The City’s Department of Sanitation has been pushing for mandatory composting for years, and after being met with resistance, they have finally gained the approval of Mayor Eric Adams. The goal is to reduce the city’s 1.1 million tons of waste to 600,000 tons by 2030, and they believe that composting can play a key role in achieving this goal.

Composting is a low-cost, low-tech solution that can be implemented by any community.

Ensuring Access to Composting Bins

The city’s primary goal is to provide every resident with a composting bin. This is a crucial step in reducing the amount of organic waste sent to landfills. Composting bins are an essential tool for turning food waste into nutrient-rich soil, which can be used to fertilize gardens and lawns. However, the city must also consider the logistics of providing these bins to every resident. • The city needs to determine the most cost-effective way to distribute the bins, taking into account the number of residents and the availability of resources. • The bins must be easily accessible and affordable for all residents, regardless of their income level.

As of 2022, the state’s composting rate remains at 12.9% which is well short of the 75% target.

Composting can help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, which in turn can help mitigate climate change. Composting is a natural process that involves breaking down organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. This process can be done at home, in a community garden, or even in a small backyard.