Beginning April 1, glass will be added to New York City’s residential recyclables collection program.
Along with the reintroduction of glass, New York City’s Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty announced the resumption of weekly recycling collection throughout the five boroughs.
“I am pleased that glass recycling and weekly recycling collection are returning April 1st. Sanitation is ready to assist New Yorkers with information on how they can comply with the new recycling rules. I feel that New Yorkers will continue to embrace the recycling program as they have in the past, and with a much better recycling processing plan than before the suspension in July 2002,” said Doherty.
Glass bottles and jars can be placed in clear plastic bags or blue labeled containers along with aluminum foil, metal cans, plastic bottles and jugs, beverage cartons and juice boxes. Mixed paper and cardboard should continue to be placed in clear plastic bags or green labeled containers. Weekly collection of all the designated recyclables will also begin April 1st.
New York City residents will be given a 60-day moratorium from receiving summonses for not recycling glass bottles, jugs, and jars only. Sanitation will continue to issue summonses for mixing metal, plastic, and mixed paper with household refuse or improperly recycling the materials.
Glass and plastic were suspended in July 2002 because of severe budget cutbacks. Plastic recycling returned in July 2003, but recycling collection was moved to alternate weeks.