NYC Composting is Now Mandatory – Simple Rules Every New Yorker Must Follow (PDF file)

​As of April 1, 2025, composting is mandatory for all New York City residents. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) now enforces this law, issuing fines to property owners who fail to separate compostable materials from regular trash. Here's a straightforward guide to help you comply

What to Compost

Place the following items in your compost bin:

Food scraps: fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, dairy, and cooked foods

Food-soiled paper: napkins, paper towels, tea bags, coffee filters, greasy uncoated paper plates, and pizza boxes

Yard waste: leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and flowers

Certified compostable products: items labeled as compostable

What Not to Compost

Do not place these items in your compost bin:

Plastic, metal, glass, and foam products

Pet waste, diapers, and hygiene products

Medical waste and wrappers

Clean paper and cardboard (these belong in recycling)

Collection Schedule

Compost is collected weekly on your regular recycling day. To find your collection schedule, visit nyc.gov/CollectionSchedule.​

Setting Out Compost

Use a bin: Place compost in a DSNY brown bin or any bin (55 gallons or less) with a secure lid.

Label your bin: If using your own bin.

Line your bin: Use clear plastic, paper, or compostable bags. Black trash bags are not allowed.

Set out time: Place your bin at the curb after 6 PM the night before your collection day.​

Fines for Non-Compliance

Property owners who fail to separate compostable materials from trash may face fines

Buildings with 1–8 units:

1st offense: $25

2nd offense: $50

Subsequent offenses: $100​

Buildings with 9 or more units:

1st offense: $100

2nd offense: $200

Subsequent offenses: $300​

DSNY inspectors may check trash bags for compliance.

Requirements for Building Owners

Provide a designated storage area with clearly labeled compost bins.

Ensure bins have secure lids and are 55 gallons or less.

Educate tenants about proper composting practices.​

Benefits of Composting

Reduces landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Helps control the city's rat population by removing food sources.

Produces compost that enriches soil in parks and gardens.​

For more information and resources, visit nyc.gov/CurbsideComposting or call 311.

DISCLAIMER to comply with the New York City Consumer Protection Law which applies to all businesses operating in New York City: We are small family-owned and family-operated Brooklyn-based business. We are not a City of New York store nor are the website, products or services affiliated with the City of New York or any agency of the City of New York. We ourselves, our business, websites, products, services, or any hyperlinks from its website are not sponsored by, approved by, affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the City of New York or any agency of the City of New York, including but not limited to HPD, DOB, DOT, DSNY, FDNY and federal directly or by implication.

DISCLAIMER These codes may not be the most recent version. The State / federal or other regulation department may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

The requirements for sign/forms content are determined by intended use and by applicable regulation. The BUYER/downlaoder is responsible for determining the appropriate content for a sign or package of signs.  WE makes no warranty or representation of suitability of a sign for any specific application. IT IS THE CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE SIGNS THE CUSTOMER ORDERS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL STATE, FEDERAL, LOCAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAWS. Please review terms and conditions prior to purchase. 

For more information about what is required, see the laws that are referenced and the rules applicable to your city and state. This page is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice, professional advice or a statement of law. You may wish to consult with an attorney.

For stronger protection, use language that emphasizes no affiliation, no warranties, no reliance, assumption of risk, and limitation of liability. (Only an attorney can determine whether this is enforceable in your jurisdiction.)

LEGAL DISCLAIMER, LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, AND NOTICE OF INDEPENDENT STATUS

IMPORTANT NOTICE — PLEASE READ BEFORE USING THIS MATERIAL

This document, flyer, guide, checklist, bulletin, notice, poster, publication, educational material, summary, compilation, reprint, or informational content is provided solely as a convenience service.

WE ARE A SMALL INDEPENDENT FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS.

We are not a government agency and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, approved by, authorized by, contracted with, acting on behalf of, or otherwise connected to the City of New York, the State of New York, the United States Government, or any governmental agency, department, authority, bureau, commission, office, corporation, public benefit corporation, municipality, regulatory body, or instrumentality.

