FAQs
What day is my recycling day?
You can find your recycling day by calling 311 or visiting the NYC Department of Sanitation’s website, click here and use the box labeled “COLLECTION SCHEDULE” on the right side of the page.
Where can I get decals for my recycling bins and information to put in my building?
You can request decals and other recycling literature by calling 311 or visiting the NYC Department of Sanitation’s website, click here.
Does New York City provide recycling bins?
New York City does not provide recycling bins for residents. Use any labeled bin (preferably green for paper and blue for glass/metal/plastic) between 18-32 gallons or clear bag 13-55 gallons. Click here for info on proper bin labeling.
What color bags should I use for my recycling?
Use clear bags for all recyclables—one for mixed paper and another for metal/glass/plastic. If you still have the blue bags (formerly used for metal, glass, and plastic recycling) you can phase out your supply, however you should no longer purchase these bags.
I’m a little bit confused about what to recycle, can you help?
Click here to get helpful tips for understanding NYC's residential recycling rules. For a comprehensive listing of what to recycle in New York City, visit NYC Department of Sanitation’s NYC Wasteless site.
My apartment building doesn’t recycle. Can you help?
Yes! OROE is here to help buildings in our Outreach Districts set up effective programs. Contact us to set up an appointment. If you live outside our Outreach Districts we recommend contacting 311 and participating in the Apartment Building Recycling Initiative.
Why can’t I recycle any kind of plastic in NYC?
Not all plastics are created equal. In NYC, we only recycle plastic bottles and jugs, which are abundant in our waste stream and for which there is a strong market. Other types of plastics have weak markets for recycling into new products or are present in small quantities in NYC household waste. Click here for more information from the NYC Department of Sanitation.
What do the recycling symbols with the numbers on plastic items mean for New Yorkers and our curbside recycling program?
The chasing arrows symbols with numbers inside them are actually the Society of the Plastics Industry (http://www.plasticsindustry.org/) resin identification symbols used to identify the polymer type of plastic. The numbers are not provided on plastic materials for consumers but are used within the plastics industry. In New York City, residents are directed to recycle plastic bottles and jugs only. Though more than 90% of bottles and jugs are #1 and #2 plastics, non-bottle shaped #1's and #2's are not recyclable in NYC, therefore it is easier to determine what is recyclable by looking at the shape. Click here for more information on this topic.
Where can I recycle…?
Recycling resources for materials not covered by the curbside recycling program are constantly changing, please visit our resources page for information and check out our monthly e-newsletter. You can also find information on the NYC Department of Sanitation’s NYC Wasteless page.
How is the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education different from the NYC Department of Sanitation?
The NYC Department of Sanitation, the world’s largest sanitation department, is the uniform service agency that keeps our city clean by effectively managing our 12,000 tons of residential and institutional refuse and recycling waste each day.
The Office of Recycling Outreach and Education is a program of the nonprofit organization, the GrowNYC. We work to increase participation in New York City’s curbside recycling program using a grassroots, community-by-community strategy. Our borough-wide coordinators work to identify the specific challenges to recycling in a neighborhood and address those needs with targeted workshops for tenants and supers, community events centered on education, and special collection programs for textiles, electronics, and compost. Click here to make a donation.
Where can I find information about your clothing and textiles collections at local Greenmarket farmers’ markets?
Please click here for more information about our clothing and textiles collections.
The building where I work does not recycle. Isn’t this required?
All commercial buildings and the businesses that inhabit them must have recycling programs. Speak with your landlord or building manager for information on what and how to recycle. Click here for more information on NYC's Commercial Recycling Rules.
Our office works on a district by district basis in each borough. If we are currently working in your community district (click here to see where we are currently working), we would be more than happy to come to your event if our schedule allows. All events will be evaluated on a case by case basis. For events outside of our target districts, please contact our office for more information.
Where do I take my household hazardous waste?
The NYC Department of Sanitation operates Self-Help Special Waste Drop Off Sites (for residents only) in every borough for collection and recycling (or proper disposal) of: batteries (household & auto), fluorescent bulbs, latex paint, mercury-filled thermostats and thermometers, motor oil and filters, transmission fluid, and tires. Please click here for locations and hours for these facilities.
Also see Take It Back NYC for mandatory and voluntary take-back programs for items not currently accepted in the NYC residential curbside recycling program.
You can find your recycling day by calling 311 or visiting the NYC Department of Sanitation’s website, click here and use the box labeled “COLLECTION SCHEDULE” on the right side of the page.
