Sofia Martinez
New Yorkers produce a lot of waste. In fact, over 600,000 tons of material are sent for recycling each year, but this is only about 17.5% of the city's total waste stream. The New York City Department of Sanitation provides guidelines on how to recycle properly, including what to do with plastics. So, where does NYC sanitation plastic go?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items that can be recycled with plastics | Small appliances such as a toaster oven or hair dryer, beverage and liquid food cartons, food and drink containers, caps and lids, cups and bowls, toys (batteries removed), consumer packaging, and acetate boxes |
| Items that cannot be recycled with plastics | Plastic bags, batteries, squeeze tubes and pouches, Styrofoam, pens and markers, cables, wires and cords, drinking glasses, eyeglasses, glass furniture, mirrors, light bulbs |
| Items that can be recycled but not with mixed paper | Beverage and liquid food cartons |
| Items that can be put in NYC Organic Collection bins | Food waste, meat, dairy products, yard waste |
| Items that can be donated | Furniture, appliances |
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What You'll Learn
Recycling rules in NYC
The New York City Housing Authority is aiming to create clean and pest-free buildings by 2025 through its recycling rules. The NYC Department of Sanitation collects recyclables, which must be separated into clear plastic bags or recycling bins.
Paper
Newspapers, magazines, phone books, and catalogs can be recycled. Paper should be placed in bins with tight-fitting lids, tied into bundles with twine, and placed in clear plastic bags or labeled recycling bins.
Plastic
Cartons, containers, bottles, jars, pails, mixing bowls, cups, and drink boxes are all recyclable. Plastic should be rinsed out, placed in clear bags, or labeled recycling bins. Plastic should be mixed with glass and metal items, not paper. Containers of plastic must weigh less than 60 pounds.
Metal
Metal items such as faucets, aluminum foil, paint cans, irons, aerosol cans, metal utensils, pots, pans, fixtures, and appliances can be recycled. Metal should be placed in clear bags or labeled recycling bins and mixed with glass and plastic items, not paper. Containers of metal must weigh less than 60 pounds.
Glass
Glass bottles and jars can be recycled. Glass should be rinsed out and placed in clear bags or labeled recycling bins. Glass should be mixed with plastic and metal items, not paper. Containers should weigh less than 60 pounds.
Other
Small appliances, such as toaster ovens and hair dryers, can be recycled with plastics and metals. Large appliances, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, require an appointment with the Department of Sanitation to remove CFC or Freon gas before recycling. Electronics, including computers, televisions, cellphones, power tools, electric razors, and cameras, cannot be recycled. Batteries should not be placed in recycling bins or bags; alkaline batteries can be thrown away, while rechargeable batteries must be returned to retailers or taken to a SAFE Disposal Event. Smoke detectors should also be taken to these events or returned to the manufacturer as they contain radioactive material. Plastic bags cannot be recycled, but retailers over a certain size must provide bins for used plastic bag collection.
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What plastics can be recycled
Recycling rules vary depending on location, so it's important to check with your local waste management service. For example, in New York City, plastic bags cannot be recycled and must be returned to retailers or placed in special bins. Small appliances, such as toasters or hair dryers, can be recycled with plastics and metals, but batteries must be removed first.
In general, almost all plastic can be recycled, but in practice, this process can be difficult and costly. Many products are made from multiple types of plastic or layers that are hard to separate, and some plastics may be contaminated by food or other substances, making them non-recyclable.
Some of the most common types of plastic and their recyclability include:
- PET or PETE: This plastic is commonly used for beverage bottles, cooking oil containers, and food jars. PET is one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world and can be recycled into new bottles, clothing, backpacks, and carpets.
- HDPE: This plastic is used for milk jugs, shampoo bottles, cleaning product containers, and detergent bottles. It is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted at most recycling centres.
- PVC: This soft and flexible plastic is used for a variety of household products, including plastic tubing, toys, trays, and furniture. However, PVC products cannot be recycled.
- LDPE: This plastic is often used for plastic wrappings, grocery bags, and bread or produce bags. While LDPE products can be recycled, bags should not be placed in recycling bins as they can damage equipment.
- PP: Polypropylene is used for margarine and yogurt containers, chip bags, and cereal bags. It can sometimes be recycled, but many recyclers do not accept it.
- PS: Polystyrene is used for disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, takeout containers, and coolers. It is not generally recyclable and should be avoided if possible as it can break apart easily and is harmful to human health.
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How to recycle plastics
Plastic is one of the most versatile materials in modern times, with 300 million tonnes of plastic produced each year. Recycling and reusing plastic items can reduce the need to create new plastic.
