The city’s decision to pause most fines for non-composters has given residents more time to learn about the importance of proper waste separation.
- Residents are required to separate leaf and yard waste, food and food-soiled waste from their trash
- The city’s curbside composting program expanded citywide last October
- Residents put their food waste, yard waste and food-soiled paper out in a brown DSNY bin or any container 55 gallons or less with a secure lid on their recycling day
This pause in fines is a temporary measure, designed to allow the city to further educate residents on the importance of composting and waste separation. The city has seen a significant increase in compost collection, with a record 3.8 million pounds of compost collected just last week.
| Compost Collection | 3.8 million pounds | Record collection |
| Compost Collection | 3.6 million pounds | Previous week |
The sanitation department is working to provide more education and outreach to residents, including holding community events and distributing additional materials. “Make no mistake: Composting continues to be mandatory in New York City,” said a statement from the mayor’s office.
- Residents in buildings with more than 30 units are exempt from fines, unless they are repeat offenders
- Residents in smaller buildings are subject to fines for not composting, unless they can prove they are taking steps to compost
The city’s composting program aims to reduce waste sent to landfills and promote sustainability.
Benefits of Composting
Composting is a natural process that breaks down organic materials into nutrient-rich soil. By composting, residents can reduce their waste sent to landfills and create a valuable resource for gardening and agriculture.
The benefits of composting include:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Conserving water
- Improving soil quality
Challenges and Solutions
The city’s composting program has faced challenges, including confusion among residents about what can be composted and how to do it correctly.
However, the city has taken steps to address these challenges, including providing additional education and outreach materials.
Residents can learn more about composting and how to do it correctly by visiting the city’s website or attending community events.
What’s Next
The city will resume fines for non-composters in the future, but for now, residents have more time to learn and take steps to compost.
By working together, we can reduce waste and create a more sustainable city.
“Through the end of the year, we will be distributing additional education materials and holding more community events about how to sort out waste,” said a statement from the mayor’s office.