New York City Multifamily Compliance Hub: Recycling, Compost, Electronics, Batteries & Special Waste — All Boroughs
New York City apartment owners, managers, and residents operate under multiple waste-separation and disposal requirements.
Buildings with four or more residential units have specific recycling and compost-storage responsibilities,
while covered electronics, rechargeable and lithium-ion batteries, paint, fluorescent bulbs, and other special materials must follow separate disposal pathways.
DSNY also operates resident-only Special Waste Drop-Off Sites in all five boroughs.
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State legislative watch:
New York Assembly Bill A5248 (2025–2026) would enact the
“New York State Waste Recycling and Reduction Act” and establish a proposed statewide
commercial-building recycling program for paper products and specified single-use plastic products.
As of August 11, 2026, A5248 remains
active in the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee and has not been enacted into law.
[14]
Recycling: owners and managers of buildings with four or more residential units must provide at least one reasonably accessible recycling-storage area, sufficient containers for required separation and overflow control, clearly label recycling containers, and post recycling instructions. [9]
Compost: citywide separation of food scraps, food-soiled paper, leaf waste, and yard waste became mandatory on April 1, 2025. Owners and managers of buildings with four or more units must provide a designated storage area with properly labeled containers for compostable material. [7] [10]
Property-manager rule: resident-only DSNY drop-off programs do not replace the building's recycling, compost, ordinary waste, or commercial special-waste responsibilities.
2025–2026 Legislative Session: Assembly Bill A5248 would enact the “New York State Waste Recycling and Reduction Act.” The official New York State Senate legislation page currently lists the bill as ACTIVE — In Assembly Committee, with the current committee identified as Assembly Environmental Conservation. The latest listed action is January 7, 2026: referred to Environmental Conservation. [14]
Not current law: A5248 has not been enacted. NYC owners and property managers should treat it as a legislative-monitoring and readiness item, not as a present DSNY or New York State compliance mandate. [14]
Proposed “commercial building” definition: A5248 would apply to a building—or any portion of a building—used for buying, selling, or otherwise providing goods or services, or for lawful business, commercial, professional-services, or manufacturing activities. [14]
Critical NYC multifamily distinction: the City's current 4+ unit residential recycling and compost rules are separate from A5248's proposed commercial-building definition. A purely residential apartment property should not be characterized as covered by A5248 solely because it has four or more units. If enacted in its current form, A5248 is most clearly relevant to retail, restaurant, office, professional-services, leasing-office, manufacturing, or other qualifying commercial portions of mixed-use apartment buildings. [9] [10] [14]
Proposed recycling mandate: the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation would be directed to establish a commercial recycling program requiring each covered commercial building to recycle paper products and specified single-use plastic products produced or used on site. [14]
Proposed collection options: a covered commercial building could arrange collection through a private carter, transport qualifying materials itself, or process them onsite where DEC determines adequate recycling processes exist. [14]
Proposed owner / management education duty: commercial property owners and commercial-building management would be required to provide collection and educational resources, including regular guidance, training, updates, signage, and flyers for the workforce, tenants, and the public to support effective recycling sorting procedures. [14]
Proposed single-use plastic categories: A5248 identifies plastic bags; cling-film food packaging; non-recyclable plastic bottles; plastic straws; plastic plates; non-reusable plastic containers; plastic cups, lids, and stirrers; plastic cutlery; plastic packaging rings; specified Styrofoam plates, take-away containers, and trays; and other single-use plastic products DEC may designate. [14]
Local-law protection: A5248 expressly states that it would not limit a local governmental agency from adopting, implementing, or enforcing recycling requirements that are more stringent or comprehensive. NYC's existing residential recycling, compost, commercial-waste, containerization, electronics, and special-waste requirements would therefore remain independently relevant. [14]
Proposed effective date: A5248 states that the Act would take effect on the 180th day after becoming law. Because the bill has not been enacted, there is currently no A5248 compliance-effective date. [14]
Eligible residential buildings with 10 or more units may enroll in ecycleNYC , DSNY's free building-level electronics collection and recycling program. This provides an authorized building-level alternative to requiring each resident to transport eligible electronics individually. [5]
DSNY Resident Special Waste Drop-Off Sites
DSNY accepts specified household materials—including eligible batteries, covered electronics, fluorescent bulbs, paint, motor oil, certain mercury-containing products, aerosols, tires, and other listed household products—at official Special Waste Drop-Off Sites. Item-specific and quantity limits apply. [1]
Featured Location: Manhattan Special Waste Drop-Off Site
Manhattan — Lower East Side / Two Bridges:
74 Pike Slip, between Cherry Street and South Street, under the Manhattan Bridge, New York, NY 10002
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On-site tip:
Special Waste sites may be located at or near DSNY garages and may not be immediately visible from the street.
