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CCCurb and ContainerClear rules for trash, recycling, compost and tickets in NYC

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NYC Recycling and Composting Explained

Learn how NYC sorts paper, metal, glass, plastic and food scraps, plus curbside compost rules, bin care and fixes for the most common sorting errors.

Illustration: A resident sorting paper and metal recyclables into two bins in a bright apartment kitchen in New York City, drawn for Curb and Container readers.
Illustration: A resident sorting paper and metal recyclables into two bins in a bright apartment kitchen in New York City, drawn for Curb and Container readers.
Index

Every guide in Recycling and Compost

Each guide below answers one question about recycling and compost, with the steps residents, supers and small landlords can follow.

  1. Illustration: Hands placing a rinsed metal can into a blue recycling bin beside plain flattened cardboard in New York City, drawn for Curb and Container readers.

    Sorting Paper, Metal, Glass and Plastic

    Master NYC recycling sorts for paper and cardboard, metal glass and plastic, with bag rules, chute tips and what belongs in each bin every week.

    Photo: Illustration: Hands placing a rinsed metal can into a blue recycling bin beside plain flattened card

  2. Illustration: A brown food-scrap bin with vegetable peels on a sidewalk next to a small garden bed in New York City, drawn for Curb and Container readers.

    Curbside Composting and Brown Bin Use

    Follow NYC curbside compost rules for food scraps and yard waste, brown bin setup, accepted items, pickup day habits and odor control basics.

    Photo: Illustration: A brown food-scrap bin with vegetable peels on a sidewalk next to a small garden bed i

  3. Illustration: A superintendent wiping a compost bin in a bright basement sorting area with paper liners nearby in New York City, drawn for Curb and Container readers.

    Clean Shared Compost Bins in Apartments

    Keep shared compost bins clean in NYC apartment buildings with liner tips, chute-room routines, pest prevention and super-friendly task lists.

    Photo: Illustration: A superintendent wiping a compost bin in a bright basement sorting area with paper lin

  4. Illustration: An open recycling bin with loose bottles and paper viewed from above in daylight in New York City, drawn for Curb and Container readers.

    Recycling Mistakes That Bring Fines

    Avoid the top recycling errors that draw NYC fines, from bagged recyclables and dirty containers to batteries, cords and plastic bags in bins.

    Photo: Illustration: An open recycling bin with loose bottles and paper viewed from above in daylight in Ne