Westchester County apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site teams in Yonkers and White Plains: recycling isn’t just a “nice to have” — it’s required by the Westchester County Source Separation Law and enforced locally through city ordinances and code enforcement. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered to align with Westchester County’s mandatory source separation rules and Yonkers Class III enforcement (up to $1,500 per violation), while helping properties in White Plains stay ahead of inspections and complaints.
Under the County’s Source Separation Law, every waste generator in Westchester County — including apartment communities — is responsible for separating recyclables from trash at the point of generation. Westchester’s Multi-Family Dwelling Recycling Program specifically targets apartment building managers, owners, and residents. In Yonkers, failure to follow sanitation and recycling rules is enforced as a Class III offense with civil penalties up to $1,500 per violation, while White Plains requires businesses and institutions to comply with both County source separation rules and the City of White Plains recycling ordinance.
- Protect NOI & Asset Value: Reduce risk of Class III sanitation and recycling violations in Yonkers and County-level enforcement actions by aligning your program with Westchester’s Source Separation Law.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep service that keeps residents out of dark enclosures, reduces trips to dumpsters, and supports renewals and online reputation across Westchester communities.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, labels, and service frequencies built around Westchester County’s designated recyclables and Yonkers & White Plains local collection rules.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation so your team can focus on leasing, renewals, and day-to-day operations.
At a Glance: Yonkers, White Plains & Westchester County
City of Yonkers (Inside City Limits)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory recycling / source separation enforced through the Yonkers City Code (including Chapter 92: Recycling and sanitation rules in Chapter 91).
- Applicability Threshold: Applies broadly to residential properties, including apartment buildings, as part of the City’s solid waste and recycling program.
- Property Manager Duties: Provide appropriate recycling containers; keep set-out areas clean; ensure residents separate recyclables from trash; follow City rules on container size, placement, and collection days.
- Enforcement: Many sanitation and recycling violations are treated as a Class III offense, subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,500 per violation, with each day a violation continues potentially counted separately.
- Key Yonkers Links: Yonkers City Code – Chapter 92 (Recycling) · Refuse & Bulk Removal (DPW) · Property Owners’ Responsibility · Yonkers Penalties – Class III Offense
City of White Plains
- Mandate Type: Mandatory recycling / source separation via the Westchester Source Separation Law plus a City of White Plains recycling ordinance.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to residential properties (including apartments) and commercial generators within city limits.
- Property Manager Duties: Coordinate with the City or private hauler; provide labeled recycling containers for residents; follow local guidance for paper, cardboard, commingled containers, and special materials; keep enclosures sanitary.
- Enforcement: Recycling obligations are backed by the County law and City ordinance; persistent non-compliance can escalate to code enforcement actions and fines under general penalty provisions, especially where conditions create nuisance or health concerns.
- Key White Plains Links: Bureau of Sanitation – Recycling & Solid Waste · White Plains Solid Waste Management Plan (PDF) · City of White Plains – Official Site
Westchester County (Baseline for All Cities)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory source separation of recyclables under the Westchester County Source Separation Law.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to every waste generator in Westchester County — including apartment and multifamily properties of any size.
- Property Manager Duties: Ensure residents separate designated recyclables (paper, cardboard, metals, glass, plastics, etc.) from trash; provide appropriate recycling capacity; coordinate with County-compliant haulers; participate in County programs.
- Enforcement & “Oops!” Stickers: If recyclables are mixed with trash, material may not be collected and containers can be tagged with “Oops!” stickers. Local municipalities can also issue summonses and fines under their own codes when properties ignore recycling requirements.
- Key County Links: Source Separation Law – Full Text (PDF) · Multi-Family Dwelling Recycling Program · Residents – Recycling Overview · Businesses, Schools & Institutions – Recycling
Yonkers, White Plains & Westchester County Apartment Recycling Snapshot
Across Westchester County, recycling is the law, and apartment communities are treated as generators that must comply with source separation requirements. Yonkers enforces recycling-related violations through Class III offenses, while White Plains and other municipalities rely on a combination of County law and local code enforcement to drive compliance.