Follow current DSNY directions and on-site signage.
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Resident-Only Eligibility: No Business or Commercial Drop-Offs
Important eligibility restriction:
DSNY Special Waste Drop-Off Sites accept
noncommercial household waste generated in New York City and delivered by an NYC resident.
Residents may be required to present identification and proof of NYC residency.
Businesses, nonresidents, nonresidential waste, and ineligible commercial vehicles may be refused.
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Because these are resident/noncommercial programs, property management, contractors,
porters, and service vendors should not use them as disposal facilities for consolidated property operations
or commercially handled material.
Residents should use the applicable resident pathway for their own eligible household waste.
Property-generated electronics, batteries, chemicals, maintenance products,
paint, or other commercial special waste should be evaluated under the applicable
business/commercial waste requirements and routed through an authorized provider.
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Covered Electronics: Don't Put Them in Trash or Recycling
New York State law prohibits consumers from disposing of covered electronic equipment
with ordinary trash or recycling.
A consumer who violates the covered-electronics disposal prohibition may be subject to
a civil penalty of up to $100 for each violation.
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NYC residents may use lawful options including DSNY Special Waste sites,
eligible manufacturer take-back programs, other authorized electronics-recycling channels,
and—for qualifying buildings with 10 or more units—
ecycleNYC.
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Accepted Household Products & Published Hours
DSNY currently lists eligible household products including covered electronics,
fluorescent light bulbs and CFLs, certain batteries, motor oil and transmission fluid,
motor-oil filters, paint, passenger-car tires, mercury-containing devices,
aerosols, and other specifically listed household products.
Item and quantity limits apply.
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Paint:
DSNY currently lists paint as accepted at Special Waste Drop-Off Sites,
subject to a published limit of up to five gallons per visit.
Residents should verify current accepted materials and quantity limits before traveling.
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Current published hours:
Special Waste Drop-Off Sites are currently listed as open
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Sites are closed on legal holidays and may close for severe weather or operational reasons.
Never leave material outside a site when it is closed.
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- Manhattan: 74 Pike Slip, between Cherry Street and South Street, under the Manhattan Bridge [1]
- Brooklyn: 459 North Henry Street, with facility access off Kingsland Avenue [1]
- Queens: 30th Avenue between 120th and 122nd Streets, at the DSNY Queens District 7 Garage area in College Point [1]
- Bronx: Hunts Point at Farragut Street and the East River, near the Fulton Fish Market [1]
- Staten Island: 1000 West Service Road, near the foot of Muldoon Avenue [1]
Battery Rules: Follow the Chemistry-Specific Disposal Path
Rechargeable and lithium-ion batteries:
these batteries must not be placed in household trash or recycling.
Follow DSNY's applicable recycling, return, or Special Waste instructions.
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Button-cell, coin, and automotive batteries:
use the return, recycling, or Special Waste pathway identified by DSNY for the particular battery type.
Do not assume all battery chemistries follow the same disposal rule.
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Ordinary alkaline household batteries:
non-rechargeable alkaline batteries may currently be placed in regular trash,
although DSNY also accepts them through Special Waste programs.
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Preparation:
follow DSNY's chemistry-specific preparation instructions.
For applicable non-alkaline batteries, DSNY may require individual bagging or terminal protection with clear tape.
DSNY separately instructs residents not to bag or tape ordinary alkaline batteries brought to a Special Waste site.
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Mattresses & Box Springs: DSNY Collection Rule
When a mattress or box spring is
set out for DSNY collection,
it must be fully contained in a
clear plastic bag that is securely sealed
to help prevent the spread of bedbugs.
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NYC311 currently publishes escalating penalties of
$50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense,
and $200 for a third or subsequent offense.
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Properties using a private disposal arrangement should follow the requirements of that authorized disposal pathway
rather than assuming the DSNY curbside set-out procedure governs every mattress disposal.
Recycling & Compost Penalties: Building Size Matters
DSNY publishes escalating penalties for applicable recycling and compost separation violations based on
building size and repeat offenses.
Current published schedules include
$25 / $50 / $100 for applicable repeat violations at buildings with
one to eight units, and
$100 / $200 / $300 for applicable repeat violations at buildings with
nine or more units.
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Important:
these schedules should not be treated as the penalty for every container,
signage, storage-area, set-out, sanitation, or property-maintenance violation.
The controlling rule and violation type should be checked before quoting a penalty.
NYC Bin Requirement: 1–9 Unit Properties
Trash setout:
for qualifying residential properties with
one to nine units setting out trash for DSNY collection,
the City requires the official
NYC Bin for trash setout beginning
June 1, 2026.
