NYC's Strict New Compost Rules: Get Ready for Fines!

Starting Tuesday, New York City residents will be fined for failing to separate compostable materials from their trash. This citywide mandate, expanding on a program launched last October, requires separating food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper into designated brown bins.

Who Gets Fined and How Much?

Fine amounts depend on your building type and the number of offenses:

• Buildings with 1-8 units: $25 for the first offense.
• Buildings with 9+ units: $100 for the first offense.

Subsequent offenses will incur higher fines. Building owners are responsible for fines in buildings with four or more units, which must have designated composting areas.

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What Can and Can't Be Composted?

Compostable: Meat, bones, dairy, prepared foods, greasy uncoated paper plates, and pizza boxes.

Not Compostable: Animal waste, diapers, personal hygiene products, cardboard, plastic, metal, glass, Styrofoam.

Why is NYC Doing This?

Over a third of NYC's trash is compostable. Sending it to landfills produces methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. Composting helps create renewable waste and reduces environmental impact.

Reporting Non-Compliance

A new 311 complaint option is available to report buildings not complying with the composting program. City officials are already actively monitoring compliance across neighborhoods.

Learn More

For more information and details on the program requirements visit the NYC Department of Sanitation's website.