What Plastics to Recycle in NYC

The only plastics that are accepted for recycling in New York City's curbside recycling program are only plastic bottles and jugs, and no other types of plastic.

no other plastics
citywide rules
confusion about plastics recycling in nyc

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Plastic Bottles and Jugs Go in Your Recycling Bin - No Other Plastics

If you wouldn't call it a bottle or jug, don't put it in your recycling bin.

Do not place bioplastic bottles or any other bioplastic products in your recycling bin.

Do not include Styrofoam, plastic tubs, plastic trays, plastic cups, plastic bags, plastic crates, plastic flower pots, plastic toys, plastic tableware, plastic foodservice clamshells, or anything plastic — other than plastic bottles and jugs — in your recycling bin.

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Citywide Rules

The NYC Department of Sanitation's recycling program requires residents, institutions, and government agencies to place ALL plastic bottles and jugs in their recycling bins along with beverage cartons, glass bottles & jars, cans, and other household metal & foil.

Business recycling regulations require foodservice operations, but no other businesses, to recycle plastic bottles and jugs, along with metal cans, aluminum foil products, and glass bottles & jars. (All businesses must recycle paper and corrugated cardboard.)

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Confusion About Plastics Recycling in NYC

Many New Yorkers are confused, frustrated, and even angry that NYC's curbside recycling program only accepts plastic bottles and jugs, and no other types of plastic. People want to know why all plastics aren't accepted.

Unfortunately, there is no one substance that is called "plastic." Though they may seem as if they are made of a single common substance, plastics are really, by their chemical and physical nature, a range of different substances.

We understand the subject of plastics recycling is confusing and complicated. There are many factors that determine whether a product is recyclable.

If the Department of Sanitation could accept a wider range of plastics, it would. Sanitation exhaustively examines and continues to research the recycling technologies and markets that are available. At this time, NYC has very good, well-studied reasons to insist on only plastic bottles and jugs.

Have patience as you learn all about plastics, and why recycling only plastic bottles and jugs allows you to proudly say, "New Yorkers recycle more, waste less!"

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