Why it matters and how you can get involved too

Every year, New York City (NYC) generates more than 14 million tons of waste and recyclables. Yet more than 50% of typical municipal garbage set out at the curb is compostable.

The 14 million tons of waste keeps a yearly fleet of over 2,000 city government trucks and

 4,000 private trucks busy, collecting across the five boroughs to ensure the health and hygiene of one of the most vibrant metropolises in the world.

Yet this city’s waste diversion is more than just impressive numbers, it is also leading the way in urban sustainability. In October 2024, New York managed to complete the rollout of weekly compost collection services marking a huge milestone in the city’s push for a greener world.

Making changes at every stage of the waste system, from composting to public support, has meant New York City is ahead in building a greener future.

Why Composting Matters in NYC

Organic waste, like food scraps and yard waste, makes up a significant portion of the city’s trash. But this waste, even if disposed of responsibly often ends up in landfill.

In landfills, this organic waste decomposes without oxygen, which releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. But composting provides a better alternative. It transforms raw materials like food scraps, leaves, grass clippings and garden trimmings into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to help plants thrive and creates a circular economy. Read more on our blog covering the circular economy here and how compostable bags can contribute to it.

New York City has been visionary in their efforts to reduce the waste of New Yorkers and allow residents to dispose of their organic waste in a way that reduces the city’s impact on the globe and improve their urban sustainability.

Switching to composting might seem small, but it makes a big impact. One banana peel at a time can help create a healthier city.

This has not been an overnight solution. One resident in Manhattan, Christine Datz-Romero, all the way back in 2011, explained how “Organic waste can easily be turned into what gardeners refer to as “black gold” (PDF) or compost to revitalize depleted urban soils. We can put compost to use in our green infrastructure, from the street trees to public and private gardens, to green roofs.” It’s taken over a decade to grow enough momentum to reach the milestone of being the first-of-its-kind, full roll out of a citywide curbside composting program.

How NYC grew composting momentum

New York City’s composting journey began modestly, with community gardens and small-scale programs producing the “black gold”, until over a decade later, visionary thinking took it from small-scale programs to a huge citywide effort.

The vision was brought to life after pilot programs across the city tested curbside composting collections and it was deemed to be successful. Community composting

sites with partnerships with organizations like GrowNYC, Big Reuse and Earth Matter NY provided easy drop-off locations for food scraps.

And so, the vision grew. On February 1st, 2023, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced a roadmap to implement the nation’s largest composting program (NYC Gov).

While curbside composting had existed in New York City before, the program was the first to ambitiously target 100 percent coverage.

Over the course of 20 months, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx were introduced to the automatic, guaranteed, free, year-round service. And on October 7th, 2024, the borough of Manhattan became the final borough to bring the coverage of the composting program to 100%.

Today NYC is one of the first cities to offer 100% curbside composting. Find out where your closest compost drop-off location is in New York by visiting GrowNYC's website and read their comprehensive blog on their charge to eliminate zero waste in NYC.

How did NYC win public support for composting?

One of NYC’s biggest achievements with their rollout of this city scheme is the high level of public support for its composting and recycling efforts. Composting isn’t just about waste diversion; it’s about building a resilient, sustainable city. As part of the city’s efforts, they are aiming to reduce the city’s carbon emissions from food by 33% by 2030. Watch recorded video conference here.

For NYC, and other cities embarking on the curbside composting journey, it is critical to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce landfill waste and create nutrient rich soil that can support urban agriculture, community gardens and even NYC’s parks. But to do so, you have to bring together the public.

NYC has brought together the city to help our planet through:

• Accessibility: through curbside composting and community drop-off sites, NYC removed barriers to participation.
• Education: Campaigns explained the environmental impact of composting and provided clear guidance on what could (and couldn’t) be composted and even created outdoor composting guides (PDF).
• Transparency: Sharing data, like the fact that 12.7 million pounds of compostable material was diverted from the landfill in the first three months of the Queen’s pilot program (PDF) helped residents see the tangible impact of composting.
• Community Involvement: Collaborations with local organizations ensured grassroots support and amplified the city’s message.

By involving residents every step of the way, NYC turned composting into a collective mission.

Get involved with compost

Composting is a collective mission we can all get behind. Separating your kitchen scraps and making sure you reduce waste going to the landfill is a small step that makes a big difference. Read our blog here on tips to get started with home composting.

Keeping your curbside bin clean is easy, all you need to do is line it with a compostable bag.

Using compostable bags for your food countertop compost waste is a great way to put the organic waste from your kitchen to good use, without extra plastic being used. Please note that some local governments do not accept composting bags so make sure to check first. When picking your bags, look for ones that are BPI certified to break down in your local composting facility.

MyEcoWorld® Food and Yard Waste Bags offer a certified compostable alternative to traditional plastic staples. Use them at home instead of conventional trash bags. Use them in the kitchen to collect food scraps. Use them in the yard to collect organic waste. The possibilities are endless, but their impact on the earth is not.

New York City’s composting success is a testament to what’s possible when a community comes together to tackle environmental challenges. Through voluntary programs, education campaigns, and collective action, NYC has turned composting into a powerful tool for sustainability.

Whether you’re a long-time composter or new to the concept, there’s always a way to contribute. NYC is a shining example of urban environmental stewardship for our EcoWorld - one compost bin at a time.

Ready to take the next step? Find your local compost drop-off site or sign up for a curbside composting bin today.