Citywide Recycling Program
NYC Admin. Code tit. 16, ch. 3, subch. 2
in effectNYC Admin. Code § 16-305 Recycling of department-managed solid waste.
§ 16-305 Recycling of department-managed solid waste.
a. 1. The following recycling percentage goals are established for the recycling of department-managed solid waste:
i. by July first, two thousand eleven, sixteen percent of department-managed solid waste;
ii. by July first, two thousand thirteen, nineteen percent of department-managed solid waste;
iii. by July first, two thousand fourteen, twenty-one percent of department-managed solid waste;
iv. by July first, two thousand sixteen, twenty-four percent of department-managed solid waste;
v. by July first, two thousand eighteen, twenty-seven percent of department-managed solid waste;
vi. by July first, two thousand nineteen, thirty percent of department-managed solid waste; and
vii. by July first, two thousand twenty, thirty-three percent of department-managed solid waste.
2. In addition, the following recycling goals are established for curbside and containerized waste collected by the department:
i. By July first, two thousand eleven, sixteen percent of curbside and containerized waste collected by the department;
ii. By July first, two thousand thirteen, eighteen percent of curbside and containerized waste collected by the department;
iii. By July first, two thousand fourteen, nineteen percent of curbside and containerized waste collected by the department;
iv. By July first, two thousand sixteen, twenty-one percent of curbside and containerized waste collected by the department;
v. By July first, two thousand eighteen, twenty-three percent of curbside and containerized waste collected by the department;
vi. By July first, two thousand nineteen, twenty-four percent of curbside and containerized waste collected by the department; and
vii. by July first, two thousand twenty, twenty-five percent of curbside and containerized waste collected by the department.
b. The commissioner shall adopt and implement rules designating at least six recyclable materials, including plastics to the extent required in subdivision c of this section and yard waste to the extent required in section 16-308 of this chapter and organic waste to the extent required in section 16-308.1 of this chapter, contained in department-managed solid waste and requiring households to source separate such designated materials.
c. 1. Prior to commencing delivery of department-managed recyclable materials to the designated recycling processing facility at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, the commissioner shall designate as recyclable materials, and require the source separation of, rigid plastic containers.
2. If the commissioner, in his or her discretion, determines that the cost to the city of recycling rigid plastic containers required to be designated as recyclable materials pursuant to paragraph one of this subdivision is not reasonable in comparison with the cost of recycling only metal, glass and plastic that have been designated as recyclable materials as of the effective date of the local law that added this subdivision, the commissioner shall within ten business days notify and provide documentation to the council of the factors relied upon to make such determination and shall not be required to designate any such rigid plastic containers as recyclable materials.
3. If the commissioner determines that the cost to the city of recycling rigid plastic containers is not reasonable in comparison with the cost of recycling only metal, glass and plastic that have been designated as recyclable materials as of the effective date of the local law that added this subdivision, the commissioner shall annually reevaluate the cost to the city of designating such rigid plastic containers as recyclable materials, and shall annually make a new determination as to whether the cost of designating such containers as recyclable materials is reasonable in comparison with the cost of recycling only metal, glass and plastic that have been designated as recyclable materials as of the effective date of the local law that added this subdivision and shall report such evaluations to the council as part of the department's annual zero waste report required pursuant to subdivision b of section 16-316.5. The department shall not promulgate rules designating rigid plastic containers as recyclable materials, and need not conduct outreach or education relating thereto if, pursuant to paragraph two of this subdivision, the commissioner determines that the cost to the city of recycling rigid plastic containers is not reasonable in comparison with the cost of recycling only metal, glass and plastic that have been designated as recyclable materials as of the effective date of the local law that added this subdivision.
4. Immediately following the promulgation of rules designating rigid plastic containers as recyclable materials, the department shall undertake outreach and education, in cooperation with any other agency or entity designated for that purpose by the commissioner, to inform residents of such new designation and to provide instruction on compliance with the requirements of this subdivision and the rules promulgated pursuant thereto.
d. The commissioner shall adopt and implement rules establishing procedures requiring the placement of the designated materials at the curbside, in specialized containers, or in any other manner the commissioner determines, to facilitate the collection of such materials in a manner that enables them to be recycled. Under such rules, no person shall be liable for incorrectly placing a non-designated rigid plastic container in the recycling stream.
e. Where the department provides solid waste collection services to a building containing at least four and no more than eight dwelling units, the commissioner shall adopt and implement rules requiring the owner, net lessee or person in charge of such building to:
1. provide for the residents, where practicable, a designated area and, where appropriate, containers in which to store the source separated or other designated recyclable materials to be collected by the department; and
2. inform all residents of the requirements of this chapter and the rules promulgated pursuant thereto by, at a minimum, posting instructions on source separation in or near the designated recycling area and making available to each resident at the inception of a lease, where applicable, a department-issued guide to recycling, which shall be made available to the owner, net lessee or person in charge of such building by the department pursuant to section 16-315 of this chapter in print form or on the department's website, or in an alternative guide containing similar information to the guide required by section 16-315 of this chapter. If reasonably accessible space for the storage of source separated or other designated recyclable materials is not available in such building, and such space is available behind the building's property line, such space behind the property line may be designated as the area for the storage of source separated or other designated recyclable materials. If no such space is available, the owner, net lessee or person in charge of such building shall post instructions on recycling and source separation in or near a designated area that is visible to all residents in the building. With respect to solid waste generated by households in the aforesaid buildings, the obligations of an owner, net lessee or person in charge of such building under this chapter shall be limited to those set forth in this subdivision and subdivisions d and g of this section or rules promulgated pursuant to such subdivisions.
f. Where the department provides solid waste collection services to a building containing nine or more dwelling units, the commissioner shall adopt and implement rules requiring the owner, net lessee or person in charge of such building to:
1. provide for the residents a designated area and, where appropriate, containers in which to store the source separated or other designated recyclable materials to be collected by the department;
2. inform all residents of the requirements of this chapter and the rules promulgated pursuant thereto by, at a minimum, posting instructions on source separation in or near the designated recycling area, and making available to each resident at the inception of a lease, a department-issued guide to recycling, which shall be made available to the owner, net lessee or person in charge of such building by the department pursuant to section 16-315 of this chapter in print form or on the department's website, or in an alternative guide containing similar information to the guide required by section 16-315 of this chapter; and
3. remove non-designated materials from the containers of designated source separated recyclable materials before such containers are placed at the curbside for collection and ensure that the designated materials are placed at the curbside in the manner prescribed by the department. With respect to solid waste generated by households in the aforesaid buildings, the obligations of an owner, net lessee or person in charge of such building under this chapter shall be limited to those set forth in this subdivision and subdivisions d and g of this section or rules promulgated pursuant to such subdivisions.
g. The commissioner shall adopt and implement rules for any building containing four or more dwelling units in which the amount of designated materials placed out for collection is significantly less than what can reasonably be expected from such building. These rules shall require residential generators, including tenants, owners, net lessees or persons in charge of such building to use transparent bags or such other means of disposal the commissioner deems appropriate to dispose of solid waste other than the designated recyclable materials. Upon request of the owner, net lessee or person in charge of such building, and if the commissioner determines that such owner, net lessee or person in charge of such building has complied with this subdivision, subdivision d of this section and, as applicable, subdivision e or subdivision f of this section or rules promulgated pursuant to such subdivisions and that the amount of designated materials placed out for collection remains significantly less than what can reasonably be expected from such building, the department may develop a schedule to conduct random inspections to facilitate compliance with the provisions of this chapter by tenants of such building, provided that lawful inspections may occur at reasonable times without notice to ensure compliance by the tenants, owner, net lessee or person in charge of such building.