Where can I get decals for my recycling bins and information to put in my building?
You can request decals and other recycling literature by calling 311 or visiting the NYC Department of Sanitation’s website, click here.
Does New York City provide recycling bins?
New York City does not provide recycling bins for residents. Use any labeled bin (preferably green for paper and blue for glass/metal/plastic) between 18-32 gallons or clear bag 13-55 gallons. Click here for info on proper bin labeling.
What color bags should I use for my recycling?
Use clear bags for all recyclables—one for mixed paper and another for metal/glass/plastic. If you still have the blue bags (formerly used for metal, glass, and plastic recycling) you can phase out your supply, however you should no longer purchase these bags.
I’m a little bit confused about what to recycle, can you help?
Click here to get helpful tips for understanding NYC's residential recycling rules. For a comprehensive listing of what to recycle in New York City, visit NYC Department of Sanitation’s NYC Wasteless site.
My apartment building doesn’t recycle. Can you help?
Yes! OROE is here to help buildings in our Outreach Districts set up effective programs. Contact us to set up an appointment. If you live outside our Outreach Districts we recommend contacting 311 and participating in the Apartment Building Recycling Initiative.
Why can’t I recycle any kind of plastic in NYC?
Not all plastics are created equal. In NYC, we only recycle plastic bottles and jugs, which are abundant in our waste stream and for which there is a strong market. Other types of plastics have weak markets for recycling into new products or are present in small quantities in NYC household waste. Click here for more information from the NYC Department of Sanitation.
What do the recycling symbols with the numbers on plastic items mean for New Yorkers and our curbside recycling program?
The chasing arrows symbols with numbers inside them are actually the Society of the Plastics Industry (http://www.plasticsindustry.org/) resin identification symbols used to identify the polymer type of plastic. The numbers are not provided on plastic materials for consumers but are used within the plastics industry. In New York City, residents are directed to recycle plastic bottles and jugs only. Though more than 90% of bottles and jugs are #1 and #2 plastics, non-bottle shaped #1's and #2's are not recyclable in NYC, therefore it is easier to determine what is recyclable by looking at the shape. Click here for more information on this topic.
Where can I recycle…?
Recycling resources for materials not covered by the curbside recycling program are constantly changing, please visit our resources page for information and check out our monthly e-newsletter. You can also find information on the NYC Department of Sanitation’s NYC Wasteless page.
How is the Office of Recycling Outreach and Education different from the NYC Department of Sanitation?
The NYC Department of Sanitation, the world’s largest sanitation department, is the uniform service agency that keeps our city clean by effectively managing our 12,000 tons of residential and institutional refuse and recycling waste each day.
The Office of Recycling Outreach and Education is a program of the nonprofit organization, the GrowNYC. We work to increase participation in New York City’s curbside recycling program using a grassroots, community-by-community strategy. Our borough-wide coordinators work to identify the specific challenges to recycling in a neighborhood and address those needs with targeted workshops for tenants and supers, community events centered on education, and special collection programs for textiles, electronics, and compost. Click here to make a donation.
Where can I find information about your clothing and textiles collections at local Greenmarket farmers’ markets?
Please click here for more information about our clothing and textiles collections.
The building where I work does not recycle. Isn’t this required?
All commercial buildings and the businesses that inhabit them must have recycling programs. Speak with your landlord or building manager for information on what and how to recycle. Click here for more information on NYC's Commercial Recycling Rules.
Are NYC schools required to recycle?
Like other city agencies in New York City, schools are required to recycle. Learn more about the Schools Chancellor regulations requiring all schools to develop a recycling plan. Students, teachers, and parents may also contact the United Federation of Teachers Green Schools Committee for information on the progress of recycling improvements in public schools.
Our office works on a district by district basis in each borough. If we are currently working in your community district (click here to see where we are currently working), we would be more than happy to come to your event if our schedule allows. All events will be evaluated on a case by case basis. For events outside of our target districts, please contact our office for more information.
Where do I take my household hazardous waste?
The NYC Department of Sanitation operates Self-Help Special Waste Drop Off Sites (for residents only) in every borough for collection and recycling (or proper disposal) of: batteries (household & auto), fluorescent bulbs, latex paint, mercury-filled thermostats and thermometers, motor oil and filters, transmission fluid, and tires. Please click here for locations and hours for these facilities.
Also see Take It Back NYC for mandatory and voluntary take-back programs for items not currently accepted in the NYC residential curbside recycling program.