Everything the city expects from your building's bins, line by line

The rule

Containers: Residential buildings with 1 to 9 units must set out trash in official NYC Bins. This took effect June 1, 2026. Recycling and compost go out in sturdy bins with secure lids, 55 gallons or less.

The deadline: The official-bin requirement began June 1, 2026. DSNY issued warnings first; full enforcement began September 8, 2026.

Enforcement: Trash-container summonses go to the property owner: $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second, and $200 for each one after.

What you actually need to do

1. Confirm every bin is the right bin. Trash at a 1-9 unit building goes in the official NYC Bin. Recycling and compost each need their own lidded bin, 55 gallons or less. Walk the property once and count.
2. Write the address on every official bin. Each NYC Bin has a space for the address - the city includes it, in its words, "for easy identification." A printed tag holds up where marker fades.
3. Label the recycling and compost bins. DSNY requires recycling bins to be clearly labeled. Same standard for compost: a lidded bin, plainly marked.
4. Mark the storage area (4+ units). In buildings with four or more units, waste storage areas and the bins in them must be clearly identified and labeled. Post signage that meets DSNY's labeling standards, and tag each bin.
5. Have a plan for missing bins. If an official bin is stolen, file a police report and replace it - DSNY does not replace stolen bins. A tagged bin with your address is far more likely to wander back.

Having trouble?

Tenants mix the streams? Labels that say what goes in each bin, not just the address, cut the sorting errors that lead to recycling violations.

Bins keep disappearing? An address tag won't stop a determined thief, but it ends accidental pickup by the neighbor's super, which is most of the problem.

Not sure how many bins you need? Count one trash bin per pickup's worth of bags, plus one each for recycling and compost, then tag the set as a group ("Bin 1 of 3") so a stray is easy to spot.

Get the building tagged

One order from Primo Cans covers every bin in the building - the address big, plus an optional extra line for a unit, stream or bin number. Get labels.

Sources: NYC 311, Official NYC Bin requirement and enforcement (portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01303) · DSNY, NYC Bin FAQ (nyc.gov/site/dsny/collection/containerization/nyc-bin-faq.page) · DSNY, Collection Laws for Residents - fine schedule and recycling-bin labeling (nyc.gov/site/dsny/collection/residents/collection-laws-residents.page) · DSNY, Recycling - labeled bins 55 gallons or less (nyc.gov/site/dsny/collection/residents/recycling.page) · Curbside Composting - labeled bins (nyc.gov/curbsidecomposting) · DSNY, Building Waste Management Guidelines - 4+ unit labeling duties (nyc.gov/site/dsny/resources/building-management/building-waste-management-guidelines.page)