h. 1. In calculating the extent to which the department has met the recycling percentage goals set forth in paragraph one of subdivision a of this section, the department shall include in its calculations all curbside and institutional recycling it collects, including materials collected from households, schools, not-for-profit institutions and city agencies, and all recyclable materials collected as part of the public space recycling program pursuant to section 16-310 of this chapter, and may include yard waste collected pursuant to section 16-308 of this chapter and any other material collected for composting pursuant to this chapter, Christmas trees collected pursuant to section 16-309 of this chapter, clothing and textiles donated or collected pursuant to section 16-310.1 of this chapter, household hazardous waste diverted pursuant to section 16-310.3 of this chapter, rechargeable batteries collected pursuant to chapter four of this title, beverage containers returned within the city pursuant to title ten of article twenty-seven of the environmental conservation law, electronic waste collected within the city or otherwise diverted from the city's waste stream, including such waste collected or diverted pursuant to title twenty-six of article twenty-seven of the environmental conservation law, and plastic bags collected within the city or otherwise diverted from the city's waste stream, including such plastic bags collected or diverted pursuant to title twenty seven of article twenty seven of the environmental conservation law. Only recyclable materials specifically enumerated in this paragraph shall be counted for purposes of calculating the extent to which the department has met the recycling percentage goals set forth in paragraph one of subdivision a of this section.
2. In calculating the extent to which the department has met the recycling percentage goals set forth in paragraph two of subdivision a of this section, the department shall include in its calculations all curbside and institutional recycling it collects, including materials collected from households, schools, not-for-profit institutions and city agencies, and all recyclable materials collected as part of the public space recycling program pursuant to section 16-310 of this chapter.
3. In calculating the extent to which the department has met the recycling percentage goals set forth in paragraphs one and two of subdivision a of this section, the department shall not include recycling of abandoned vehicles or recycling from lot cleaning operations, asphalt and mill tailings, construction and demolition debris or other commercial recycling programs. The commissioner shall not designate any such materials as recyclable materials under this section for purposes of calculating the extent to which the department has met such recycling percentage goals.
4. In calculating the percent of the department-managed solid waste stream recycled in connection with the percentage goals set forth in paragraph one of subdivision a of this section, the department shall ensure that any quantity of material counted as recycled must be fully included in the calculation of the city's total department-managed solid waste stream.
5. All data used to make calculations pursuant to paragraphs one and two of this subdivision shall be made available on the department's website in raw form disaggregated by material type and using a non-proprietary format on a monthly basis, or, if such data is not generated by the department, within one month from the date that the department receives reports of such information.
i. In the event that the department does not meet any recycling percentage goal set forth in paragraphs one or two of subdivision a of this section by the dates specified therein, the department shall, within sixty days of the date for meeting such goal, expand recycling outreach and education and shall take such other appropriate measures including, but not limited to, directing such outreach and education to the neighborhoods and community districts in which recycling diversion rates fall below the median city recycling diversion rate and consulting with the council to explore additional measures to meet the recycling percentage goals set forth in such subdivision. In expanding recycling outreach and education, the department may work with other agencies or entities designated for that purpose by the commissioner.
j. In the event that the department is unable to achieve two consecutive recycling percentage goals set forth in paragraphs one and two of subdivision a of this section by the dates specified therein, in addition to the requirements of subdivision i of this section, the commissioner shall retain a special advisor, who shall be selected by the mayor and the speaker, provided that the commissioner need not retain such special advisor more than once every three years. Within one hundred twenty days of such retention, such adviser shall submit a report to the mayor and council recommending additional measures that may be taken by the city following such report in order to meet such recycling percentage goals.
(Am. L.L. 2023/069, 5/29/2023, eff. 6/28/2023; Am. L.L. 2023/085, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023; Am. L.L. 2023/087, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1989/019 and L.L. 2010/040.
NYC Admin. Code § 16-305.1 Weekly collection of designated recyclable materials.
§ 16-305.1 Weekly collection of designated recyclable materials.
a. Weekly collection of designated recyclable materials shall be maintained in all local service delivery districts.
b. Effective July first, two thousand three, and notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this chapter, the department shall be authorized, by written order of the commissioner, to implement and maintain alternate week collection of designated recyclable materials in all local service delivery districts, provided that the department may, by written order of the commissioner, provide for more frequent collection of designated recyclable materials in designated local service delivery districts. Any such written order of the commissioner implementing alternate week collection shall expire no later than March thirty-first, two thousand four.
c. For purposes of this section "designated recyclable materials" shall mean solid waste that has been designated by the commissioner as recyclable pursuant to section 16-305, section 16-307, or section 16-308.1 of this chapter.
d. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require collection of designated recyclable materials in such parts of the city or during such times of the year that such materials are not otherwise collected.
(Am. L.L. 2023/085, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)
NYC Admin. Code § 16-306 Private carter-collected waste.
§ 16-306 Private carter-collected waste.
a. The commissioner shall adopt and implement rules designating recyclable materials that constitute in the aggregate at least one-half of all solid waste collected by private carters, and additional materials if the commissioner determines that economic markets exist for them. Pursuant to subdivision b of this section, such rules shall require generators of private carter-collected waste to source separate some or all of the designated materials and to arrange for lawful collection for recycling, reuse or sale for reuse by private carters or persons other than private carters of such source separated materials. With regard to designated materials that are not required by such rules to be source separated, generators of private carter-collected waste may source separate these designated materials and, in any event, shall arrange for their lawful collection for recycling, reuse or sale for reuse by private carters or persons other than private carters. If a generator or private carter-collected waste has source separated the designated materials in accordance with the rules and arranged for the lawful collection for recycling, reuse or sale for reuse by private carters or persons other than private carters of such source separated materials and, with regard to designated materials that are not required by such rules to be source separated, arranged for lawful collection for recycling, reuse or sale for reuse by private carters or persons other than private carters, such arrangement shall constitute an affirmative defense to any proceeding brought against the generator pursuant to section 16-324 of this chapter.
b. 1. The rules promulgated pursuant to subdivision a of this section shall require that generators of waste collected by businesses required to be licensed pursuant to section 16-505 of this code source separate the designated materials in such manner and to such extent as the commissioner determines to be necessary to minimize contamination and maximize the marketability of such materials. However, in promulgating such rules the commissioner shall not require source separation of a material unless the commissioner has determined that an economic market exists for such material. For the purpose of this section, the term "economic market" refers to instances in which the full avoided costs of proper collection, transportation and disposal of source separated materials are equal to or greater than the cost of collection, transportation and sale of said materials less the amount received from the sale of said materials.
2. (a) Any designated carter that collects source separated designated materials in a commercial waste zone pursuant to section 16-1002 shall provide for the collection of, and ensure the continued separation of, designated materials that have been source separated, provide for the separation of all other designated materials, and provide for recycling of all the designated materials in accordance with the rules of the department and the terms of any agreement entered into pursuant to section 16-1002 under which such designated carter is providing such service.
