The recent rollout of mandatory composting in New York City has sparked controversy among residents, with some criticizing the city’s approach to the program. City Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-Jamaica) has come under fire for his strong stance against the composting enforcement, citing concerns over the lack of education and outreach.

• Despite having made the announcement six months ago, there has been virtually no outreach or proper education campaign leading up to a change of this magnitude.
• Many residents are learning for the first time that the Department of Sanitation has just begun enforcing fines for not composting, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and unprepared.
• The rollout was poorly timed, with many residents having to purchase new NYC bins just months before the new requirement took effect.

The city’s approach to composting has been criticized as “thoughtless” and “disastrous.” Councilman Gennaro, chairman of the Council Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency & Waterfronts, has called for a pause in enforcement until the program’s critical flaws are addressed.

According to Councilman Gennaro, the lack of education and outreach has contributed significantly to the program’s difficulties. He argues that the administration has failed to provide adequate support to residents, leaving them to figure out the new requirements on their own. “The administration has failed to provide any real effort to educate the public,” Councilman Gennaro said. “It’s like the blind leading the blind, and this is clearly not the right time for implementation of fines. I call on Mayor Adams and Acting [DSNY] Commissioner Javier Lojan to put a pause on enforcement until the critical flaws of this program are addressed.”

“I urge Mayor Adams and Acting Commissioner Lojan to take a step back and reassess the program. We need to make sure that we are providing the necessary support to our residents, and that we are implementing the program in a way that is fair and equitable for all New Yorkers. I am willing to work with the administration to find a solution, but we need to do it in a way that is transparent and accountable.”

Some critics have argued that the city’s approach to composting is too restrictive, and that it will disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities. However, Councilman Gennaro argues that the program’s flaws are not related to its intention, but rather to the city’s execution. “The program’s intention is to reduce waste and promote sustainability, but the execution has been flawed from the start,” Councilman Gennaro said. “We need to focus on finding solutions to the problems that have arisen, rather than blaming the program itself.”
Key Takeaways:

• City Councilman Jim Gennaro has criticized the city’s approach to mandatory composting, citing concerns over the lack of education and outreach.
• The rollout was poorly timed, with many residents having to purchase new NYC bins just months before the new requirement took effect.
• The program’s flaws are not related to its intention, but rather to the city’s execution.