Every apartment building has its own unique problems with implementing and maintaining a recycling program. The Multi-Family Dwelling Program is designed to assist apartment building managers, owners and residents comply with recycling laws.

Remember that effective Dec. 10, 2008, all businesses and institutions in Westchester County will be required to recycle the following:

• Glass (jars and bottles of clear, green or amber color, used to store food or beverages)
• Metal containers (for food and beverages)
• Plastic containers (coded 1 and 2),
• Yard waste (for fall leaves only),
• Cardboard (e.g. tissue boxes)
• And all the other items currently required under the original recycling law enacted in 1992 -- corrugated cardboard, newsprint and high-grade office paper and bulk metals (e.g. large fixtures and appliances), vehicle batteries and used motor oil

In addition, all Large Non-Residential Waste Generators must provide a solid waste disposal plan which includes details of the past year’s recycling practices. Large Non-Residential Waste Generators are those who "own a building or buildings commonly containing more than 100 employees, patients or students during a 24-hour period. (These would include shopping centers, health care institutions, schools, and office buildings.)

Your plan must be submitted on the form provided by the county. Plans must be updated every three years. The deadline for submitting your business or institution’s plan, including data for Jan.-Dec. 2008, is March 30, 2009. Online submission of this plan will be available sometime in early 2009, well in advance of the filing deadline.

Your compliance with this law is mandatory.

The county Recycling Office provides technical assistance and educational signs and brochures explaining the do's and don'ts of recycling in English,Spanish and Chinese.

Call the Recycling Helpline for more information.