NYC Trash FAQs

Our waste is our responsibility. After all, we create it.

The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) works tirelessly to help New Yorkers clean up 24 million pounds of trash and recycling every single day via residential curbside and public litter basket collection and street sweeping. But our dedicated Sanitation Workers can’t do this work unless we make sure to put our own waste in its proper place. 

Each of us has a role to play in keeping NYC clean.

Here at the Sanitation Foundation, we get a lot of questions from New Yorkers — from recycling and composting, to clearing snow and disposing of e-waste. So we’ve put together the FAQs below, to help people understand what their responsibilities are in creating a clean, healthy and more sustainable city for all New Yorkers. We’ve also included links to more resources in case you want to learn more.

CLEAN STREETS AND SIDEWALKS

  • Litter is any trash that is loose and laying in the street and curbs or on sidewalks– not contained in a trash bag or bin. Typically, when we think of litter, we think of napkins, disposable coffee cups, food wrappers — things that you might need to dispose of while you’re outside walking around.

    Some litter is intentional, like when someone throws an apple core out of their car window. Sometimes it is unintentional, like a napkin that blows out of your hand when the wind kicks up. In both cases, it can be prevented.

    DSNY litter baskets are located on most NYC street corners for pedestrians to throw away light trash. They are not for household or commercial waste. Dog waste is ok, but please put it in a bag and tie it up first.

  • You can be fined up to $350 if you choose to litter, or leave litter around your property.

  • If you own the property, then you are responsible for keeping the sidewalk in front of your building clean.

    If you own or rent in a building, then your building management or superintendent, etc. is responsible. Property owners must clean sidewalks (including areas like tree pits, grass strips, etc.) and gutter areas (18 inches from the curb into the street) along the building perimeter. Yes: this includes cleaning up dog poop even if the dog isn’t yours!

    Litter and sweepings must be picked up and placed in bins with secure lids for collection.

  • Please call 311 or file a complaint online at nyc.gov/311 to report litter conditions. 311 will send the complaint to DSNY so that one of their agents can inspect the area and issue fines if necessary.

  • Yes. All violations of DSNY rules are subject to a fine. The first fine is $50 and each fine after that is $100.

    DSNY inspects sidewalks during specific times of the day. Sidewalk cleaning enforcement times depend on the type of property.

    Although enforcement agents will issue tickets for dirty sidewalks and gutters only during the specified time periods, they may issue tickets for all other violations at any time.

SETTING OUT WASTE

  • On April 1, 2023, a new rule went into effect to reduce the time that trash, recycling, and curbside composting sits out on the curb.

    Residential buildings of any size (single-family and multi-unit) have two options:

    1. Place waste out after 6:00 PM in a bin of 55 gallons or less with a secure lid, or

    2. Place waste out after 8:00 PM, if putting bags directly on the curb

    To ensure collection, all waste must be set out by midnight.

  • To remove the mountains of black bags on New York City streets, reclaim public space, and improve quality of life for all New Yorkers, DSNY has announced a plan to containerize all residential trash.

    Beginning fall 2024, residential buildings with 1-9 units will be required to set out all trash in bins with secure lids at the curb for collection.

    All NYC businesses are also required to set out their trash in bins with secure lids. This ruling was put into effect as of March 1, 2024.

  • For now, you can use any bin with a secure lid. You can find these at any hardware or home improvement store. Starting in summer 2026, property owners of buildings with 1-9 units will be required to purchase an official NYC Bin in which to set out trash at the curb. Official NYC Bins will be available in fall 2024.

    NYC is also advancing a plan to containerize trash in residential buildings of 10 or more units. For buildings with 10 or more units, an on-street container approach is being piloted on 10 residential blocks and at 14 schools in Hamilton Heights, Manhattan. Developments in this process will be the subject of future announcements.

LITTER BASKETS

  • You can request a litter basket by contacting 311.

    You may also want to reach out to your local City Council Member or other elected official to help request more bins in your neighborhood.

  • Please call 311 or file a complaint online at nyc.gov/311 to report litter basket conditions.

  • No. Litter baskets are for pedestrians to throw away light trash — not household or commercial waste. Dog waste is ok, but please put it in a bag and tie it up first.

  • It depends on the needs of the area. Litter baskets are emptied anywhere from twice per week to three times per day. The Adams Administration vastly increased this basket service to the highest level ever — more than 50,000 times more per week than before.

  • Please call 311 or file a complaint online at nyc.gov/311 to report overflowing or unmanaged litter basket conditions.

