How does curbside composting work in New York City?
New York City has expanded curbside organics collection, allowing residents to set out food scraps and yard waste in a bin alongside their regular trash and recycling on a scheduled day. Participation requirements and container rules have been phased in across boroughs and building types.
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How it works
A resident places food scraps and yard waste in a labeled bin, which can be a city-issued brown bin or another approved container depending on the building, and sets it out on the scheduled collection day. Some buildings are required to participate, and enforcement has been phased in with warnings before fines in many areas.
Commonly mixed up with
Composting is sometimes assumed to be optional everywhere in the city. Participation has become mandatory for certain properties as the program has expanded, with rules that vary by borough and building type.
How does curbside composting work in New York City?
| Knowledge, New York | Big city topics |
|---|---|
| Short answer | New York City has expanded curbside organics collection, allowing residents to set out food scraps and yard waste in a bin alongside their regular trash and recycling on a scheduled day. Participation requirements and container rules have been phased in across boroughs and building types. |
| How it works | A resident places food scraps and yard waste in a labeled bin, which can be a city-issued brown bin or another approved container depending on the building, and sets it out on the scheduled collection day. Some buildings are required to participate, and enforcement has been phased in with warnings before fines in many areas. |
| Commonly mixed up with | Composting is sometimes assumed to be optional everywhere in the city. Participation has become mandatory for certain properties as the program has expanded, with rules that vary by borough and building type. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- What can go in the compost bin?
- Food scraps and yard waste are generally accepted in NYC curbside organics collection.
- Is composting mandatory?
- Participation requirements have expanded and are mandatory for certain properties.
- What bin should I use?
- DSNY specifies approved bin types, which can include a city-issued brown bin.
- Is there a fine for not composting?
- Enforcement has been phased in with warnings before fines in many areas.
- Where is the current program described?
- DSNY publishes current composting rules and collection schedules.
Sources
More in this track
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- What are the rules for trash and recycling set-out in New York City?
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These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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