(b) Any person registered by the business integrity commission to remove, collect, or dispose of trade waste generated in the course of operation of such person's business pursuant to subdivision b section 16-505 shall provide for the collection of, and ensure the continued separation of, designated materials that have been source separated, provide for the separation of all other designated materials, and provide for recycling of all the designated materials in accordance with the rules promulgated by the business integrity commission pursuant to this section and subject to the penalties provided in subdivision a of section 16-515.
3. The commissioner and the chair of the business integrity commission shall have the authority to issue notices of violation for any violation of any rules promulgated pursuant to this section and such notices of violation shall be returnable in a civil action brought in the name of the commissioner or the chair of the business integrity commission before the environmental control board which shall impose a penalty not to exceed ten thousand dollars for each such violation.
c. The department shall complete a study of commercial recycling in the city no later than January first, two thousand twelve. Such commercial recycling study shall focus on the putrescible portion of the commercial waste stream, and shall include, but need not be limited to, the following: (i) an integration of all data on commercial waste in the city collected and transported through transfer stations and recycling processors; (ii) an assessment of current practices, operations and compliance with applicable local laws and rules, consistent with the scope of study set forth in the 2006 Solid Waste Management Plan; (iii) estimates of waste composition and recycling diversion rates from research conducted with respect to other jurisdictions; (iv) a computer-based model to measure the amount and composition of waste generated by different commercial sectors; (v) recommendations of methods to encourage waste prevention, reuse, recycling and composting for each of the commercial sectors studied, including any recommended changes to applicable law; and (vi) an assessment of the efficiency of the transportation of commercial waste within the commercial system by, among other things, mapping and monitoring routes along which commercial waste and recycling trucks travel, including long-haul carriers within and outside the city. Following completion of the commercial recycling study, the commissioner shall determine whether any additional studies are necessary in order to improve commercial recycling practices in the city and shall promptly report such determination to the mayor and the council.
d. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, nothing in this section shall be construed to (i) supersede, amend or eliminate any obligation of an awardee or designated carter, as such terms are defined in section 16-1000, to meet the requirements set forth in any applicable agreement entered into pursuant to section 16-1002, or (ii) otherwise amend or supersede any term of such agreement.
(Am. L.L. 2019/199, 11/20/2019, eff. 5/20/2021)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1989/019, L.L. 1992/087, L.L. 1996/042, and L.L. 2019/199.
NYC Admin. Code § 16-306.1 Organic waste.
§ 16-306.1 Organic waste.
Editor's note: this section has been amended by L.L. 2026/118, 7/30/2026, eff. 11/27/2026.
a. When used in this section or section 16-324 of this chapter:
"Arena" means an establishment or facility that hosts live sporting or entertainment events.
"Capacity" means the combined capacity of facilities that are capable of accepting and processing, consistent with the terms of this section and exceeding a nominal amount, organic waste expected to be generated by and collected from designated covered establishments.
"Catering establishment" means any room, place or space in the city, which is used, leased or hired out for the business of serving food or beverages for a particular function, occasion or event, to which the public is not invited or admitted and wherein music or entertainment is permitted.
"Covered establishment" means:
1. any location at which a food manufacturer has a floor area of at least twenty-five thousand square feet;
2. any location at which a food wholesaler has a floor area of at least twenty thousand square feet;
3. any location at which a retail food store has a floor area of at least ten thousand square feet, or any retail food store that is part of a chain of three or more retail food stores that have a combined floor area space of at least ten thousand square feet and that operate under common ownership or control and receive waste collection from the same private carter;
4. arenas or stadiums having a seating capacity of at least fifteen thousand persons;
5. any food service establishment that is part of a chain of two or more food service establishments that have a combined floor area of at least eight thousand square feet and that: (i) operate under common ownership or control; (ii) are individually franchised outlets of a parent business; or (iii) do business under the same corporate name, provided that the requirements of subparagraph (i) of paragraph 1 of subdivision c of this section shall not apply to any such food service establishment when the building or premises in which such food service establishment is located is in compliance with such requirement pursuant to paragraph seven of this definition;
6. any location at which a food service establishment has a floor area of at least seven thousand square feet, provided that the requirements of subparagraph (i) of paragraph 1 of subdivision c of this section shall not apply to any such location when the building or premises containing such location is in compliance with such requirement pursuant to paragraph seven of this definition;
7. any building or premises where food service establishments having a total combined floor area of at least eight thousand square feet are located and where the owner of the building or premises, or its agent, arranges or contracts with a private carter for the removal of waste from food service establishments having no less than eight thousand square feet of such building or premises, provided that any such food service establishments shall comply with the requirements of subparagraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv) of paragraph 1 of subdivision c of this section, but such requirements shall not apply to the owner or agent of any such building or premises;
8. any location at which a food preparation establishment has a floor area of at least six thousand square feet;
9. any catering establishment that is required to provide for the removal of waste pursuant to section 16-116 of this code whenever the anticipated attendance for any particular event is greater than one hundred persons;
10. any food service establishments located within and providing food to one or more hotels totaling at least one hundred sleeping rooms; and
11. sponsors of a temporary public event.
"Designated area" means within a one hundred mile radius of the city.
"Food manufacturer" means any establishment that processes or fabricates food products from raw materials for commercial purposes, provided that it shall not include any establishment engaged solely in the warehousing, distribution or retail sale of product.
"Food preparation establishment" means a business that is primarily engaged in providing food or food services for a temporary, fixed time, or based on contractual arrangements for a specified period of time at locations other than such establishment's permanent place of business.
"Food service establishment" means any premises or part of a premises that is required to provide for the removal of waste pursuant to section 16-116 of this code where food is provided directly to the consumer, whether such food is provided free of charge or sold, and whether consumption occurs on or off the premises. Food service establishment shall include, but not be limited to, full-service restaurants, fast food restaurants, cafes, delicatessens, coffee shops, and business, institutional or government agency cafeterias, but shall not include retail food stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, and mobile food vending units, as such term is defined in section 89.03 of the health code. Food service establishment shall also not include any premises or place of business where the sole or primary source of food is a refreshment counter where the available food is limited to items such as beverages, prepackaged items, and snacks.
"Food wholesaler" means any establishment primarily engaged in the wholesale distribution of groceries and related products including, but not limited to, packaged frozen food, dairy products, poultry products, confectioneries, fish and seafood, meat products, and fresh fruits and vegetables but shall not apply to establishments that handle only pre-packaged, non-perishable foods.
"Hotel" shall have the same meaning as set forth in section 27-2004 of the housing maintenance code.
"In vessel composting" means a process in which organic waste is enclosed in a drum, silo, bin, tunnel, reactor, or other container for the purpose of producing compost, maintained under controlled conditions of temperature and moisture and where air-borne emissions are controlled.
"Organic waste" shall have the same meaning as set forth in section 16-303 of this title, except that for purposes of this section, organic waste shall not include food that is donated to a third party, food that is sold to farmers for feedstock, and meat by-products that are sold to a rendering company.
"Private carter" means a business licensed by the business integrity commission pursuant to title 16-A of this code.
"Retail food store" means any establishment or section of an establishment where food and food products offered to the consumer are intended for off-premises consumption, but shall exclude convenience stores, pharmacies, greenmarkets or farmers' markets and food service establishments.
