how to go through people's recycle

Where in New York are you?

In New York City everything at the curb belongs to the City.



The NYC Sanitation Police enforce the laws and will arrest and fine you.

NYC Sanitation Police Go On Regular Prowl For Sidewalk Scavengers « CBS New York

I'm in the borough of Queens in New York City. So how can I collect scrap if it is against the law I don't want to be fined it is not worth it if that is the case.

Originally Posted by Doggonecutsy

I'm in the borough of Queens in New York City. So how can I collect scrap if it is against the law I don't want to be fined it is not worth it if that is the case.

Go down to the police station and ask if it is legal or not and if there are any permits or things you must get in order to scrap.

Originally Posted by hobo finds

Go down to the police station and ask if it is legal or not and if there are any permits or things you must get in order to scrap.

NYC doesn't work that way.

The regular NYC police have nothing to do with NYC sanitation laws. The NYS sanitation departmaent has their own sanitation police to enforce sanitation laws.

You can read the laws here:

DSNY - About - Illegal Dumping + Theft Of Recycling Laws

In paticular:

Theft of Residential Recyclable Material

Except for an authorized employee or agent of DSNY, it shall be unlawful for any person to disturb, remove, or transport by motor vehicle any amount of recyclable material placed out at curbside, within the stoop line, or in front of the premises for collection or removal by DSNY.

Penalties for this offense include a fine and vehicle impoundment. Both the owner and driver of the vehicle are liable for theft of recyclable material.

Fine: $500–$1000 (Operator); $500–$1000 (Owner) plus Vehicle Impoundment

Removal of DSNY-marked or Refrigerant-Containing Item—Fine: $750–$1500 (Operator); $500–$1000 (Owner) plus Vehicle Impoundment

Originally Posted by Doggonecutsy

I'm in the borough of Queens in New York City. So how can I collect scrap if it is against the law I don't want to be fined it is not worth it if that is the case.

You can read the New York City laws here:

DSNY - About - Illegal Dumping + Theft Of Recycling Laws

In paticular:

Theft of Residential Recyclable Material

Except for an authorized employee or agent of DSNY, it shall be unlawful for any person to disturb, remove, or transport by motor vehicle any amount of recyclable material placed out at curbside, within the stoop line, or in front of the premises for collection or removal by DSNY.

Penalties for this offense include a fine and vehicle impoundment. Both the owner and driver of the vehicle are liable for theft of recyclable material.

Fine: $500–$1000 (Operator); $500–$1000 (Owner) plus Vehicle Impoundment

Removal of DSNY-marked or Refrigerant-Containing Item—Fine: $750–$1500 (Operator); $500–$1000 (Owner) plus Vehicle Impoundment


If you want to scrap in NYC you have to develop relationships with people/businesses to give you scrap.

You also need signed, dated, detailed receipts to prove the scrap items were given to you and not picked off the curb.

Pictures of people giving you the scrap items would also be a good idea.