Waste Removal and Recycling

Every business in New York City must use a private carter to get rid of waste, organics and recyclables.

What to recycle

• Paper
• Corrugated cardboard
• Magazines
• Catalogs
• Newspapers
• Textiles (if over 10 percent of your waste)

Restaurants and food services must also recycle:

• Metal cans
• Glass and plastic bottles and jars
• Aluminum foil products
• Corrugated cardboard

The Business Integrity Commission (BIC) sets the highest rates for waste removal. You can ask for a lower rate from your carter. These rates do not cover medical waste or construction or demolition debris.

Regulations and requirements

You must put up signs to tell employees and customers about what and how to recycle and place labeled recycling bins where waste is thrown away. For more details, check the Department of Sanitation's Digest of Codes.

Your business must show a sticker with the carter's name and pick-up times. This sticker is free from the carter. For more information, contact the BIC.

If you do not want to hire a private carter, you can apply for a Self-Hauler Registration to remove your own waste.