NYCWasteLe$$: Recycling at Street Events

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	Recycling at Street Events in New York City All street events, including block parties and street fairs, are required to recycle. Non-compliance with recycling regulations is punishable by fines starting at $25 and increasing to $500 for repeat violations. How to recycle contact DSNY first recycling collection options what to recycle set up recycling at your event recycling bins and signage violations for more information First, contact the Department of Sanitation At least three weeks prior to the street event, street event sponsors must contact the Department of Sanitation’s local District Superintendent (or designated officer) within the Community Board where the street event will take place to discuss when and where to place refuse and recyclable materials for collection, as well as street cleaning procedures. Find information for your local District Superintendent by contacting the DSNY Office of Special Events at (646) 885-4867 or (646) 885-4868. back to top Recycling collection options Street event sponsors have several recycling collection options: Ask the District Superintendent to have the Sanitation Department pick up recyclables each night of the event. (Sponsors will be charged for this service if the Department incurs additional personnel and/or equipment costs.) OR: Set recyclables out for Sanitation Department collection on the neighborhood’s regular Recycling Day. (Sponsors may have to store recyclables off the street until collection.) Place recyclables at the designated location(s) the night before the Recycling Day. To find out the Recycling Day use the collection schedule feature on the Sanitation website, or call 311. OR: Bring recyclables to a local Sanitation Department facility; this requires prior approval from the District Superintendent. OR: Hire a licensed private carter or private recycler to pick up and recycle the materials. The District Superintendent must approve collection time and location. back to top What to recycle What materials must be recycled at your event will depend on the type of collection service you arrange: If your garbage is collected by the NYC Department of Sanitation, follow the requirements for New York City residents and institutions. If your garbage is collected by a private carter, follow the commercial recycling regulations. back to top Set up recycling at your event PRIOR TO THE STREET EVENT Label containers and lids for recycling Line all recycling containers with clear bags Place recycling containers next to each litter basket and waste container Review recycling requirements with exhibitors and vendors Distribute clear bags and twine to exhibitors and vendors DURING THE STREET EVENT Remind exhibitors and vendors what to recycle and where to place full bags Regularly monitor recycling receptacles throughout the event area in order to prevent overflow and contamination of recycling containers Remove items not acceptable for recycling, when possible Replace clear bags before they are full; tie closed and bring to designated collection locations Clean up litter near containers AT THE CLOSE OF THE STREET EVENT Remind exhibitors and vendors where to place bags of recyclables for collection OR pick up these materials from vendors and exhibitors and bring to designated collection locations Remove clear bags from public recycling containers; tie closed and bring to designated collection locations Remove recycling and litter containers from the street back to top Recycling bins and signage The Department of Sanitation does not provide recycling or garbage bins or bags. Any container can be used for recycling so long as it is properly labeled. See where to buy recycling bins; some of these vendors have containers that are particularly suited for outdoor use. Clearly label recycling containers and lids to indicate what to recycle. Label containers on both sides and the lid with decals, or with paint or permanent marker in letters at least 4" high: RECYCLING: MIXED PAPER (green decal) RECYCLING: BOTTLES, CANS & FOIL (blue decal) If DSNY is collecting your recyclables, you may order free recycling decals using the literature/decal request form on the Sanitation website. To order bulk quantities (more than 50), use the bulk quantity form. Otherwise, ask about decals and signage while procuring recycling bins; find out if your carter provides decals and signs; or create your own signage. back to top Violations Both sponsors and vendors can receive Notices of Violation for failure to source separate recyclables and failure to provide labeled recycling containers. The following infractions could result in a Notice of Violation issued to sponsors and vendors of street events: Failure to source separate designated recyclables at events where food/beverages are sold. Failure to source separate designated recyclables at non-food/beverage events No recycling containers or containers not labeled at events. Non-compliance with recycling regulations is punishable by fines starting at $25 and increasing to $500 for repeated violations. back to top For more information The Mayor's Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO) issues permits for street fairs, festivals, block parties, green markets, commercial/promotional events, and other events on the City's streets and sidewalks. Questions about recycling at New York City street events should be directed to: NYC Department of Sanitation Office of Special Events 125 Worth Street, Room 807 New York, NY 10013 (646) 885-4867 or (646) 885-4868 back to top

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