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NYC Recycle Bins at 72nd Street

What To Do With Hard-To-Recycle Items



 
Information provided by Upper West Side Recycling Center, Inc. If you don’t know whether an item is accepted by the Department of Sanitation (dsny) contact them (see below); wHEN  phone numbers ARE GIVEN, please call the organizations Before bringing or sending  materials to them .

General Information

Batteries & Lighting (see also Household Hazardous Waste)
Batteries: All rechargeable batteries must be recycled; you can bring them back to most stores that sell them. Cover contacts of small flashlight-type batteries (D, C, AA, etc) with electrical tape before recycling. Lead-acid car batteries  alsomust be accepted by the retailers that sell them.
Fluorescent Bulbs: Businesses must recycle fluorescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs, which should be bagged, are called CFLs below:

  • Beacon Hardware, 371 Amsterdam Ave. (78-79th Sts.); (212) 787-1090. Accepts CFLs if you buy an equal quantity of new ones.
  • Best Buy Stores, www.bestbuy.com. Uptown locations: 517 E. 117th Street (East River Plaza), 646-672-9959; 1280 Lexington Ave. (86th), (917) 492-9959. Accepts flashlight-type batteries.
  • Build It Green!NYC, 3-17 26th Avenue, Astoria, Queens; (718) 777-0132; www.bignyc.org. Accepts bagged fluorescent light bulbs and ballasts.
  • www.call2recycle.org. Lists stores that take rechargeable batteriesin or near your zip code.
  • Dept. of Sanitation, 605 W. 30th Street; call 311; www.nyc.gov/recycle. Accepts and recycles bagged fluorescent lights, transformers and ballasts, as well as  all flashlight-type batteries; see listing below for Household Hazardous Waste).
  • Eastern Environmental Technologies, 47 Purdy Ave., Port Chester, NY 10573; (914) 934-2100; (800) 808-7227; www.easternenvironmental.com. Accepts and recycles bagged fluorescent lights, transformers and ballasts, as well as batteries on a fee basis. Will pick up large quantities.
  • E-Debris, Brooklyn, NY (347) 722-1181; pickup@edebris.org. Will pick up rechargeable batteries along with computer and electronic equipment. E-mail in advance for more information.
  • Grow NYC, (212) 676-2081, (212) 566-4472; www.grownyc.  Accepts rechargeable batteries at all its upper Manhattan green markets (call for locations and hours).
  • Home Depot, 980 Third Ave. (59th), (212) 888-1512; 40 West 23rd Street, (212) 929-9571, www.homedepot.com. Accepts bagged, unbroken CFLs and all flashlight-type batteries.
  • Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, (877) 723-1927; www.call2recycle.org. Call for list of local battery recyclers.
  • Sylvania; (978) 777-1900, (800) 5434-4828; www.sylvania.com/Recycle. Accepts all fluorescent bulbs and ballasts, including CFLs and longer bulbs.
  • Upper Green Side, www.uppergreenside.org, uppergreenside@gmail.com. Accepts all flashlight-type and button-cell batteries at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish, on 414 East 82nd Street between First & York Avenues, from 9 AM to 3 PM each Saturday.

Computers, Cell Phones and Other Electronic Equipment
After April 1, 2011 manufacturers must accept computer equipment at no charge in New York State. For further information, see www.nyc.gov/nycwasteless/electronics

A. Charitable Organizations and Recyclers

  • Build It Green!NYC, 3-17 26th Avenue, Astoria, Queens; (718) 777-0132; www.bignyc.org. Accepts cell phones and toner cartridges at its store
  • Computers for Youth, 520 Eighth Avenue; (917) 677-5502; www.cfy.org

Accept newer PC systems from corporations and refurbishes for reuse in schools and other non-profits. Minimum of 50 pieces.  Will pick up.

