Recycling Guidelines
Businesses, Schools and Others
Westchester County considers any violation of the Source Separation Law to be a serious offense. All businesses, schools and institutions in Westchester County (referred to as "non-residential waste generators" by the law) are required to recycle:
- High-grade paper (white and colored office paper)
- Newspaper (including glossy inserts)
- Cardboard (corrugated and grey)
- 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 the paper and commingled 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 or if you have additional questions.
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.