NYC’s Curbside Composting Faces Challenges: Landlords and Tenants Struggle to Participate
The city sanitation department’s curbside composting program in New York City is struggling. Many residents still throw organic waste in the trash, and many landlords of large buildings do not provide compost bins for tenants.
The program expanded recently to the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, following its launch in Brooklyn and Queens last year. All New Yorkers must now separate food scraps from regular trash and put them in designated bins on recycling days.
However, city data reveals that the program has diverted only a small amount of compost from landfills. Last month, sanitation workers collected about 3,500 tons of compost, which is an increase from 2,300 tons in October of the previous year. Still, this represents less than 5% of the estimated 78,000 tons of organic waste discarded monthly.
Many building supers and tenants cite space and time as major obstacles. They report insufficient room for compost bins and long lists of daily tasks. For example, Michael Patterson, a resident of a large high-rise, has never heard of any composting efforts from his property management. Similarly, Allan Goldstein from another building tried composting but abandoned it due to unclear guidelines and collection issues.
Sanitation officials have promoted composting as an environmental benefit. They believe composting can help reduce the rat population by limiting food scraps on the streets. The department has notified non-compliant building owners. Starting in April, inspectors will check trash bags across the city and issue $50 fines to landlords if they find organic waste mixed with regular trash.
How can New York City improve participation in its curbside composting initiative?
Interview with Dr. Sarah Klein, Urban Sustainability Specialist: The Challenges of NYC’s Curbside Composting Program
Date: October 23, 2023
Published by NewsDirectory3.com
In light of the recent struggles faced by New York City’s curbside composting program, we sat down with Dr. Sarah Klein, an urban sustainability specialist and advocate for waste reduction initiatives. Dr. Klein, who has been reviewing urban composting strategies across the U.S., shared her insights on the challenges the program faces and potential solutions to increase participation.
NewsDirectory3: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Klein. Based on the recent data, it seems that NYC’s curbside composting program is not operating as effectively as intended. What are the primary factors contributing to this struggle?
Dr. Klein: Thank you for having me. There are several interconnected challenges. First, many New Yorkers remain unaware of the importance of composting and how to properly separate organic waste. Education and outreach are critical. Second, there’s the issue of participation from building landlords, especially in larger apartment complexes, where providing compost bins can be seen as an inconvenience. Space is a genuine concern, but with adequate planning, it can be managed. many residents cite time constraints, especially in a fast-paced city like New York, as a reason for not engaging in composting.
NewsDirectory3: You mentioned the necessity of education and outreach. What strategies do you believe the city should implement to encourage more residents to participate in composting?
Dr. Klein: I think a multifaceted approach is essential. First, targeted educational campaigns can help inform residents about the environmental impact of composting, how to do it properly, and the benefits of participation. Collaborating with community organizations to host workshops and demonstrations can also create engagement. Additionally, leveraging social media and local influencers could help spread awareness more organically. Incentive programs for landlords who provide compost bins might encourage wider implementation as well.
NewsDirectory3: It’s clear that landlords play a crucial role in this initiative. What are some solutions you can suggest for landlords to ease the implementation of composting systems in their buildings?
Dr. Klein: Landlords can start by designating a small area in their buildings for compost bins. They might also consider partnering with composting service companies to streamline waste collection for their tenants, which could alleviate concerns about space and logistics. Moreover, educating tenants about proper composting practices may foster a community culture that values waste reduction. Incentives from the city to cut down on waste disposal costs could motivate more landlords to participate.
NewsDirectory3: NYC’s data reveals that only a small fraction of the estimated organic waste is being composted. In your opinion, what specific metrics should the city track to better evaluate the program’s success?
Dr. Klein: The city should monitor participation rates by demographic and neighborhood to identify which areas are struggling or excelling. Analyzing the volume of organic waste per capita could help assess the efficiency of the program, while tracking the number of compost bins distributed and their usage rates would provide insight into accessibility. Additionally, surveying residents on their attitudes toward composting before and after educational initiatives could be insightful as well.
NewsDirectory3: As the city aims to expand the program further, what final thoughts do you have for New York City’s sanitation department?
Dr. Klein: It’s essential to recognise that composting is more than just a disposal method—it’s a cultural shift toward sustainability. The NYC sanitation department should focus on developing a robust education campaign, ensuring accessibility, and engaging landlords in meaningful partnerships to foster community buy-in. With patience and persistence, NYC could become a model for urban composting efforts across the nation.
Thank you, Dr. Klein, for your valuable insights. It is clear that while the challenges are significant, there is potential for improvement in New York City’s curbside composting program that could lead to a more sustainable future.
(For more stories on urban sustainability and waste management, stay tuned to NewsDirectory3.com.)
However, some experts see the fines as unfair. Samantha MacBride, a faculty member at Baruch College and former sanitation research director, believes enforcing organic separation will be difficult and urges better support for buildings before fines are applied.
Robert Stefanovic, a super in Astoria, reports challenges in getting tenants to comply with recycling, let alone composting. He previously managed compost bins but stopped due to theft.
Sanitation spokesperson Vincent Gragnani stated that the department is focusing on education now, with plans for enforcement later. He noted that achieving a 50% recycling rate took 20 years, emphasizing ongoing outreach efforts.
Recent data shows composting rates have dropped in some neighborhoods, including areas in Queens where the capture rate fell from 16.5% in 2017 to 7.4% in 2024. MacBride recommends increased funding for staffing and education to prevent further declines. She pointed out that homes often have higher composting participation compared to larger buildings, making tenant behavior harder to manage and suggesting that adding staff to handle composting is a considerable request.