The city of New York has taken a step towards reducing food waste and mitigating the environmental impact of organic waste by implementing fines for property owners and landlords who fail to separate organic waste from the rest of their trash.

• As of April 1, all New Yorkers must separate organic waste from their trash, including food scraps, food-soiled paper, and leaf and yard waste.
• The city is encouraging participation in its curbside composting program, where food waste is collected weekly by the sanitation department, along with the trash and recycling.

Benefits of Composting

Composting is one of the best ways to reduce the environmental impact of food waste. When food waste decomposes in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. By composting food waste, residents can help reduce the amount of methane released into the atmosphere.

Curbside Composting in New York City

Mandatory curbside composting is still a relatively new program in New York City, and the city has been working to educate residents about the benefits of composting. The program aims to divert food waste from landfills and reduce the amount of methane produced.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite the city’s efforts to educate residents about composting, the program has faced criticism from local advocates who argue that the city is not doing enough to promote the program. Critics say that the city should focus more on educating residents about the benefits of composting, rather than relying on fines to boost compliance.

• Only a small percentage of eligible households participate in the curbside composting program.
• The city recovered less than 5 percent of eligible households’ organic waste in the 2024 fiscal year.

Comparing to Other Cities

New York City lags behind other large U.S. cities in terms of diverting food waste from landfills through composting. For example, Seattle banned organics in the trash 10 years ago, and San Francisco has been mandatory since 2009.

Education and Outreach

Experts say that education and outreach are key to promoting the curbside composting program. The city’s Department of Sanitation and Environmental Protection (DSNY) has been working to educate residents and property managers about the program through mailers, community meetings, and information sessions.

Anaerobic Digestion and the Fossil Fuel Industry

The city’s anaerobic digestion process for organic waste has been criticized for entrenching the fossil fuel industry. The process involves mixing organic waste with sewage sludge and breaking it down in an anaerobic digester, where it produces methane and other gases.

• The city’s anaerobic digestion process is used to produce biogas, which can be used to power facilities or refined into renewable natural gas.
• Critics argue that the process creates an incentive for rebuilding fossil fuel infrastructure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, New York City’s curbside composting program is still in its early stages, and the city faces challenges in promoting the program and reducing food waste. The city’s education and outreach efforts are crucial in promoting the program and ensuring that residents understand the benefits of composting. By working together, the city can reduce food waste and mitigate the environmental impact of organic waste.

“…It must be implemented within zero-waste and social justice frameworks to prevent environmental harm and prioritize community needs.” — Marcel R. Howard, zero-waste program manager at the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives

As the city continues to work towards reducing food waste, it is essential that residents and property owners understand the importance of composting and take steps to participate in the program.
By implementing a more comprehensive education and outreach program, New York City can reduce food waste and promote a more sustainable future.

Revised Quote

“I want to see real, legitimate outreach from DSNY on why separating food waste matters.