Public concern for plastic pollution is high and people often question what difference they can make. Plastic Free July is a global social movement turning the tide on plastic waste, one choice at a time, according to United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.
The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) provides recycling guidelines to help residents properly dispose of plastic and other materials:
- Rigid plastics can be recycled – including food and drink containers, caps, lids, cups, bowls, and consumer packaging
- Rinse containers first – empty, rinsed containers are easier to process and less attractive to pests
- Place in clear bags (13-55 gallons) or blue-labeled recycling bins with secure lids
- Mix with metal and glass but never with paper recyclables
- Cannot recycle soft plastics – bags, bubble wrap, candy wrappers, and foam products go in trash
- Set out after 6 PM in bins or after 8 PM in bags on collection day
Learn more about Metal, Glass, Plastic, and Carton’s recycling guidelines, collection schedules, and NYC’s recycling rules.
New York State’s Bottle Bill and Returnable Container Act puts money in your pocket for returning beverage containers. When you buy covered beverages like soda, beer, water, or wine coolers, you pay an extra 5-cent deposit that you get back when you return the empty container. This system has achieved 70-80% redemption rates and reduced beverage container litter by 75% since it began. Here’s how to get your money back:
- Earn 5 cents per container – bring empty glass, metal, or plastic beverage containers under one gallon to any store that sells that same brand and size
- Look for NY refund labels – containers must display “NY 5¢” or “New York 5 cents” to be eligible
- Limits – you can return up to 240 containers per visit (some smaller stores limit to 72 but must provide nearby redemption center info)
- Clean containers – make sure containers are empty and in reasonably good condition
For complete information, visit the official website for New York State Returnable Container Act.
