Recycling, Composting, and Zero Waste Programs Flashcards

What contamination problem most commonly reduces the value and recyclability of NYC's collected paper recycling stream?

Answer: Food contamination — wet or food-soiled paper cannot be recycled

Wet and food-soiled paper contaminates the entire paper bale, making it unsellable as a recycled commodity.

NYC collects metal, glass, and plastic in a combined stream. What term is used for this type of recycling collection?

Answer: Commingled recycling

Collecting metals, glass, and plastics together in one container is called commingled recycling in NYC's system.

Which NYC initiative specifically focuses on reducing plastic bag waste in the city?

Answer: NYC Plastic Bag Fee Law (5-cent fee on single-use bags) enacted in 2020

NYC's 5-cent bag fee, enacted in 2020, is designed to discourage single-use plastic bag use and reduce plastic waste.

What is anaerobic digestion and why is it relevant to NYC's organics program?

Answer: A process that breaks down organic material without oxygen to produce biogas and nutrient-rich digestate

Anaerobic digestion converts food scraps into renewable biogas (energy) and digestate (fertilizer) instead of landfilling organic waste.

Under NYC's commercial recycling rules, what must a business do with its cardboard packaging?

Answer: Flatten and separate it from refuse for recycling collection or contracted removal

NYC requires businesses to separate and flatten cardboard for recycling — mixing it with refuse is a violation.

NYC's 'Organics Local Law' expanded mandatory organics separation to which category of businesses first?

Answer: Large food establishments (restaurants, cafeterias, food manufacturers) generating significant food waste

Large food generators were phased in first under the organics mandate to capture the highest-volume food waste sources.