Recycling Schedules
Borough-specific recycling rules for glass, paper, and plastic—including weekly pickup days and which materials are accepted this quarter.
Recycling guidelines change quarterly across NYC’s five boroughs, with variations in accepted materials and container requirements. Plastic bags and Styrofoam remain non-recyclable citywide, but acceptable plastic types can shift—such as whether #5 plastics are included. This feed reflects current Department of Sanitation bulletins and updates quarterly based on the latest processing capabilities.
Holiday pickups often shift schedules, and snowstorms can delay collections by days. When changes occur, this feed posts neighborhood-level adjustments within 24 hours, noting whether pickup is delayed, skipped, or moved to a different day. Residents in high-rise buildings may have different rules than those in row houses, including bin size and placement instructions. The system also tracks when contamination alerts trigger full-cart rejections, requiring residents to clean bins before next collection.
Seasonal shifts affect collection frequency, especially during winter months when some routes run weekly instead of biweekly. The feed notes which weeks are active for your zip code, and highlights temporary holiday freezes in recycling enforcement for new residents. Container labeling rules—such as clear bags for paper or rigid containers for organics—also vary by borough and building type, with detailed visuals in local guides.
