Building Waste Management Guidelines

It is critical for buildings in New York City to plan for how their waste will be managed, stored, and collected.

This planning should begin during the earliest stages of building's design and development. It must continue throughout the construction process, with considerations for space, equipment, and staffing.

Learn more about requirements, recommendations, and resources to ensure proper waste management in buildings.

Requirements for Buildings

All buildings must comply with applicable NYC Administrative Code and DSNY Rules governing waste management operations. New buildings and buildings undergoing qualifying enlargements or major alterations must also comply with NYC Building Code requirements, including provisions for waste storage, chutes, and compactors.

Failure to comply may result in violations, penalties, and fines. Fines may be issued for each violation, and the amount may increase with each additional violation issued within a 12-month period.

Storage Area

Multiunit residential buildings must include a dedicated space to store trash, recycling, and compost. New multiunit residential buildings must meet NYC Building Code guidelines for refuse collection rooms (NYC Administrative Code Section 27-836).

The area must be 1.5 sq ft per residential unit or 350 sq ft minimum, whichever is less. If there is a compactor, the area must be 1.0 sq ft per unit (plus equipment/circulation space) or 350 sq ft minimum, whichever is less.

New buildings applying for DSNY collection service and current buildings undergoing qualifying enlargements or alterations must comply with NYC Building Code requirements for waste storage (NYC Administrative Code Section BC 1213).

Existing buildings currently receiving DSNY collection service must properly maintain and use their designated waste storage area.

If you do not maintain a designated waste storage area in your building or do not use the space properly, you may be fined.

Compactors

A waste compacting system is required in:

• Any Group R-2 building with 4+ stories and 12+ residential units
• All Group R-1 buildings

The room with the compacting system must have concrete floors that slope to a drain, as well as a hose connection.

New buildings applying for DSNY collection service must comply with NYC Building Code requirements for compactors (NYC Administrative Code Section BC 1213.2).

Existing buildings must have, maintain, and use their waste compacting system properly.

If you are supposed to have a compactor and do not, fail to properly use your compactor, or don't maintain the compacting area to Building Code specifications, you may be fined.

Chutes

Refuse chutes are required for most buildings with 5+ stories and 9+ residential units

These buildings must also have chute access rooms on each floor with a temporary holding space for recyclables and a refuse chute termination room.

New buildings applying for DSNY collection service must comply with NYC Building Code requirements for refuse chutes, chute access rooms, and chute termination rooms (NYC Administrative Code Section BC 1213.3).

Signage

Buildings with 4+ residential units must inform residents about recycling rules and procedures.

All waste disposal areas and bins must be clearly identified and labeled. Trash, recyclables, and compost must be separated in different bins for collection.

Signs must be posted in all areas where recycling is collected. Signs must explain what materials are being collected, how to separate them, and where to dispose of them. Signage must meet DSNY labeling standards and be legible.

Download and order signage and decals for your bins and storage area.

If you do not inform building residents about recycling rules and procedures, do not post signage letting residents know what, how, and where to recycle, or if the signage you've posted is not legible or accessible, you may be fined.

Waste Management Plan

New residential buildings with 150+ units or certain buildings undergoing qualifying enlargements and alterations are required to submit a Waste Management Plan.

Buildings subject to this requirement must submit a plan that demonstrates that your building is able to store 150 percent of all waste generated between collections (16 RCNY Section 1-02.2).

If you do not submit a Waste Management Plan for your building or if your plan is not approved, DSNY may deny collection service for your building.

Recommendations for Buildings

Buildings can take additional steps to ensure waste footprint has been fully considered and is being properly integrated into the design from the start. DSNY recommends the following steps when planning for waste storage needs.

Assess Waste

Determine how much waste your building would generate in order to plan for proper storage needs. Residential properties can use the DSNY Waste Calculator to predict weekly waste generation rates to plan for storage and containerization.

Consider Waste Footprint

Buildings should consider where trash and recyclable material will be set out for collection, making sure to maintain 8 feet of clear pedestrian space to avoid impeding the flow of pedestrian traffic or obstructing the sidewalk.

Buildings should also consider how the volume of trash and recyclables might be reduced (compacted, baled, or other) to minimize its footprint within the building and when set out for collection.

Containerize Waste

All properties with 1-9 residential units are now required to use bins, 55 gallons or less, with secure lids for trash set out.

NYC is moving towards containerizing ALL residential trash. Find out what's next for properties with 10+ residential units.

Large properties with more than 150 units should consider off-street containerization (loading docks, storage bays, dedicated waste yards) that can accommodate roll-on/roll-off containers or dumpsters for DSNY collection. Off-street containerization must be designed in consultation with DSNY to ensure specifications meet DSNY vehicle requirements.

Consult DSNY

DSNY is available to talk through your building's waste strategy. All buildings – regardless of size – are strongly encouraged to schedule a consultation to review your draft plan before design is finalized. Contact wastemanagement@dsny.nyc.gov to set up a consultation.

Resources for Buildings

Clean Buildings Trainings

All building are encouraged to sign up for DSNY's Clean Buildings Training course. Trainings are FREE, and separate courses are available for waste management staff and residents to help New Yorkers keep buildings clean through best practices for waste and recycling management.

Electronics Recycling Program

Properties with 10 or more residential units are eligible to participate in ecycleNYC, a convenient and free electronic waste collection and recycling service.

DSNY will visit your building to discuss the best way to set up ecycleNYC collection.

NOTE: It is illegal to dispose of certain electronics with trash or recycling by New York City and New York State regulation.

Textile Recycling Program

Properties with 10 or more residential units are eligible to participate in DSNY's free in-building Textile Recycling Collection Service.

DSNY will visit your building to determine the size and quantity of textile bins needed, and help assess where they should be placed.