This includes, without limitation:

• All New York City agencies, departments, authorities, boards, commissions, and offices
• All New York State agencies, departments, authorities, boards, commissions, and offices
• All federal agencies, departments, administrations, bureaus, offices, commissions, and instrumentalities

Including but not limited to:

DSNY, DOB, FDNY, HPD, DEP, DOHMH, DOT, NYCEM, NYCHA, DOB NOW, FDNY Bureau of Fire Prevention, OSHA, EPA, HUD, FEMA, CDC, USDA, DHS, IRS, NIST, FTC, FCC, and all successor agencies.

FREE GOVERNMENT MATERIALS

Any government-created content reproduced, referenced, summarized, reformatted, printed, distributed, or discussed herein may be available directly from official government sources at no charge.

Users are strongly encouraged to obtain the most current version directly from official government websites, including but not limited to:

• NYC.gov
• NY.gov
• USA.gov

Our company does not represent that any material provided by us is the most current version available.

NO LEGAL, REGULATORY, OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Nothing contained in this material constitutes or should be construed as:

• Legal advice
• Regulatory advice
• Code interpretation
• Compliance advice
• Engineering advice
• Architectural advice
• Fire safety advice
• Environmental advice
• Tax advice
• Accounting advice
• Consulting services
• Professional certification
• Government guidance

Users must consult qualified licensed professionals and the appropriate governmental agencies regarding their specific circumstances.

NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES

THIS MATERIAL IS PROVIDED STRICTLY "AS IS," "WITH ALL FAULTS," AND "AS AVAILABLE."

OUR COMPANY MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, GUARANTEES, OR COVENANTS OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Accuracy
• Completeness
• Reliability
• Timeliness
• Currency
• Suitability
• Merchantability
• Fitness for a particular purpose
• Regulatory compliance
• Legal sufficiency
• Non-infringement

We do not warrant that the information is current, complete, accurate, legally sufficient, enforceable, accepted by any governmental authority, or suitable for any specific use.

USER ASSUMES ALL RISK

Any person or entity accessing, viewing, downloading, printing, distributing, relying upon, using, or acting upon this material does so voluntarily and entirely at their own risk.

The user assumes full responsibility for verifying all information directly with applicable governmental authorities and qualified professionals.

The user further assumes all risks associated with any actions, decisions, expenditures, compliance efforts, business activities, construction activities, property management activities, legal filings, permitting activities, inspections, or regulatory matters arising from the use of this material.

RELEASE AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, OUR COMPANY, ITS OWNERS, FAMILY MEMBERS, MEMBERS, SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, SUCCESSORS, AFFILIATES, SUPPLIERS, AGENTS, AND ASSIGNS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, CAUSE OF ACTION, LOSS, DAMAGE, COST, EXPENSE, PENALTY, FINE, LIABILITY, INJURY, DELAY, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOST PROFITS, LOST REVENUE, LOST OPPORTUNITY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR OTHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER.

THIS DISCLAIMER APPLIES REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY, INCLUDING CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, STATUTORY LIABILITY, EQUITABLE CLAIMS, OR OTHERWISE.

NO RELIANCE

Users expressly acknowledge that they may not rely upon this material as a substitute for obtaining information directly from official governmental sources or qualified licensed professionals.

Any reliance placed upon this material is solely at the user's own risk.

COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP

Government-created content, publications, forms, notices, regulations, guides, bulletins, educational materials, and official documents remain the property of their respective governmental agencies and authorities.

Our company claims no ownership interest in government-created materials and provides access to such information solely as a convenience service.

ACCEPTANCE

By receiving, accessing, viewing, downloading, printing, using, purchasing, or relying upon this material, the user acknowledges that they have read, understood, and accepted the terms of this disclaimer.

IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THESE TERMS, DO NOT USE OR RELY UPON THIS MATERIAL.

For a product page, PDF download page, or printed flyer, it is also wise to have a local attorney review the disclaimer so it aligns with New York law and your specific business practices.