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

NYC law mandates separation of metal, glass, plastic bottles, and paper/cardboard as the core residential recyclables.

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

Blue bags and blue bins designate paper and cardboard in NYC's dual-stream recycling system.

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

Glass recycling was suspended in NYC in 2020 as a budget measure but was later reinstated as market conditions and funding improved.

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

The organics program diverts food waste from expensive landfill disposal to composting or energy-generating anaerobic digestion.

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

NYC's Zero Waste goal aims to send nothing to landfills or incinerators by 2030 through aggressive reduction, reuse, and recycling.

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