Update on Composting Rules—Now Mandatory!

Composting is now mandatory in NYC. This means you must separate yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper from trash and recycling. Starting April 1, 2025, property owners who don’t follow these rules may face fines.

Not to worry, though! Curbside composting is free and collected weekly on the same day as recycling. You can find your collection day at nyc.gov/CollectionDay.

You can compost yard waste, food scraps (including meat, bones, and dairy), prepared foods, greasy uncoated paper plates, pizza boxes, and certified compostable products.

You cannot compost diapers, hygiene products, animal waste, wrappers, non-paper packaging, foam products, or recyclables.

The easiest way to get started is to request a DSNY brown bin at bins.nyc and line it with clear plastic, paper, or compostable bags—no black bags. Extra yard waste should go in paper or clear plastic bags. Twigs and branches should be bundled with twine.

Learn more, join an info session, request DSNY for events, or share composting updates from @nycsanitation on social media.