| Jurisdiction | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Owners & Property Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Yonkers, NY | Yes – Mandatory recycling with Class III enforcement |
Recycling and sanitation rules apply to apartment properties as part of the City’s DPW program. Failure to follow container, set-out, and separation rules can be cited as a Class III offense, with civil penalties up to $1,500 per violation and potential daily accrual if conditions persist. Key local links: Yonkers Code – Chapter 92 (Recycling) · Refuse & Bulk Removal |
| White Plains, NY | Yes – Mandatory recycling via County & City ordinance |
The City’s Solid Waste Management Plan states that businesses and institutions in White Plains must comply with Westchester County’s Source Separation Law and the City’s recycling ordinance. Apartment properties are expected to provide recycling access and follow County-designated material categories. Non-compliance can escalate into code enforcement actions and fines, especially if conditions rise to health or nuisance violations. Key local links: White Plains Solid Waste Management Plan (PDF) · Bureau of Sanitation |
| Westchester County (All Municipalities) | Yes – County-wide source separation requirement |
The Westchester County Source Separation Law requires every waste generator, including apartment communities, to separate recyclables from trash at the point of generation. The County operates a Multi-Family Dwelling Program to assist property managers and residents with compliance. When recyclables are not properly separated, material can be left behind with an “Oops!” sticker, and municipalities can issue violations or fines under local law. Key county links: Source Separation Law (PDF) · Multi-Family Dwelling Recycling |
Westchester Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- Yonkers Class III Offenses: Many sanitation and recycling-related violations in Yonkers are enforced as Class III offenses, with civil penalties of up to $1,500 per violation. Each day a violation continues may be treated as a separate offense, creating significant exposure for non-compliant properties.
- County-Level Enforcement: Under the Westchester County Source Separation Law, generators must separate recyclables. Improperly prepared material can be left uncollected and tagged with “Oops!” stickers, and municipalities may issue summonses or fines when properties consistently fail to comply.
- White Plains & Other Municipal Codes: White Plains and other Westchester municipalities layer their own sanitation, nuisance, and property maintenance codes on top of the County law. While exact dollar amounts vary, persistent violations and unsanitary conditions can result in escalating fines and frequent inspections.
- Risk for Property Managers: Because enforcement is often directed at the property level, owners and property managers can be cited when residents lack adequate recycling access, when enclosures overflow, or when mixed trash and recyclables are repeatedly set out for collection.
- Risk Management Tip: Build a compliance file: retain hauler contracts, service schedules, photos of container areas, contamination notices, and resident education pieces. This documentation helps demonstrate good-faith compliance if a notice of violation is issued.
Westchester Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Collection Provider | Identify whether your community is in Yonkers, White Plains, or another Westchester municipality. Confirm if you use municipal collection or a private hauler, and ensure service aligns with County source separation rules. | Westchester – Residents Recycling Overview · Source Separation Law (PDF) |
| ☑ Provide Dedicated Recycling Capacity | Ensure you have clearly labeled recycling containers sized for your resident count and material stream (paper/cardboard, commingled containers, etc.). Containers should be at least as convenient as trash and located in well-lit, safe areas. | Multi-Family Dwelling Recycling Program |
| ☑ Align with Yonkers & White Plains Site Rules | In Yonkers, follow DPW rules on container sizes, set-out times, and acceptable materials to avoid Class III citations. In White Plains, align with City sanitation guidance and the Solid Waste Management Plan, which incorporates the County’s Source Separation Law. | Yonkers Refuse & Bulk Removal · White Plains Bureau of Sanitation |
| ☑ Educate Residents & On-Site Teams | Provide simple, recurring education to residents and site staff: which materials must be recycled, how to prepare them, and where to place bags and carts. Use signage in enclosures, lobbies, elevators, and digital channels to keep expectations clear. | Westchester – What & How to Recycle |
| ☑ Monitor & Document Compliance | Schedule regular walks of container areas, take photos of recurring issues, and track contamination or overflow events. Keep a folder with service logs, contamination notices, resident communications, and inspection notes so you can respond quickly to any City or County outreach. | Westchester County – Recycling & Waste |
Need to get out of the violation risk zone in Yonkers, White Plains, or anywhere in Westchester County? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Westchester property. We’ll review your current setup, right-size containers and service, design a resident-friendly valet trash & recycling program, and prepare the inspector-ready documentation you need to show alignment with Westchester County and local city codes.
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