Inside Boro-Wide

Compliance

Meeting Regulatory Obligations

Waste management is a necessity for any business, with dozens of obligations resulting in dozens of rules resulting in fines from the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) if not followed correctly. This page contains a list of New York City Department of Sanitation rules that all businesses must follow.

Use our Recycle It Right tool to discover the do’s and don’ts of proper disposal.

Containers

Starting March 1, 2024, all businesses in NYC must use bins with secure lids when setting out trash for collection.

How to Store Bins

Containers should be stored inside or in a rear yard if possible when not set out for collection.
If space is not available, bins can be stored within 3 feet of the building’s property line
Bins must be maintained in a neat and orderly manner and always allow for a clear path of pedestrian travel on the sidewalk.

Receptacles

Garbage must be placed in leak-proof receptacles with tightly fitting lids (metal or plastic are okay).
- Note: Do not use blue, red, or clear bags for regular garbage. Businesses must have enough receptacles to contain waste generated in 72 hours.
Garbage receptacles (including dumpsters) must be covered at all times with securely fitting covers/lids.
If garbage is scheduled to be picked up using dumpsters, the metal containers must be:
- Removed immediately upon the business opening. If the collection service occurs overnight and a responsible party is not present, a reasonable amount of time (about an hour) is allowed for the removal of containers once the responsible party is on-premise;
- Removed from sidewalks/streets and placed inside or in the rear of the premises;
- Maintained in a neat, clean, and closed condition at all times, and the area around them must also remain neat and clean.
Do not use trash or recycling receptacles belonging to others without their permission and do not place garbage or recycling in front of any premises other than your own.
Do not dispose of commercial refuse or liquids in DSNY litter baskets. Sanitation litter baskets are designed for light waste and use by pedestrians only.

General / Trash

Placement for Collection

Businesses that place waste at the curb for collection must:
- Place waste in a container with a secure lid at the curb 1 hour before closing
Recyclable paper can be placed out without a container if securely bundled and tied.
All other recyclables must be placed out at the curb in a clear plastic bag 1 hour before closing.
You must remove containers from the curb when you open your business
Note: This does not apply to businesses that have waste collected from a loading dock.

Commercial Waste Disposal

All businesses must either arrange with a private carter to have its garbage collected, or obtain a “Self-Hauler” registration from the Business Integrity Commission (BIC) and transport the garbage in a vehicle with commercial license plates.

Private Carter Decal

Businesses that use a private carter must post a decal that clearly and legibly states the private carter’s name, the service(s) provided (garbage collection, source-separated recycling, co-collection of recycling or single-stream collection of recycling) and the days and times the service(s) is provided.
Merchants that transport their garbage or recyclable materials personally must post their BIC decal with their Self-Hauler registration number.

Recycling

Not sure if what you have can be recycled? Use our Recycle it Right tool. Have something that’s hard to recycle? We’ve got you with our CHaRM on the Road service.

Metal, Glass, and Plastic

The following materials must be separated from garbage and set out for recycling collection (also separate from cardboard and paper recycling):

Metal (containers)
- Metal containers (beverage containers)
- Aluminum foil and foil products (wrap and trays)
- Contact customer service for a metal bulk waste (furniture, cabinets, etc.) pickup
Glass
- Glass containers (bottles and jars)
Plastic (containers)
- Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- Rigid plastic food and non-food containers
- Rigid 5 gallon buckets & milk crates
Containers must be cleaned of all food detritus and liquid

Paper and Cardboard

The following materials must be separated from garbage and set out for recycling collection:

Paper
- Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, phone books, high-grade office paper
Cardboard
- Corrugated cardboard boxes (flattened and tied)
- No wet boxes

Construction Waste

The following materials must be separated from garbage and set out for recycling collection (also separate from other recycling collections):

Construction Waste
Excluding:
- Plaster
- Drywall
- Wall coverings
- Roofing shingles
- Glass window panes

Textile Waste

In addition to the recyclables listed above, if 10% of your waste stream in any given month is textiles then these items must be separated from the waste stream and recycled.

How to Comply

To avoid violations, businesses must:

Provide labeled containers for the collection of recyclable waste in all areas where recyclable waste is handled or set out by employees (“label” means a display of words).
Post and maintain signs with instructions on identifying and separating recyclable waste from garbage and organics. The signs must be visible to employees in all areas where recyclable waste is handled.
Ensure that employees place recyclable waste in appropriately labeled containers and do not mix recyclables with garbage or organics.
Arrange for recyclable waste to be transported and/or processed separately from garbage and organics.
Download sample signs, labels, and other educational materials.

Organic Waste

Under NYC’s commercial organics rules, certain organics establishments are required to separate their organic waste

Who Must Comply with NYC's Commercial Organics Rules

Food Services
- These rules apply to food service establishments like restaurants, delis, coffee shops, and cafeterias if they:
  - Occupy a floor area of at least 7,000 square feet, or, when combined with all food services in the same building or location, at least 8,000 square feet.
  - Are part of a chain with two or more NYC locations with a combined floor area of at least 8,000 square feet.
  - Are located within a hotel that has at least 100 guest rooms.
Retail Food Stores
- These rules apply to supermarkets and grocery stores if they:
  - Occupy at least 10,000 square feet.
  - Are part of a chain with three or more NYC locations with a combined floor area of at least 10,000 square feet.
Other Establishments
- Food preparation locations that occupy at least 6,000 square feet.
- Catering establishments that host events attended by more than 100 people.
- Temporary public events that are attended by more than 500 people.
- Arenas and stadiums with a seating capacity of at least 15,000 people.
- Food manufacturers that occupy a floor area of at least 25,000 square feet.
- Food wholesalers that occupy a floor area of at least 20,000 square feet.

