How to Comply

For each zone, businesses may choose one of three authorized carters that offers curbside collection and may service dumpsters and containers of ALL SIZES. We have also established contracts with five carters to operate citywide to pick up containerized waste from large dumpsters and compactors (10 cubic yards and up). Additionally, every Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ) carter is allowed to work with two designated carters in each zone that operate as sub-contractors.

Commercial waste that must be collected by a CWZ carter includes metal, glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, food scraps, plant trimmings, and garbage. For more information on what materials need to be collected, visit Materials Handling.

Exceptions include:

• Construction and demolition debris
• Fill material
• Medical waste
• Electronic waste
• Textiles
• Yard waste collected by landscapers
  
• Grease
• Paper that is collected for the purpose of shredding or destruction
• Waste that is collected by a micro-hauler
• Waste collected by a one-time, on-call bulk waste removal service

NOTE: These materials must still be collected by a BIC-licensed carter or micro-hauler.

Anyone who currently has their waste collected by a private carter should follow the steps below to select a new carter and sign a new contract before the end of their zone’s rollout period:

Step 1 - Evaluate: Assess your waste including collection type and frequency of pickup to determine your service needs. Conduct a waste audit or request one from your carter or a BIC-licensed broker.

Step 2 - Identify: Find Your Zone by address and confirm which carters are authorized to operate in your area. Determine your zone’s rollout schedule.

Step 3 - Compare: Calculate Maximum Prices based on your service needs. Using this Calculator, compare the maximum monthly rates carters may charge for collection costs and additional fees. Carters must provide recycling and organics collection at a discounted rate compared to trash collection.

The calculator only returns the maximum monthly rates for each available carter in the selected zone. This tool is meant to help businesses estimate their collection costs and should not be used to determine actual prices. Prices will vary based on services negotiated. The maximum rates are only effective once the selected zone begins to rollout and customers enter new written contracts.

Step 4 - Negotiate: Obtain multiple quotes from the carters in your zone to negotiate for the best service and rates possible. Businesses should negotiate BELOW the maximum rates calculated.

Step 5 - Sign: Sign a new written service agreement with a zone-authorized carter. If you have not signed a new agreement before the end of your zone’s rollout period, you will be assigned a carter by DSNY.

Still have a question? Contact us to sign-up for an information session or find additional resources.