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DSNY currently states that the warning period continues through
September 7, 2026,
with full enforcement scheduled to begin on
September 8, 2026.
Because implementation guidance can change,
property managers should confirm the live DSNY page before relying on the enforcement date.
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Important distinction:
official NYC recycling and compost bins are available,
but they are not required under this specific official trash-bin mandate.
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Household Special-Waste Gap: SAFE Disposal Events
The gap:
Special Waste Drop-Off Sites accept a defined list of eligible household products,
but they do not accept every chemical, appliance, regulated material, or hazardous-waste category.
Residents should check the current DSNY accepted-material list before transporting an item.
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SAFE Disposal Events:
DSNY conducts SAFE events for
Solvents, Automotive products, Flammables, and Electronics.
Current event materials identify specified household chemicals,
automotive products, electronics, certain eligible household medical items,
paint, fluorescent bulbs, and other specifically listed household materials.
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Resident-only:
SAFE events accept eligible NYC-generated residential waste.
Businesses and commercial waste are not eligible, and residents may be asked to provide identification
and proof of NYC residency.
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A resident's eligibility for a DSNY Special Waste site, SAFE event, or other household program does not automatically authorize ownership, management, maintenance staff, contractors, or service vendors to dispose of property-generated or commercially handled material through that program.
A5248 mixed-use planning note: properties containing retail, restaurant, office, professional-services, leasing-office, manufacturing, or other commercial space should separately identify those areas so management can evaluate A5248's proposed paper/single-use-plastic recycling and education duties if the bill advances or is enacted. Until then, A5248 remains a legislative-monitoring item rather than a current legal obligation. [14]
How National Doorstep Supports NYC Property Management
Compliance is operational.
National Doorstep helps property management support documented waste,
recycling, and compost procedures by standardizing resident set-out routines,
improving signage and container access, reducing contamination,
and educating residents about materials that must not be placed in ordinary trash,
recycling containers, compost containers, doorstep receptacles, dumpsters, or curb piles.
We can provide borough-specific resident instructions identifying
DSNY Special Waste Drop-Off Sites, SAFE Disposal Events,
ecycleNYC eligibility, manufacturer take-back programs,
and other lawful resident disposal options.
Resident transport distinction:
for resident-only DSNY Special Waste sites and SAFE events,
residents should transport their own eligible household materials.
Eligible electronics may instead be handled through an authorized building-level program
such as ecycleNYC when the building is enrolled.
National Doorstep service boundary:
National Doorstep operates
upstream from DSNY or the property's applicable downstream waste and recycling collection service.
Porters move properly prepared resident-setout ordinary waste and recycling
from apartment doors to
property-designated containers or collection areas on private property.
National Doorstep does not replace the downstream collector.
Special-waste exclusion:
National Doorstep's standard valet trash and recycling service does not include
the collection, consolidation, transportation, or disposal of
hazardous waste, covered electronics, batteries, paint, chemicals,
or other regulated special waste.
Building-generated or commercially handled special waste should be managed through
an appropriately authorized provider for the applicable material.
A5248 mixed-use readiness:
if A5248 is enacted in the future, National Doorstep's onsite documentation,
approved-stream separation, contamination monitoring, resident/tenant education support,
signage support, and collection-area procedures may help management operationalize qualifying requirements.
National Doorstep should not characterize A5248 as a current legal requirement unless and until the bill becomes law
and applicable DEC implementation rules are effective.
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CTA:
Request a Free Compliance Review for your New York City Property
EEAT / AUTHORITATIVE SOURCES: [1] DSNY — Special Waste Drop-Off Sites: hours, borough locations, accepted materials, resident-only restrictions and quantity limits | [2] NYC311 — Special Waste Disposal: residency, identification, noncommercial-waste rule and site guidance | [3] DSNY — Electronics & E-Waste | [4] New York Environmental Conservation Law §71-2729 — Covered-Electronics Civil Penalties | [5] DSNY — ecycleNYC: Building-Level Electronics Recycling for Eligible 10+ Unit Buildings | [6] DSNY — Battery Disposal & Recycling | [7] DSNY — Collection Laws for Residents | [8] NYC311 — Mattress or Box Spring Disposal | [9] DSNY — Residential Recycling: 4+ Unit Storage, Container, Labeling & Signage Duties | [10] NYC311 — Curbside Composting: Separation, 4+ Unit Storage & Published Fine Schedules | [11] DSNY — NYC Bins: 1–9 Unit Trash Containerization Requirement & 2026 Enforcement Schedule | [12] DSNY — SAFE Disposal Events | [13] DSNY — Electronics Handling for Businesses | [14] New York State Assembly Bill A5248 — 2025–2026 Legislative Session (“New York State Waste Recycling and Reduction Act”; proposed commercial-building paper/single-use-plastic recycling program; proposed collection and education duties; local-law savings clause; proposed 180-day effective date; current status: Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee)
New York City property managers, asset managers, regional managers, and on-site teams:
NYC requires residents to separate designated recycling and compostable material from trash,
while building owners and managers have additional responsibilities involving storage areas,
containers, signage, setout, sanitation, and resident communication.