  • Please call 311 or file a complaint online at nyc.gov/311 to report litter basket conditions such as a litter basket disappearance.

    There are many reasons why a litter basket may or may not be present on a street corner. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your local elected official or City Council Member for help re-obtaining a litter basket or further inquiring into the issue.

TAKING ACTION

  • We love that you want to get engaged and help create a cleaner city!

    The Sanitation Foundation welcomes you as an individual or with your organization to join us for our Citywide Litter Cleanups. The Sanitation Foundation also offers Training & Resources, and Starter Kits & Tool Grants. Visit our Community-Led Cleanup Resources and Volunteer Cleanup Programs page for more information! And, check out our new Volunteer Hub to get started!

    DSNY also offers a Volunteer Cleanup Program that provides tool rentals as well as post-cleanup bag pickup. Visit 311 for an overview of the program, or email customerservice@dsny.nyc.gov to get started.

  • There are a few simple tips you can adopt to avoid littering! Such as:

    — Hold onto your waste until you find a trash bin.

    — Don't add more stuff to an overflowing bin — wait to find another bin, as overflowing bins can lead to litter as their contents get blown onto the street by the wind.

    — Make sure you have all your trash when you leave a public space, such as the subway, the park, a picnic, an outdoor concert, etc. In short, be sure to clean up after yourself!

    — Remind your property owners to clean up if you see that the sidewalk in front of your home or office has litter.

    — Don’t forget to move your car for Alternate Side Parking!

  • We’re glad you asked! Cigarette butts are small, but they make up a large presence of litter on NYC streets. If not disposed of properly, their chemical-filled filters can get blown around and make their way into our local waters, which is very problematic for marine life and water quality.

    Once you or someone is finished with a cigarette, be sure to extinguish it fully and place it in a litter basket. (And by “extinguished fully,” we mean fully! Please don’t accidentally set trash cans on fire!)

  • Property owners are required by law to remove or arrange for the removal of graffiti from their property.

    DSNY also offers free graffiti cleanup around NYC. You can submit a graffiti removal request via 311.

  • Yes. DSNY offers educational presentations such as Clean Buildings Trainings, a series of FREE courses to help New Yorkers keep buildings clean through best waste management and recycling practices.

COMPOST 101

  • Curbside Composting is a free weekly service currently available in all of Brooklyn and Queens (expanding in fall 2024) and select Community Boards in the Bronx and Manhattan. DSNY collects your food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste each week on your recycling (metal/plastic and paper/boxes) day. You can learn more at nyc.gov/curbsidecomposting.

    Until service is available in your borough, you can find a drop-off location or Smart Composting Bin near you at nyc.gov/dropfoodscraps.

    You can get started composting by setting aside your compostable c waste when cooking, or any other time you have food scraps and leftovers. If you don’t have a compost bin, here’s a pro tip: put food scraps in your freezer until you’re able to get to a drop-off site or a Smart Compost Bin!

  • Curbside Composting is currently available to ALL Brooklyn and Queens residents, as well as select Community Boards in the Bronx and Manhattan. The rest of the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island will receive service beginning in October 2024.

  • You can include ALL leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper. This includes meat, bones, dairy, prepared foods, and greasy uncoated paper plates and pizza boxes.

  • You can use any bin (55 gallons or less in size) as long as it has a secure lid. Don’t forget to label it “Compost” so that the Sanitation Workers can see it. You can order free decals and signage from DSNY.

    We recommend lining your bin with a plastic liner (it doesn’t need to be compostable). When you’re ready to set the bin out at the curb for collection, leave the bag in the bin, but tie it closed and make sure the lid to your bin is shut securely. Using a bag not only helps keep your bin clean, but also helps prevent spillage during collection — keeping your street clean!

  • No — you can use any bag! You can also place smaller bags of compostable materials inside the bag that lines your bin.

  • Curbside Composting is mandatory in Brooklyn and Queens. If your building isn’t participating, they are subject to fines. We offer free virtual training sessions to educate your building management on the rules of Curbside Composting. Learn more at nyc.gov/curbsidecomposting.

  • A biodegradable material is completely organic, and will break down on its own. A compostable material, like a manufactured compostable paper or a compostable cup, requires more specific conditions to break down into compost. In either case, in our urban setting, organic breakdown of both biodegradable and compostable waste won't just happen on the side of the street or in a tree bed — in other words, just because something is biodegradable, like an apple core or a banana peel, doesn't mean that you can chuck that item on the street! Please place all such waste in a compost bin, if not the trash.

