New York Statewide Rule

New York Mandatory Source Separation Recycling Law

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across New York (2026)

Key Facts

Mandate statute: ECL Section 27-0717
Bottle deposit: 5 cents under Returnable Container Act
E-waste landfill: Banned statewide
Local opt-out: Not permitted

Last verified: September 5, 2026Source: New York State Senate

Summary

New York's Solid Waste Management Act requires every municipality to adopt source separation recycling rules and bans certain recyclables from disposal statewide.

2. a. Pursuant to the authority of this section, no later than September first, nineteen hundred ninety-two, a municipality shall adopt such a local law or ordinance to require that solid waste which has been left for collection or which is delivered by the generator of such waste to a solid waste management facility, shall be separated into recyclable, reuseable or other components for which economic markets for alternate uses exist. For purposes of this section, the term "economic markets" refers to instances in which the full avoided costs of proper collection, transportation and disposal of source separated materials are equal to or greater than the cost of collection, transportation and sale of said material less the amount received from the sale of said material.

Source: New York State SenateView official code

Full Breakdown

Environmental Conservation Law Section 27-0717 directs every municipality in New York to adopt a local recycling law requiring residents and businesses to separate designated recyclables. The state Returnable Container Act mandates deposit-redemption for beverage bottles, and electronic waste, mercury thermostats, and rechargeable batteries are banned from landfill disposal under separate ECL provisions. While localities choose which materials to collect locally, they cannot opt out of having a recycling program at all.

Violations & Penalties

Civil penalties under ECL Section 71-2727 reach $2,500 for first offenses and $7,500 for repeats. Commercial generators face additional administrative penalties for landfilling banned items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every NY city have to recycle?

Yes. ECL 27-0717 requires every municipality to adopt a source separation law. The specific list of materials varies locally, but having no recycling program at all is not legally permitted.

Can I throw old electronics in the trash?

No. Under the NY Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act, computers, TVs, and similar devices cannot be disposed in household trash. Manufacturers offer free take-back programs statewide.

Sources

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