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What Are New York City’s Commercial Waste Zones?
New York City’s Commercial Waste Zones program was created under Local Law 199 to improve how commercial waste and recycling are collected across the five boroughs. The city is being divided into 20 zones, with a limited number of approved haulers authorized to service businesses within each area. This structure is intended to reduce truck traffic, improve safety, and support sustainability goals.
As the program continues to roll out, businesses will need to work with an authorized provider in their designated zone for waste and recycling collection. At Metropolitan Paper Recycling, we are committed to helping customers understand these requirements and stay prepared for the transition while continuing to provide dependable service and support.
What Does This Mean for Our Customers?
For our New York City customers, this means there may be new zone-based service requirements depending on your business location and the city’s rollout schedule. Metropolitan Paper Recycling is here to help make that process simple by providing guidance, answering questions, and helping your business stay compliant with the latest Commercial Waste Zones requirements.
Get in touch with Metropolitan Paper Recycling today for expert help navigating NYC’s Commercial Waste Zones program.
To find your Commercial Waste Zone please click the link below:
Recyclable Materials Discount & Organic Waste Discount
Recyclable Materials Discount | Organic Waste Discount |
30% 1 | 10% |
Maximum Rate Schedule: Curbside Service
Zone | Maximum Fixed Monthly Charge Based on Frequency of Collections | Maximum fixed monthly charge based on Frequency of Collections | Maximum Weight/ Volume Based Charge | ||||||
7 Day Overnight | 1 Day Overnight | 2 Days Overnight | 3 Days Overnight | 4 Days Overnight | 5 Days Overnight | 6 Days Overnight | 7 Days Overnight | Per 100 lbs Refuse | Per CY Refuse |
Brooklyn Southwest | $53.88 | $107.77 | $161.65 | $215.53 | $269.42 | $323.30 | $416.95 | $8.71 | $13.52 |
Brooklyn South | $53.88 | $107.77 | $161.65 | $215.53 | $269.42 | $323.30 | $416.95 | $8.71 | $13.52 |
Maximum Rate Schedule: Containerized Service
Zone | Maximum Service Charge Per Pull | Maximum fixed monthly charge based on Frequency of Collections | |||||||
7 Day Overnight | Open-Top Container 10-19 CY | Open-Top Container 20-29 CY | Open-Top Container 30-39 CY | Open-Top Container 40+ CY | Compactor 10-19 CY | Compactor 20-29 CY | Compactor 30-39 CY | Compactor40+ CY | |
Brooklyn Southwest | $822.96 | $1,234.44 | $1,645.92 | $2,160.27 | $1,285.88 | $2,160.27 | $3,188.97 | $3,703.32 | |
Brooklyn South | $822.96 | $1,234.44 | $1,645.92 | $2,160.27 | $1,285.88 | $2,160.27 | $3,188.97 | $3,703.32 | |
Zone | Maximum Monthly Rental Charge | Maximum fixed monthly charge based on Frequency of Collections | |||||||
7 Day Overnight | Open-Top Container 10-19 CY | Open-Top Container 20-29 CY | Open-Top Container 30-39 CY | Open-Top Container 40+ CY | Compactor 10-19 CY | Compactor 20-29 CY | Compactor 30-39 CY | Compactor40+ CY | |
Brooklyn Southwest | $205.74 | $205.74 | $205.74 | 205.74 | $385.76 | $385.76 | $385.76 | $385.76 | |
Brooklyn South | $205.74 | $205.74 | 205.74 | $205.74 | 385.76 | $385.76 | $385.76 | 385.76 | |
Maximum Rates Schedule: Additional Fees
Maximum Rates Schedule: Additional Fees | Maximum Rates Schedule: Additional Fees | |
Type of Service | Additional Information | |
Premium Pickup Services | Additional % Fee | |
Pickup Outside of Service Hours | 20.0% | Requested pick-up outside of standard service hours |
Pickup within 2 Hours | 20.0% | Requested pick-up time within a window of less than two hours where a pick-up window is specified in the agreement |
Cleaning | Charge per Incident | |
Container/Compactor Cleaning | $450.00 | Cost of cleaning a container or compactor |
Equipment | Charge per Incident | |
Deliver, Replace, or Remove Carts / Containers | $150.00 | Cost of delivering, replacing, or removing a cart or container for a customer |
Rental of Equipment | $500.00 | Cost of renting equipment other than containers, compactors or dumpsters. If needed, append up to one page on equipment types. |
