NYC Schools Recycling Plan & Reporting

New York City Public Schools

As directed by Local Law 41 of 2010, The Department of Education is required to submit an annual Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling report on their progress to comply with recycling rules by January first every year, to the Sanitation Commissioner.

School plans are required to include, at a minimum,

• A requirement that each classroom maintains a separate receptacle, container or bin for the collection of designated recyclable paper, and that such container or bin be appropriately labeled or decorated with recycling information.
  
• Separate receptacles, containers or bins for the collection of designates metal, glass, and plastic be appropriately labeled or decorated with recycling information and be placed as close as practicable to school entrances, unless the placement of such bins would be in violation of any other provision of law, and in locations within schools where food and beverages are routinely consumed.
  
• The principal of each school under DOE’s jurisdiction shall designate a sustainability coordinator for his or her school who shall be responsible for implementing his or her school’s waste prevention, reuse and recycling plan.
  
• The principal or sustainability coordinator for each school shall complete and submit to DOE Sustainability Director and to the Chancellor an annual survey regarding school compliance with this waste prevention, reuse and recycling plan.

Private, Independent, & Religious Schools with DSNY Service

As directed by Local Law 41 of 2010, a model waste prevention, reuse and recycling plan template can be provided by DSNY to all primary and secondary schools, not under the jurisdiction of The Department of Education that receive our collection service. Email schools@dsny.nyc.gov. 

• All primary and secondary schools that receive our collection service shall designate a sustainability coordinator for his or her school who shall be responsible for implementing a site-specific waste prevention, reuse and recycling plan.
  
• A requirement that each classroom maintain a separate receptacle, container or bin for the collection of designated recyclable paper, and that such container or bin be appropriately labeled or decorated with recycling information.
  
• Separate receptacles, containers or bins for the collection of designated metal, glass, and plastic. The bins must be appropriately labeled or decorated with recycling information and be placed as close as possible to school entrances unless the placement of such bins would be in violation of any other provision of law, and in locations within schools where food and beverages are routinely consumed.