  • E-Debris, Brooklyn, NY (347) 722-1181; pickup@edebris.org. Will pick up smaller quantities of computers and other electronics from residences and business for a $35 minimum fee. Free drop-off or mail-in service in Brooklyn. E-mail in advance for more information.
  • The Fourth Bin,  708 Third Avenue; (855) ECYCLE1; www.4thbin.com. Accepts computers and peripherals, TVs, other small electronic equipment, phones and household batteries. Will pick up from businesses or residences for a fee.
  • Goodwill Industries, www.goodwill.org, On the Upper West Side at 217 West 79th Street, (212) 874-5050. Accepts computers and peripherals, TVs, cell and wall phones, other small electronic equipment as well as ink and toner cartridges. Will pick up in larger quantities; call 718-777-6339.
  • Material for the Arts, 33-00 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101; (718) 729-3001; info@mfta.nyc.gov; www.mfta.org. Accepts newer computer systems in working condition (up to 5 years old only) and other electronic equipment. Will pick up.
  • Non-Profit Computing; (212) 759-2368; german63@hotmail.com. Clearing house for a variety of computers, faxes, telephone systems and other electronic equipment.
  • Per Scholas, 1375 Bronx River Ave., Bronx NY 10460; (718) 991-8400, (800)-877-4068; www.perscholas.org. Accepts computer systems (including monitors) and components then refurbishes them for reuse in schools or recycling of component materials (older models). Also takes cell phones, stereos and other electronic equipment.
  • Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation, (877) 723-1927; www.call2recycle.org. Lists cell phone recycling locations.
  • Upper Green Side, www.uppergreenside.org, uppergreenside@gmail.com. Accepts cell phones at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish, on 414 East 82nd Street between First & York Avenues, from 9 AM to 3 PM each Saturday.
  • We Recycle, Mount Vernon, NY, (877) 937-3292; (914) 530-2350; www.werecycle.com. Accepts computer systems and components for recycling. Will pick up from organizations and large residential buildings.

B.  Manufacturer and Retail Take-Back Programs 

  • Best Buy Stores, www.bestbuy.com. Uptown locations: 517 E. 117th Street (East River Plaza), (646) 672-9959; 1280 Lexington Ave. (86th), (917) 492-9959. Accepts computers, peripherals, TVs, other audio & video equipment, wires & cables, and cell phones.
  • Staples (various NYC locations), www.staples.com. Accept computer equipment, ink-jet & toner cartridges.
  • Verizon, www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline . Accept used cell phones and accessories at their stores.

C.   Electronics Recycling Events/Miscellaneous

  • Upper West Side Recycling (jtwine@synerjy.com), Upper Green Side (www.uppergreenside.org, uppergreenside@gmail.com), and Lower East Side Ecology (212) 477-4022; www.lesecologycenter.org) host E-Waste recycling events during the year. Other ommunity-based organizations accept computers, peripherals, cell phones and other E-waste, call 311; www.nyc.gov/nycwasteless/electronics.
  • Lower East Side Ecology (718) 858-8777; www.lesecologycenter.org now operates permanent E-Waste collection center at 469 President Street in Brooklyn Tuesdays through Saturdays. Call in advance for hours, materials accepted and other relevant information.

Household Hazardous Waste

  • NYC Department of Sanitation, 605 W. 30th Street, Manhattan; Fresh Kills Landfill, Staten Island, Muldoon Avenue Entrance; for information, instructions and locations in other boroughs: call 311 or (917) 237-5757; www.nyc.gov/recycle). Accepts latex paint, motor oil and filters, transmission fluid, household and automotive batteries, fluorescent bulbs, thermostats 10am-5pm Saturdays except 10-5 Friday the last week of the month. No cleaning fluids, oil-based paints, medical wastes, or pesticides.
  • Eastern Environmental Technologies, 47 Purdy Avenue, Port Chester, NY 10573; (914) 934-2100; (800) 808-7227; www.easternenvironmental.com. Accepts paint, inks, chemicals, cleaners, oils and solvents.

 Plastic  Plastic bottles and jugs (containers with neck or screw-off top) are collected by the NYC Department of Sanitation (call 311; www.nyc.gov/recycle). Plastic bags are required to be accepted for recycling in stores of more than 10,000 sq. feet and with more than five NYC locations.

