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New Yorkers who don’t separate their organic waste from their household trash could be fined by the Sanitation Department as of Tuesday, April 1. The compost must be put in its own bin and placed at the curb on regular recycling days for pickup. New Yorkers can line the bin with a clear plastic bag.
New Yorkers can purchase a 21-gallon official composting bin from an approved vendor by following this link. The bins cost $43.47.
The Sanitation Department earlier gave out hundreds of thousands of free compost bins to city residents, but that option is no longer available. Sanitation said that Staten Island residents received “far more” of the free compost bins than any other borough. New Yorkers may be wondering if they must have an official NYC composting bin in order to dispose of their organic waste.
Previous iterations of curbside composting had several obstacles to participation, the Sanitation Department said, including a requirement that residents sign up and use a specific bin. Under the current plan, however, New Yorkers can buy an official bin or can use their own bin. The bin must be 55 gallons or less and it must have a secure lid.
The bin should be labeled with an official composting decal. You can get your free decal here. Organic waste that must be composted includes yard waste like plants, leaves, twigs and grass, as well as food waste such as meat, bones, dairy, eggshells, coffee and tea grounds and fruits and vegetables.
Food-soiled paper products like napkins, tea bags, coffee filters and paper plates will also need to be separated. Pizza boxes can continue to be recycled with other cardboard and paper items as long as any cheese residue is removed from them. Non-soiled paper products should remain with traditionally recycled materials.
Items like wrappers, medical waste, diapers, hygiene products and foam should remain in the traditional trash. Pet waste, including kitty litter, should also continue to go in the traditional trash. While you can use a clear plastic bag in your compost bin, you cannot use a white kitchen garbage bag or a black contractor bag.
Sanitation has a special machine that separates the plastic bag from the organic material. The bag is disposed of while the organic material is turned into compost. Most Popular Stories by Tom Wrobleski.
