Yes, composting is mandatory for most New York City residents and businesses

New York City's compost mandate requires households and businesses to separate food scraps and yard waste from regular trash. The rule applies citywide, though the rollout has happened in phases across different neighborhoods. If you live in a building with six or more units, or you run a business that generates food waste, you are legally required to compost. Single-family homes and small buildings with fewer than six units became subject to the rule in phases starting in 2022, with full citywide coverage now in effect.

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) enforces the mandate. Violations can result in fines, though the city has focused on education and providing collection services rather than when ready penalties. Understanding what you must compost, where to put it, and how collection works in your neighborhood will help you stay compliant.

Key Takeaways

  • Food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste must be separated from regular trash in all five boroughs.
  • Apartment buildings with six or more units, and all commercial food businesses, have been required to compost since 2013.
  • Single-family homes and smaller buildings became subject to the mandate in phases, with full coverage now in place.
  • DSNY provides brown compost bins and collects them on a regular schedule; you do not need to pay extra for residential collection.
  • Violations can result in fines starting at $25 to $100, though enforcement has emphasized outreach over penalties.

What counts as compostable material in New York City

The city's definition of compostable material is specific. Food scraps include fruit and vegetable scraps, meat and fish bones, dairy products, eggs, grains, bread, pasta, and coffee grounds and filters. You can also compost food-soiled paper like napkins, paper towels, and cardboard food containers (pizza boxes, takeout containers). Yard waste includes leaves, grass clippings, branches, and wood chips.

Do not put plastic bags, plastic film, or non-compostable items in your brown compost bin, even if they say "compostable" or "biodegradable." The city's composting facilities cannot process them. Meat and fish are allowed, but bones should be included. Oils and fats can go in, but large amounts of grease should be avoided. When in doubt, the DSNY website has a searchable tool where you can type any item and learn whether it belongs in compost.

Who is required to compost and when the rule took effect

The mandate has been in place for large apartment buildings and commercial food businesses since 2013. Buildings with six or more units, schools, hospitals, restaurants, grocery stores, and food manufacturers have been required to separate and compost food waste for over a decade. Residential buildings with fewer than six units and single-family homes were phased in starting in 2022.

The rollout followed a geographic schedule. The first phase covered parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn in 2022. Subsequent phases expanded to other neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island through 2023 and into 2024. By now, the mandate covers the entire city. If you have not yet received a brown compost bin, contact DSNY through their website or call 311 to request one for your address.

How to set up compost collection at your home or building

DSNY provides brown compost bins at no cost to residents. If you live in a building with six or more units, your building management or superintendent should have arranged for bins and scheduled collection. If your building does not have bins, the superintendent or owner is responsible for requesting them from DSNY. You can also call 311 or visit the DSNY website to request bins for your address.

For single-family homes and smaller buildings, you receive a brown bin during your neighborhood's rollout phase. The bin is typically placed at the curb on your regular trash collection day. DSNY collects compost on the same schedule as your regular garbage and recycling—usually once or twice per week depending on your neighborhood. You do not need to line the bin with a bag, though you can use a compostable bag if you prefer. Some residents use newspaper or cardboard at the bottom to make cleanup easier.

What happens to compost after collection

DSNY transports collected compost to processing facilities where it is turned into finished compost or compost products. The city partners with private composting companies and has invested in expanding local processing capacity. Some compost is sent to regional facilities in New Jersey and other nearby states. The finished product is used in parks, gardens, and landscaping projects across the city and region.

This is not a theoretical program—the city has been processing hundreds of thousands of tons of compost annually from large buildings and businesses for years. The expansion to all residential buildings means the volume will increase significantly, but the infrastructure exists to handle it. You do not need to track where your specific compost goes; DSNY manages the logistics.

Fines and enforcement for not composting

Violations of the compost mandate can result in fines. The penalty for a first violation is typically $25 to $100, depending on the circumstances. Repeat violations carry higher fines. However, DSNY has emphasized education and outreach over aggressive enforcement, especially during the early phases of the mandate's expansion. The city has distributed information, held community events, and provided bins before issuing citations.

In practice, enforcement has focused on large buildings and commercial businesses that generate substantial waste. Residential buildings and single-family homes have generally received warnings and education first. That said, the rule is law, and fines are possible. The safest approach is to compost as required rather than assume enforcement will not reach your address.

Common problems and how to solve them

The most frequent issue is contamination—putting non-compostable items in the brown bin. This can jam processing equipment and delay the entire batch. If you are unsure whether something belongs in compost, leave it out. Another common problem is odor, especially in warm months. You can reduce smell by wrapping food scraps in newspaper before placing them in the bin, or by freezing scraps until collection day. Some residents keep a small container in the freezer specifically for this purpose.

If your building's compost bin is overflowing or not being collected, contact DSNY through 311 or the website. If your bin is damaged or missing, request a replacement. If you live in a building where management has not set up compost collection, you can report it to DSNY—building owners are legally required to provide bins and arrange collection. If you have questions about what is compostable, the DSNY website has detailed lists and a searchable tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I compost meat, fish, and dairy in New York City?

Yes. Meat, fish, bones, dairy, and eggs all go in the brown compost bin. These items break down in industrial composting facilities, which reach much higher temperatures than home compost piles. Do not put them in home compost if you have one, but they are fine for the city's collection program.

What if my building does not have a compost bin yet?

Contact DSNY through 311 or the department's website to request bins for your address. If your building is in a phase that has already rolled out, bins should be provided at no cost. If your neighborhood has not yet entered the program, you will receive bins when your phase begins. Building management or owners are responsible for requesting bins if they have not done so.

Do I have to pay for compost collection?

No. Residential compost collection is free and included in your regular sanitation service. You do not pay a separate fee. Commercial businesses may have different arrangements depending on their waste volume and contract with DSNY.

What should I do if my compost bin smells bad?

Wrap food scraps in newspaper or cardboard before placing them in the bin, or freeze scraps until collection day. Avoid putting large amounts of meat or fish in at once. Make sure the bin lid is closed between collections. If odor persists, you can request a replacement bin from DSNY.

Can I use compostable bags in the brown bin?

You can, but it is not necessary. DSNY accepts bags labeled as compostable or certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). However, many residents straightforward place scraps directly in the bin without a bag. If you use a bag, make sure it is actually compostable—regular plastic bags, even thin ones, will not break down and will contaminate the batch.