Compact Disks

  • Best Buy Stores, www.bestbuy.com. Uptown locations: 517 E. 117th Street (East River Plaza), (646) 672-9959; 1280 Lexington Ave. (86th), (917) 492-9959. Accept CDs.
  • www.greendisk.com; (800) 305-disk; (425) 392-8700. Accepts CDs for a small fee.

Polycarbonate/Miscellaneous

  • Ashley Resins, 5114 Fort Hamilton Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11219; (718) 851-8111; www.ashleypoly.com

Accepts 5-gallon polycarbonate bottles (from water coolers) as well as items made of nylon and other plastic resins; will pick up in large quantities.

Polypropylene (marked with #5 underneath)

  • Whole Foods Stores:  808 Columbus Avenue (97th), 212-222-6160; 10 Columbus Circle (59th), 212-823-9600. Accept polypropylene (#5), including plastic bottles and tubs such as yogurt containers.

Polystyrene

  • Mail Boxes, Etc. and UPS Stores (various locations), (800) 789-4623. Accept expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) peanuts and other packaging material
  • Plastic Loosefill Council, (510) 654-0756; www.loosefillpackaging.com. Lists local stores accepting polystyrene peanuts.

Textiles:  Fabric, Sheets, Clothing, etc. - No carpeting.
(Wearable clothing may also be donated to thrift shops—see below)

A.   Recyclers

  • Emerson Recycling, 63 Emerson Place, Brooklyn, NY 11205; (718) 622-1799. Accept mixed textile cuttings from companies and ship overseas for reprocessing and reuse. Pickup for free or for a per-pound fee, depending on quality and quantity.
  • Grow NYC, 212-676-2081, 212-788-7989; www.grownyc.org/clothing/recyclinglocations. Textiles accepted at the greenmarket at 97th & Columbus Ave on Fridays from 8 AM to 2 PM; also on weekdays in Inwood, Union Square and Tompkins Square; check for hours.
  • Millwiping; 1656 East 233rd Street, Bronx, NY 10466; (718) 994-7100; millrags@optimaonline.com.

Deals with large organizations; will pick up clean textiles that have been separated by type of fiber.

  •  re-fashioNYC; www.nyc.gov/refashion.  (A partnership between the City of New York and Housing Works; picks up textiles from residential buildings with 10 or more units.)
  • Upper Green Side, www.uppergreenside.org, uppergreenside@gmail.com. Accepts textiles at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish, on 414 East 82nd Street between First & York Avenues, from 9 AM to 3 PM each Saturday..
  • Wearable Collections, (646) 515-4387; www.wearablecollections.com. Picks up all textiles except carpeting from residential buildings and community organizations.

B.   Thrift Shops (Upper West Side only – see www.nyc.gov/stuffexchange for other NYC locations)

Carpeting

  • Carpet Cycle, 447 Schiller Street, Elizabeth, NJ; (908) 353-5900; www.carpetcycle.com. Removes and recycles old carpeting and padding from commercial buildings for a fee.

 MISCELLANEOUS

  • Books Through Bars, Brooklyn, NY; (212) 254-3697; www.booksthroughbarsnyc.org. Donates books to prisoners.
  • Build It Green!NYC, 3-17 26th Avenue, Astoria, Queens; tel: (718)777-0132; www.bignyc.org. Accepts building materials and appliances.
  • Pedals for Progress, High Bridge, NJ, (908) 638-4811; www.p4p.org. Accepts used bicycles
  • Recycle-a-Bicycle NYC, 75 Avenue C, NYC; (212) 475-1655; www.recycleabicycle.org. Accepts used bicycles.
  • Re Lit NY, www.relitny.org. Collects books and distributes them to the public; there is a drop-off box for Re LIT at Whole Foods at 97th & Columbus.
  • Whole Foods, 97th & Columbus. Accepts wine bottle corks (real cork, not plastic).
  • Upper Green Side, www.uppergreenside.org, uppergreenside@gmail.com. Accepts office paper for shredding at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish, on 414 East 82nd Street between First & York Avenues, from 9 AM to 3 PM each Saturday.

 Revised February 2012