The same Citywide requirements apply across
Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island,
although unit count, community district, building configuration, DSNY collection assignment,
and containerization program can materially change how a property must operate.
State legislative watch:
New York Assembly Bill A5248 (2025–2026) would enact the
“New York State Waste Recycling and Reduction Act” and create a proposed statewide
commercial-building recycling program for paper products and specified single-use plastic products.
As of August 11, 2026, A5248 remains
active in the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee and has not been enacted into law.
Citywide curbside compost collection reached all remaining sanitation districts on October 7, 2024. Residential compost-separation enforcement began on April 1, 2025. DSNY subsequently paused full enforcement for buildings with 30 or fewer units during part of 2025; full enforcement was reinstated January 1, 2026. Residential recycling and compost separation are currently subject to enforcement citywide.
NYC 4+ UNIT PROPERTY-MANAGER COMPLIANCE SHORTCUT
Recycling: owners/managers of buildings with four or more residential units must designate at least one recycling-storage area.
The recycling area must be reasonably accessible to residents, contain enough bins for proper separation and overflow prevention, display required recycling information, and use clearly labeled containers.
Compost: owners/property managers of buildings with four or more units must provide a designated storage area with clearly labeled compost containers.
Resident separation: all NYC residents must separate required recyclable material and compostable material from trash.
PENDING NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATION — ASSEMBLY BILL A5248
2025–2026 Legislative Session: Assembly Bill A5248 would enact the “New York State Waste Recycling and Reduction Act.” The official New York State Legislature page currently lists the bill as ACTIVE — In Assembly Committee, with the current committee identified as Assembly Environmental Conservation. The latest listed action is January 7, 2026: referred to Environmental Conservation.
Not current law: A5248 has not been enacted. NYC owners and property managers should treat it as a legislative-monitoring and readiness item, not as a present DSNY, NYC, or New York State compliance mandate.
Proposed “commercial building” definition: A5248 would apply to a building—or any portion of a building—used for buying, selling, or otherwise providing goods or services, or for lawful business, commercial, professional-services, or manufacturing activities.
Critical NYC multifamily distinction: NYC's current 4+ unit residential recycling and compost duties, 9+ unit fine/setout rules, 1–9 unit NYC Bin requirement, and 10–30 / 31+ large-building containerization rules are separate from A5248's proposed commercial-building definition. A purely residential apartment property should not be characterized as covered by A5248 solely because of residential unit count.
Mixed-use multifamily relevance: if enacted in its current form, A5248 is most clearly relevant to retail, restaurant, office, professional-services, leasing-office, manufacturing, or other qualifying commercial portions of mixed-use apartment buildings. Residential and commercial waste streams should therefore be analyzed separately.
Proposed recycling mandate: the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation would be directed to establish a commercial recycling program requiring each covered commercial building to recycle paper products and specified single-use plastic products produced or used on site.
Proposed collection options: a covered commercial building could arrange collection through a private carter, transport qualifying materials itself, or process qualifying materials onsite where DEC determines adequate recycling processes exist.
Proposed owner / management education duty: commercial property owners and commercial-building management would be required to provide collection and educational resources, including regular guidance, training, updates, signage, and flyers for the workforce, tenants, and the public to support effective recycling sorting procedures.
Proposed single-use plastic categories: A5248 identifies plastic bags; cling-film plastic food packaging; non-recyclable plastic bottles; plastic straws; plastic plates; non-reusable plastic containers; plastic cups, lids, and stirrers; plastic cutlery; plastic packaging rings; specified Styrofoam plates, take-away containers, and trays; and other single-use plastic products DEC may designate.
Local-law protection: A5248 expressly states that it would not limit a local governmental agency from adopting, implementing, or enforcing recycling requirements that are more stringent or comprehensive. NYC's existing residential recycling, compost, commercial-waste, containerization, HPD, FDNY, and other applicable requirements would remain independently relevant.
Proposed effective date: A5248 states that the Act would take effect on the 180th day after becoming law. Because the bill has not been enacted, there is currently no A5248 compliance-effective date.
FDNY FIRE / EGRESS RULE — DO NOT BLOCK OR STORE WASTE IN CORRIDORS
NYC-specific operational limitation: FDNY Fire Code requirements prohibit storage of combustible material and combustible waste in corridors and require means of egress to remain unobstructed.
