The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is on a mission to help NYC clean up its waste-removal practices through more environmentally friendly methods. Curbside composting allows leaf and yard waste, food waste, and food-soiled paper to be repurposed into compost or renewable energy. Already available throughout Brooklyn and Queens, the program is being rolled out to all residents in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island on October 6, 2024.
In preparation for the next phase of the program implementation, residents can request a free brown composting bin here until October 28, 2024. The deadline has passed for residents in Brooklyn and Queens to request a bin; however, any labeled bin with a secured lid under 55 gallons may be used. The bin does not need to be brown and can be lined with any bag. A free Composting Bin decal can be ordered here.
No sign-up is required to begin having your compost collected. Separation of leaf and yard waste is mandatory, and the warning period lasts until 3 months after the start of service in the borough. Separation of food waste and food-soiled paper is also mandatory, with a warning period lasting through Spring 2025. Residents are subject to fines when the warning period ends.
If service has not yet started in your area, you can find a drop-off composting site near you here, or place your compostable items in the trash following regular trash rules.
