TagYourCan is a project of Primo Cans, the Brooklyn shop that prints address labels for NYC bins. Not a government site.
TagYourCan Bin compliance for NYC buildings

Straight answers

The questions every building asks

Short answers first, official sources at the bottom.

Checked against NYC & DSNY sources · Last checked November 5, 2026

Who gets the fine - the owner or the tenant?

The owner. Trash-container summonses are written to the property owner, and the schedule climbs: $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second, $200 for each one after. A tenant's wrong bin becomes the owner's ticket.

Does my building have to buy official NYC Bins?

If it has 1 to 9 residential units, yes - trash must go in official NYC Bins as of June 1, 2026, with full enforcement since September 8, 2026. Recycling and compost don't need the official bin, but they do need sturdy bins with secure lids, 55 gallons or less.

Which bins legally have to be labeled?

Recycling bins must be clearly labeled, full stop, and compost bins must be properly labeled with a secure lid. Official NYC Bins come with a space for the address - the city includes it "for easy identification." And in buildings with 4 or more units, DSNY expects bins and waste storage areas to be clearly identified and labeled. In practice: tag everything.

A bin went missing. Now what?

For a stolen official NYC Bin: file a police report and buy a replacement - DSNY does not replace stolen bins. Most "thefts" are really mix-ups: identical bins on a shared curb, and the neighbor's super grabbed the wrong one. An address tag makes yours obviously yours.

What should the tag actually say?

The address big - that's what gets a wandering bin home. Then use the label's optional extra line for the stream ("RECYCLING") or, if the building runs several bins per stream, a number ("BIN 2 OF 3") so a wanderer can be matched back to the set. The bulk labeling guide walks through it.

Can't the super just use a paint marker?

He can, and he'll re-do it all year. Bins live outdoors through rain, sun and road salt, and get handled hard on pickup night. Printed vinyl tags are designed to last 5+ years outdoors. Write once.

How do I order for the whole building?

Count bins per stream, decide what the extra line says on each, and order once from Primo Cans. Details on the get labels page.

Sources: NYC 311, Official NYC Bin - requirement, fines, address space, stolen-bin policy (portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-01303) · DSNY, Collection Laws for Residents - fine schedule, recycling-bin labeling (nyc.gov/site/dsny/collection/residents/collection-laws-residents.page) · DSNY, Recycling and Curbside Composting - lidded bins 55 gallons or less (nyc.gov/site/dsny/collection/residents/recycling.page, nyc.gov/curbsidecomposting) · DSNY, Building Waste Management Guidelines (nyc.gov/site/dsny/resources/building-management/building-waste-management-guidelines.page)