In New York City, residents must separate their recyclables into mixed paper or cardboard, and metal, glass, plastic, or cartons. These items should be placed in clear plastic bags or recycling bins. Food-contaminated paper, hardcover books, bubble wrap, photographs, tissues, napkins, paper towels, waxed paper, and plastic-coated paper should not be included in the recycling. Plastic bags cannot be recycled and should be returned to store drop-off locations. Small appliances, such as toasters or hair dryers, can be recycled with plastics and metals, but batteries must be removed first. Rechargeable batteries must be returned to retailers or brought to a SAFE Disposal Event.
To recycle plastic, the first step is to separate the plastic items from other materials. Plastic bags should be kept separate from other recyclables and returned to specific drop-off locations, often found in grocery stores. Once collected, the plastic materials are sorted by size and shape, and then by material type. Large cardboard is removed first, followed by flat, 2D paper materials, while 3D containers are sorted separately. Metals are sorted by their magnetic and conductive properties, and glass is crushed and sifted. Plastic is then shredded into flakes or melt-processed to form pellets before being moulded into new products.
Some additional tips for recycling plastic include:
- Rinse or scrape off food residue from containers before recycling.
- Flatten boxes before placing them in the bin.
- Check the resin number or recycling symbol on plastic containers to determine if they are recyclable by your local program.
- Purchase products made from recycled plastic materials when possible.
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What happens to recycled plastics
In New York City, plastics are recycled by the Department of Sanitation. New Yorkers are instructed to separate their recyclables into mixed paper or cardboard, and metal, glass, plastic, or cartons. Once separated, they need to be placed in clear plastic bags or recycling bins.
The following items can be recycled:
- Metal, including aluminium foil and trays, metal caps and lids, metal coffee pods, empty aerosol and paint cans, wire hangers, pots and pans, and metal hardware
- Glass bottles and jars. Drinking glasses, eyeglasses, glass furniture, mirrors, or light bulbs cannot be recycled
- Rigid plastics (items that are relatively inflexible and maintain their shape or form when bent). This includes food and drink containers, caps and lids, cups and bowls, toys (after removing batteries), consumer packaging, and acetate boxes.
Mostly-plastic furniture and appliances can be recycled, but cables, wires, and cords must be removed and placed in the trash. Plastic bags cannot be recycled.
Once placed in the correct recycling bins, the plastics are collected by the Department of Sanitation and taken to recycling centers. At these centers, the plastics are further sorted, cleaned, and processed into recyclable materials that can be used to create new products.
Recycling plastics is an important part of reducing waste and saving materials from landfills. According to the Department of Sanitation, if New Yorkers recycled paper, glass, plastic, and metal to their maximum potential, about a third of the city's trash could be saved from landfills.
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How to dispose of non-recyclable plastics
While the ideal way to deal with non-recyclable plastics is to avoid using them in the first place, this is not always possible. In most cases, non-recyclable plastics should be disposed of in the trash or general waste bin. This includes non-recyclable plastic bags, plastic wrappings, plastic films, plastic lids, plastic straws, plastic cups, plastic cutlery, plastic building materials, plastic medicine bottles, plastic hygiene products, and Styrofoam containers. These items are often contaminated with food or made from low-value plastic resins, which cannot be separated or recycled.
It is important to note that some items, such as batteries, electronics, and household hazardous waste (HHW), should not be thrown in the regular trash as they contain hazardous substances or require special disposal methods. HHW includes items such as pesticides, herbicides, paints, solvents, light bulbs, and aerosol cans. These items can often be disposed of at special collection events or permanent collection centers.
To reduce plastic waste, it is recommended to use reusable water bottles and to opt for products packaged without plastic. Additionally, some items, such as furniture, appliances, books, and clothing, can be donated for reuse rather than disposed of.
In New York City (NYC), specifically, there are additional guidelines for plastic disposal. Plastic bags cannot be recycled in NYC, and retailers are required by state law to provide bins for collecting used plastic bags. Small appliances, such as toasters or hair dryers, can be recycled with plastics and metals, but batteries must be removed first. Larger appliances, such as refrigerators, require an appointment with the Department of Sanitation for proper disposal of gases.
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Frequently asked questions
Rigid plastics can be recycled in NYC. This includes food and drink containers, caps and lids, cups and bowls, toys (batteries removed), consumer packaging, and acetate boxes.
Plastic containers should be empty and rinsed before being placed in a labelled bin with a secure lid or a clear plastic bag for collection.
Recycled plastic, along with paper, is taken to a transfer station on the west side of Manhattan.
