NYC Recycling, Composting, and Zero Waste Programs

Question 1

NYC's mandatory recycling law requires residents to separate which materials from regular refuse for recycling collection?

Accepted Answer

Metal, glass, plastic bottles, and paper/cardboard

Answer

Only newspapers

Answer

Food waste only

Answer

Electronics only

Question 2

In NYC, what color bag or bin is used for paper and cardboard recycling in the city's dual-stream system?

Accepted Answer

Blue bag or blue bin

Answer

Green bag

Answer

Red container

Answer

Yellow bag

Question 3

Which category of material was TEMPORARILY suspended from NYC's recycling program in 2020 due to budget cuts, and later reinstated?

Accepted Answer

Glass

Answer

Metal cans

Answer

Plastic bottles

Answer

Cardboard

Question 4

What is the primary goal of NYC's NYC Organics Collection program?

Accepted Answer

To divert food scraps and organic material from landfills to composting or anaerobic digestion

Answer

To reduce the size of the DSNY workforce

Answer

To generate electricity from yard waste only

Answer

To replace all landfill use with ocean disposal

Question 5

Under NYC's 'Zero Waste' initiative, what is the city's long-term target for waste sent to landfills?

Accepted Answer

Zero waste to landfill by 2030

Answer

50% reduction by 2030

Answer

25% reduction by 2040

Answer

Complete elimination of all landfill use by 2025

Question 6

What NYC program allows residents to drop off hard-to-recycle items like textiles, small appliances, and medications at specific locations?

Accepted Answer

NYC SAFE (Solvents, Automotive, Flammables, Electronics) Disposal Events and NYC RetailRecycling

Answer

DSNY special collection hotline

Answer

NYC Parks recycling bins only

Answer

Regular curbside collection accepts all items