"Sponsor of a temporary public event" means the applicant for a street activity permit pursuant to chapter 1 of title 50 of the rules of the city of New York, or any successor provision, for any activity on a public street, street curb lane, sidewalk or pedestrian island or plaza with an anticipated attendance of greater than five hundred persons per day where the activity will interfere with or obstruct the regular use of the location by pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Such term shall not include activities conducted pursuant to a valid film permit, demonstrations, parades or block parties.
"Stadium" means an establishment or facility that hosts live sporting or entertainment events.
b. The commissioner shall, on a regular basis and no less than annually, evaluate the capacity of all facilities within the designated area and the cost of processing organic waste by composting, aerobic or anaerobic digestion, or any other method of processing organic waste that the department approves by rule. If the commissioner determines that there is sufficient capacity and that the cost of processing organic waste consistent with this section is competitive with the cost of disposing of organic waste by landfill or incineration, he or she shall designate by rule all covered establishments or a subset of covered establishments, based on any criteria, among such covered establishments, that generate a quantity of organic waste that would not exceed the evaluated capacity. All such designated covered establishments shall comply with the requirements of subdivision c of this section beginning no later than six months following such designation. In addition, the commissioner shall include in his or her evaluation the capacity of any facilities outside of the designated area that have arrangements or contracts with transfer stations or private carters to accept and process organic waste generated by and collected from covered establishments.
c. 1. Each designated covered establishment shall:
i. either (A) ensure collection by a private carter of all organic waste generated by such establishment for purposes of composting, aerobic or anaerobic digestion, or any other method of processing organic waste that the department approves by rule, (B) transport its own organic waste to a facility that provides for composting, aerobic or anaerobic digestion, or any other method of processing organic waste that the department approves by rule, provided that the covered establishment first obtains a registration issued by the business integrity commission pursuant to subdivision b of section 16-505 of this code, or (C) provide for on-site in vessel composting, aerobic or anaerobic digestion, or any other method of processing organic waste that the department approves by rule for some or all of the organic waste it generates on its premises, provided that it arranges for the collection or transport of the remainder of such organic waste, if any, in accordance with clause (A) or (B) of this subparagraph;
ii. post a sign, which shall be in addition to any other sign required to be posted pursuant to this code, that states clearly and legibly the trade or business name, address, and telephone number of, and the day and time of pickup by, the private carter that collects the covered establishment's organic waste, provided that:
(A) such sign shall be prominently displayed by affixing it to a window near the principal entrance to the covered establishment so as to be easily visible from outside the building or, if this is not possible, prominently displayed inside the covered establishment near the principal entrance;
(B) catering establishments shall not be required to display on such sign the day and time of the pickup by the private carter that collects the establishment's organic waste; and
(C) this paragraph shall not apply to sponsors of temporary public events;
iii. provide separate bins for the disposal of organic waste in any area where such organic waste is generated and disposed of; and
iv. post instructions on the proper separation of organic waste where such instructions will be visible to persons who are disposing of organic waste, provided that this subparagraph shall not apply to sponsors of temporary public events.
2. Any covered establishment that arranges for the collection by a private carter of its organic waste pursuant to this subdivision shall not commingle such organic waste with other designated and non-designated recyclable material or solid waste, and shall place such organic waste out for collection by a private carter in a container or containers that (i) has a lid and a latch that keeps the lid closed and is resistant to tampering by rodents or other wildlife, (ii) has the capacity that meets the disposal needs of the covered establishment and its private carter, (iii) is compatible with the private carter's hauling collection practices, and (iv) is closed and latched at the time it is placed out for collection.
d. Any private carter that collects source separated organic waste shall either:
1. deliver collected organic waste to a transfer station that has represented that it will deliver such organic waste to a facility for purposes of composting, aerobic or anaerobic digestion, or any other method of processing organic waste that the department approves by rule; or
2. deliver such organic waste directly to a facility for purposes of composting, aerobic or anaerobic digestion, or any other method of processing organic waste that the department approves by rule.
e. Any transfer station that receives source separated organic waste pursuant to this section shall deliver or have delivered such organic waste directly to a facility that accepts organic waste for purposes of composting, aerobic or anaerobic digestion, or any other method of processing organic waste that the department approves by rule. This subdivision shall not apply to waste that cannot be processed at an organic waste processing facility.
f. The provisions of this section relating to private carters shall be enforced by the business integrity commission and the department. The provisions of this section relating to covered establishments shall be enforced by the department, the department of health and mental hygiene, and the department of consumer and worker protection.
g. The department, the business integrity commission, the department of health and mental hygiene, and the department of consumer and worker protection may promulgate any rules necessary to implement this section, including, but not limited to, rules establishing reporting requirements sufficient to demonstrate compliance with this chapter.
h. Any person who owns or operates two or fewer food service establishments may request, and the commissioner shall grant, a waiver of the requirements of this section if: (1) no single food service establishment has a floor area of at least seven thousand square feet; (2) the food service establishment or establishments are individually franchised outlets of a parent business covered by paragraph five of the definition of "covered establishment" set forth in subdivision a of this section; and (3) the owner or operator establishes that such food service establishment or establishments do not receive private carting services through a general carting agreement between a parent business and a private carter. Such waiver shall be valid for twelve months and shall be renewable upon application to the commissioner via the department's website.
(Am. L.L. 2017/214, 11/27/2017, eff. 3/27/2018; Am. L.L. 2019/199, 11/20/2019, eff. 5/20/2021; Am. L.L. 2020/080, 8/28/2020, eff. 8/28/2020; Am. L.L. 2023/151, 11/17/2023, eff. 5/15/2024)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2019/199 and L.L. 2020/080.
NYC Admin. Code § 16-307 City agency waste.
§ 16-307 City agency waste.
Editor's note: this section has been amended by L.L. 2026/088, 5/16/2026, eff. 11/12/2026.
a. The commissioner shall adopt, amend and implement rules, as necessary, governing the source separation or post-collection separation, collection, processing, marketing, and sale of designated recyclable materials including, but not limited to, designated metal, glass, plastic and paper generated by any agency, as such term is defined in section 1-112 of the code.
b. Every agency shall, no later than July first, two thousand eleven, prepare and submit to the commissioner for approval, a waste prevention, reuse and recycling plan. Such plan shall provide for the source separation of designated metal, glass, plastic and paper, and such other designated recyclable materials as the commissioner deems appropriate, in all offices and buildings occupied by agencies that receive collection service from the department and, to the extent practicable, in those that receive private carter collection. Such plans shall provide for the source separation of designated recyclable materials in the lobbies of such offices or buildings that receive department collection, unless the placement of bins for the source separation of designated recyclable materials would be in violation of any other provision of law, and, to the extent practicable, in the lobbies of such offices or buildings that receive private carter collection. Each agency shall designate a lead recycling or sustainability coordinator to oversee implementation of such plans. If an agency has offices in more than one city-owned building, then such agency shall designate one assistant coordinator for each building in which such agency has offices, except the building in which the lead coordinator has his or her office, to assist the agency's lead coordinator.
c. On or before July first, two thousand twelve and annually thereafter, every lead recycling or sustainability coordinator shall submit a report to the head of his or her respective agency and to the commissioner, summarizing actions taken to implement the waste prevention, reuse and recycling plan for the previous twelve-month reporting period, proposed actions to be taken to implement such plan, and updates or changes to any information included in such plan. The department shall consolidate the information contained in all reports prepared pursuant to this subdivision and include such information as part of the department's annual zero waste report required pursuant to subdivision b of section 16-316.5.