A valet-trash or doorstep program therefore must not be designed around storing trash, recycling, organics, bags, carts, or receptacles in a public corridor, stairway, exit path, fire-door area, or other required means of egress.
Doorstep service must be evaluated building-by-building and implemented only through property-approved locations and procedures that comply with the building's fire-safety, egress, housing, sanitation, and operational requirements.
- A5248 mixed-use legislative watch: identify retail, restaurant, office, professional-services, leasing-office, manufacturing, and other qualifying commercial portions separately from residential operations. If enacted, A5248 could add a State commercial paper / single-use-plastic recycling and education layer. Until enactment, this is readiness planning—not a current mandate.
- 4+ units: maintain required recycling and compost storage areas, labeling, capacity, and resident information.
- 9+ units: the higher published recycling/compost separation fine schedule applies; eligible buildings with janitorial staff may also apply annually for DSNY's alternate morning setout program.
- 1–9 units: official NYC Bins are required for trash setout as of June 1, 2026.
- 10+ units: standard evening setout rules differ from 1–9 unit buildings, and larger-building containerization programs may separately apply.
- 31+ units: DSNY's large-building containerization program provides for Empire Bins where the program has been implemented for the property's community district.
- Fire safety: do not use public corridors or required means of egress as waste-storage or staging areas.
- Mixed-use buildings: residential DSNY requirements and commercial-business waste requirements should be evaluated separately.
At a Glance: Citywide Requirements vs. Building-Specific Operations
Citywide Legal / DSNY Requirements
- A5248 — pending State legislation: proposed commercial-building paper / single-use-plastic recycling and education duties could apply to qualifying commercial portions of mixed-use buildings if enacted.
- Recycling: required recyclables must be separated from trash.
- Compost: all NYC residents must separate food scraps, food-soiled paper, and applicable leaf/yard waste from trash.
- 4+ units: additional recycling-storage, labeling, signage, capacity, and compost-storage duties apply to owners/managers.
- Fine threshold: the published separation fine schedule changes at nine residential units.
- Setout: unit count and participation in an approved containerization/setout program can change the property's allowable setout method and timing.
- Housing requirements: HPD rules separately address sufficient refuse receptacles and resident notice of receptacle locations and collection hours in multiple dwellings.
Building-Specific Variables
- Residential unit count.
- DSNY residential collection eligibility.
- Community district and Empire Bin rollout status.
- Availability of approved interior waste rooms or other non-egress storage areas.
- Chutes, compactors, loading areas, courtyards, service entrances, and curb configuration.
- Mixed residential/commercial occupancy, including whether A5248's proposed commercial-building definition could apply to a commercial portion if enacted.
- Fire Code and means-of-egress configuration.
- Approved alternate morning setout participation.
NYC Multifamily Unit-Count & Containerization Snapshot
Swipe or scroll horizontally on smaller screens. The unit-count column remains fixed.
| Unit Count | Current Property-Manager Issue | Operational / Compliance Detail | Official Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any Unit Count Mixed-Use / Commercial Portion |
A5248 pending statewide commercial-recycling watch |
A5248 is pending legislation, not current law.
Its proposed coverage turns on whether a building or portion of a building is used for
qualifying commercial/business activity—not on residential unit count alone.
If enacted in its current form, qualifying commercial portions could face proposed paper and single-use-plastic recycling duties plus owner/management education-resource requirements. Keep this analysis separate from NYC's residential 4+, 9+, 1–9, 10–30, and 31+ unit rules. |
NY Assembly Bill A5248 — Pending |
| 1–3 Units | Residential separation + official NYC Bin trash rule |
Residents must separate required recycling and compost from trash.
As of June 1, 2026, qualifying properties with 1–9 residential units must use official NYC Bins for trash setout. Separate NYC Bins are available for recycling and compost, but the official-bin mandate specifically applies to trash. |
DSNY — NYC Bins |
| 4–8 Units | 4+ recycling / compost storage duties + official NYC Bin rule |
Owner/manager recycling-storage and compost-storage duties apply beginning at four units.
Buildings remain within the 1–8 unit separation fine category. The official NYC Bin requirement applies to trash setout because the property has fewer than 10 units. |
DSNY — Recycling
DSNY — Composting |
| 9 Units | Higher fine tier + official NYC Bin rule + possible alternate morning setout |
The published recycling/compost separation fine schedule moves to the
9+ unit tier.
Because the property still falls within 1–9 units, the official NYC Bin trash requirement also applies. Buildings with 9+ residential units and janitorial staff may apply during DSNY's annual opt-in period for an alternate morning setout window. |
NYC311 — Residential Trash Rules |
| 10–30 Units | Larger-building setout rules + phased containerization |
Unless another approved program applies, current residential rules allow
10+ unit buildings to set waste out after 6:00 PM in compliant lidded bins
or after 8:00 PM when putting bags directly at the curb.
