...nearly everywhere I look, trash cans have two sides -- for recycles and non-recycles.
I wish we have those in NYC. I never know where to dispose of the empty plastic water bottle and end up carry them home.
In my building, we have been seperate recycles from the non-recycles since at least ten years ago. I believe it's illegal not to do so. That said, i have not heard of people being fined and/or thrown in jail for not being green.