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NYC has an extensive recycling program, and there are many ways to recycle additional materials. Here are just a few resources. Please let us know of any ideas you have to add, and feel free to contact us for more information! Check out www.NYC.gov/nycwasteless for a comprehensive collection of recycling information and resources.
Batteries
Stores that sell rechargeable batteries must take them back for recycling; call 311 for more information on this new law. Single Use Alkaline Batteries can be recycled at 3R Living in Brooklyn, Interstate All Batteries Center in Astoria, Whole Foods and at the NYC Department of Sanitation’s Special Waste Drop-Off Site in your borough.
Bicycles
Tired of your old bicycle? Visit Recycle a Bicycle and make some kid’s day, or donate it to Times UP!.
Building Materials
Build it Green! and Rebuilders Source reuse old kitchens, HQ appliances, doors, and unused construction materials.
Cell Phones
Any store that sells cell phones in New York State has to take them back. You can also recycle your old phone for a cause through Collective Good, which will refurbish it for reuse if possible.
Compost
Why let your food scraps go to waste? Visit your local community garden and let them turn it into rich compost to grow flowers, vegetables and trees. Find out where at www.nyccompost.org or drop it off at the Union Square Greenmarket with the Lower East Side Ecology Center or at the Ft. Greene Greenmarket for composting at local community gardens.
Clothing and Textiles
These materials make up 5.7% of the city’s waste, but are 100% recyclable. CENYC sponsors weekly textile collections at Union Square Greenmarket (Mondays & Saturdays 8-6), 97th Street Greenmarket (Fridays 8-2), Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket (Saturdays 8-4) and Tompkins Square Greenmarket (Saturdays 8-4). Items in wearable condition can also find a new home through Freecycle™ New York City or local charities. Contact Wearable Collections for information on setting up a collection in your very own apartment building!Computers and Electronics
Although they are a small portion of the waste stream by volume, computers and electronics contribute about 70% of the toxicity to landfills.
Visit the Events page to learn about free e-waste collections that are held around the city.
Recycle your computer equipment by delivering it to any Goodwill Industries store in New York City. You can also recycle your electronics at Per Scholas, for a small fee. Check out Take It Back NYC for more information on retailer recycling programs.
Learn about the transition to digital TV.
Food
Food that is still edible need not go to waste. Find a soup kitchen or food pantry near you using this handy interactive map from the NYC Coalition Against Hunger. Large volumes of canned food can be donated through the Food Bank for NYC. Contact City Harvest for information on donating large amounts of fresh, perishable and prepared foods.
Furniture
Goodwill Industries, The Salvation Army, St. Vincent DePaul, Housing Works, Everything Goes, Furnish-a-Future and other non-profit organizations provide good homes for old furniture.
Ink Cartridges
Refilling ink cartridges reduces the amount of plastics that goes into the landfill. See Fine Star Imaging, Cartridge World, and Staples. Prepaid return labels or envelopes are available on all brands of toner and ink cartridges so you can return them for free recycling.
Plastic Bags and Plastic Film
They make up 7.5% of our waste, and they never degrade. The key is to reduce your use of plastic bags. If you need to recycle your “stash” you can do so at many stores around the city, thanks to a new local law that requires recycling of plastic film such as shopping bags, dry cleaning bags and newspaper bags.
Tubs, cups and other plastics
Though not recyclable in NYC's curbside recycling program, margarine tubs, yogurt cups and some other plastics can be recycled at the Park Slope Food Coop. You can also return #5 plastics--including Brita pitcher filters--to Preserve's Gimme 5 program via mail or drop off at participating Whole Foods markets.Shoe Repair and Recycling
Don’t throw them out, resole them. An artifact of the past in many cities; the shoe repair business in New York City is thriving. These shops offer great value by extending the life of good shoes. If your running shoes are worn completely, you can recycle them through the Reuse-a-Shoe program, which makes them into athletic surfaces. You can drop off any brand of rubber-soled shoes at Niketown, 6 East 57th Street (212.891.6453) or mail them to the Nike Recycling Center, c/o Reuse-A-Shoe, 26755 SW 95th Ave., Wilsonville, OR 97070.
Reduce Unwanted Mail
The Direct Mail Marketing Association shows you how to remove your name from mailing lists and Catalog Choice allows you to remove your name from catalog mailing lists.
The Consumer Credit Industry Reporting website to opt out of offers for credit cards and insuance: https://www.optoutprescreen.com