A free curbside composting program will go into effect in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island on Oct. 6, according to the Department of Sanitation.
Bronxites will not have to sign up to be part of the program. They can simply place their composting in a lined and labeled bin that is 55 gallons or less on the same day as their recycling pickup. Curbside composting, which involves the collection of organic material– food scraps, food-soiled paper, leaves and soil – is separate from trash and recyclables such as glass, plastic and paper.
The composting service is free, but mandatory. After an adjustment period, residents who don’t separate their compostables will face fines. New Yorkers will be required to separate their food waste and food-soiled-paper, as well as all yard and leaf waste from their trash and recyclables. The city will begin issuing fines for yard and leaf waste violations after three months. The warning period for food waste scraps will run through Spring of 2025.
Bronxites can order a free DSNY brown bin or use a free DSNY decal on any bin under 55 gallons. The city also installed 250 composting bins across the city with plans for 150 more. Residents can join a weekly info session for more information.
The program was piloted in Queens in 2022, diverting 12.7 million pounds of compostable material from landfills in the first three months of the program, according to the city. Then the city expanded curbside composting to Brooklyn in October of 2023. Once citywide service is implemented, the composting program will be the largest of its kind in the country, according to the city.
Bronxites can find their recycling and composting day at on.nyc.gov/CollectionDay.
