Setout Rules for Businesses

ALL businesses that set out waste at the curb MUST put trash, food, and food-soiled paper inside bins with secure lids. Waste must be set out at the curb during the correct times, and certain materials must be separated from waste for recycling.

Bin Storage and Removal

Place bins with secure lids at the curb 1 hour before closing or after 8:00 PM. Bins are REQUIRED for trash, food, and food-soiled paper. They are recommended for recycling, but not required.

If you set out waste at the wrong time or on the wrong day, or if you do not remove your bins from the curb by the time your business reopens, you may be fined.

Bin Usage

You must use bins that are in relatively good condition and have secure lids. You must have enough bins to contain all your waste. Do not overload your bins – you must be able to securely close the lids.

If you place your trash out in bags instead of insides bins, you may be fined.

If your bins do not have secure lids, are broken, overflowing, or if waste spills out of them, you may be fined.

If you do not bundle newspaper and cardboard, you may be fined.

Separation

All businesses in NYC are required to recycle certain materials. Find out more about what materials must be separated from trash.

If you do not separate your recyclables from trash, or if you do not separate and set out recyclables correctly, you may be fined.