NYC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NYC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Bulk items such as furniture may be placed at the curb for NYC collection on which day? → The night before scheduled bulk collection day
2. What personal protective equipment must DSNY workers wear during nighttime collection operations? → High-visibility (reflective) safety vests
3. Under NYC rules, within how many hours after a snowstorm ends must property owners clear sidewalks? → 6 hours
4. Under NYC regulations, what must a sanitation worker do if a resident's recyclables are contaminated with food waste? → Leave them and affix a rejection notice
5. What is the correct procedure when a sanitation worker encounters a hypodermic needle in a waste container? → Use tongs or a mechanical device and report it as sharps waste
6. What does the acronym SDS stand for in the context of hazardous materials? → Safety Data Sheet
7. Which of the following items is classified as household hazardous waste (HHW) in NYC? → Motor oil
8. What is the maximum penalty for illegal dumping of commercial waste in NYC? → $10,000 or more
9. According to DSNY safety rules, how should a worker position themselves when a collection truck is backing up? → Stand at a safe distance to the side, clear of the truck's path
10. How are DSNY snow routes different from regular garbage collection routes? → Snow routes prioritize major arterials and are pre-mapped independently of garbage routes
11. What is the NYC DSNY policy regarding collection of refuse bags placed out before the legal set-out time? → Do not collect early set-out bags — note the violation for potential enforcement action
12. How should DSNY workers position themselves relative to traffic when loading garbage from the curb? → Position the truck as a barrier between themselves and oncoming traffic
13. What type of commercial driver's license (CDL) is required to operate a standard DSNY collection truck in New York? → Class B CDL
14. What is the probationary period for newly appointed NYC Sanitation Workers? → 1 year
15. In NYC, which type of waste is collected by DSNY in brown bins or separate organic pickup programs? → Food scraps and yard waste (organics)
16. What does NYC's 'organics diversion rate' measure? → The proportion of organic waste diverted from landfills via composting or biogas
17. What does a blue quadrant rating of '4' on an NFPA 704 diamond indicate? → Deadly health hazard
18. NYC residents who generate large amounts of hazardous waste through home-based businesses are classified as what type of hazardous waste generator? → Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG)
19. Which NYC DSNY regulation governs how collection workers should handle asbestos-containing materials found in waste? → Leave it and notify the supervisor — asbestos requires special handling and disposal
20. Which NYC law requires restaurants and food establishments to participate in grease trap maintenance and report records to the city? → NYC Health Code §81.09 and DEP regulations
21. Which of the following statements has proper punctuation? → The hamburgers are almost ready; can you bring the ketchup from the refrigerator?
22. NYC's organic waste law mandates that businesses generating above what threshold must use organics collection services? → 1 ton of organic waste per week
23. What personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory for DSNY sanitation workers during collection? → High-visibility vest and safety gloves
24. What does the 'spotter' role entail during a DSNY collection truck backing maneuver? → Directing pedestrians away from the truck's path
25. What does DSNY's Office of Management and Budget primarily oversee? → Budget allocation and financial management for the department
26. Which type of personal protective equipment (PPE) is MOST critical for NYC sanitation workers when handling sharp or unknown waste? → Heavy-duty puncture-resistant gloves
27. Under NYC law, who is legally responsible for keeping the sidewalk and curb area adjacent to their property free of litter? → The property owner or occupant
28. Which condition requires a DSNY worker to immediately stop operating a collection truck? → Brake warning light illuminates while driving
29. What is the correct procedure for fueling a DSNY collection truck at a district facility? → Log the vehicle ID, mileage, and fuel quantity as required by fleet management records
30. During a declared NYC Sanitation Emergency, which authority can temporarily suspend normal collection rules and schedules? → The DSNY Commissioner with mayoral authorization