(Am. L.L. 2023/087, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1989/019.
NYC Admin. Code § 16-307.1 School recycling.
§ 16-307.1 School recycling.
a. The chancellor of the department of education shall designate a sustainability director for the department of education, who shall be responsible for (i) setting policies, guidelines and goals to promote waste prevention, reuse and recycling practices, and (ii) coordinating the department of education's waste prevention, reuse and recycling program in all school buildings, charter school locations, office buildings, and any other facilities under the jurisdiction of the department of education that receive department collection service.
b. The chancellor of the department of education shall promulgate such rules as may be necessary to require that each school building, charter school location, office building, and any other facility under the jurisdiction of the department of education that receives department collection service, develop a site-specific waste prevention, reuse and recycling plan. Each such plan shall be implemented by January first, two thousand eleven. Such plan shall include, at a minimum, a requirement that each classroom maintain a separate receptacle, container or bin for the collection of designated recyclable paper, and that such receptacle, container or bin be appropriately labeled or decorated with recycling information. Such plan shall also provide that separate receptacles, containers or bins for the collection of designated 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.
c. The principal of each school under the jurisdiction of the department of education 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 the sustainability coordinator shall complete, and submit to the department of education sustainability director and to the chancellor, an annual survey regarding such school's compliance with its waste prevention, reuse and recycling plan.
d. The chancellor shall submit a report to the commissioner by January 1 of each year regarding compliance with the requirements of this section for the preceding July 1 through June 30. The department shall include the chancellor's report as part of the department's annual zero waste report required pursuant to subdivision b of section 16-316.5.
e. The department shall distribute a model school waste prevention, reuse and recycling plan to all primary and secondary schools not under the jurisdiction of the department of education that receive department collection service. All such primary and secondary schools shall designate a sustainability coordinator for each such school, and develop a site-specific waste prevention, reuse and recycling plan. Each such plan shall be implemented by January first, two thousand eleven. Such plan shall include, at a minimum, a requirement that each room used primarily as a classroom for students between kindergarten and the twelfth grade maintain a separate receptacle, container or bin for the collection of designated recyclable paper, and that such receptacle, container or bin be appropriately labeled or decorated with recycling information. Such plan shall also provide that separate receptacles, containers or bins for the collection of designated 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. Such bins shall also be placed in centralized locations within such schools where food and beverages are routinely consumed, other than classrooms, such as cafeterias and lunchrooms, or, if such school lacks a cafeteria or lunchroom, in a location readily accessible to all students in such school.
(Am. L.L. 2023/087, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)
NYC Admin. Code § 16-307.2 City agency food waste prevention plans.
§ 16-307.2 City agency food waste prevention plans.
a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Covered agency. The term "covered agency" means an agency that has entered into at least one food purchase contract within the previous 12 months.
Food purchase contract. The term "food purchase contract" means: (i) a contract entered into by an agency in excess of the small purchase limits established by the procurement policy board, the principal purpose of which is to provide food, provided that such contract authorizes purchases only by the agency that entered into such contract, or (ii) a purchase order for food the value of which exceeds $100,000, made by an agency against an existing contract.
Surplus food. The term "surplus food" means any food obtained through a food purchase contract that is not used for the purpose for which it was purchased and that would otherwise be discarded.
b. Agency food waste prevention plan. Every covered agency shall, no later than October 1, 2021, prepare and submit to the commissioner for approval, a food waste prevention plan. Any agency that becomes a covered agency after October 1, 2021 shall prepare and submit to the commissioner for approval, a food waste prevention plan within 90 days of becoming a covered agency. The commissioner shall submit each approved agency food waste prevention plan to the speaker of the council not later than seven days after such approval. Such plan shall conform to all applicable provisions of law and, at a minimum:
1. Establish guidelines for how to identify surplus food that may be safely donated;
2. Identify methods to reduce the amount of surplus food, including the utilization of the food donation web portal described in section 16-497, when appropriate;
3. Set forth procedures for the safe, efficient donation of surplus food; and
4. Include any other provisions necessary to facilitate the reduction of surplus food and the donation of surplus food.
c. Food waste prevention coordinator. Upon approval of an agency's food waste prevention plan by the commissioner, each covered agency shall designate a coordinator to oversee implementation of the plan required by subdivision b.
d. Report.
1. On or before October 1, 2022, for the period between the effective date of the local law that added this section through January 1, 2022, and annually thereafter for the previous 12-month reporting period, each covered agency shall submit a report to the commissioner. Such report shall include, at a minimum:
i. A summary of the actions taken to implement the agency's food waste prevention plan;
ii. Any proposed additional actions to be taken to implement such plan; and
iii. Any updates or changes to any information included in such plan.
2. The department shall consolidate the information contained in all reports prepared pursuant to this subdivision and include such information as part of the department's annual zero waste report required pursuant to subdivision b of section 16-316.5.
(L.L. 2021/057, 5/23/2021, eff. 8/21/2021; Am. L.L. 2023/087, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)
NYC Admin. Code § 16-307.3 School food waste.
§ 16-307.3 School food waste.
a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Chancellor. The term "chancellor" means the chancellor of the city school district of the city of New York.
Food purchase contract. The term "food purchase contract" means any purchase order or contract entered into by the department of education, the principal purpose of which is to provide food, and the value of which exceeds $100,000.
School. The term "school" means a school of the city school district of the city of New York.
Surplus food. The term "surplus food" means any food obtained through a food purchase contract that is not used for the purpose for which it was purchased and that would otherwise be discarded.
b. Food waste prevention plan. No later than October 1, 2021, the chancellor shall prepare and submit to the commissioner a food waste prevention plan. Preparation of such food waste prevention plan shall provide school sustainability coordinators designated pursuant to subdivision c of section 16-307.1 an opportunity to offer ideas concerning food waste prevention. Such plan shall conform to all applicable provisions of law and include, but need not be limited to, the following information:
1. Guidelines for how to identify surplus food that may be safely donated;
2. Any methods the chancellor has identified to reduce the amount of surplus food in schools;
3. Any procedures the chancellor has identified that would allow the department of education or a school to donate surplus food safely and efficiently; and
4. Any barriers the chancellor has identified that would prevent the safe and efficient donation of surplus food.
c. Review by commissioner. The commissioner shall review the plan required pursuant to subdivision b of this section within 90 days of its submission and shall submit recommendations on the plan to the chancellor. The commissioner shall simultaneously submit a copy of the chancellor's plan and the commissioner's recommendations to the speaker of the council.
d. Report. On or before February 1, 2022, the chancellor shall submit a report to the commissioner. Such report shall include, at a minimum:
1. A summary of actions taken to implement the food waste prevention plan;
2. A summary of actions that the chancellor proposes be taken to implement such plan; and
3. Any updates or changes to any information included in such plan.
(L.L. 2021/065, 6/12/2021, eff. 9/19/2021; Am. L.L. 2023/087, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)
NYC Admin. Code § 16-308 Organic waste.
