NEW RECYCLING LAWS

I am the owner of a four family building.  What are the NEW rules on recycling plastics?

                                                      S.E., Sunnyside

On April 1, 2004, the NYC Department of Sanitation (DOS) announced it will resume the recycling of glass.

All recyclables must be sorted into three categories:

                          - Metal, foil, glass and plastics;

                          - Corrugated cardboard;

                          - Mixed paper.

Metal, Foil, Glass, Plastics - Metal & Foil: Household metal, metal cans, and aluminum-foil wrap and trays; Glass: Bottles and jars; Plastics: Juice boxes, milk cartons, plastic bottles, jugs, and jars.  Owners must place these recyclables in clear-colored plastic recycling bags capable of holding from 13 to 15 gallons or in containers. The containers must be between 18 and 32 gallons; Covered with a lid; Any color with a blue "Metals, Glass, and Plastic" recycling decal; Labeled on both sides and on the lid with the words RECYCLING: CANS in letters at least four inches high.

Corrugated Cardboard - Owners must securely tie corrugated cardboard in bundles no higher than 18 inches high.  Corrugated cardboard can also be placed in bags or containers only if the cardboard is first broken down into pieces no larger that 9 by 11 inches.

Mixed Paper - White or colored paper, glossy paper, envelopes, mail, wrapping paper, smooth cardboard, paper bags, paper/cardboard egg cartons, and produce trays, soft-covered books, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, and telephone books. Owners must place these recyclables in clear plastic recycling bags capable of holding from 13 to 55 gallons or in containers. The containers must be 18 and 32 gallons; Covered with a lid; Any color with a green "Mixed Paper" recycling decal; Labeled on both sides and on the lid with the words "RECYCLING: MIXED PAPER" in lettering at least four inches high.

Landlords must provide a reasonable accessible storage area for the pre-collection, separation, and storage of materials that are required to be separated from regular trash.

It is the responsibility of the landlord to provide recycling containers.  The signs must be posted in the storage area informing tenants of their recycling obligations.

Landlords can call the new city information number, 311, for free labeling decals and preprinted signs.  For more information go to the DOS's web site at www.nyc.gov/html/dos. Click on "Recycling" and then on "Residential Info."

If a landlord does not comply with the recycling regulations, the DOS can issue a violation that carries a penalty of $25 to $100.