Under DSNY's larger-building containerization framework, properties with 10–30 units will choose between Empire Bins or official NYC Bins for trash as the program is implemented for their area. Verify the property's community-district rollout status before changing operations. |
Residential Containerization
Collection Laws |
| 31+ Units | Empire Bin framework as district rollout reaches property |
DSNY's larger-building containerization program provides that
properties with 31 or more units will use
Empire Bins for trash as the program is implemented.
Empire Bins are assigned to specific buildings and serviced by automated DSNY collection vehicles. Property managers must verify actual DSNY assignment and implementation date before changing a building's current approved setout procedure. |
DSNY — Large Building Containerization |
NYC Boroughs / Counties — Property-Manager Operating Information
New York City is a single municipal jurisdiction. The five boroughs are coextensive with five counties, but there are no separate county apartment recycling or compost mandates replacing the Citywide DSNY framework. The distinctions below are operational and program-rollout considerations, not different borough recycling laws.
Swipe or scroll horizontally on smaller screens. The borough/county column remains fixed.
| Borough / County | Legal Coverage | Relevant Property-Manager Information — Operational, Not Separate Borough Law | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan New York County |
Same NYC recycling, compost, HPD, DSNY & FDNY rules |
Manhattan properties should pay particular attention to current
large-building containerization assignments.
DSNY currently states that Empire Bins are in use in Manhattan Community District 9. Buildings in that district should verify their assigned containerization requirements directly with DSNY. Other Manhattan buildings should not assume the M9 program applies until DSNY assigns or implements the applicable program for that property. High-rise properties should coordinate waste rooms, compactors, loading/service areas, elevator operations, and DSNY setout procedures without using required corridors or egress paths for waste storage. |
Residential Containerization
FDNY Fire Code |
| Brooklyn Kings County |
Same citywide NYC requirements |
DSNY currently states that the Empire Bin program is scheduled to
expand to Brooklyn Community District 2 in fall 2026.
Properties in BK2 should confirm the current implementation schedule and individual building assignment before modifying container purchases, curb operations, or resident instructions. Elsewhere in Brooklyn, apply the current citywide rules based on unit count and actual DSNY program assignment. Narrow sidewalks, courtyards, stoops, or service passages do not override pedestrian-access, sanitation, or FDNY means-of-egress requirements. |
DSNY Containerization |
| Queens Queens County |
Same citywide NYC requirements |
Queens does not have a separate county-level apartment recycling or compost mandate.
Property managers should use the City's unit-count rules: 1–9 unit official NYC Bin requirements, 4+ unit recycling/compost storage duties, 9+ unit fine/setout considerations, and applicable larger-building containerization assignments. Courtyard, rear-yard, garden-style, or parking-lot configurations should be evaluated against resident access, DSNY collection access, HPD receptacle requirements, and FDNY egress rules. |
Building Waste Management |
| The Bronx Bronx County |
Same citywide NYC requirements |
The Bronx has no separate county apartment recycling or organics rule replacing DSNY's citywide framework.
Larger properties should focus on sufficient container/storage capacity, contamination control, resident signage, sanitation of collection areas, and the property's current/future large-building containerization assignment. High-volume buildings should document overflow response procedures and ensure that any porter route does not stage bags or receptacles in required corridors, stairs, exits, or fire-door areas. |
DSNY Recycling
DSNY Composting |
| Staten Island Richmond County |
Same citywide NYC requirements |
Staten Island properties follow the same Citywide unit-count,
recycling, compost, containerization, HPD, and FDNY rules.
Lower-density 1–9 unit properties must use official NYC Bins for trash setout. Larger apartment properties should confirm their applicable DSNY setout and future containerization assignment rather than applying the 1–9 unit rule. Exterior storage areas should use secure, properly labeled containers and remain clean, accessible, and consistent with applicable sanitation and property requirements. |
NYC Bins |
New York City Recycling, Compost & Container Fines Snapshot
- Applicable recycling / compost separation violations — 1–8 units: $25 first offense, $50 second offense, $100 third and subsequent offenses.
- Applicable recycling / compost separation violations — 9+ units: $100 first offense, $200 second offense, $300 third and subsequent offenses.
- Compost enforcement history: enforcement began April 1, 2025. DSNY paused full enforcement for buildings with 30 or fewer units during part of 2025; larger buildings could receive fines after repeated warnings. Full enforcement was reinstated January 1, 2026.
- 1–9 unit official NYC Bin requirement: official NYC Bins became required for trash setout on June 1, 2026. DSNY's current warning period runs through September 7, 2026. Full enforcement begins September 8, 2026.