§ 16-308 Organic waste.
a. [Reserved.]
b. The commissioner shall provide for the source separation, collection and composting of yard waste, unless the generator otherwise provides for recycling or storage for composting or mulching. In addition, the commissioner shall provide for the collection and composting of yard waste generated and source separated at residential properties owned or operated by the New York city housing authority. There shall be operated by or on behalf of the department one or more yard waste composting facilities through which the department shall compost yard waste collected by or delivered to the department pursuant to this section. In order to comply with this provision, the department may utilize the services of privately-owned or operated facilities. The department shall also work in consultation with the composting facility siting task force established by the two thousand and six solid waste management plan to identify additional locations to site yard waste composting facilities with the goal of establishing at least one such composting facility in each borough where the department conducts yard waste composting collection.
c. Any city agency, or person under contract with a city agency, that generates a substantial amount of yard waste shall, in coordination with the department, provide for the source separation, collection and composting of such yard waste. Unless otherwise provided by law, the department shall accept for composting any city agency yard waste source separated for department collection pursuant to this subdivision.
d. No landfill, waste transfer station, intermodal facility, incinerator or resource recovery facility owned, operated or used by the department shall accept truckloads of department-managed waste primarily composed of yard waste for final disposal, except that composted yard waste may be used as part of the final vegetative cover for a department landfill.
e. All city agencies responsible for the maintenance of public lands shall to the maximum extent practicable and feasible give preference to the use of compost materials derived from the city's yard waste in all land maintenance activities.
f. Generators of yard waste, except those identified in subdivision g of this section, shall separate, tie, bundle, or place into bags or receptacles, in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner, any yard waste set out for collection by the department pursuant to subdivision b of this section. The commissioner shall notify all residents in districts that receive yard waste collection by the department of such pre-collection procedures, and undertake any other action necessary to effectuate the purposes of this subdivision.
g. No person engaged in a business that generates yard waste shall leave such yard waste for collection by the department, or disperse such yard waste in or about the curb or street. Any person engaged in a business that generates yard waste shall be required to collect and dispose of such yard waste at a permitted composting facility; provided, however, that if the department, by written order of the commissioner, determines that there is insufficient capacity at permitted composting facilities within the city of New York or within ten miles of the borough in which any such person generates yard waste, then such yard waste may be disposed of at any appropriately permitted solid waste management facility.
h. Each permitted composting facility within the city, including those operated by city agencies, shall annually report to the commissioner the amount of yard waste and any other organic waste collected and disposed of by weight at such composting facility. All such reports shall be submitted prior to February first of each calendar year and shall contain the amount collected and disposed of for the previous calendar year. The department shall consolidate the information contained in all reports prepared pursuant to this subdivision and include such information as part of the department's annual zero waste report required pursuant to subdivision b of section 16-316.5.
i. No person residing in a district where the department provides residential yard waste composting collection pursuant to subdivision b of this section shall dispose of grass clippings as regular waste for collection by the department during the period of time when the department conducts such composting collection. The department shall conduct outreach and education to inform residents within such districts of the dates when it will conduct yard waste composting collection. No person residing in a district where the department provides residential yard waste composting collection shall be held liable for a violation of this subdivision during the first year the department provides such residential yard waste composting collection.
(Am. L.L. 2023/085, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023; Am. L.L. 2023/087, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1989/019.
NYC Admin. Code § 16-308.1 Curbside organics collection.
§ 16-308.1 Curbside organics collection.
a. Organics collection program. The department shall establish a mandatory citywide curbside organics collection program for the diversion of organic waste in accordance with this section. Such program shall be implemented by no later than:
1. October 2, 2023, for residential properties in no less than 30 sanitation districts, as determined by the commissioner by rule.
2. October 7, 2024, for residential properties in all remaining sanitation districts.
b. Implementation plan. No later than July 1, 2023, the department shall develop, submit to the mayor and speaker of the council, and post on the department’s website a curbside organics collection implementation plan. Such plan shall include information related to, at minimum:
1. How the department will implement such program;
2. The education and outreach program required pursuant to subdivision e of this section; and
3. How the department will distribute necessary materials, including rodent-proof organics collection bins, at no cost to residential building owners, and a timeline for such distribution.
c. End use of collected organic waste. In the next solid waste management plan prepared pursuant to section 27-0107 of the environmental conservation law and presented to the council pursuant to section 16-140 following the effective date of the local law that added this subdivision, the department shall include a plan to maximize the usable composting of organic waste collected pursuant to this section. Such plan for the usable composting of organic waste shall describe the amount of organic waste collected and sent to composting facilities to be processed into usable compost pursuant to this section.
d. Reporting. The department shall report by weight the total amount of organic waste diverted pursuant to this section during the previous year, disaggregated by sanitation district. Such report shall be included as part of the department’s annual zero waste report required pursuant to section 16-316.5 of this chapter.
e. Education and outreach. The department shall develop an outreach and education program to educate residents, building owners, and staff of residential buildings on the curbside organics collection program established pursuant to this section. Materials used for such outreach and education program shall be available in all designated citywide languages, as defined in section 23-1101, and any additional languages as determined by the department in consultation with local community organizations. No later than two months prior to the implementation of the curbside organics collection program for residential properties in a sanitation district pursuant to subdivision a of this section, the department shall distribute such materials to residents, building owners, and community based organizations in such district. Such materials shall also be made available on the department’s website. Such materials shall include:
1. A detailed explanation of organic waste and the benefits of curbside organics collection;
2. Information on how the curbside organics collection program will be implemented and instructions for how to properly source separate organic waste; and
3. Any other information as determined by the commissioner.
f. Rules. The commissioner shall adopt and implement rules as necessary to effectuate this section. Such rules may include, but need not be limited to, the designation of organic waste as a recyclable material pursuant to subdivision b of section 16-305 of this chapter, procedures requiring the placement of organic waste at the curbside, in specialized containers or in another manner determined by the commissioner pursuant to subdivision d of such section, and the implementation and enforcement of this section and such rules in buildings containing four or more dwelling units pursuant to subdivisions e, f, and g of section 16-305.
g. Penalty. A residential building owner who violates this section shall be liable for a civil penalty as set forth in section 16-324, except that prior to April 1, 2025, a residential building owner who violates this section shall be issued a written warning that a violation has been observed, provided that nothing in this subdivision shall preclude the department from enforcing any rules relating to yard waste separation promulgated pursuant to section 16-308 of this chapter.
(L.L. 2023/085, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)
NYC Admin. Code § 16-308.2 Organic waste drop off sites.
§ 16-308.2 Organic waste drop off sites.
a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Community partner. The term “community partner” means a not-for-profit organization, community garden or other similar organization that operates or makes available to the public an organic waste drop off site.
Community scale composting facility. The term “community scale composting facility” means a physical location operated by a not-for-profit organization that engages in composting, through a registration or agreement with the department, but that is not of sufficient size so as to be required to obtain a permit for the operation of such facility from the New York state department of environmental conservation.
