Putnam County, NY Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Section 205-11B sets the county's minimum standards for what has to come out of the regular trash stream. Effective January 1, 1992, everyone in control of any premises in the county had to begin separating newspaper, corrugated paperboard, glass containers, plastic containers, aluminum and bimetal beverage containers, and steel food containers. Effective January 1, 2000, the list expanded to also require separating magazines, junk mail, office paper, and brown kraft paper such as grocery bags. The Director of the Department of Environmental Health can add further categories by rule.

Recyclable materials may be commingled in a single container if the town or village collection plan allows it, but they must always stay separated from ordinary solid waste from the point of collection through delivery to a facility permitted to process and market recyclables. Chapter 205's Article II also layers on separate, specific handling rules for other waste streams referenced alongside this list, including household hazardous waste, lead-acid batteries, used motor oil, tires, and appliances or scrap metal, each with its own disposal method spelled out in § 205-14.