- Separate trash-container violations: NYC also publishes a separate $50 / $100 / $200 escalating schedule for certain residential trash-bin/container violations. Do not use the recycling/compost fine table as the penalty for every DSNY violation.
- Other violations: incorrect setout timing, sidewalk obstruction, improper storage, HPD conditions, fire/egress violations, litter, overflow, and other conditions can be enforced under separate rules and penalty schedules.
NYC Multifamily Recycling, Compost & Waste Compliance Checklist
Swipe or scroll horizontally on mobile. The task column remains fixed.
| Task | Property-Manager Action | Compliance / Operational Detail | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☑ Monitor A5248 | Identify whether the property contains retail, restaurant, office, professional-services, leasing-office, manufacturing, or another qualifying commercial portion. |
A5248 is pending legislation, not current law.
If enacted in its current form, covered commercial buildings/portions would be subject to
a proposed State recycling program for paper products and specified single-use plastics,
together with owner/management collection and education-resource duties.
Do not infer A5248 coverage from residential unit count alone. |
NY Assembly Bill A5248 |
| ☑ Confirm Unit Count | Verify the property's legal residential unit count. |
Unit count changes several important DSNY rules:
• 4+ units — recycling/compost storage duties. • 9+ units — higher separation fine tier and potential alternate setout eligibility. • 1–9 units — official NYC Bin trash requirement. • 10–30 / 31+ units — phased large-building containerization considerations. |
DSNY Collection Laws |
| ☑ Confirm DSNY Service / Program Assignment | Confirm the property's actual DSNY collection and containerization status. |
Do not assume a 200-unit property follows the same trash-bin rule as an eight-unit property.
Verify whether the building is assigned to an Empire Bin program, participates in an approved alternate setout program, or remains under standard residential setout rules. |
Residential Containerization |
| ☑ Maintain Recycling Storage | For 4+ unit buildings, maintain at least one compliant recycling-storage area. | The area must be reasonably accessible, have enough containers for required separation and overflow prevention, provide clearly labeled bins, and display required recycling information. | DSNY Recycling |
| ☑ Maintain Compost Storage | For 4+ unit buildings, provide a designated compost-storage area with labeled containers. |
Residents must separate required compostable material from trash.
For curbside collection, DSNY permits a labeled compost container of 55 gallons or less with a secure lid unless another approved building-specific system applies. |
DSNY Composting |
| ☑ Follow HPD Receptacle Duties | Maintain sufficient and appropriate onsite refuse receptacles for the multiple dwelling. |
HPD rules separately address an owner's responsibility to provide sufficient and appropriate
receptacles for occupant-generated trash and to notify occupants about receptacle locations
and collection hours.
DSNY compliance does not eliminate separate Housing Maintenance Code responsibilities. |
HPD Rules |
| ☑ Protect Fire / Egress Paths | Keep waste, bags, carts, mats, containers, and staging out of required means of egress. |
FDNY guidance states that combustible material and combustible waste may not be stored
in corridors and means of egress must remain unobstructed.
Do not design a doorstep program that depends on storing bags in public hallways, stairways, exits, or other required egress paths. Confirm the building-specific approved fire and egress configuration before launch. |
FDNY Fire Code |
| ☑ Follow Setout Times | Match internal porter operations to the property's actual DSNY setout window. |
1–9 units:
trash may be set out after 6:00 PM in the required compliant bin.
10+ units: absent another applicable program, current DSNY rules allow waste after 6:00 PM in compliant lidded bins or after 8:00 PM if bags are placed directly at the curb. An Empire Bin assignment or approved alternate morning setout program can change these procedures. |
Residential Setout Rules |
| ☑ Evaluate 9+ Unit Morning Setout | Determine whether the property qualifies for DSNY's Multiunit Building Collection Program. |
Property owners of buildings with
9+ residential units and janitorial staff
may apply during the annual opt-in period for an
alternate 4:00 AM–7:00 AM setout window.
Approved buildings must follow that morning window rather than ordinary evening setout. The current annual approval period should be verified before planning around this option. |
NYC311 Residential Trash Rules |
| ☑ Educate Residents | Provide property-specific trash, recycling, and compost instructions. |
Buildings with 4+ units must inform residents about recycling rules and procedures.
Include: accepted materials, bin locations, separation instructions, cardboard preparation, compost instructions, prohibited materials, special waste, and property-specific setout procedures. |
Building Waste Management Guidelines |
| ☑ Separate Mixed-Use Operations | Identify commercial tenants and business-generated waste separately from residential waste. |
New York State's Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law and NYC commercial
waste/organics requirements can independently apply to qualifying businesses or institutions.
