Understanding NYC Recycling Rules

Recycling in New York City is vital for creating a more sustainable urban environment. The city's recycling rules are designed to reduce waste, conserve resources, and protect the planet for future generations. For NYC residents, staying informed about these regulations is key to becoming a part of the solution.

Recycling helps keep our neighborhoods clean and reduces the amount of trash that ends up in landfills. The impact of recycling goes beyond just the environment, as it fosters a sense of community responsibility. By following simple guidelines, everyone can contribute to a greener New York.

Understanding how to recycle correctly starts with knowing the rules set by the city. With clear instructions and helpful tips, you can easily make recycling a part of your daily routine. Whether you're new to the city or just want to get a better handle on recycling practices, it's never too late to learn. Let's dive into the world of NYC recycling and see how we can all make a difference.

Introduction to NYC Recycling Regulations

Recycling plays a crucial role in keeping New York City clean and sustainable. The city has set clear recycling rules to ensure that waste is handled properly, benefiting both the community and the environment. Understanding these regulations can make a big impact on how effectively you contribute to this effort.

In NYC, recycling is mandatory for all residents and businesses. This requirement falls under the city's environmental protection laws aimed at reducing landfill waste and promoting the reuse of materials. Key agencies responsible for overseeing these efforts include the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and the Department of Environmental Protection. These agencies work in tandem to enforce recycling practices across the city.

The importance of recycling goes beyond just following the law. It helps conserve resources, save energy, and reduce pollution, ultimately supporting a healthier community. Familiarizing yourself with NYC's recycling statutes is a positive step toward being an environmentally conscious resident. Staying informed about these rules means you're actively participating in a system designed to make the city a cleaner, greener place to live.

Sorting and Preparing Recyclables

Efficient recycling starts at home with the correct sorting and preparation of materials. Knowing what can and cannot be recycled is the first step in this process. Acceptable recyclable items typically include paper, cardboard, glass, metals, and certain plastics. However, items like plastic bags, foam containers, and certain plastic wraps are usually not accepted in regular recycling bins.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you sort recyclables effectively:

1. Gather Your Materials: Collect all recyclable items separately from regular trash. Identifying the proper categories helps streamline the process.

2. Sort Them by Type: Use separate bins or bags for each material—paper, plastics, metals, and glass. This helps ensure proper recycling and reduces contamination.

3. Clean Items Thoroughly: Rinse out food containers and bottles to remove any residue. This prevents contamination and supports the recycling process.

4. Remove Lids and Caps: Loose caps and lids can jam recycling machinery, so remove them before placing items in the bin.

5. Flatten Cardboard: Break down and flatten cardboard boxes to save space and ensure that they’re easily processed.

By following these practices, you guarantee that your recyclables are ready for collection and efficient processing. Good preparation reduces waste and promotes successful recycling outcomes. It’s a simple yet impactful way to contribute to NYC’s larger sustainability goals.

Special Recycling Programs and Services

New York City offers a variety of special recycling programs and services to complement the standard recycling routine. These programs focus on items that require specific handling, like hazardous materials, electronics, and organic waste, providing residents with convenient solutions to dispose of such items responsibly.

For hazardous materials and electronics, NYC operates drop-off locations where you can safely dispose of items like batteries, old electronics, and certain cleaning products. These programs ensure that harmful substances are not released into the environment. Participating in these services is simple—check your local Department of Sanitation’s website for schedules and locations.

NYC also promotes composting initiatives to turn organic waste into valuable compost. You can join the city’s composting program either by using your building’s brown bins or by dropping off organic waste at designated sites citywide. This service reduces landfill waste and returns essential nutrients to the soil, benefiting urban green spaces.

Additionally, resources are available for recycling large items. Arrange pickups for bulk waste like furniture or appliances by contacting the sanitation department or participating in community recycling events. These events offer a chance to recycle bulky items without adding them to regular trash, making it easy for residents to support the city’s environmental efforts.

Common Recycling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Recycling can come with challenges, and mistakes are common among NYC residents. Identifying and avoiding these errors can improve the efficiency of your recycling efforts and help ensure that materials are properly processed.

One frequent mistake is placing non-recyclable items in the recycling bin, such as certain types of plastic or food-soiled materials. These can contaminate the batch and compromise recycling processes. To avoid this, familiarize yourself with the city’s recyclable item list and always double-check your items before tossing them into the bin.

Another common error is failing to clean recyclables properly. Leftover food and liquids can spoil an entire batch, so always rinse containers thoroughly. Additionally, don’t forget to remove caps and lids, which should be disposed of separately or binned as directed by local guidelines.

Finally, staying updated on recycling rules is crucial, as policies can change. Sign up for local recycling newsletters or follow the Department of Sanitation for the latest updates. This ensures you’re always informed about what’s recyclable and what is not, helping to maintain a clean and green NYC.

Conclusion

Recycling in New York City involves more than just tossing items into the right bin. It's about understanding and participating in a community effort to reduce waste, increase sustainability, and promote environmental responsibility. By following the outlined practices, from sorting recyclables correctly to taking part in special recycling programs, you contribute to a healthier environment and a more sustainable city.

