All NYC residents must separate yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper from trash and recycling. Starting April 1, 2025, property owners may be subject to fines for noncompliance.
All New Yorkers receive weekly, free collection. Curbside composting is collected weekly, on the same day as recycling. Check your recycling day at on.nyc.gov/CollectionDay.
What to Compost:
- All leaf and yard waste, including flowers and Christmas trees
- All food scraps—meat, bones, shells, dairy, and cooked foods
- Greasy uncoated paper plates and pizza boxes
- Products certified or labeled compostable
What NOT to Compost:
- Trash, including diapers, personal hygiene products, wrappers, non-paper packaging and wrappers, foam products, animal waste
- Recyclables—see guidelines for proper recycling
How to Set Out Compost
- Set out your leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food soiled paper in a labeled bin with a secure lid (55 gallons or less) or a DSNY brown bin.
You can purchase a DSNY brown bin or, if using your own bin, order a free composting bin decal. - Line bins with a clear plastic, paper, or compostable bag—no black trash bags.
- Do not mix food waste or food-soiled paper with leaf and yard waste.
- Extra leaf and yard waste can go in paper or clear plastic bags next to the bin. Twigs and branches should be bundled with twine and placed next to bins and bags.
Attend an Info Session or Watch a Recorded Webinar