What to Separate

Businesses covered by the NYC Commercial Organics Rules must separate staff-handled, back-of-house organic waste.
Click here for what’s acceptable in our program

How to Comply

To avoid violations, businesses must:

Provide labeled containers for the collection of organic waste in all areas where organic waste is handled or set out by employees (“label” means a display of words).
Post and maintain signs with instructions on identifying and separating organic waste from garbage and recyclables. The signs must be visible to employees in all areas where organic waste is handled.
Ensure that employees place organic waste in appropriately labeled containers and do not mix organics with garbage or recyclables.
Ensure that containers for source-separated organic waste are latched at the time of storage or set-out.
Arrange for organic waste to be transported and/or processed separately from garbage and recycling.
Download sample signs, labels, and other educational materials.

E-Waste / Hazardous Materials

Appliances

Appliances such as freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners, water coolers, or dehumidifiers cannot be discarded or recycled without the removal of refrigerants (CFC/Freon).
Contact Boro-Wide for bulk removal of appliances that do not contain refrigerants such as ovens, washers, and dryers.
Refrigerators must have their locking device or hinges removed before being placed out for collection.

Automotive Products

Automotive Batteries
- Automotive batteries may not be discarded as trash or recycling. Retailers or service providers who sell auto batteries must accept them for recycling.
Motor Oil
- Motor oil may not be discarded as trash or recycling. Motor oil includes transmission fluid and hydraulic fluids. Large retailers or service establishments that sell or change oil must accept up to five gallons of oil per day per person at no charge.
Tires
- Tires may not be discarded in trash or recycling. When purchasing new tires, old tires should be taken to a retailer or service provider that sells new tires.
Contact Boro-Wide for automotive product removal.

Electronic Equipment

Computers, TVs, and Peripherals
- Effective 2015, electronic equipment cannot be discarded in trash or recycling.
- Small businesses and nonprofits may be able to enroll in the RecycleNYC program or can recycle working and non-working electronics through drop-off, trade-in, or mail-back programs (drop-off programs include Goodwill, Salvation Army, Best Buy, Staples, or the Gowanus E-Waste Warehouse). Electronics can also be brought to upcoming SAFE Disposal Events. Large businesses may need to pay for recycling of their electronics. All entities should check with the manufacturers of their products or find an electronics recycler for further information.
Cell Phones
- Cell phones can be recycled through charities, as well as mail-back or drop-off programs offered by wireless providers. These programs must be available at any wireless provider store or at any retailer that sells wireless telephone service.
Rechargeable Batteries
- Rechargeable batteries cannot be discarded as trash or recycling. All rechargeable batteries should be returned to a retailer that sells rechargeable batteries (or products containing rechargeable batteries) for recycling. To locate a retailer that accepts rechargeable batteries for recycling, go to call2recycle.org.
- Rechargeable batteries include:
  - nickel cadmium
  - lithium-ion
  - nickel metal hydride
  - sealed lead-acid batteries
- These types of rechargeable batteries are found in commonly used electronic devices including digital cameras, laptop computers, mp3 players, pagers, cellular and cordless phones, cordless power tools, two-way radios, camcorders, and remote control toys. Look for the Battery Recycling Seal on the battery.
- Note: Non-rechargeable alkaline batteries no longer contain mercury. These items can be discarded in the trash.
Contact Boro-Wide for electronic equipment removal.

Gas Cylinders

Exchange empty tanks at a local dealer when refilling.
If not refilling, look for propane dealers or scrap metal recyclers.

Home Improvement Debris

Contact Boro-Wide for home improvement debris removal.
Homeowners who are undertaking large projects can contract for their dumpster through Boro-Wide.
Bulk and construction debris generated by hired contractors or fee-for-service personnel on home repair or renovation projects is considered commercial waste and it is therefore the responsibility of the contractor to arrange for appropriate private disposal.
When placing bulk items (such as lumber or carpets) out for collection, be sure all nails or similar are removed. Material should be tied in bundles no more than 2 feet high and 4 feet long.

Mattresses

Contact Boro-Wide for an extra pickup. Must be enclosed in a plastic bag
Such bag shall be constructed in such a manner and be of such size as to readily contain the bedding to be disposed of.
Such a bag must be securely sealed after the bedding is placed inside.

Mercury-Containing Products

Improperly disposing of mercury may lead to contamination of the air, rivers, lakes and drinking water, thus increasing risk to the environment and human health.
Contact companies like Veolia to safely dispose of mercury products.

Fluorescent Tubes and CFLs

Businesses and agencies must recycle all fluorescent lamps (except for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees disposing of 15 or fewer non-hazardous waste lamps per month).
Contact Boro-Wide for fluorescent tube and CFL removal.