Not many may know this, but in January, Mayor Zohran Mamdani reinstated fines to small buildings for improper or no Curbside Composting. This ended the pause former Mayor Eric Adams placed on these fines last April, which was only a couple of weeks after fines started being issued on April 1, 2025.
Separating leaf and yard waste, food waste, and food-soiled paper from the rest of the garbage became mandatory in October 2024. There was a buffer period before it was enforced.
Small buildings are considered those with 1–8 units. They can be issued fines in the amount of: $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense, and $100 for the third and subsequent offenses.
Data shows that during most of the period that Curbside Composting has been mandatory only about 5% of organic material was diverted from landfills. However, during the brief time of fine enforcement that percentage doubled.
Curbside Composting accepts: all leaf and yard waste, including flowers and Christmas trees; food scraps, including meat, bones, shells, and dairy; prepared and cooked foods; greasy uncoated paper plates and pizza boxes; and products certified or labeled compostable.
One reason compost isn’t being diverted from the landfill is many building owners are not providing bins for their tenants. Some did when fines were to be enforced, but when Adams halted the fines, bins began to disappear.
For those who don’t have access to a curbside compost bin, Big Reuse helps manage food scrap drop-off sites at two area farmers markets: McCarren Park from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. and Msgr. McGolrick Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. Food scraps are also accepted at Domino Park (S 3rd St, Between Kent Avenue & River Street) on Monday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon and on Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. However, the scraps accepted by Big Reuse and Domino are limited to plants, flowers, uncooked plant-based foods, and bread. Domino Park is slightly stricter than Big Reuse as their drop off doesn’t accept citrus.
Some wonder why go to all this trouble? In an article last updated on March 6, 2026 by the Environmental Protection Agency, it states, “An estimated 58 percent of the fugitive methane emissions (i.e., those released to the atmosphere) from municipal solid waste landfills are from landfilled food waste.”
For those who want to lessen their carbon footprint composting is a direct way to achieve this. Compost that is collected by NYC is used as a natural fertilizer and as an energy source.
If your building doesn’t have a bin you can report a “compost mixed with trash” complaint to 311.
To find your compost pick up day, input your address here: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/forms/collection-schedule
The Greenline 