The city of New York has halted fines for smaller residential buildings failing to comply with mandatory composting regulations, citing a need for increased public education about the program. Officials are now faced with the dilemma of effectively educating residents about composting without a dedicated budget for outreach.
As the deadline approaches for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year budget, set for June 30, lawmakers have expressed concerns that the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) lacks the specific funding required for educating residents on the mandatory curbside composting initiatives that were enforced on April 1.
In a recent update, it was revealed that just two weeks following the enforcement of the new composting rules, the city decided to suspend fines for residential buildings containing 30 or fewer units, deferring penalties until next year.
Despite the program being mandatory, the city will continue to issue warnings to non-compliant buildings. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office mentioned that the pause in penalties is intended to allow for additional outreach and education efforts regarding composting, acknowledging that residents still have many questions about the importance of the program.
During a hearing held last month, DSNY’s Deputy Commissioner Joshua Goodman confirmed that there is no separate budget line specifically allocated for outreach and education related to the composting program. Instead, the department is relying on existing resources to spread the word.
Sanitation Chair and Councilmember Shaun Abreu criticized City Hall’s decision to suspend enforcement, arguing that the lack of dedicated resources undermines the integrity of the program. He pointed out, “Clearly, the existing resources were not enough” given the decision to pause fines was made to provide more education.
In response to the city’s current outreach efforts, DSNY stated that its communications and public affairs bureau has already knocked on over 740,000 doors and hosted more than 1,000 outreach events, in addition to sending multiple mailers to residents and engaging in various press conferences.
Despite these efforts, the enforcement of composting rules resulted in 4,257 fines being issued within just the first two weeks, leading to significant unrest among property owners. While the DSNY distributed over 30,000 warnings in the lead-up to the enforcement, compliance levels remain a concern.
The city’s installation of mandatory composting is designed to promote sustainability, yet many residents still struggle to comprehend how the program works. Under the current regulations, residents are required to dispose of compostable materials, such as food scraps and yard waste, in designated containers or DSNY brown bins.
Areas with a higher density of smaller residential buildings, specifically neighborhoods in the Bronx and Queens, saw the most fines issued, while Manhattan experienced fewer penalties. Notably, nearly 79 percent of the properties that received fines had fewer than eight units.
Despite these challenges, the mandatory composting initiative has shown remarkable early success, with DSNY collecting 2.5 million pounds of compost in the first week, reflecting a 240 percent increase compared to the previous year’s figures.
The decision to freeze fines for smaller properties has spurred speculation that the move might be politically motivated rather than purely logistical. Reports indicate that Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro raised objections to the fining process, coinciding with criticism from Republican lawmakers like Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, who is advocating for the composting program to become voluntary.
Marmorato went so far as to describe the fines as a cash grab that disproportionately affects working-class families, further intensifying the controversy surrounding the enforcement of the city’s composting regulations.
Currently, owners of small buildings that do not comply with waste separation regulations face initial fines ranging from $25 for the first offense to $100 for subsequent infractions. For larger buildings, penalties begin at $100 and can escalate to $300.
While second or third offenses have yet to be recorded, the discussion around the composting fines has heightened public awareness and prompted increased participation rates, according to environmental advocates.
Justin Green, executive director of the non-profit Big Reuse, stated that the attention surrounding fines has raised awareness for the composting initiatives. Since the onset of the program, average weekly organic waste collections have surged, jumping from 1 million pounds a week last year to nearly 4.8 million pounds after the implementation of fines.
Nevertheless, advocates maintain that relying on fines alone will not suffice to encourage New Yorkers to adopt composting. Eric Goldstein, a representative from the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), contends that significant public education is necessary to foster compliance with the composting program.
He pointed out that residents need comprehensive explanations of the value of composting and guidance on how to engage effectively in the program for meaningful change to occur. All stakeholders agree that increased funding dedicated to outreach is crucial.
The NRDC and others are advocating for an allocation of $7 million in the upcoming budget specifically for the Community Composting Program for All. This initiative aims to support neighborhood organizations that have been running local organic waste collection efforts for many years.
However, budget cuts enacted by City Hall in 2023 limited financial support for these grassroots organizations, although some funding was restored in the previous year’s budget. Advocates believe that maintaining support for community composting is essential for nurturing public education and ultimately improving compliance with curbside collection regulations.
Recycling organic waste presents numerous environmental benefits, including cost savings for the city by reducing dependence on distant landfills which contribute to carbon emissions and climate change. By repurposing organic material into compost and alternative energy sources, New York City can pursue more sustainable waste management practices.
Despite ongoing outreach efforts by DSNY, as stated in their communications with City Limits, including direct community engagement and dissemination of information through various media platforms, critics argue that these initiatives have been insufficient.
Composting advocate Nando Rodriguez from Brotherhood Sister Sol emphasized the need for increased funding to facilitate more effective outreach. He notes that in a fast-paced urban environment, simplifying the process for residents to separate and compost their waste can empower more individuals to adopt sustainable practices.
The city’s approach to composting regulation illustrates a complex interplay of enforcement, education, and community involvement. As the deadline for the budget looms closer, the decision-makers must address the funding disparity to ensure the program reaches its potential.
Efforts to enhance public understanding of composting, ultimately leading to greater participation, hinge on the government’s ability to secure dedicated resources for education and outreach. Only time will tell how New York City will navigate these challenges as it works toward promoting a greener, more sustainable future.
image source from：citylimits
