material
on a regular schedule each week.

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 How to use the brown bin

1. Line brown bins with a clear bag.

1. Place organics into your brown bin.

▪ Food scraps, food-soiled paper, plants

1. Close and latch the brown bin after each

use.

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 E-Waste Disposal Ban

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 Electronics

It is now illegal to put

electronics in the trash.

• ecycleNYC offers free and

convenient pick-up service for
buildings with 10 units or more
• E-waste Drop-off events
• Electronic Retailers

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 Proper Disposal of Harmful Household Products

SAFE Disposal Events

• Solvents
• Automotive
• Flammables
• Electronics

Events are held, rain or shine,

from 10 am to 4 pm.
• All five boroughs
• Only NYC residential waste
accepted

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 Special Waste Drop Off Sites

Drop-Off Site Locations Hours of Operation

• Bronx: Hunts Point
• Brooklyn: Greenpoint
• Manhattan: Lower East Side
• Queens: College Point
• Staten Island: Fresh Kills
• 10 am to 5 pm
• Every Saturday and
the last Friday of every month.

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 Textiles
• Free, convenient bin in your
building with 10 or more units
• 100% of building’s donations
go to charitable causes—tax
receipts available on site
• Reduce amount of waste
building generates and help
those in need
• For residents not eligible for
this program, visit the “How
to get rid of” option on
nyc.gov/zerowaste

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 Resources

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 Bureau of Recycling + Sustainability

• We educate the public on recycling to make curbside

collection easier for you!
• Bin decals; brochures; mailers
• Community Outreach
• Waste Alternatives: SAFE Events; Apartment
Programs

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 nyc.gov/sanitation

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 DSNY Official App

• Collection Schedules
• Service Alerts
• How to Get Rid of
Stuff

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Thank You!
Sem Sepulveda, DSNY Bureau of Recycling and Sustainability