Visitors, business owners, and residents in New York City will soon notice more designated recycling bins on city streets and public spaces in the coming weeks and months. City administrators have committed to doubling the number of public recycling bins and increased the number of locations for placement of bins.

The city is currently in the process of placing over one thousand three hundred brand new outdoor recycling containers. The effort is an initiative through the Department of Sanitation for New York City  with a goal of increasing the city’s recycling rate to thirty percent. The new deployment of bins will raise the number of public recycling bins to two thousand eight hundred with increased placement of recycling containers in public parks, high traffic sidewalks, sports and recreation venues, community recreational building and business districts throughout the municipality.

The increase in recycling comes after a long term analysis that much of the trash that many New Yorkers throw into garbage cans is recyclable: newspapers, plastic bottles, paper goods and cans. These items can be easily recycled but once co-mingled with other forms of garbage become contaminated and are no longer ideal for recycling.

The new recycling containers are visually appealing and designed for easy access. All new containers are silver with either a green top to indicate paper recycling or a blue top to indicate glass, plastic, metal, or waxed cartons.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: If you want your employees, customers, or residents to reduce their waste and improve their recycling, having more designated containers in high use or well traveled areas is essential. If you’re struggling to improve your recycling, changing the placement of containers, or adding few more might help you collect more and save more!