Organic waste drop off site. The term “organic waste drop off site” means a physical location for the collection of organic waste from members of the public.
b. Except as provided in subdivision c of this section, no later than April 1, 2024, the department, in consultation with community partners, shall ensure that no less than 30 organic waste drop off sites are established and operational throughout the city, provided that no less than three such sites are established in each borough. Each such site shall have a minimum of 20 hours available per week for individuals to drop off organic waste, except that organic waste drop off sites operated by community partners shall be open for a minimum of five hours per week, and each such organic waste drop off site shall be located in a geographic area that is easily accessible, including for persons with disabilities, and in close proximity to public transportation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an organic waste drop off site operated by a community partner may be operated on a seasonal basis.
c. For the purposes of subdivision b of this section, an organic waste drop off site may be a community scale composting facility or a drop off site operated by the department, including co-location with a recycling center, as required pursuant to section 16-310.3.
d. No later than January 1, 2026, the department shall review the requirements of subdivision b of this section and submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council a recommendation as to whether such drop off sites should be continued.
e. Site information. The department shall post on its website information about each organic waste drop off site established pursuant to this section. Such information shall include each such site’s address, contact information, hours of operation and services provided. Where applicable, such information shall also be clearly posted in a publicly visible location at the entrance to each such site.
f. Education and outreach. The department, in consultation with any agency or office designated by the mayor, shall develop an education and outreach program to inform residents about the organic waste drop off sites and community scale composting facilities established pursuant to this section. Such education and outreach shall include the information set forth in subdivision e of this section. Any educational or outreach materials developed pursuant to this section, as well as any other educational materials on recycling that the commissioner deems relevant, shall be available in all designated citywide languages, as defined in section 23-1101, and supplied to each organic waste drop off site. The department shall also perform outreach to community partners and other not-for-profit organizations to provide them with information on how the public can engage in opportunities to work with the department to open and operate organic waste drop off sites and community scale composting facilities.
g. Reporting. The department shall report annually on the operation of organic waste drop off sites. Such report shall be included as part of the department’s annual zero waste report required pursuant to section 16-316.5. Such report shall include, at a minimum, the following information, disaggregated by organic waste drop off site where feasible:
1. The total amount of material collected at such site;
2. The number of individuals who used such site during the reporting period;
3. The number of full-time and part-time staff members working at such site, if any; and
4. Where the organic waste collected at such site was processed following collection.
(L.L. 2023/089, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)
NYC Admin. Code § 16-308.3 Community garden organics collection.
§ 16-308.3 Community garden organics collection.
a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Community garden. The term “community garden” has the same meaning as set forth in section 25-116.
Designated citywide languages. The term “designated citywide languages” has the same meaning as set forth in section 23-1101.
b. The department shall establish an online application for a person to request the collection of organic waste from a community garden by the department in accordance with this section. Such application shall be available: (i) on the department’s website; and (ii) in all designated citywide languages.
c. On and after August 15, 2025, the department shall provide for collection of organic waste from any community garden that has submitted an online application pursuant to this section. The department shall provide for such collection at a frequency that is no less than the frequency the department provides for collection of organic waste from residential properties pursuant to section 16-308.1.
(L.L. 2025/030, 3/29/2025, eff. 6/15/2025)
NYC Admin. Code § 16-309 Christmas trees.
§ 16-309 Christmas trees.
The commissioner shall establish and implement a curbside collection system for Christmas trees during a minimum of two weeks in January of each year and provide for the composting or recycling of the Christmas trees the department collects or receives for disposal.
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1989/019.
NYC Admin. Code § 16-310 Public space recycling.
§ 16-310 Public space recycling.
a. The department shall expand its public space recycling program by increasing the number of public space recycling receptacles for the collection of recyclable materials including, but not limited to, metal, glass, plastic and paper designated as recyclable materials by the commissioner, to a cumulative total of at least five hundred public space recycling receptacles within three years of the effective date of this section, and to a cumulative total of at least one thousand public space recycling receptacles within ten years of the effective date of this section, at public locations in the city, which shall be in or near public parks, transit hubs, or commercial locations with high-pedestrian traffic. As part of such expansion, the department shall place public space recycling receptacles in all business improvement districts that provide public litter basket maintenance. Wherever practicable, public space recycling receptacles placed pursuant to this section shall be placed adjacent to public litter baskets.
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision a of this section, the department shall not be required to expand the public space recycling program beyond existing or newly-established collection routes that can be efficiently serviced by the department. The commissioner shall have the authority to remove any public space recycling receptacle placed pursuant to this section, provided that the department replaces any such public space recycling receptacle, within thirty days of removal, with additional public space recycling receptacles at the same or in a different location on a one-to-one basis.
c. No person responsible for removing or transporting recyclable materials placed in public space recycling receptacles shall commingle such recyclable materials with non-recyclable materials or otherwise improperly dispose of such recyclable materials.
d. The department shall report the total number of public space recycling receptacles added during the relevant reporting year, and the locations in which they were placed. Such report shall be included as part of the department's annual zero waste report required pursuant to subdivision b of section 16-316.5.
e. The department may enter into sponsorship or partnership agreements with entities such as for-profit and not-for-profit corporations and district management associations established in accordance with section 25-414 of the code to further the goals of this chapter.
(Am. L.L. 2023/087, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1989/019.
NYC Admin. Code § 16-310.1 Textile reuse and recycling program.
§ 16-310.1 Textile reuse and recycling program.
a. On or before January first, two thousand eleven, the department shall establish a citywide textile reuse and recycling program that shall, at a minimum, provide for the recovery of textiles by placing department-approved publicly accessible textile drop-off bins at appropriate locations on city property or property maintained by the city and organizing public textile reuse and recycling sites throughout the city that provide convenient drop-off locations for all city residents. In addition, the commissioner shall explore opportunities to work cooperatively with private entities, including, but not limited to, not-for-profit corporations and religious institutions, to promote expanded siting of publicly accessible textile drop-off bins on private property throughout the city. The department shall consider using department personnel and/or facilities in order to implement the provisions of this section.
b. No publicly accessible textile drop-off bin placed pursuant to this section shall be placed on city property or property maintained by the city, or on a public sidewalk or roadway, unless otherwise authorized by the city. No publicly accessible textile drop-off bin shall be placed on private property without the written permission of the property owner or the property owner's authorized agent. The owner or other person responsible for each such bin shall report at least every three months to the department the amount of textiles collected in such bin by weight. Each publicly accessible textile drop-off bin shall prominently display on the front and on at least one other side of the bin, the name, address and telephone number of the owner or other person responsible for the bin. This information shall be printed in characters that are plainly visible. In no event shall a post office box be considered an acceptable address for purposes of this subdivision.
c. The department shall report by weight the amount of textiles collected in publicly accessible textile drop-off bins located on city property or property maintained by the city, through public textile reuse and recycling sites pursuant to subdivision a of this section and in publicly accessible textile drop-off bins maintained on private property. Such report shall be included as part of the department's annual zero waste report required pursuant to subdivision b of section 16-316.5.
(Am. L.L. 2023/087, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)
NYC Admin. Code § 16-310.2 Paint stewardship program.
§ 16-310.2 Paint stewardship program.
a. Within one year of the effective date of this section, the commissioner shall establish a voluntary paint stewardship program under which manufacturers of architectural paint, in cooperation with distributors of architectural paint and retail establishments that sell, or offer for sale, architectural paint in the city of New York, may establish a collection or other reclamation system to collect architectural paint from consumers for reuse, recycling or environmentally sound disposal.
b. The commissioner shall provide assistance or guidance to participating architectural paint manufacturers, distributors and retail establishments in developing and implementing strategies to reduce the quantity of architectural paint in the waste stream, promote the reuse of architectural paint that would otherwise be discarded and disseminate information regarding options to recycle architectural paint including, but not limited to, posting information regarding the voluntary paint stewardship program on the department's website.
