License for Waste Removal

You need a Trade Waste Removal License for your business to remove, collect or dispose trade waste from businesses in New York City. Trade waste includes regular waste, organic waste, recyclable materials, medical waste and waste materials resulting from building demolition, construction, alteration or excavation. The license lasts for two years.

• Certification Form: Fill out a Certification Form for each business owner. This form, which must be notarized, says all provided information is complete and true. This form is included with the Trade Waste Removal License Application.

• Release Authorization Form: Fill out a Release Authorization Form for each business owner. This form lets the Business Integrity Commission (BIC) check the background of the business and its owners, partners, agents and workers. It must be signed and notarized by a business owner. This form is included with the Trade Waste Removal License Application.

• Business certificates:

  • Sole proprietors: If operating under a different name than the business, provide a certified copy of the Certificate of Doing Business filed with the County Clerk in the county the business is located.
  • Partnerships: Provide a copy of the current partnership agreement and Certificate of Partnership, certified by the County Clerk in the county the business is located.
  • Corporations: Submit a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State.

• ID numbers:

  • Corporations: Provide Tax Identification Number(s).
  • Partnerships or sole proprietorships: Provide Social Security numbers for each business owner.

• Authority to Do Business Certificate: If the business is not incorporated in New York State, an Authority to Do Business Certificate issued by the New York Secretary of State is required.

• Purchase and sale agreements: Include copies of purchase and sale agreements if needed. These should cover the buying, selling, assigning or losing of routes or customers.

• Forfeiture, receivership or independent monitoring documents: Provide documents related to any forfeiture, receivership or independent monitoring, including liens or bankruptcy proceedings.

• Tax proceedings documents: Provide documents related to any contested City, State or federal tax proceedings.

• Principal Disclosure Form: Fill out a Principal Disclosure Form for each business owner.

• Employee/Agent Disclosure Form: Fill out an Employee/Agent Disclosure Form.

• Driver's licenses: Provide a copy of a current and valid driver's license for all workers and business owners who will drive a vehicle used to transport trade waste.

• Vehicle registrations: Provide vehicle registrations for all vehicles listed in the application that will be used to run the business. A license application may be processed without listing a vehicle.

• List of permit fees:

  • Trade Waste License Fee: $5,000 (includes 1st vehicle registration fee)
  • Background Investigation Fee: $600
  • Disclosure Form Fee: $600 per business owner
  • Employee/Agent Disclosure Form Fee: $600 per business owner
  • Fingerprinting Fee: $75 per person
  • Vehicle Registration Fee: $500 per vehicle

• Postal money orders, payable to the NYC Business Integrity Commission, must be submitted at the time of fingerprinting. Separate money orders must be submitted for each person fingerprinted.

• Renewal frequency: You must renew your Trade Waste License every two years. You will get a renewal form in the mail before your license expires.
• Driver's license requirement: All drivers must have a valid and current driver's license.

• Complete the application: Fill out the application for the Trade Waste Removal License.
• Submit the application: Submit the original and one copy of the completed application with the required application fee and all required documents to the License Unit at the BIC in person or by mail.
• Fingerprinting and photographs: All business owners and workers who need to submit disclosure forms must be fingerprinted and photographed. This can be done at the time of application submission, or BIC will contact the business to schedule an appointment.
• Approval notification: Applicants are notified by mail when an approval is granted.
• Background investigation: Once an application is reviewed and accepted, the applicant will remain in a pending status until the background investigation is complete.
• Approval and registration: Upon receiving approval, applicants must call the BIC for an appointment to get a registration order and pick up vehicle trade waste plates.
• Operation approval: Applicants may not operate until approval is granted. Approved applicants must report to the BIC to sign a registration order before receiving trade waste plates for each registered vehicle.