Being mindful of recycling mistakes and utilizing city resources ensures that you can make a positive impact. Every small effort counts and fosters a setting where recycling becomes second nature to all residents.

Ready to embrace a greener lifestyle in NYC? Off The MRKT can guide you in exploring more ways to enjoy a sustainable New York lifestyle. Connect with us to discover practical tips and insights for making the most of your urban experience while caring for the environment.

Real estate is a long game, sometimes renovations need to be, too

By Louise Phillips Forbes, Brown Harris Stevens

In today’s real estate market, the perfect property isn’t always move-in ready. 

Buyers who are able to recognize short-term opportunities and long-term potential will understand that the true value of a property often lies beneath its current condition. The key is to look beyond immediate challenges and focus on the long-term rewards. 

When taking on a renovation, it is important to differentiate between and then prioritize the must-dos and the would-be-nice-to-dos. Deciding this early on—and sticking with the plan—helps ensure that work is done efficiently and within budget, while still keeping an eye on the bigger picture. 

I experienced this firsthand in 1993 when I toured an apartment with a client. The property needed, well, everything, and the project was much more than my clients would consider taking on. But I saw a diamond in the rough. At the time, I was relatively new to New York City, single, and eager to establish roots in the city that I had quickly fallen in love with. 

Purchasing the apartment was the greatest gift I could have ever given myself—it was a testament to my independence and tangible recognition of my own self-worth. I staged the renovation over the course of several years, with each item checked off the list reinforcing the rewards of patience, perseverance, and sweat equity. The apartment not only became my home, but it also became the foundation for my future. Years later, I met my husband, and as our family grew, we were fortunate enough to purchase the apartment upstairs, allowing us to expand and reimagine our space.

Whether you’re planning to complete the work all at once or tackle it in stages, it’s important to carefully select the right professionals—an architect, a general contractor, or a real estate agent—who share your vision and can help make sense of the moving pieces. 

It is also important to consider the cause and effect of factors like the cost of labor and materials that can change over time and how shifting construction codes, building policies, and governmental actions can impact the overall scope. For example, in 2019, I helped a client renovate a 2,700 square foot investment property for a cost of $430,000. Fast forward to this fall, the client completed the same exact renovation for $815,000.

Renovating a home can be incredibly rewarding, but it requires careful planning, strategic decision-making, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing market. With the right mindset and the right team of professionals, a property that may appear to be a fixer-upper today can evolve into the home of your dreams tomorrow.

Louise Phillips Forbes is a top producing agent at Brown Harris Stevens and a 34-year industry leader with nearly $6 billion in sales and a list of awards to her credit.

---

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Eileen Foy Joins Compass from Douglas Elliman

Eileen Foy

Compass, Inc. (NYSE: COMP) ("Compass" or "the Company"), a leading tech-enabled real estate services company that includes the largest residential real estate brokerage in the United States by sales volume, announces that Eileen Foy, formerly from Douglas Elliman, joined Compass with her team of three. Throughout Eileen’s 30 years of sales experience where she amassed an estimated $1B in lifetime sales volume, she has been the recipient of numerous awards such as the Pinnacle Award at Douglas Elliman from 2014-2023, the Legend Award at Douglas Elliman, and recognized as amongst Wall Street Journal’s Top 250 Agents in America.

“I am grateful for the experience I’ve had at Douglas Elliman and the support I received during my time there,” said Foy. “However, after recognizing how intuitive and innovative Compass’ technology is, I felt that in order to serve our clients best, it was time to make the switch. This decision is all about ensuring we continue to provide the best possible service for both our clients and myself.”

The Eileen Foy Team, made up of two additional members alongside Eileen, will continue to serve a diverse range of clients, focusing on the Upper East Side, Midtown, Chelsea, the West Village, and the Upper West Side. The team prides itself on its versatility, comfortably assisting everyone from first-time buyers to those seeking pied-á-terres or purchasing a prized townhouse or penthouse.

“Eileen's dedication to her clients is unparalleled, and she understands how emotional the home-buying process can be,” said Tristate Vice President Gordon Golub. “With Compass' technology and specifically with Compass One, we're excited that she’ll be able to spend even more time focusing on what matters most to her clients."

Before Foy became the award-winning Manhattan broker she is, achieving accolades such as one of Real Trends’ Best Real Estate Agents in America from 2014-2023, she established her real estate career in Southampton. Notably, Foy repped the purchaser for the sale of the Zaha Hadid penthouse at 520 West 28th Street for $20.2M and a record breaking sale at 50 Charles Street 14A at $15M.

Currently, Foy has 20 active listings available through Compass, spanning from the Upper East Side to the Upper West side. 

Foy joins on the heels of Compass recently announcing Compass One, the only platform designed to connect the client and agent through every phase of their real estate journey and experience, 24/7 transparency before, during, and after the transaction

---

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.