NYC Admin. Code § 16-310.3 Community recycling.
§ 16-310.3 Community recycling.
a. Community recycling centers. No later than December 31, 2024, the department shall ensure that at least two community recycling centers are established and operational in each borough. Each such center shall be available for drop offs at least 24 hours per week, including weekends. Such centers shall be located in geographic areas that are easily accessible, including for persons with disabilities, and shall be in close proximity to public transportation and public housing developments, where practicable. Any organic waste drop off site provided for by local law may be co-located within such a center.
b. Community recycling events. No later than September 30, 2023, and annually thereafter, the department shall host no less than one community recycling event in each community district. Each such event shall be located in a geographic area that is easily accessible, including for persons with disabilities, and in close proximity to public transportation and public housing developments, where practicable. Such events may be co-located with other sanitation services. Community recycling events required by this subdivision shall be in addition to any recycling event operated by an entity or organization other than the department, provided that any recycling event operated pursuant to a contract with the department shall be considered to be hosted by the department for purposes of this section.
c. Materials collected. Each community recycling center and community recycling event shall accept, to the extent practicable, inorganic material that is not collected through regular curbside collection but that can be recycled or reused. One community recycling center per borough shall also accept hazardous material, as practicable and as defined by the department, that should not be disposed of as curbside waste.
d. Community recycling center and event information. The department shall make available on the department’s website, and distribute to each local community board, the following information about the community recycling centers and community recycling events required by this section:
1. Location, including street address and borough;
2. Contact information;
3. Hours of operation; and
4. Services provided.
e. Education and outreach. The department, in consultation with any agency identified by the mayor, shall develop an outreach and education program to inform residents about community recycling centers and community recycling events, including their locations, contact information, hours of operation, and the services they provide.
f. Reporting. The department shall report annually on the operation of community recycling centers and community recycling events required pursuant to this section. Such report shall be included as part of the department’s annual waste diversion report required pursuant to section 16-316.5. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to, the following information, disaggregated by community recycling center and community recycling event, where feasible:
1. The number of individuals utilizing such centers and events;
2. The material collected at each such center and event, disaggregated by material type;
3. The number of full-time and part-time staff persons working at each such center and event;
4. Where each type of material collected is sent; and
5. A description of the education programs offered to the public.
(L.L. 2023/088, 7/9/2023, eff. 7/9/2023)
NYC Admin. Code § 16-311 Recycling outreach and education.
§ 16-311 Recycling outreach and education.
a. The department shall provide instruction and materials for residential building owners, net lessees or persons in charge of such buildings, and their employees and residents, in order to improve compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
b. The commissioner shall establish a recycling education program that shall include recycling instructional workshops, training curricula and other relevant materials for residential building owners, net lessees or persons in charge of such buildings, and their employees and residents, including an internet-based recycling tutorial. Such program shall also provide instructional workshops, training curricula, and other relevant material to employees of city agencies, including a leaf and yard waste training program for employees of any such agencies that generate significant leaf and yard waste. The commissioner may utilize a private entity or not-for-profit corporation to assist with the establishment or performance of such program.
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1989/019.
NYC Admin. Code § 16-312 Processing recyclable materials.
§ 16-312 Processing recyclable materials.
The commissioner shall establish procedures and standards for processing recyclable materials designated pursuant to section 16-305 of this chapter in city owned or operated recycling centers, city owned or operated transfer stations or any city owned or operated facility that renders recyclable materials suitable for reuse or marketing and sale. The commissioner shall annually review such procedures and standards and make any changes necessary to conform to the requirements of the marketplace.
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1989/019 and L.L. 2010/040.
NYC Admin. Code § 16-313 Marketing recyclable materials.
§ 16-313 Marketing recyclable materials.
The department shall establish procedures, standards and strategies to market the recyclable materials designated pursuant to section 16-305 of this chapter, including, but not limited to, maintaining a list of prospective buyers, establishing contact with prospective buyers, entering into contracts with buyers, and reviewing and making any necessary changes in collecting or processing the materials to improve their marketability.
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1989/019 and L.L. 2010/040.
NYC Admin. Code § 16-314 Recycling program revisions.
§ 16-314 Recycling program revisions.
The commissioner shall annually review the recycling program and all rules promulgated thereunder, and shall make the necessary revisions to improve the efficiency of collecting, processing, marketing and selling the materials recycled pursuant to this chapter. These revisions may include designating additional recyclable materials. The commissioner shall not delete designated materials without designating additional materials so that the total quantity, by weight, of all designated recyclable materials collected, processed, marketed and sold does not decrease. Where the commissioner determines that it is appropriate to delete a designated material, the department shall provide notice of such deletion to the mayor and the council, including the reason for such deletion, and shall provide any relevant data supporting such decision.
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1989/019 and L.L. 2010/040.
NYC Admin. Code § 16-315 Notice, education and research programs.
§ 16-315 Notice, education and research programs.
a. In addition to the notice requirements of section one thousand forty-three of chapter forty-five of the charter, within thirty days of the effective date of any rules promulgated pursuant to this chapter, and as frequently thereafter as the commissioner deems necessary, the department shall notify all community boards and persons occupying residential, commercial and industrial premises affected by the rules, of the requirements of the rules, by posting notices containing recycling information in public places where such notices are customarily placed and, in the commissioner's discretion, employing any other means of notification deemed necessary and appropriate.
b. The commissioner shall compile relevant recycling, reuse and composting information, including material available on the department's website, to create and make available a guide to the city's residential recycling program. Such guide shall, at a minimum, summarize and explain the laws and rules governing curbside recycling, list the collection locations and collection dates for non-curbside collected recyclable materials such as household hazardous waste and textiles, and provide detailed information and instructions on how to recycle any materials not collected by the department for which non-city or non-department recycling programs exist. Such guide shall be made available to residential building owners, or the net lessees or persons in charge of such buildings, community boards, not-for-profit organizations, public schools, and other relevant agencies and entities, and shall also be made available on the department website. The commissioner shall update the recycling guide biennially, or as necessary, based on changes to recycling laws, rules or other relevant information to be included therein.
c. The department shall develop and implement an educational program, in conjunction with the department of education, private schools, labor organizations, businesses, neighborhood organizations, community boards, and other interested and affected parties, and using flyers, print and electronic advertising, public events, promotional activities, public service announcements, and such other techniques as the commissioner determines to be useful, to assure the greatest possible level of compliance with the provisions of this chapter. The educational program shall encourage waste reduction, the reuse of materials, the purchase of recyclable products, and participation in city and private recycling activities.
d. The department shall perform such research and development activities, in cooperation with other city agencies, and public and private institutions, as the commissioner determines to be helpful in implementing the city's recycling program. Such research shall include, but not be limited to, investigation into the use of cooperative marketing programs, material recovery facilities, recycling as an economic development tool, export promotion, tax credits and exemptions for market promotion.
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1989/019.
Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-205327Fetched: 10/24/2026