As the City Council deliberates the 2026 budget, there is heightened concern over the potential elimination of community composting programs in New York City—a move that echoes the decision made in 2023.
Advocates argue that such a decision would be shortsighted for a city that has finally made composting accessible to its residents.
With the recent rollout of the curbside composting program, which mandates most residents to separate food scraps into brown bins starting April 1, the city has improved access to composting options.
However, the success of this initiative hinges not just on infrastructure, but on changing the behaviors of New Yorkers.
Currently, participation rates are alarmingly low, with only 4.6 percent of compostable materials being diverted from landfills.
This statistic translates to an astonishing 270,000 tons of food waste discarded in just the last quarter of 2024—resources that could have enriched soil and contributed to emissions reduction.
The root of the problem lies in behavioral change, which cannot be achieved through mandates alone.
New York has a unique opportunity to inspire a cultural shift towards composting, one that extends beyond the mechanics of waste disposal to actively engaging the community.
Community composting serves this vital purpose by connecting residents with the composting process and outcomes.
When individuals witness the transformation of their food scraps into finished compost, they are more likely to engage in separating their waste at home.
A study conducted by the CUNY School of Public Health this year revealed compelling findings: 85.8 percent of participants in community composting programs reported heightened awareness regarding food waste, while 71.5 percent indicated they had decreased their household waste.
It’s crucial to recognize that community composting does not undermine the curbside program; rather, it complements it.
In a time when environmental efforts are desperately needed, both community and curbside composting are essential to the city’s waste management strategy.
Food scraps that end up in landfills decompose, release methane, and contribute to climate change.
On the other hand, while curbside composting largely converts food waste into biofuel, community composting generates nutrient-rich soil that fortifies plants, retains water, and offers tangible benefits back to the environment.
Together, these composting methods could potentially halve greenhouse gas emissions.
When considering the impacts on carbon storage in soil versus the release of methane, the benefits are clear.
Unfortunately, despite its demonstrated effectiveness, community composting has faced precarious funding situations.
In 2023, the Adams administration eliminated funding for community composting initiatives, pushing small-scale composters to rely on private donations for survival.
After a vigorous public outcry including rallies, hearings, and advocacy, the City Council managed to restore a budget of $6.245 million for the last fiscal year.
Yet, this funding reinstatement highlights an unsettling reality: community composting remains vulnerable in the city’s budget, lacking the consistent support and resources afforded to curbside composting.
Community composting is not simply an alternative; it offers an educational platform that engages residents and cultivates lasting habits critical for sustainable waste management.
If New York City is genuinely committed to waste reduction and lowering emissions, it must take proactive steps to protect community composting from future budget cuts.
It should be viewed as a crucial component of the overall composting infrastructure, deserving the same level of investment and attention as curbside programs.
image source from：https://citylimits.org/opinion-why-nyc-needs-community-composting-to-make-curbside-collections-work/
