Scavenger Waste Permits

If your business will transport scavenger waste that will need to be discharged into the New York City sewer system, you need a Scavenger Waste Discharge Permit from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

What is scavenger waste?

Scavenger waste is the sludge from sanitary wastewater that is discharged into cesspools, septic tanks or privies. This includes:

• Bodily wastes
• Washwater
• Culinary wastes
• Similar matter

Waste from industrial or manufacturing processes or from outside New York City is not covered by this permit. You must not put these wastes into the City's sewer system.

Permit details

• The permit is for vehicles transporting scavenger waste.
• It is not valid for vehicles moving other wastes at other times.

Important rules

Business owners should know the Rules of the City of New York (RCNY) Sewer Use Regulations Title 15 Section 19. These rules explain what you can and cannot do with the City's sewers: if you do not follow these regulations, you might face significant civil and financial penalties.

• Department of Motor Vehicles registration: You need this for each vehicle listed in the permit.

• New York State Waste Transporter Permit: If you transport regulated waste generated or disposed of in New York State, you must have this permit. You and the waste generator must classify the waste correctly. This may include testing to see if the waste is hazardous. Learn more about the Waste Transporter Permit.

• Proof of insurance: Show proof of Workers' Compensation and Liability Insurance, or proof that you don't need it by law.

• Business documents: Provide a copy of one of these:

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Assumed Name Certificate (Certificate of Conducting Business as Partners)
  • Certificate of Limited Partnership
  • Articles of Organization
  • Assumed Name Certificate (Doing Business As Certificate)

• Volume of waste: Show the amount of scavenger waste removed each year for the last three years. New applicants should estimate the volume for the first year.

• Report submission: You must send a report to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) twice a year.
• Report description: The report should tell about the waste you collected or discharged in New York City.
• Specific requirements: You can find the specific requirements for this report on page four of the Scavenger Waste Permit Application.

• Download and print: Get the Scavenger Waste Discharge Permit Application.

• Fill out the form: Include information about the vehicles and drivers transporting the scavenger waste. Notify the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) right away if you replace any vehicles or drivers.

• Submit the application: Send the completed application and all required documents to the address listed under Contact Information.

• Receive your package: If your application is approved, you will get:

  • Permits for each vehicle
  • A map showing where you can discharge waste
  • A semi-annual report format