Effective January 1, 2019 businesses, nonprofits and agencies can no longer sell or use any expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam items, such as single-service items like cups, bowls, plates, takeout containers, and trays or loose fill packaging, aka “packing peanuts”. See exceptions to the rule and more information at nyc.gov/foamban. Small businesses not part of a chain with less than … Continue reading Regulations Alert: NYC Foam Ban Takes Effect Jan. 1, 2019
Tag Archives: regulations
NYC Regulations Reminder: Commercial Organics Rules
Are you in compliance? New York City businesses are required by law to separate their organic waste. Hotels and other businesses in the hospitality industry are most likely to be affected. In NYC, we’ve reported that inspections are up and that violations are being issued for non-compliance. Some fines have been as high as $750 for each … Continue reading NYC Regulations Reminder: Commercial Organics Rules
As More Cities Eye Zero Waste Goals, New Rules Could Be Heading your Way

Diversion initiatives such as recycling and composting mandates are popping up across the country as more and more local governments start to realize the value of zero waste. This is just the beginning. Once cities begin to ramp up their zero waste plans, we can expect to see other zero waste efforts that go beyond diversion … Continue reading As More Cities Eye Zero Waste Goals, New Rules Could Be Heading your Way
REBNY President Pinpoints Benefits Of Recycling Law Now Being Enforced In NYC
REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York) President John Banks recently reached out to the industry about New York City’s updated commercial waste and recycling laws, which began enforcement on August 1, 2017. As the city with the biggest concentration of commercial buildings in the country, boasting some of the most expensive office spaces in … Continue reading REBNY President Pinpoints Benefits Of Recycling Law Now Being Enforced In NYC
NYC Businesses: New Rules Being Enforced

Attention all NYC businesses. The warning period is over. Commercial waste and recycling law enforcement is underway. Are you ready? What should you do to be in compliance and avoid fines? Read our Q&A On New Waste And Recycling Rules – What Should Businesses Do? Waste and Recycling: The updated commercial/business waste and recycling law began enforcement August 1, … Continue reading NYC Businesses: New Rules Being Enforced
Compliance Checklist – Your 5-Step Guide To Avoiding Fines

No matter where your business is located across the country, staying on top of new and updated regulations is key to avoiding fines, which can add up. Take note of the date a law goes into effect, and the date at which enforcement starts. Give yourself enough time to get ready to be in compliance. Here’s your … Continue reading Compliance Checklist – Your 5-Step Guide To Avoiding Fines
Regulation Updates: NYC’s Energy Efficiency Laws Expand To Cover More Buildings. Is Yours Affected?

Oct 2016–NYC’s expanded energy efficiency laws will now cover more buildings than before. An additional 10,000 properties to be more precise, covering nearly 350 million square feet. Chances are that your NYC building, portfolio of buildings, or your tenants WILL BE AFFECTED by these newest changes so take note. For this next round, newly compliant properties under LL84 will not be … Continue reading Regulation Updates: NYC’s Energy Efficiency Laws Expand To Cover More Buildings. Is Yours Affected?
Regulation Updates (NYC):
Q&A On New Organics, Waste And Recycling Rules – What Should Businesses Do?

Aug 2016. NYC businesses should take note of new/updated rules covering organics, and waste and recycling: New organics rules went into effect July 19, 2016. See the official notice for details. Rules enforced Jan 2017. New waste and recycling rules went into effect Aug 1, 2016. See the official notice for details. Rules enforced Aug 1, 2017. … Continue reading Regulation Updates (NYC):
Q&A On New Organics, Waste And Recycling Rules – What Should Businesses Do?
Regulation Updates (Arlington, VA):
New Recycling Code, Businesses May Be Inspected