A5248 legislative watch: if enacted, the proposed State commercial-recycling program could add paper, specified single-use-plastic, collection, signage, training, and education-resource duties to qualifying commercial portions. Do not apply residential DSNY rules to a restaurant, grocery store, commercial kitchen, office, or other business operation without separate analysis, and do not characterize A5248 as currently enforceable. |
DSNY Business Setout |
| ☑ Document Operations | Maintain a property-specific compliance and operating file. |
Recommended records include:
• current DSNY rules and property assignment; • container/enclosure maps; • waste-room procedures; • resident instructions and signage; • porter/service schedules; • contamination and overflow records; • photographs; • notices and corrective actions; • Empire Bin or alternate-setout approvals where applicable. Documentation supports property management but does not guarantee dismissal of a summons or establish regulatory certification. |
DSNY Building Management |
NYC Residential Organics vs. New York State Commercial Food-Scrap Rules
NYC's citywide residential compost program applies independently from New York State's separate Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law.
The State program applies to qualifying large businesses and institutions and does not determine ordinary NYC residential apartment participation.
A mixed-use apartment property containing a restaurant, grocery operation, commercial kitchen, institution, or other covered business may therefore have separate commercial obligations in addition to the building's residential requirements.
Pending A5248 commercial-recycling layer: Assembly Bill A5248 separately proposes a statewide commercial-building recycling program for paper products and specified single-use plastic products. If enacted, its proposed owner/management collection and education duties could apply to qualifying commercial portions of mixed-use buildings in addition to NYC's existing commercial and residential requirements.
Important: A5248 remains pending legislation as of August 11, 2026. It should be monitored, not represented as a current legal mandate.
National Doorstep operates upstream from DSNY or the property's applicable downstream waste/recycling collection service. Porters move properly prepared resident-setout ordinary waste and recycling to property-designated collection containers or areas on private property using a property-approved operating procedure. National Doorstep's standard doorstep service does not replace DSNY or an applicable downstream private collector and does not perform off-site municipal solid-waste hauling. In New York City, any onsite pickup method must also respect FDNY means-of-egress requirements; public corridors and required exit paths must not be used as combustible-waste storage areas.
A5248 mixed-use readiness: if A5248 is enacted in the future, National Doorstep's onsite documentation, approved-stream separation, contamination monitoring, resident/tenant education support, signage support, and collection-area procedures may help management operationalize qualifying requirements. A5248 should not be characterized as a current legal requirement unless and until it becomes law and applicable DEC implementation rules are effective. Service is implemented with ownership or authorized property-management approval.
Need a documented NYC multifamily waste, recycling & organics operating program? National Doorstep can review the property's unit count, DSNY collection status, containerization assignment, waste-room configuration, fire/egress constraints, resident procedures, contamination controls, and onsite collection workflow.
The goal is a documented onsite procedure designed to support property-management compliance and demonstrate consistent operating practices without replacing the property's legal responsibilities or downstream DSNY/private collection arrangement.
A5248 mixed-use readiness: for properties with qualifying commercial components, management can separately map paper and single-use-plastic streams, tenant/business education, signage, collection responsibility, and downstream routing so the property is prepared to evaluate A5248 if it becomes law. This is readiness planning—not a representation that A5248 is currently enforceable.
This page provides general operational and regulatory information for multifamily property owners and managers and is not legal advice. Requirements can vary based on unit count, property classification, DSNY collection assignment, community district, containerization phase, mixed-use occupancy, building configuration, Housing Maintenance Code obligations, Fire Code/egress requirements, and current City rules.
Assembly Bill A5248 is pending legislation and is not a current legal mandate as of August 11, 2026.
Property management should confirm current requirements with DSNY, NYC311, HPD, FDNY, and qualified legal or compliance professionals when appropriate, and should verify A5248's current legislative status before relying on the proposal.
Authoritative NYC Regulatory & Property-Manager Sources
DSNY — Residential Recycling / 4+ Unit Requirements | DSNY — Curbside Composting / 4+ Unit Storage | NYC311 — Composting & Fine Schedule | DSNY — Residential Collection Laws | NYC311 — Residential Trash / Multiunit Setout Rules | DSNY — Official NYC Bins | DSNY — Residential / Large-Building Containerization | DSNY — Building Waste Management Guidelines | HPD — Multiple-Dwelling Rules | FDNY — 2022 NYC Fire Code | NYS DEC — Food Donation & Food Scraps Recycling Law | New York State Assembly Bill A5248 — 2025–2026 Legislative Session (“New York State Waste Recycling and Reduction Act”; proposed commercial-building paper/single-use-plastic recycling program; proposed collection and education duties; local-law savings clause; proposed 180-day effective date; current status: Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee)
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