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New York City‘s composting mandate goes into effect on October 6, requiring buildings, including co-ops and condos, to separate food scraps and yard waste from their regular trash. After a grace period ending April 2025, fines ranging from $25 to $300 will be imposed for failing to comply.
Enforcement for New Trash and Compost Set-Out Rules Begins January 2025
Starting January 2, 2025, enforcement begins for the new NYC rule requiring residential properties with 1-9 units to use bins (55 gallons or less) with secure lids for setting out trash. This regulation also applies to special-use buildings receiving NYC Department of Sanitation collection, such as NYC agencies, houses of worship, and nonprofits.
The sanitation department can start enforcing composting rules in april. Spokesperson Vincent Gragnani saeid the department is wasting no time and will be aggressively warning residents who don’t separate their organics.
Penalties will start at $100 for owners of buildings with eight or fewer units. Fines can go as high as $300 for larger buildings.
gragnani said the sanitation department is adding a new type of 311 service request to report buildings that aren’t offering methods to separate organics from regular trash. Sanitation officials will then visit buildings to remind management of their responsibilities.
MacBride attributed the higher collection rate in Staten Island to the fact many residents are already in the habit of gathering yard waste. She said the sanitation department will need to get the overall capture rate up quickly if universal curbside compost collection is to be sustained.
“The program is not working in areas where there isn’t yard waste,” she said, adding that increasing the composting rate in large buildings is key to the program’s success.MacBride said that the tons of yard waste collected through curbside composting are driving up the overall capture rate. Vrey few New Yorkers are composting food scraps, she said.
“The food part of the program, especially in dense, multi-unit buildings, is the part where almost no one is participating,” MacBride said.
NYC’s Organics Recycling Mandate: A Conversation on Compost Collection
Table of Contents
New York City is implementing a new composting mandate on October 6th, requiring buildings to separate food scraps and yard waste from regular trash. This initiative aims to bolster the city’s compost collection efforts and reduce landfill waste. We spoke with sustainability expert Dr. Alice Cheng to delve into the details of this mandate and its potential impact.
preparing for the October 6th Deadline
Senior Editor: Dr. Cheng, with the curbingside composting mandate approaching, what are the key things building owners and residents need to know?
Dr. Alice cheng: The most vital thing is awareness. As of October 6th, all buildings, including co-ops and condos, will be required to separate food scraps and yard waste from their regular trash. This applies nonetheless of building size.
Senior Editor: and what happens if residents don’t comply?
Dr. Cheng: There is a grace period until April 2025, where the focus will be on education and outreach.Tho, after that date, fines will be levied. These range from $25 to $300 depending on the property size.
Bins, Enforcement, and Public awareness
Senior Editor: What specific changes will residents see in their building’s waste management practices?
Dr. cheng: many buildings will likely be introducing dedicated bins for food scraps and yard waste. These bins might potentially be separate from your usual trash and recycling containers. It’s best to check with your building management for specific details.
Senior Editor: how will the city enforce these new composting rules?
Dr. Cheng: The Department of Sanitation has announced plans to actively monitor compliance. They’re adding a dedicated 311 service request for reporting buildings that aren’t providing separated composting bins. Sanitation officials will then visit those buildings to educate management on their responsibilities.
Composting Success Factors and Challenges
Senior Editor: Are there areas in the city where composting is already prosperous?
Dr.Cheng: Staten Island has a higher composting rate due to its residents already practicing yard waste collection.
Senior Editor: What are the biggest challenges to making widespread composting a reality in New York City?
Dr. cheng: A important hurdle is engagement in food scrap composting, particularly in multi-unit buildings. The current capture rate for food scraps is very low.
Senior Editor: what needs to be done to address this challenge?
Dr. Cheng: Increased awareness and education campaigns targeted at residents in these dense buildings are crucial. Providing clear and accessible composting methods is essential.
Wide-scale composting success in New York City hinges on resident awareness, public participation, and effective infrastructure.
The city’s new mandate is a step in the right direction, and ongoing efforts to increase public understanding and engagement are vital for maximizing its effectiveness.
