NYC Recycling Programs for Apartment Buildings

New York City’s mandatory composting requirement, which went into effect earlier this month, has received extensive news coverage. The city also offers additional programs to help residents recycle unwanted items, including e-waste and clothing.

Owners of buildings with 10 or more units can register online for these free programs.

ecycleNYC: Sustainable Recycling Solutions for NYC Building Owners

Electronic waste—discarded electronics that have reached the end of their useful life—is the largest and fastest-growing source of household hazardous waste in New York City. Since January 2015, New York City has banned residents from disposing of electronic devices in the trash. The fact that many New Yorkers don’t own a vehicle makes it challenging to dispose of old computers and televisions.

To address this challenge, the city partnered with Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) to offer ecycleNYC, which collects and recycles electronics using the strictest industry and environmental standards available.

The program accepts the following items, both working and non-working:

• Televisions
• VCRs, DVRs and DVD players
• Cable and satellite consoles
• Video game consoles
• Computers and accessories (e.g., keyboards, mice, track pads, etc.)
• Printers, scanners, fax machines
• Small electronics: cell phones, MP3 players, tablets, e-readers

ecycleNYC does not accept appliances, batteries or light bulbs.

How ecycleNYC Works

Buildings with 10 or more units store electronics in a secure, enclosed area. Owners request service by calling or emailing DSNY, which guarantees pickup within five business days.

refashioNYC: In-Building Clothing Donation Program for NYC Building Owners

New Yorkers dispose of nearly 200,000 tons of clothing, towels, curtains, handbags, and other textiles every year. A partnership between DSNY and Housing Works, refashioNYC is a non-profit, in-building service to make clothing donation easy and convenient.

The program accepts the following items, regardless of condition:

• Clothing (for men, women and children)
• Accessories: hats, belts, shoes, scarves, purses, etc.
• Towels, curtains, bedding and linens
• Clean rags and clothing scraps

All donated items are sorted by Housing Works in Queens, with proceeds supporting the organization’s mission to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS. No donations are sent to landfills.

How refashioNYC Works

DSNY will meet with building owners (10+ units) to discuss the number, size and placement of donation bins, which are available in two sizes. When full, owners request service from DSNY, which guarantees pickup within five business days.

Tax receipts (for up to $250) are available.

NYC Organics: Curbside Composting Expands Citywide in October 2024

Almost one-third of the waste collected by DSNY consists of organics or organic waste (e.g., food scraps, spoiled food, food-soiled paper, yard trimmings, etc.). As this material decomposes, it releases methane gas, a greenhouse gas that’s six times more damaging to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. NYC Organics collects these items for composting, reducing waste and enriching the city’s soil.

Currently available throughout Brooklyn and Queens, DSNY is expanding the organics recycling program to serve all Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island residents starting October 6, 2024.

How NYC Organics Works

No sign-up is needed. Compost is picked up every week on recycling day.

NOTE: Owners of buildings with 4+ units must provide a storage area with clearly marked composting bins. The DSNY website offers information on other ways to compost food scraps, as well as guidance on recycling organic waste.

We hope you find this information helpful. For questions on insuring your small residential building, please call our office at 877-576-5200.