Additional Service | Charge per Incident | |
Return Rate if Carter Must Return to Provide Service | $350.00 | Cost of returning to a location for service based on a customer created condition, after following all applicable procedures set forth in RCNY section 20-24 |
Entry Required for Collection Service | $200.00 | Cost of collection service that requires entry inside the building, other than service in and out of a loading dock |
Pickup Delays | $200.00 | Cost of driver waiting due to a customer created delay in excess of 15 minutes, documented with GPS technology |
Improper Setout Fees | Charge per Incident | |
Container Overfill | $225.00 | Fee for Cart/Bin/Container overfill. Must be documented following all applicable procedures set forth in RCNY section 20-24 |
Recyclable Materials / Source Separated Organic Waste | $500.00 | Designated recyclable materials or source separated organic waste with contamination of at least 10 percent, after following all applicable procedures set forth in RCNY section 20-24 |
Payment Fees | Charge per Incident | |
Late Payment Fee | $25.00 | Monthly fee for late payment(s) |
Insufficient Funds Fee | $30.00 | Fee for insufficient funds including but not limited to a bounced check or an electronic transfer that fails due to insufficient funds in the customer’s account |
Credit Card Payment | 3.0% | Payment made by credit card if the following are met: (A) Must not exceed 3% of the amount charged; and (B) The awardee must offer an alternate form of electronic payment, such as direct bank to bank transfer, with no added fee for the customer |
Maximum Early Termination Fee:
One-month service fee for every one year left on the contract
Customer FAQ
I’ve never signed a contract for waste & recycling collection in the past, do I really have to start now?
By law, all commercial establishments must enter into a written service agreement with a zone awardee. If you fail to enter a written service agreement, DSNY will enter you into an agreement with an awarded hauler at the maximum rates permissible. Once assigned, you will be responsible for all charges for services rendered.
Do all businesses have to comply with these rules, even if we produce very little waste?
All NYC businesses are required by law to recycle metal, glass, plastic, mixed paper and cardboard. In addition, certain businesses are required to separate organics. Under the CWZ program, businesses must arrange to have their trash, recycling, and organics (if applicable) collected by a licensed, private hauler.
What is a zone transition (launch) period?
DSNY will announce zone-specific timelines in which CWZ requirements will go into effect. The launch of CWZ will begin with an “Implementation Start Date,” and end with the “Final Implementation Date,” and “Zone Go-Live Date.” Between the “Implementation Start Date” & “Final Implementation Date” (transition period), all businesses will be required to enter a service agreement with an authorized hauler. Implementation Start Date: The first date that customers may sign a CWZ agreement with an authorized hauler.
Final Implementation Date: The final date by which customers must have entered a CWZ agreement with an authorized hauler. Zone Go-Live Date: The official first night in which only authorized CWZ haulers may provide service to customers (the day following the Final Implementation Date)
What is the timeline for future zone roll-outs?
Implementation Timeline and Cohorts
|
Phase
|
Zones
|
|
1
|
Queens Central
Fully implemented 1/3/25 |
|
2
|
Bronx East, Bronx West
Customer sign-up period began on 10/1/2025, fully implemented 11/30/2025 |
|
3
|
Brooklyn South, Queens Northeast
Customer sign-up period to begin 1/1/2026, fully implemented 2/28/2026 |
|
4
|
Lower Manhattan, Queens West
|
|
5
|
Midtown South, Staten Island
|
|
Phase
|
Zones
|
|
6
|
Brooklyn North, Midtown North
|
|
7
|
Brooklyn East, Manhattan Southwest
|
|
8
|
Manhattan Southeast, Manhattan West
|
|
9
|
Queens Southeast, Brooklyn West
|
|
10
|
Brooklyn Southwest, Manhattan
Northeast, Upper Manhattan Citywide implementation complete by 12/31/27 |
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