  • Some businesses are currently required to compost. Learn more about the requirements on the DSNY site.

  • If you’re still waiting for Curbside Composting to start in your neighborhood, we highly recommend downloading the NYC Compost app, to find and unlock our Smart Composting Bins around the city. Smart Composting Bins accept all food scraps, plant waste, and food-soiled paper. This includes meat, bones, dairy, prepared foods, and greasy uncoated paper plates and pizza boxes. (Please do not compost any recyclable items, or any trash such as diapers, personal hygiene products, animal waste, wrappers, non-paper packaging, and foam products.)

    Wondering why they’re locked? Locking them makes the practice of composting more intentional and prevents the compostable material from being contaminated with trash.

REUSE AND RECYCLING

  • It’s true! If you have items that are in good condition, consider finding a place to donate them through nyc.gov/donate. If it’s not usable, then check to see if it can be recycled before throwing it in the trash. Recycling is mandatory in NYC, but our recycling rules may be different from other places, so know before you throw! Check out this comprehensive list of what can and cannot be recycled in NYC.

  • DSNY provides free, weekly curbside collection of your paper and cardboard, metal, glass, plastic, and cartons. Learn how to properly sort, store and set out your recycling for collection. You can be fined if you don’t recycle correctly!

    DSNY offers free decals, signage and educational materials at nyc.gov/sanitationmaterials to help you set up your recycling areas correctly.

HOW DO I GET RID OF…

  • DSNY provides free curbside removal of large non-commercial, large items (items that do not fit into a container or bag). Set your large items out at the curb next to your trash. You can set out up to six items (bags, bundles) per collection day. If you have a large quantity of items (for example, more than a dozen) you should consider placing them out over several collection days.

    Check your collection schedule for information about pickup of large items in your neighborhood. If items are in good condition, consider donating first! Check on social media for local “Buy Nothing” groups in your neighborhood or find a place to drop off at nyc.gov/donate.

  • It’s illegal to put some electronics in the trash or curbside recycling as they may contain harmful materials that are toxic to people and the environment. You can safely get rid of computers, computer accessories, TVs, video equipment, portable electronic devices, and other home electronics like digital picture frames and VR headsets by:

    — Bringing them to a DSNY Special Waste Drop-Off Site or SAFE Disposal Event.

    — Contacting the company you bought an item from and seeing if they have a recycling take-back program.

    — Enrolling your building (10 or more units) in ecycleNYC — a free DSNY program in partnership with Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) that collects e-waste from a designated location inside your building.

    If you’re wondering if your electronics qualify as e-waste, check the DSNY site. If you don’t see something specific, check out the New York State Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act’s full list of designated items.

    Feel free to check out DSNY’s Clean Buildings Trainings for more information on managing special waste in a building!

  • DSNY provides a list of places to donate clothing on its textile recycling drop-off map.

    DSNY has partnered with PaintCare, to offer leftover paint drop-off sites throughout the City. You can also bring paint to a Special Waste Site or SAFE Disposal Event.

    We also recommend checking into special recycling services such as TerraCycle.

ALL ABOUT SNOW

  • Yes. You must clear a path in the sidewalk in front of your building that is at least four feet wide to allow pedestrians to pass. Snow and ice must be removed from around fire hydrants and sidewalk curb-cuts and ramps. If the snow or ice has become so frozen it cannot be removed, sidewalks should be strewn with granular material like salt or sand to improve traction and prevent slipping.

    Snow and ice must be cleared from sidewalks within specific timeframes:

    — Snowfall ends between 7:00 AM and 4:59 PM - Clear within 4 hours

    — Snowfall ends between 5:00 PM and 8:59 PM - Clear within 14 hours

    — Snowfall ends between 9:00 PM and 6:59 AM - Clear sidewalks by 11:00 AM

    (If the snow stops falling at 7:00 PM, building owners/occupants must clear a path in the snow that is at least four feet wide, or salt or sand the sidewalk by 9:00 AM the following morning.)

    The sidewalk must be thoroughly cleaned as soon as the weather permits.

    NOTE: DO NOT shovel, blow, or push snow into the street.

    If a path is not cleared or within the given timeframe, you may have to pay a fine of up to $250.

  • DSNY begins plowing every single street in NYC as soon as two inches of snow has fallen. During snow events, you can track our snow removal progress citywide. Track our snow removal with PlowNYC.

    Want to learn more about DSNY’s work cleaning up after snowstorms? Check out our blog!


If you have a question/concern that isn’t answered here, please let us know.