Archive

Heavy Fines Begin Tuesday for Not Composting in New York City: What You Need to Know

Single-family homes Multi-family residences Apartment buildings, co-ops, condos Landlords, property managers, tenants Fruit and vegetable peels Bread, pasta, grains Meat, bones, dairy Leftovers, expired packaged food (remove packaging first) Eggshells, coffee grounds,…

Anna Klyauzova, RN, Director of Patient Services at ProLife Home Care
Anna Klyauzova, MSN, RN Director of Patient Services · ProLife Home Care
✓ Medically reviewed
Updated 2 min read

Short answer

Single-family homes Multi-family residences Apartment buildings, co-ops, condos Landlords, property managers, tenants Fruit and vegetable peels Bread, pasta, grains Meat, bones, dairy Leftovers, expired packaged food (remove packaging first) Eggshells, coffee grounds, and tea bags (without staples) Cooked food scraps and takeout leftovers (if not plastic-wrapped) Leaves, twigs, branches Grass clippings, plant trimmings Holiday wreaths…

Overview of NYC’s Mandatory Composting Law

  • Single-family homes
  • Multi-family residences
  • Apartment buildings, co-ops, condos
  • Landlords, property managers, tenants
  • Fruit and vegetable peels
  • Bread, pasta, grains
  • Meat, bones, dairy
  • Leftovers, expired packaged food (remove packaging first)
  • Eggshells, coffee grounds, and tea bags (without staples)
  • Cooked food scraps and takeout leftovers (if not plastic-wrapped)
  • Leaves, twigs, branches
  • Grass clippings, plant trimmings
  • Holiday wreaths and pine cones (natural only, no plastic or glitter)
  • Dead houseplants, potting soil, weeds (no synthetic fertilizer)
  • Bagged autumn leaves in paper lawn bags or labeled bins
  • Used napkins and paper towels
  • Pizza boxes, greasy paper plates
  • 1st Offense: $25
  • 2nd Offense: $50
  • 3rd+ Offense: $100
  • 1st Offense: $100
  • 2nd Offense: $200
  • 3rd+ Offense: $300
  • Use DSNY-approved bins with secure lids
  • Use compostable liners, paper bags, or no liner at all
  • Set out after 6 PM the night before collection
  • Collection is on the same day as recycling
  • Provide and maintain bins for tenants
  • Ensure bins are labeled and in accessible areas
  • Educate residents and monitor compliance
  • Random inspections by DSNY agents
  • Monitoring bin contents and proper labeling
  • Reports through NYC 311
  • Call 311 or use the NYC 311 app
  • Visit nyc.gov/organics
  • Reduces methane emissions from landfills
  • Creates nutrient-rich compost for green spaces
  • Supports renewable energy via anaerobic digestion
  • NYC Organics Official Page
  • Download NYC Compost Checklist (PDF)
  • Free workshops and multilingual support from DSNY
  • Throwing compost in black trash bags
  • Using bins without lids
  • Missing set-out times
  • Placing plastics or glass in the compost bin
  • [ ] I have a DSNY-approved compost bin
  • [ ] I separate food, yard, and paper waste properly
  • [ ] I set out the bin at the correct time
  • [ ] I educate other household members
  • Do I have to compost if I live in a small building? Yes, all residential properties must comply.
  • Can I get fined if a neighbor messes up the bin? Property owners are responsible for ensuring proper use.
  • What if my building doesn’t provide a bin? Call 311 or notify your landlord to request one from DSNY.
Anna Klyauzova, registered nurse and Director of Patient Services at ProLife Home Care

Anna Klyauzova, RN, MSN, MPA

Director of Patient Services · Co-founder
14 years in clinical nursing9 years in home careMS, Nursing AdministrationMPA

She has nursed since 2011, at Jacobi Medical Center and then at Mount Sinai, where she ran an operating room team before co-founding ProLife Home Care in 2017. Her profile is public on LinkedIn, and the agency licence is public on NYS Health Profiles.

Last updated .

More on archive