Aug 2016 — Businesses in Arlington, VA, should be on the lookout for a notice from the County’s Department of Environmental Services, which details changes to the recycling code. Note that Arlington businesses may be inspected by the County for compliance. An inspection fee of $66 per business will be assessed by Arlington County. According to the … Continue reading Regulation Updates (Arlington, VA):
New Recycling Code, Businesses May Be Inspected
Regulation Updates: May/June 2016
San Francisco is proposing the most extensive ban on Styrofoam in the country, building on its decade-old ban on most foam food containers. While some applaud the move, others are pushing for recycling the foam. Read more. NYC Approves Bag Fee. This month, the City Council voted to require certain retailers to collect a fee on each … Continue reading Regulation Updates: May/June 2016
Alert:
NYC’s Proposed New Commercial Recycling Regulations – What To Expect

New York City has proposed new commercial recycling regulations to go into effect July 1, 2016. While there will likely be some changes as the proposed rule is written, commercial buildings can expect: Few major changes to their established recycling program Little impact to their building operations/businesses Great Forest has submitted feedback to the city … Continue reading Alert:
NYC’s Proposed New Commercial Recycling Regulations – What To Expect
Judge Strikes Down NYC Foam Ban
Sept. 22, 2015 – Judge strikes down NYC’s foam ban. The city is exploring its options for reinstituting the ban, including an appeal. We will keep you updated. NYC’s foam ban went into effect on July 1, 2015 with a six-month grace period. Businesses had been preparing for the change by replacing foam products with … Continue reading Judge Strikes Down NYC Foam Ban
Regulation Update: NY Public Hearing On Organic Waste, Oct. 5
Review the proposed rule on organic waste and voice your opinion. DSNY is holding a public hearing on Oct 5. Register your feedback in person at the hearing, or write in via one of the ways below: Website: http://rules.cityofnewyork.us Email: nycrules@dsny.nyc.gov Mail: DSNY, 125 Worth Street, Room 710, New York, NY 10013. Fax: 212-788-3876. Learn … Continue reading Regulation Update: NY Public Hearing On Organic Waste, Oct. 5
Regulation Update: Announcement on NYC’s Commercial Food Waste Law

2015 Update July 2 – Announcement released today. Key points: Mandatory recycling of organic material proposed for 350 businesses including: All food service establishments in hotels with 150 or more rooms All food service vendors in arenas and stadiums with seating capacity of at least 15,000 people Food manufacturers with a floor area of at least 25,000 … Continue reading Regulation Update: Announcement on NYC’s Commercial Food Waste Law
Regulation Update: D.C. Bans Foam, NY Foam Ban Takes Effect
Update: Sept. 22, 2015 – Judge strikes down NYC’s foam ban. The city is exploring its options for reinstituting the ban, including an appeal. We will keep you updated. New York: NYC’s foam ban takes effect on July 1, 2015. Businesses will have until January 1 of next year to fully do away with the foam before … Continue reading Regulation Update: D.C. Bans Foam, NY Foam Ban Takes Effect
Alert: Stricter Enforcement Means Lengthier LL87/ENERGY STAR Process

Attention property managers. Are you due to file your LL87 (2009) energy audit this year? Are you planning to get an ENERGY STAR certification for your building? If you answered yes to either question, you must begin the process by spring at the latest. Starting this year, you will need to file more extensive documentation … Continue reading Alert: Stricter Enforcement Means Lengthier LL87/ENERGY STAR Process
Regulation Updates: E-Waste, Styrofoam, and more
Update: Sept. 22, 2015 – Judge strikes down NYC’s foam ban. The city is exploring its options for reinstituting the ban, including an appeal. We will keep you updated. New Year, New Rules Across The Country: Here are selected highlights of new and upcoming rules affecting clients across the country. Check back for updates. 1) NY … Continue reading Regulation Updates: E-Waste, Styrofoam, and more
Regulatory Information

Below we have provided links to relevant regulations pertaining to commercial properties. Great Forest is here to help clients remain in compliance with regulations applicable to their facilities; please contact us with specific questions or concerns. NYC Benchmarking Law (Local Law 84) Resource Guide and Helpline Great Forest overview of existing and emerging legislation affecting businesses, Updated … Continue reading Regulatory Information