The average New York City resident discards nearly four and a half pounds of waste each day, or more than three-quarters of a ton per year. Tired of taking out your tons of trash? Take advantage of these simple suggestions to help your household reduce waste and save time and money. Also check out our tips for your home for room-by-room waste preventing opportunities.

Reduce
Reuse
Recycle

Reduce

Paper, packaging, and food waste make up the largest sections of New York City’s trash and recyclables. Learn how to reduce paper use and packaging waste; eliminate unwanted mail; and turn your yard and kitchen waste into compost.

Another way to reduce waste is to make sure that the products that you bring into your home are durable, reusable, or rechargeable.

Minimizing the number of potentially harmful products you use in your home is also important. See our shopping tips to learn about other opportunities to reduce waste.

Reuse

Find a new home for your unwanted items. Donate items in good condition to thrift stores or non-profit organizations in need. You can also give away or sell items through a stoop sale, online materials exchanges, or consignment shop. See new homes for old stuff to find out how.

Recycle

Every building in New York City is required by law to recycle. The NYC Department of Sanitation collects recyclables at the curb from residents, city agencies, and institutions throughout the five boroughs. If you are already recycling, consider enhancing your participation in the City’s recycling program by choosing to purchase items and packaging that can be recycled.

Buying products that are made from recycled materials also encourages markets for the items that you place at the curb for recycling.

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