Southampton, NY Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Separated materials
- Newspaper, cardboard, glass, metal, cans, plastics
- Governing state law
- GML § 120-aa Source Separation/Recycling Law
- Who must separate
- Residents, haulers, commercial generators
- New complexes
- Must supply labeled in-unit bins
- First-offense fine
- Up to $500
Summary
In the Town of Southampton outside the villages, every generator of solid waste must separate newspaper, cardboard, glass, metal, paper, plastics, cans and yard waste from the trash under § 205-4(CC), and § 205-5(A) makes source separation mandatory for residents and haulers under New York's Source Separation/Recycling Law.
All generators of solid waste located within the Town of Southampton which leave such waste for collection or which deliver such waste to a solid waste facility shall separate newspaper, vegetative yard waste, white goods, cans, cardboard, glass, metal, paper and plastics from the solid waste stream at the point of waste generation. ... In accordance with New York State Source Separation/Recycling Law (GML § 120-aa), every owner or occupier of any residence and/or any refuse hauler/carter servicing these residences must source separate and segregate recyclable or reusable materials from rubbish.
Full Breakdown
Southampton's source-separation duty runs on two tracks in Chapter 205. Section 205-4(CC) requires every generator of solid waste in the Town, whether leaving waste out for collection or delivering it to a facility, to separate newspaper, vegetative yard waste, white goods, cans, cardboard, glass, metal, paper and plastics from the general waste stream at the point it is generated. Section 205-5(A) layers the New York State Source Separation/Recycling Law, General Municipal Law § 120-aa, onto every residence: the owner or occupier and any refuse hauler/carter servicing that residence must source separate and segregate recyclable or reusable materials from rubbish.
The definitions in § 205-2 spell out what qualifies: cans mean aluminum, tin or steel food and beverage containers; cardboard excludes wax-coated or soiled material; glass means only clear, green or brown containers, not crystal, ceramics or window glass; and plastics mean rinsed food, beverage or household containers, not caps, appliances or Styrofoam. Commercial and institutional properties face a parallel duty under § 205-6(B) to separate hazardous waste, recyclables, yard waste and construction/demolition debris, and new residential, hotel and rental complexes must supply labeled in-unit recycling containers. Permitted haulers/carters must comply with whatever recyclables list the Town Board posts on its website and in the local newspaper (§ 205-7(D)(1)).
Violations & Fines
Failing to source-separate recyclables from trash violates Chapter 205 and is punishable under § 205-12(E): up to $500 for a first offense, $500 to $1,000 for a second offense within five years, and $1,500 or more for a third, with up to six months in jail each time and every continuing day treated as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is recycling mandatory in the Town of Southampton?
What materials must be recycled separately in Southampton?
Do businesses in Southampton have separate recycling rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Southampton
New York rules heatmap·Compare Southampton to another location·View the New York trash & recycling overview
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Recycling Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Suffolk County handle recycling rules.