Recycling in New York City

Every building in New York City is required by law to recycle — including every residence, city agency, school, institution, and business. Recycling refers to the collection and reprocessing of waste materials into new products.

Recycling regulations depend on the type of collection service you receive:

• If your garbage is collected by the NYC Department of Sanitation, follow the requirements for New York City residents and institutions.

• If your garbage is collected by a private carter, follow the commercial recycling regulations.  (Except for the Professional Fee Program, the NYC Department of Sanitation does not service commercial businesses.)

To order recycling decals, flyers, and other materials, use the online request form on the NYC Department of Sanitation website. To order bulk quantities (more than 50), use the bulk quantity form. To find out what happens to the recyclables collected by the Department of Sanitation, go to What Happens to Recyclables?

NYC Agencies are responsible for ensuring that outside vendors recycle any designated materials produced by their work for the Agency. Recycling requirements must be included in all contract and concession agreements where recyclables are generated as part of the operation of the vendor service(s).

ALSO SEE reports for detailed descriptions and analyses of NYC’s recycling and waste prevention programs. Read a brief history of recycling in NYC. Watch videos about NYC's recycling program. See TV clips to view ads the NYC Department of Sanitation developed to promote recycling.

To learn about successful recycling programs established in City Agencies, visit waste prevention and recycling case studies. Find vendors for additional materials you can recycle. See the laws and directives governing recycling and solid waste management.

For additional links on recycling, go to recycling resources.

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