Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, New York State will require businesses and institutions generating an annual average of two tons or more of food waste per week to:

  • Donate excess edible food; and
  • Recycle all remaining food scraps if they are within 25 miles of an organics recycler.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has compiled a list of Designated Food Scraps Generators (DFSG) (updated for 2024) that must comply with the law starting Jan.1, 2022. The DEC has also compiled a list for food scrap transporters and food scrap recyclers for DFSGs to reference.

The DEC, in partnership with RIT’s New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) developed guidance and toolkits for waste generators to better understand and prepare for the implementation of the law. See the recent webinar on Effective Steps to Launch a Food Scraps Diversion Program for Businesses to better prepare for the upcoming Food Scraps Recycling Law.

A comprehensive handbook developed by NYS DEC is available for download for businesses looking to learn more about the new law.

To learn more about the Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law, visit the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) site.

To learn more about what the County is doing to address food waste, visit the Food Waste page.

Under New York State law, beginning June 8, 2011, retailers that sell the types of  rechargeable batteries listed below are required to accept from consumers and recycle these batteries, for free, during normal business hours. Retailers are also required to post signs informing consumers about in-store recycling programs.

  • Nickel-cadmium
  • Sealed lead
  • Lithium ion
  • Nickel metal hydride
  • Any other such dry cell battery capable of being recharged
  • Battery packs containing any of the above-mentioned batteries

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has more information about what retailer's must do to comply with the law, and Call2Recycle can help businesses establish an in-store recycling program, at no cost to the business.

After June 8, 2011, if a retailer does not have an in-store program or display appropriate signs about the program, report the business to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Enforcement Division at (845) 256-3013.

buildings
Westchester County mandates that all businesses, schools, and institutions (referred to as "non-residential waste generators" by the law) with more than 100 employees, patients, or students (during a 24-hour period) should have a Solid Waste Management Plan. The purpose for requiring this Plan is to enable the county to insure that local businesses are aware of their legal obligations under the Source Separation Law (SSL). Businesses are also required to comply with other County laws and regulations including the Single-Use plastic legislation passed in 2023.

Westchester County considers any violation of the Source Separation Law to be a serious offense. All businesses, schools and institutions in Westchester County are required to recycle:

  • High-grade paper (white and colored office paper)
  • Newspaper (including glossy inserts)
  • Cardboard (corrugated and gray)
  • Glass (bottles and jars)
  • Metals (food and beverage containers)
  • Plastics (coded 1 through 7)
  • Yard waste (during fall leaf season)
  • Bulk metals (i.e. large fixtures and appliances)
  • Vehicular batteries (lead-acid)
  • Used motor oil
  • Computers and other electronics
  • Rechargeable batteries
  • Some fluorescent bulbs (By New York State law, businesses with greater than 100 employees are required to recycle mercury-containing lamps that fail the TCLP. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation provides more information.)

Plastics coded 1 - 7 are recycled
On June 1, 2011, plastic containers coded 3 through 7 were added to the county’s list of mandated recyclables under the Westchester County Source Separation Law. Now, non-residential waste generators are required to recycle, and private garbage haulers are required to accept, plastics coded 1 through 7 in commingled recycling containers. This includes most personal care and food packaging waste, such as beverage containers, milk jugs, medicine and shampoo bottles, yogurt cups and take-out food containers.

Know what to recycle and where to recycle
Read the Quick Recycling Guide for information about recycling in Westchester and print recycling bin labels for use in your home, office, school, institution or business. You can also call (914) 813-5425, the Recycling HelpLine, for more information.

Businesses are also encouraged to recycle the following:

  • Magazines, catalogues, junk mail, and envelopes (speak to your hauler about
    including these items with paper recyclables)
  • Fluorescent bulbs (tube and compact)

Large non-residential waste generators are those who "own a building or buildings commonly containing more than 100 employees, patients or students during a 24-hour period." Examples are businesses, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, colleges, governments, department stores, shopping centers, restaurants and hotels. All members of this category are required to have an on-site recycling program.

The Source Separation Law requires all large non-residential waste generators to provide a solid waste disposal plan, which includes details of the past year’s recycling practices. Plans must be submitted online and updated every three years.

Waste reduction by donating and recycling used items or improving existing programs
To get started, learn about waste reduction at work and how to implement an office recycling program. Recycling bin labels, that identify what should go in a paper or commingled container, improve program participation.

Businesses and schools can assess their own recycling programs to make sure they're recycling all that they can and as effectively as they can. These forms will guide you through your self-assessment: school self-audit and businesses self-audit.

Your compliance with this law is mandatory. If you have any questions, please call (914) 813-5425. 

New York State law prohibits the disposal of mercury as regular solid waste. Businesses in Westchester County are required to deliver mercury containing products to a permitted recycler for proper disposal.

Mercury-containing products include:

  • Fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and compact versions)
  • HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps
  • Car mercury switches
  • Mercury thermometers
  • Mercury thermostats
  • Electrical relays & other electrical devices

The companies below provide mercury recycling services. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by Westchester County.

Mercury Recycling Services
  Tel: (845) 896-0058
  Mail-back program and pick-up service to properly dispose of fluorescent light bulbs as well as other mercury containing items.
  Tel: (877) 82B-GREEN
  Mail-back program to properly dispose of fluorescent light bulbs as well as other mercury containing items.
  Tel: (845) 353-0900
  Provides a wide variety of environmental cleaning services, including mercury recycling.
  • Tri-State Environmental
  Tel: (888) 872-1236
 
    Provides a wide variety of environmental cleaning and pest management services, including mercury recycling.

In addition, Home Depot and Lowe's Stores accept intact compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) for recycling, free of charge. Visit the Mercury Thermostat Corporation for directions to free mercury thermostat recycling sites.

Cleanup small spills yourself
In general, you can clean up a small mercury spill yourself, such as from a fever thermometer or thermostat by following these instructions.

In recognition of the health risks associated with exposure to mercury, Westchester County banned the use and sale of certain mercury containing products, such as manometers and mercury fever thermometers, to protect the health of Westchester County residents.

 

Every apartment building has its own unique challenges with implementing and maintaining a recycling program. The Multi-Family Dwelling Program is designed to assist apartment building managers, owners and residents comply with recycling laws.

All businesses and institutions in Westchester County will be required to recycle the following:

  • High-grade paper (white and colored office paper)
  • Newspaper (including glossy inserts)
  • Cardboard (corrugated and grey)
  • Glass (bottles and jars)
  • Metal (food and beverage containers)
  • Plastics (coded 1 through 7)
  • Yard waste (during fall leaf season)
  • Bulk metals (i.e. large fixtures and appliances)
  • Vehicular batteries (lead-acid)
  • Used motor oil

Please note: recyclables should be set at the curb, loose in a container and not in plastic bags.

Your compliance with this law is mandatory.

Read the Guide to Curbside Recycling for information on curbside recycling, and call (914) 813-5425, the Recycling HelpLine, for more information or if you have additional questions.