Mandatory Composting Has Come to New York City: What You Need to Know

Whether they are high-rise residents in Midtown or homeowners in Staten Island, New Yorkers across the five boroughs are now required to separate their food scraps and yard waste from their trash.Composting is crucial for fighting climate change, said Councilwoman Sandy Nurse, a sponsor of the Zero Waste Act, a legislative package that passed last year and includes the curbside bill.When food waste goes into landfills, it produces methane, “which is the worst of the greenhouse gang,” she said.Domingo Morales, the founder of the grass-roots organization Compost Power, added that composting makes soil healthier, which improves food-growing capabilities and can also capture more carbon dioxide.Here’s what New Yorkers should expect.When does curbside composting start?The program, which began in Brooklyn last fall and in Queens the year before, expanded to Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island on Oct 6.

The city is giving New Yorkers about six months to grow accustomed to curbside before it officially becomes law in the spring of 2025.Do I need a brown bin from the city?No.Any bin, with a capacity of 55 gallons or less and a tight lid, will work.

But if you want something official-looking (and free), you can order one (or even just a decal for your chosen receptacle) through the Department of Sanitation through Oct.28 (or buy one here).We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

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